Swimming Pools 101: The Beginner's Guide to Basic Pool Equipment

People who own and operate their own pools quickly learn all about swimming pool maintenance, needs, and schedule. But, if you’re operating a swimming pool for the first time, knowing all components of a swimming pool equipment that you may need can seem daunting and a little mysterious. Whether you’re thinking of getting a swimming pool, buying a home with a pool included, or are taking over swimming pool maintenance from another person, this guide will help you to learn some of the basics, and avoid potential mistakes.

Swimming pool pump

For your swimming pool to be clean, sparkling and safe, the water needs to be in motion regularly. Stagnant water is attractive to animals, pests, algae and bacteria, and your pump allows you to avoid all of these things.

Your swimming pool pump circulates water through your pool. This prevents it from becoming stagnant and allows yous filter and chemicals to function as intended.

Swimming pool filter

Your swimming pool filter removes fine dirt and debris from the water and allows you to easily clean your water without doing it manually. You will need to connect your filter to your swimming pool pump so it will clean your water as it passes through.

Most swimming pool filters use sand or paper-based cartridges to clean your water. You’ll need to regularly clean and maintain your filter to ensure it works correctly to keep your swimming pool clean.

Swimming pool chlorinators

When you have a swimming pool, you’ll need to be able to add a sanitizer to the water. You can add chlorine by hand, but this chore is tedious (and puts your clothes at risk for staining).

A chlorinator isn’t a necessity, but it can make it much easier for you to add chlorine to your water, and make sure it is safe for swimming. There are many different kinds of chlorinators that you can choose from to make your sanitation simpler.

Swimming pool plumbing

Swimming pool plumbing is usually customized to fit your swimming pool equipment and setup. Pool plumbing is made from specialized materials that can withstand constant pressure and exposure to chlorine.

Most swimming pool plumbing measures in at 1.5 inch or 2 inches in diameter. You’ll need to be sure that all of your swimming pool plumbing and fittings are in good shape. When it comes time to make a replacement, make a note of your plumbing measurements and materials to make the job easier.

Swimming pool heaters

A swimming pool heater is optional for your pool, but can make it a lot more comfortable to swim in. You will need to connect your pool heater with your other pool equipment. This will allow your heater to warm your water as it it is moved through your heating element. Quality swimming pool heaters offer you options to control and maintain the temperature of your water.

A swimming pool heater is expensive to purchase and to operate. But, pools with heaters can be opened earlier, closed later, and tend to be used much more often than unheated pools. Most pool heaters are powered by either natural gas or propane, and will need to be installed by a professional.

Testing and balancing your swimming pool water

Water testing and balancing can be a mysterious process. But, these tests allow you to take the steps necessary to make your water safe and sparkling.  Swimming pool water tests cannot specifically test for algae, bacteria or unsafe conditions. But, regularly tested and balanced water can help you to avoid these problems.

The pH balance in your water lets you know how acidic or basic your swimming pool water is. Ideally, you’ll want your swimming pool water to always be as close to neutral as possible. This makes your water comfortable for swimmers, safe for your equipment and allows your sanitizer to work correctly.

Alkalinity measures how many bicarbonate and carbonate ions exist in the water (or, dissolved limestone). Alkalinity is not the same as pH, but does impact the pH balance in your water significantly.

Chlorine levels in your pool should be kept between 1 and 3 parts per million. This level is safe for swimmers but keeps dangerous germs and growths at bay.

It is important that you regularly test and balance your swimming pool water to keep your water safe and prevent damage to your equipment.

Swimming pool sanitation

You’ll need to add chlorine to your swimming pool water to kill viruses and bacteria and keep your water sparkling. Almost every swimming pool in the world is cleaned using chlorine, with a few exceptions.

For swimmers with allergies, bromine is one of the only alternatives to chlorine for sanitizing swimming pool water. But, innovative products can allow swimming pool owners to keep their chlorine levels low. Ionizers use electricity to produce metal ions (like copper) that deter pathogens from growing in your swimming pool. Ozonators produce ozone, which also deters viruses and bacteria from flourishing in the water. Ozonators and ionizers can reduce your need for a sanitizer like chlorine, but can’t practically eliminate it altogether.

Saltwater swimming pools

Saltwater swimming pools have gotten very popular in Canada, and around the world. Salt pools are silky, smooth, and much more comfortable to swim in. Many people believe that saltwater swimming pools do not contain any chlorine. But, people with saltwater swimming pools are actually able to generate their own chlorine.

If you have a saltwater swimming pool, you’ll need to add enough salt to the water that your chlorine generator is able to convert to chlorine. Instead of purchasing chlorine to clean your pool, you’ll simply create your own.

Operating a swimming pool for the first time

Operating and maintaining a swimming pool can seem overwhelming if you’re a beginner. There are a lot of things to keep in mind to ensure your swimming pool is safe and functioning perfectly. By going back to the beginning and learning what the basic components of your swimming pool are designed to do, you can better build a maintenance schedule that works for you and your pool.

If you’re new to owning and operating a swimming pool, it can be very worthwhile to get help – particularly when opening your pool, closing your pool, or learning what to do during your first season. Contact a swimming pool professional to help you to guide you through any service, repairs or maintenance that you’re not able to handle on your own.