| Inground Pools
In ground pools, like the name states are built into the ground. In ground pools can be built to allow for diving or not, depending on the depth. A diving pool typically needs to have a deep end depth of 8’6” or more, where typically, non-diving pools have a depth of 3’ to 5’6”. NEVER add or replace a diving board without first contacting your pool builder. Above ground Pools
Like the name says, above ground pools are built above the ground. Some are constructed with corrosion resistant steel wall panels with a vinyl liner covering the inside. Other above ground pools are made of a thick vinyl-type bladder, which is supported by PVC poles. Most above ground pools are round or oval, but some are also rectangle. There is to be no diving in an above ground pool as most have a maximum depth of 4 to 6 feet. Concrete
Some pools are constructed by poured concrete. The concrete is poured, finished and allowed to dry to form the walls and floor. When the concrete is dry, it’s painted with the desired color chosen by the pool owner. Paint touch-ups are typically required, periodically, in various areas – make sure you use the same type of paint as the original. Two common types of paint for concrete pools are Chlorinated Rubber or Epoxy. If a concrete finish becomes rough and chipped in numerous areas, it’s best to have your concrete pool professionally sandblasted and repainted – an investment that will extend the life of your concrete pool. Gunite / Shotcrete
Gunite (or a variation called Shotcrete) is a type of reinforced concrete; it is strong and adaptable to unusual shapes. Instead of being poured, gunite is sprayed. Gunite starts with a dry mixture of cement and sand, which is then combined with water and mixed thoroughly. The finished product is then pressure sprayed over a framework of steel rods and wire mesh to form the walls and floor. There are a variety of color / speckle finishes available to the pool owner. Vinyl-Liner In-Ground
Compared to other in ground pools, vinyl-liner in-ground pools are generally the most affordable, easy to maintain and are available in a standard set of designs. Although the vinyl-liner is the only part visible to the pool owner, it does not make up structure and integrity of the pool. After digging and shaping the hole for the pool, pre-manufactured panels are bolted together to form the walls, then a base is poured to form the floor. Lastly, a track (coping) is installed to the top of the pool walls to hold the vinyl-liner in place. These types of pools are popular in cold-weather states, since the panels have some degree of flex and hold up well under freeze/thaw conditions. Vinyl-liners are available in many colors, patterns and designs and will last an average of 8 to 10 years, after which time a new liner can be installed. Support Equipment
Understanding the proper use of your pool equipment will go a long way toward eliminating most problems. The pool professionals that install the equipment on your pool must select the correct size equipment to match your pool and its operations. They will need to consider the volume of your pool, the diameter of the plumbing, and distance and position of equipment from the pool. The Skimmer
Properly designed pools have one or more skimmers that are usually built right into the edge of the pool. Surface water is drawn into the skimmer along with any floating debris, such as dirt, leaves, suntan oil, etc. Skimmers help keep the water’s surface clean and minimize the amount of debris that gets into the circulation system. Check and clean your skimmer basket every day for best results. The Pump
At the heart of your pool’s support system is the pump. Its job is to move the water through the filters, heater and sanitizing system then back into your pool. Before water flows into the pump, it passes through a strainer basket to catch any debris that has been missed by skimmer; be sure to clean your strainer basket periodically. Pumps vary in size from ½ to 2 Horsepower and can have 1 or 2 speeds. Your pump run time really depends on many factors including the size of your pool, equipment used, amount of activity, weather and time of year. A pool’s pump should circulate all pool water at least once a day.
A pump has a suction side and a discharge side. At the suction side, the pump motor draws water out of the pool. The water is then transferred to the discharge side of the pump, where it is forced through the filter for cleaning (and perhaps a heater and an automatic chemical feeder) and sent back into the pool. Drain plugs allow you to drain water out of the pump, generally for winterizing. The Heater
A heater on your pool can extend your swimming by months, or even year-round in some areas of the country. Most people prefer a pool water temperature of 78°F for swimming. Although the sun can help the water reach that temperature, unless you live in a very warm climate your pool water will not usually exceed the average air temperature. Therefore, a heater may be needed to maintain a water temperature of 78°F in most climates. Gas, electric and solar heaters are available in various sizes – some being more effective and less costly than others. Check with the pool experts in your area for help in deciding on the best heater for you. The Sanitation System
These automatic systems keep your pool water sanitized by maintaining a consistent feed of a sanitizing agent, like minerals or chlorine, into the pool to kill bacteria and algae. Once the proper settings are determined, these systems can automatically dispense just the right amount of sanitizer to keep your pool sparkling clean without a lot of work. An inline feeder is plumbed into your circulation system after all the other pool equipment (pump, filter, heater). An off-line feeder is freestanding and is connected to the pool’s circulation system with additional tubing. KEYS TO SUCCESS - Circulation, Filtration & Water Balance Circulation, filtration and water balance. These three concepts must work together to keep your pool’s water clean and clear. A problem with any one of these things can result in a pool that’s not fun to swim in. Proper filtration and circulation are crucial for even distribution of chemicals throughout your pool and for removal of debris. In fact, the majority of pool problems are due to improper filtration and circulation. Circulation
Circulation is how well the water moves around the pool. Good circulation means that all your water is mixing and filtering properly – top to bottom. You have poor circulation when only a portion of your water is being mixed and filtered. Poor circulation can be the cause and effect of many problems. Proper pump selection and run time along with frequent swimmers in your pool will help keep your water moving and circulating. Whereas inadequate pump size, run time and lack of swimming activity can cause the water to become stagnant. The more the water is moving, the better circulation your pool will have - so keep everyone swimming! Filtration
Filtration is the process of removing dirt and debris from your water as it circulates. Skimmers and strainers help strain out the larger items, like leaves, and filters work to remove tiny particles like dirt and oil. Water Balance
Good water balance is important to help your chemicals work properly and for your pool water to be healthy, appealing and pleasant to swim in. Simply stated, water balance is a term used to describe the ideal condition of pool water. “Balanced” water has just the right amount of pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and dissolved solids in relationship to its temperature. Each of these chemicals is important in maintaining proper balance. Unbalanced water can be unhealthy and a threat to the life of your pool and its equipment because of its scaling and corrosive tendencies. Frequent testing, periodic maintenance, and correct application of sanitizing agents will help keep your pool water in tip top shape. Consistency is the key to keeping your pool sparkling clear – once your pool water is in balance and clean, it becomes much easier to maintain. | 
