In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the primary components included in a swimming pool’s filtration system. This system, which is vital for keeping pool water clean and safe to swim in, is one of the primary areas you’ll have to think about when it comes to maintaining a new swimming pool.
At Packman’s Pools, we’re happy to help you understand the filtration options and details for any of our custom swimming pool construction projects. In today’s blog, we’ll go over a few of the additional components of a standard pool filter, and the important factors to know for each of them.
Filters and Microns
We discussed the different types of specific filters that may be used in a swimming pool in part one, and this section is an add-on to that. One important element of any pool filter refers to the size of debris and contaminant it can catch and remove – within filters, this measure is done using “microns,” or millionths of a meter. Here are the general size that certain contaminants generally sit at, measured in microns:
- Human hair strands: 50 to 100 microns
- Household dust particles: 4 microns
- Pollen particles: 30 microns
- Bacteria: 2 microns or less
As you may have guessed, the lower the micron level a filter catches, the more completely it will filter your water.
Salt Chlorine Generator
One note here: If the pool you purchase contains a traditional chlorine system rather than a salt system, you can skip this section and move on. In saltwater pools, however, salt is added to the filter, which converts it to chlorine.
Salt chlorine generators are necessary in these cases, containing both a cell and a control board for operation. The cell connects to water pipes, while the control board sits in a separate location. When filtered water enters this cell, a group of grids and an extremely low electrical current converts the salt within it to bubbles of chlorine, which reacts with the water to form a cleaning acid.
Heater
Pool heaters often have a big job, and they come in a few different styles:
- Electric heat pumps (many of these come with chiller features for those in warmer climates)
- Natural gas or propane heaters
- Solar heaters
Generally speaking, heat pumps are by far the most common form of heater chosen. They’re affordable to operate and durable, lasting for many years without significant maintenance needs.
Return Jets
Finally, the pool’s filtration system contains return jets, which as the name suggests are in charge of returning filtered water back to the swimming space of the pool. Within a spa, these would be called spa jets.
For more on the components of a pool filtration system, or to learn about any of our custom swimming pool builder services, speak to the staff at Packman’s Pools today.