Essential supplies you need for your swimming pool this summer
Owning a swimming pool requires some maintenance and several additional investments that will keep it running adequately. The equipment used in maintaining a pool in the right condition is separated according to its purpose. In this article, you will learn more about the equipment used in pumping, filtering, heating and cleaning the water. You should start preparing for the summer season during springtime. Good water quality can be obtained by cleaning and vacuuming it, regulating the pH and disinfecting the water with chlorine. The process is easier if the right pool equipment is purchased. The paramount pieces of equipment you need to invest in include:
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Pumping equipment
First of all, you need to invest in a pool pump. In order to buy a quality pool pump, you should get informed about its structure. The housing, motor, and impeller make the difference from one pool pump to another. There are multiple types of pumps:
- One-speed pumps. These are commonly used for small to medium pools. Even though they are not as energy-efficient as other types, they are the most affordable option on the market.
- Dual-speed pumps. These pumps come with a major improvement in comparison to one-speed pumps. The two available speeds are low and high. When set on high, the pump is just as efficient as a one-speed pump, but when it is set to low, the pump consumes less energy while maintaining the same water quality. This type of pump is energy-saving and still affordable, making it one of the top choices in terms of swimming pool equipment.
- Variable-speed pumps. These are more expensive than the other types of pool pumps mentioned above. They are expensive because they use another type of motor, which is a magnet one. Magnet motor technology is currently used to power electric cars. Variable speed pumps allow you to choose the exact speed you need to maintain a flow rate that is beneficial for your pool. The pumps produce less noise than other types and they can also be remotely controlled. In the long run, a variable-speed pump will help you save money, even though the initial cost of it is quite high.
Filtering equipment
Properly maintaining a pool involves buying a filter. Pool filtering systems come in a wide variety, but the most common types are:
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- DE filters. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters are one of the options you can choose to remove debris from the pool water. The major benefit of DE filters is that it can remove very small particles from the water because of the efficient diatom filter area. DE filters are the best ones to obtain crystal-clear pool water. Diatomaceous Earth also comes in the form of powder that can be added in the skimmer of other filters to improve the water quality, acting as a flocculant.
- Sand filters. As the name implies, this filter uses a sand filter to remove debris from the water. The principle is very simple, as the dirty water goes through the sand filter and comes out clean. The filter can get filled with debris and it requires cleaning. The cleaning process must be repeated each couple of weeks. The sand can be replaced when the water flow drops visibly. Sand filters are the cheapest and least effective products to keep the pool water clean.
- Cartridge filters. These filters contain fiber cartridges that clean the water once it goes through them. The cartridges differ from one filter to another and they can be more expensive depending on the material used. The cartridge can last anywhere between a few months and 5 years. Cartridge filters are affordable and they filter water effectively. They are situated somewhere between sand filters and DE filters in terms of quality.
Heating equipment
In case you want to use the pool during the night or outside the summer season, you should invest in heating equipment. The regular temperature of pool water during sunny days is 22 °C. To heat the pool to 26-27 °C, you can invest in one of the following systems:
- Solar energy. Heating the pool with solar energy is an efficient, sustainable method. Even though the initial investment will be considerable, money will be saved in the long run. A solar water heater won’t be efficient during cloudy days, as it relies exclusively on sunlight. Installing solar panels and storing the energy for heating the pool is an option in this situation. The advantages of this method are the low consumption costs over the year and keeping the environment healthy. The disadvantages include the initial purchase price, the weather dependency and the space the solar panels occupy.
- Heat pumps. This is the most common pool heating equipment. Heat pumps are affordable, easy to use and they last well in time. These pumps use electricity to heat the water by distributing heated air from the outside environment. If the temperature outside is lower, heat pumps might not be as effective. Shutting off the heat pump during winter is mandatory, which is a downside of using one. The advantages of a heat pump overcome the disadvantages it has, which makes it a good purchase.
Cleaning equipment
One of the biggest pool maintenance challenges is represented by cleaning the pool water. Swimming in a pool that hasn’t been disinfected in a while can cause health issues. You can either invest in an automatic cleaning system or select the equipment on your own. A few options include:
- Tele-poles. The basic tool you will need for skimming and brushing the pool is a telescopic pole. Tele-poles come in all sizes and with different accessories, such as butterfly clips or locking cams.
- Traps/canisters. Leaf traps are pool accessories that can be placed at the end of the vacuum hose. The leaves or debris will be caught in a basket to prevent filter clogging. It
- Skimmer nets. Skimmer nets require some effort from you, but they prove to be highly effective for a quick pool cleaning session. They are used to collect floating debris before it gets to sink.
Author: Cynthia Madison
