The recirculation system of your pool is as important as the one in your body is to you! It consists of piping, a pump and a filter. The choice of all three for each pool is a science in itself. Providing the properly sized piping, pump and filter to keep the pool water sparkling and refreshing, while efficiently using the electrical energy for low-cost operation is an integral part of your builder’s planning.
Pump
The pump is the “heart” of the recirculation system for the pool. Some of the things to consider with respect to the pump are the following:
- Is the quality of construction of the pump the most suitable for the application?
- Is the flow rate of the pump ideally suited for the application?
- Is the motor of the standard efficiency of high efficiency?
- What is the warranty on the pump?
- Does it have features which make it easy to service?
Filter
The filter, when correctly chosen and sized to suit the specific requirements of the pool, can significantly add to the enjoyment of the pool by helping to keep the water sparkling with very little care. The most common types of filters in our area are:
- Hi-Rate Sand – This type of filter utilizes a fine bed of silica sand through which the pool water flows. The dirt particles are trapped in the upper layer of the sand and from time to time, when the loading of the dirt reaches a certain point, it is necessary to flush the sand clean by “backwashing” the filter.
- Modular Media – This filter contains either a single cartridge or a series of cartridges made of filter fabric. The pool water is forced through the cartridge and the dirt particles become trapped on the surface of the fabric. When the dirt loading becomes excessive the cartridge must be removed and cleaned. No backwashing required.
Heater
A pool heater will prolong the swimming season and the hours during which you could swim comfortably. There are many types of heaters to choose from such as; natural gas, propane, electric, solar powered and heat pumps. Each different type of heater has its own efficiency rating and the relative costs of the various energy sources have a large role to play in determining the type of heater most suitable for you. Discuss your options with your builder and select the type which represents the most benefits.
To complement the heater and to reduce the heat loss from the pool, a pool cover should also be considered. There are many types of cover each with their own features including efficiency, durability and safety. Discuss the option of a cover with your builder to determine if it is in your interest to use one.
Pool Cleaners
An item of great convenience which can add to the enjoyment of your pool is an automatic pool cleaning device. There are a large variety of mechanical random action cleaners available. These cleaners need to be installed in the pool for cleaning but must be removed from the pool for swimming. Recent advances in the design of these cleaners make them quite effective.
The most desirable cleaning system is the exclusive Master Pool “In-Flooring” Cleaning System that progressively sweeps the floor and wall intermittently with high velocity jets of water. Nowhere else can you get the labour-saving Turbo-cleaning system. Such a system does not require installation and removal for swimming because the cleaning components are built in with the pool structure and do not interfere with swimming. The operation of the system requires only that the pool pump be on. Such a system is truly superior to others as it efficiently distributes the chemicals and heated water while cleaning.
Consider a Whirlpool
The turbulent warm water massage of a hydrotherapy whirlpool is the ultimate complement to a swimming pool or as an amenity on its own. When built in conjunction with a pool, the whirlpool recirculation system can be designed to work off the main pool system. Such a system can save cost and with the appropriate controls, it can be very convenient.
When considering a whirlpool, discuss the alternatives with your builder and choose a system which he feels best suits your needs.
Other Options
There are many other options for your pool today. These options range from various sanitizers to automatic pool side controls. See our options page for more detailed information.
