Swimming pool information

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How does a pool work?

To keep a swimming pool in good condition, i.e. clean, warm and pure, it is necessary to remove the total body of water from the pool several times a day, pass it through the filters and sanitize it by one means or another. The filters remove the physical dirt from the water and the sanitize kills any bacteria. In a skimmer or freeboard pool, the water is removed from the pool through floor sumps and skimmers located at water level (to remove debris or dust floating on the surface). It is then passed through the filters by means of the circulating pumps, and is sanitized (and, if necessary, heated) before returning to the pool via return water inlets located in the walls or floor. In commercial pools, the skimmers are frequently replaced by an overflow channel. In this case, the water overflows constantly into a balance tank, from which it is pumped back into the circulation system. This type of pool is called a deck-level or overflow pool. The time required for all the pool water to pass through the filters, etc. is called the 'pool turnover' time. In the case of commercial pools, this time can be as low as 3 hours, so that the pool water passes through the filters 8 times every 24 hours. In the case of a domestic pool, however, a turnover time of 6 - 8 hours is quite sufficient, because usage is so low.

There are many ways to sanitize pool water. Chlorine is by far and away the most popular and the risk of overdosing or under-dosing is now greatly reduced by the use of automatic computerised dosing equipment. Bromine is also used as a sanitizer but its use is generally confined to Jacuzzi spas as it is reputed to sanitise more efficiently at higher temperatures. Other non-chemical forms of sanitation include ozone, ultra-violet light and ionisation. There are advantages and disadvantages to all of these systems (in some cases, the price!) but all of them require a chlorine (or bromine) backup to cover the possibility of a sudden contamination of the tank of pool water. When used in conjunction with a non-chemical system, however, the chlorine level can be reduced.

If you are interested in obtaining a quotation for your very own swimming pool, please contact us and we will arrange same.