A swimming pool is a precisely calibrated ecosystem where every component functions flawlessly to maintain the water’s cleanliness and freshness.
The human body is the ideal comparison to illustrate how each component is essential to the pool’s overall health. Half-naked human beings may be seen swimming laps and performing cannonballs in swimming pools worldwide.
Let’s examine each of these components individually.
The Pool Pump: the heartÂ
Let’s begin there since the pump is the pool’s beating heart. Like how the human heart sucks in all the deoxygenated blood and pumps out fresh blood to the rest of the body, the pump’s role is to suck in all the dirty water and then pump out fresh, clean water.
An impeller, a motor-powered component of the pool pump, spins quickly enough to generate a vacuum that draws the water into the filtration system.
Our comparison to the human heart is somewhat flawed here because the pump’s power is expressed in horsepower, but you get the idea. The majority of pumps fall between 3/4 and 3 horsepower.
The bigger the pool, the more horsepower you will need.
The Skimmers: the mouth
The contaminated water is drawn in by the pump’s suction strength to be filtered, but how does it get there? The skimmers or the mouths of the pool are where it starts. All in-ground pools have small to medium-sized rectangular apertures on the inside walls. You might fall into the ones you feared as a child.
They consume all the floating microorganisms, including germs, insects, dust, hair, trash, dust, and murky water. A comparable function is performed by the drain or drains at the bottom of pools.
Suction lines: the veins
Water that has been through the skimmer enters the suction lines, which are essentially PVC pipes that carry the contaminated water to the pump. It’s comparable to how your veins deliver anaemic blood to your heart.
Filter: the kidneys
Although they collaborate closely, the pump and the filter are very different objects some people mistakenly believe to be the same.
The filter handles all the dirty work by capturing all the dirt and particles and cleaning the water. Imagine it as your kidneys, which are responsible for removing waste from the blood.
Return lines: the arteries
Similar to the suction lines, but pointing in the other direction, The pump returns the purified water to the pool through these PVC pipes once it has been filtered. You could say they are the arteries of the pool.
Return: the eyes
These tiny motorised jets can be seen on the pool’s inside walls. The filtered water is sent back into circulation throughout the pool after they give it a little extra kick. Additionally, they assist in rerouting the contaminated water to the skimmers.
Although they are unlikely to allow your pool to see, they are frequently called “eyeballs” because of how they appear.
Chemical feeder: the glands
The mechanism that disperses chemical sanitisers into your pool is known as a chemical feeder. You can regulate the amount of sanitizer that enters your pool using a chemical feeder so that there are enough chemicals to keep the water clean but not so many that swimmers get sick or damage equipment or pool liners. The balance is everything, my friend! Think of this as being similar to your glands, which are responsible for producing and removing chemical hormones from the body.
The Pool Heater: Hypothalamus
A heater for the pool does exactly what it says on the tin: it warms the water so that you can swim in even the coldest weather. The part of your brain that controls body temperature is called the hypothalamus.
Gas heaters are the most prevalent kind of pool heater. A gas heater can be the best option for you if you reside somewhere with convenient access to natural gas lines. In colder climates, they are more affordable, and they often last longer than other heating options. Electric heat pumps, on the other hand, an electric heat pump can be the best option for you if you live in a location where natural gas isn’t easily accessible or if you’re searching for a heater that’s more environmentally friendly.
Conclusion: Swimming Pool Anatomy
Contrary to popular belief, our bodies and the simple swimming pool have much in common. Regular maintenance is essential if you want to maintain your pool healthily and happy.
When you stop to think about it, pools and bodies have a lot in common, so treat your pool like another body that has to be taken care of.
You can also explore our guides on how long to run your pump and the difference between a pool pump and filter.
