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Pumps and Filters in Bucks County and Montgomery County
Swimming is one of the most popular activities in the United States. In fact, it’s so well-liked that more than 10 million people own pools according to the latest reports. Studies show swimming offers quite a few benefits as well, not the least of which are relieving stress, building muscles, and strengthening the heart and circulatory system.
Taking Care of Your Pool
Though pools provide endless hours of enjoyment during the summer months, they also require a significant amount of care and upkeep. Several factors are involved in taking care of a pool. Treating the water with various chemicals is one vital aspect. Chlorine and similar agents act as sanitizers and purifiers. They kill bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms to help ensure the water is safe and won’t spread dangerous pathogens to swimmers.
Why is Circulation Essential for a Pool?
Circulation is essential for a pool because it keeps the water moving. Otherwise, the water would be stagnant and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes, bacteria, and other undesirable elements. If you’ve ever seen a landlocked pond that appears muddy and green, this is what would happen to your pool without proper circulation, filtration, and treatment.
Having the Right Pump for Your Pool
First off, it’s imperative to have the right pump for your pool. Without the right pump, the water won’t circulate properly. Pumps come in numerous sizes and models. If the one you have isn’t large and powerful enough to keep the water in motion, it won’t work effectively. It’ll also use more energy than necessary and drive up the cost of pool ownership.
To determine the best size and type of pump, you’ll need to know how many gallons of water the pool holds. You’ll also need to understand the turnover rate, or how quickly the pump circulates all the water in the pool. Ideally, the pump should be able to turn over all the water in the pool within 8 to 12 hours. This is the optimum goal to prevent energy waste and keep the water clean and fresh.
Plumbing
Another significant factor is the head, or the resistance in your pool’s plumbing system. Two-inch pipes are generally recommended because they allow the water to flow more smoothly and easily than smaller pipes. How many twists and turns the pipes take and the distance to the pump play into this aspect as well.
Though filters are necessary for having a clean, safe pool, they also add to the resistance in the plumbing system. These are only a few of the factors that need to be calculated to determine the best type of pump for your pool. They can get confusing, but our team of experts is here to help you figure out which pump you need.
Pool Filtration
Filtration systems are also important components in the process. A pump is essentially the heart of a pool, and the filters are the kidneys. As the heart pumps the water, the kidneys remove dirt, debris, and other contaminants.
Again, you have several options to choose from. Pool filters generally fall into three basic categories, though. Each one has its own distinct set of benefits and disadvantages.
Sand Filters
Sand filters are among the oldest and most natural pool filtration alternatives. Versions of these systems have been in use for thousands of years, and they basically mimic nature’s way of running water through rocks and soil to clean out the impurities. These types of filters are simple to maintain and often used for pools in coastal areas.
Sand filters are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. They can be cleaned by performing regular backwashing to remove built-up debris, so they last a long time. Most last 5 to 7 years before needing to change out the sand. Still, they’re not necessarily the most effective options. Some sand filters can only remove debris that’s 30 microns in size or larger. These types of filters also tend to leave the water a bit cloudy even though it’s technically clean.
Cartridge Filters
Cartridge pool filters work a bit differently than sand filters. They contain a specially designed type of paper that traps dirt and debris and doesn’t allow those particles to reenter the pool water. They can remove particles as small as 15 microns in size, so they’re more effective than sand filters.
That being said, paper cartridges don’t offer the backwash option. Instead, they need to be taken apart and cleaned periodically. They only last 3 or 4 years, so they must be replaced much more frequently. They’re more expensive as well with most costing around $300 or so. You won’t have the cloudy effect with these types of filters, though.
Diatomaceous Earth Filters
These types of filters consist of various grids that are covered with Diatomaceous Earth, or fossils from microscopic plant-like organisms known as diatoms that live in the ocean. As your pool water passes through these filters, debris and microorganisms stick to the D.E. coatings inside. They can filter out particles as small as 5 microns, making them more effective than sand or paper cartridge filters. In fact, they can even remove many types of bacteria from the water.
Diatomaceous Earth filters are fairly inexpensive when compared to cartridge filters. They also offer the backwash feature for cleaning. Backwashing should be performed every 4 to 6 weeks depending on how much debris the filters have to remove from the pool and certain other factors. These filters can last up to 10 years if you take care of them and clean them regularly. This further reduces the cost of pool upkeep.
These are the three main types of pool filters. If you’re looking for simplicity and durability, sand and D.E. filters are the best way to go. D.E. filters are more effective and efficient than sand, though. Paper cartridge filters clean the water thoroughly, but they don’t last as long and are costly to replace.
Let Us Help You Take Care of Your Pool
Pools require a certain amount of care and maintenance, but the work you put into them will be returned many times over. Having the right pump and filters place will greatly improve your water quality and aid in making sure your pool lasts for years to come.
At Sparklean Pools, we’re experts in pool installation and maintenance. Let us perform a complimentary audit on your pool circulation and filtration system to ensure you enjoy cleaner, safer water and simpler maintenance among other benefits. We’ll help you find the best and most affordable alternatives for your unique needs. Call us or contact us via the form we’ve provided here on our website to learn more about what we can do for you.
