Some Fun Facts on Pool Equipment and Its Interplay
What is it that your pool pump does when you switch it on? Or why the water remains as clear as a day when you are not in it? You may have put some thought to how the various pieces of apparatus stashed by the equipment pad get along.
We at PB Pool Doc put in our time with residential pools from one end of Palm Beach County to the other, and in Broward County as well, so we are happy to put such questions to rest. Should you feel like discussing your own arrangement, (561) 934-5597 is the number to put us on. But for now, let’s get to know the mechanics of your backyard oasis.
In a Way, Your Pool Is a Large Circulation System
Pool owners are often taken aback to learn their pool is anything but a static body of water. It is in perpetual motion with the pump as its centerpiece. The pump will take in water, run it through its paces over a number of components and put it back where it came from; in the course of a day this loop can account for thousands of gallons.
There is a method to the movement. Leave water to stand and trouble will follow in the form of cloudy water, algae or bacteria. The pump is the heart of the matter, ensuring things flow for the other equipment to function properly.
A Filter Will Catch More Than One Would Imagine
After the pump has done its work the water goes to the filter. You might not be aware of the effort it puts in to sequester the sort of fine particles invisible to you, be it a bit of sunscreen or what the South Florida wind has deposited.
The different filters go about it in their own way:
- A sand filter will hold debris in its bed of graded sand
- With a cartridge type the pleated element is what captures the finer stuff
- Then there is the diatomaceous earth (DE) filter, the best of the three for the smallest of particles
Filters of any make require some tending after a while. If it gets clogged the system has to exert itself, making regular maintenance worthwhile.
Chemistry and Chlorine Are at It Quietly
Consider the chemistry of your pool, an ongoing balancing act subject to the whims of the weather, the temperature, how many are swimming and the sun. An afternoon rain in South Florida can upset the applecart in no time.
Chlorine is the one everyone sees but it has help from the pH, alkalinity and stabilizer. In balance they make for water that is safe and easy on the eyes and skin; step out of range and you will be none the wiser. We include all standard chemicals on our service calls and follow up with an email report of the water test and some photos so the story of your pool’s chemistry is right there in black and white.
Heaters and Automation to Round Things Out
To put more days on the swim season one might have a heater, which runs the water through an element before it is returned. And with today’s automation a phone can be had controlling the lights, the chemical dispensers, pump and heater.
Yet each of these is reliant on the next. A dirty filter and the pump is under strain; a lackluster pump and the heater will have its work cut out for it. They are a team and do best when in good health.
How the Parts Work in Concert
Put it in order and you have:
- The pump to drive the cycle
- The filter for the cleansing
- The chemistry for safety and clarity
- Comfort from the heater and automation
- Some upkeep to keep them in sync
Should one part lag, the others must make up for it and minor matters become major repairs. Happily we have an in-house department for equipment repair to see to those things.
For the Smooth Running of Your Equipment
With an understanding of the team effort involved in your pool equipment, the case for consistent maintenance should be evident. Our 10-step cleaning process is what we bring to pool owners in Palm Beach and Broward counties, complete with the necessary chemicals and without any long-term contract to tie you down.
You can reach us at (561) 934-5597 for a free estimate or to have a word about your pool. We are around Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm to give your equipment the attention it is due.