Pool Equipment

Owning a swimming pool allows you to enjoy the sweltering heat of summer, hold pool parties, and take a dip after a long day's work. However, achieving the desired levels of satisfaction requires investing in pool equipment to aid with cleaning and maintenance, so the pool is always safe for use.

Oak Wells Aquatics specializes in high-end pool equipment that includes pumps, chemical feeders, heaters, filters, chlorine generators, and cleaners. Read on to understand the functionality of these parts and how you can finally upgrade your swimming pool.

  1. Heaters

Swimming pools are even more fun when they come with heaters so you can swim in the colder months or at night when the temperatures are lower. Having a pool without heat can be inconveniencing, and it does not yield the full effect you are seeking. Nonetheless, powering the heater using the electric grid can increase the utility bill by a significant margin.

On the bright side, investing in a solar pool heater is more cost-efficient, and the annual operating costs are lower. Solar pool heaters have the following parts:

  • A solar collector – this part is where the pool water is circulated, so it is heated by solar.
  • Filter – this part removes debris before the water goes through the collector
  • Pump – this part circulates water through the screen and collector and back to the pool
  • Flow control valve – it works automatically or manually to divert water through the solar collector.

  1. Chlorine Generators

Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer due to its compelling and effective way of killing germs, viruses, and bacteria almost instantly. The standard amount of chlorine in a swimming pool is between 1 to 3 parts per million at any given time. You are advised to test the water every week to ensure the chlorine levels are within range. You can use test strips, a liquid test kit, or you can bring samples of water to Oak Wells Aquatics. We shall test it to see if the chlorine levels are optimal.

Chlorine can either be administered in the form of tablets or powder form. The tablets come in one-inch, and three-inch sizes, and they are both effective, but the latter may cost a little more depending on your area. If you prefer to use the granular version, you must add trichlor, which is the active ingredient in chlorine.

For homeowners who prefer to use chlorine tablets, there are three methods of achieving this:

  • Floating chlorine dispenser – as the name suggests, these devices float around the pool dispensing chlorine, and you can keep adding more sanitizer as desired. While this method is valid, the dispenser can often get stuck behind the ladder and steps, and it may rub against the liners and bleach them.
  • The skimmer – adding chlorine tablets to a skimmer basket is the better option. As water continually moves inside the skimmer basket, it circulates chlorine in the pool much faster. The filter system takes chlorine and pushes it out through the return jets.
  • Automatic chlorinator – this method is the most ideal for ensuring your pool is properly sanitized and safe to use. The chlorinator is installed in the filter system then the sanitizer is automatically dispensed in water.

  1. Chemical Feeders

Chemical feeders are designed to make dosing the pool with chlorine much easier. You only need to fill the feeder with chlorine tablets or sticks and adjust the dial beneath accordingly for the dispensing to begin. We advise clients that installing chemical feeders after the filtration and heating systems start working.

Setting the dial to the preferred is essential and always let the chemical reserve to be finished before you refill chlorine. It is also necessary to install a non-return valve to safeguard pool equipment as they are delicate and therefore prone to wear and tear.

  1. Filters

Pathogens typically thrive inside the water and have the potential to spread diseases if the water remains untreated. Pool filters are essential in keeping the clean water free from fallen leaves and other debris. Dirty water from the pool enters the filter's inlet pipe and then flows to the water distribution head inside the tank.

If you are using high-rate sand filters, gravity pulls the water down, and the sand particles capture the debris. Once the water is filtered, it flows through the pick-up unit and out the outlet pipe.

  1. Pump

The pump is the central equipment of a swimming pool, and this hardware is responsible for facilitating the circulation of water. The plumbing system must be in great shape so the pool can function normally, or else you end up with stagnant and unhygienic water that harbors bacteria.

A pool pump has three main parts, as follows:

  • Housing – this component has a bucket and basket and a clear lid on top. Pool water enters this bucket via the basket and then up to the filter.
  • Impeller – The impeller is an inverted blade that spins at high speeds to suck water then push it through to the filter.
  • Motor – this component is hooked to the back of the pump housing to spin the impeller.

There are three kinds of pool pumps; single-speed where the motor spins the impeller at only one speed as per its horsepower. The second type is the dual speed, which can alternate between high and low rates. Variable-speed pumps have a permanent magnet motor which creates more friction than an induction motor.

Frequent Swimming Pool Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

There are a series of common mistakes that people make when it comes to swimming pools, as follows:

  1. Adding Pool Shock Directly into the Water

Pool shock is the concentrated version of chlorine, and it can bleach everything that goes into that water, including your swim trunks. The best way of adding chlorine is by mixing it in a bucket and then adding it to the pool for even distribution. Remember to protect yourself from this concentrate by wearing the right gear.

  1. Failure to Brush your Pool Regularly

Maintaining a pool is not an easy task, but there are no shortcuts to it. You are required to brush the pool at least once a week and make sure you cover the hard-to-reach places like behind the steps. Doing this process makes your pool free of debris and algae, and grime will not form.

  1. Use an Automatic Pool Cleaner to Remove Algae

These automatic cleaners are beloved for simplifying the cleaning process, but they are not effective when cleaning a pool that is infested with algae. Instead of pushing the algae into a mesh bag, you need to vacuum the pool manually and remove the drain plug or change the filter to ‘waste' to remove the algae.

  1. Not Checking pH and Alkalinity Levels Regularly

Low pH and alkaline levels can damage your pool equipment due to high acidity. As you can see above, swimming pools require a significant investment in the right equipment, and you do not want to keep replacing these. Test your water for pH and alkalinity levels and adjust these levels with alkaline and pH increasers as needed.

  1. Adding Pool Shock via Skimmer

Combining pool shock and chlorine tablets produce a deadly gas that can trigger an explosion when using an automatic chlorinator. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and wear protective clothing to avoid such accidents.

  1. Shocking the Pool during the Day

Shock is unstabilized chlorine, and the sun will burn it off, and this will reduce its efficiency. You may be tempted to do this as you perform other chores or have a pool maintenance person during the day. If you want to achieve the desired results, add shock at night, and avoid using the pool at night.

  1. Running the Filter System for Less than 8 Hours Daily

The longer you run your filter system, the cleaner it will be. Oak Wells Aquatics recommends running the filter for more than eight hours per day to allow ample time for all the water to pass through the filter.

  1. Not Testing Pool Water Every Week

Testing your pool water every week is vital so you can notice the small problems at the onset and deal with them. You can use a liquid test can, use a strip, or take a sample to your local pool supply store. They will give you a detailed analysis of your pool per month, so you know if all is well.

Finding the Best Pool Equipment Near Me

Having a swimming pool is an excellent investment that makes entertaining family and friends twice the fun, especially in the summer. You will need to invest in quality pool equipment that will serve you well without needing too much maintenance. Oak Wells Aquatics specializes in installing pool equipment for new swimming pools and old ones that are due for a remodel.

We have served numerous clients in this area and achieved exceptional results with each project. If you are looking to get the best quality service, please get in touch with us at 904-619-3281 to speak to one of our pool experts today.

Call Us Now For A Quote – 904-619-3281