Basic Pool Terminology

Maintaining good clear water is important not only for the look of your water but for the safety as well. This is done by two processes: filtration and water treatment. Whether you chose to do it yourself or hire a service technician, it is important to maintain your water for both your own health and the health of your pool. Improperly balanced water can not only make you sick but can actually damage the surface of your pool and shorten the life of your equipment.

Filtration

Debris and contaminate solids come from both the environment such as sand, dust, leaves, pollens, bacteria etc, and the swimmer, lotions, perspiration, lotions, suntan oils, urine (yes whether we want to admit it, there is always that person), bacteria, and even viruses. Your filter is what removes the large particles from the water through a screening process. Dirt and large debris (insoluble matter, meaning it does not dissolve) are seperated from the liquid as they are too large to pass through the small openings in the filter medium. Solids are measured in microns. What is left in the water after filtration is handled by water treatment which we will get into later.

Water Treatment

Does your water just look ok, or is it inviting?

With my first pool, this was a question asked of me, I answered, "well it looks ok ". Boy what a shock, the difference in perfectly balanced and filtered water vs just ok. It was shimmering, it looked cool and inviting. I know it sounds like a cliche but if you have seen the difference I am sure you understand, if you haven't, once you see it you will!

Filters

DE (Diatomaceous Earth) Filters

Sand Filters

Canister Filters