The pool pump is the heart of the system. The pump is what moves the water. The motor is what turns electricity into mechanical energy. Swimming pool pumps are centrifugal pumps. A centrifugal pump has an impeller that rotates on an axis, creating a centrifugal force and displacement of the water. As the pump's internal component spins, it shoots water at high velocity out of it.
While spinning, a vacuum is created that sucks more water toward the pump. Pool pumps are self-priming. When a pool pump starts, it pushes out the air in the system first. A vacuum is then created, which sucks water into the system. The pump pushes the water that passes throughout the plumbing system. All pool pumps have similar parts, including:
The impeller moves the water by spinning. The impeller is located inside the volute, spinning and creating suction. The volute is the device from which the water is forced out of the pump and into the plumbing system. When the impeller spins, it forces water out of the pump and, at the same time, it creates a vacuum in the strainer pot that sucks water into the pump.
1 Comment
When water comes into contact with masonry and rock that contain calcium and magnesium, the water tends to dissolve these minerals into the water. When water has a low calcium content, it aggressively tries to dissolve calcium carbonate from anything in contact with it. Calcium carbonate is a main ingredient in pool tile, cement and plaster. Corrosive water will etch these finish surfaces in a pool.
Calcium hardness is a measure of the dissolved calcium salts in the water, or the amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Total hardness is the sum of calcium and magnesium. “Soft” and “hard” water refer to the amount of calcium in the water. Low calcium-hardness levels in spas contribute to foaming. Low calcium hardness in pools causes etching of surfaces. An ideal level for calcium hardness is 200 to 400 ppm. Calcium carbonate is likely to occur where there is water evaporation or high temperatures. Scale is a crusty, white deposit that can cause a pool surface to feel very rough. Scale can reduce circulation flow, attach to a heater’s exchanger, and clog the filter and pipes. Usually, high pH and alkalinity with high levels of calcium hardness will result in scale formation. Under normal conditions, this should not be a problem in properly operated swimming pools. Estimates of the proper range of calcium hardness vary widely, but the ideal level for a plaster pool is generally considered to be about 250 ppm. If calcium hardness is very low, then water may leach calcium from pool walls, causing pitting and etching of the plaster surface. Very high calcium hardness may contribute to scale formation and clouding of the water. To raise calcium hardness, calcium chloride (CaCl2) can be added. To lower calcium hardness, anhydrous trisodium phosphate may be used. One pound of trisodium phosphate per 10,000 gallons of water will lower calcium hardness by 11 ppm. Use it in small increments, or clouding may occur. Another method of lowering calcium hardness is to simply drain off part of the pool water and dilute the remaining water with fresh make-up water. pH is the single most important element in a swimming pool's water chemistry. It affects every other chemical balance in pool water. pH stands for potens hydrogen, which, translated from Latin, means the "power of hydrogen."
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in water. It indicates the relative acidity or basicity of pool water. pH is measured on a scale of 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base), with 7 being the neutral pH. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution. The pH scale is logarithmic, which means that a small change in pH actually represents a big change in acidity. Water that is 6 pH is ten times more acidic than water that is 7 pH. The acceptable range for pools is 7.2 to 7.8. In pools and spas, a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4 to 7.6 is most desirable because this range is most comfortable to human eyes, and provides for optimum use of free chlorine while maintaining water that is not corrosive or scale-forming. The pH of a human tear is about 7.5. There are many manufacturers, styles and types of solar heating systems, including panels and controls. Some are plastic, metal, thin aluminum, rubber, and indirect coil. Some are very basic, and some are highly complex and costly. Some modern solar panels have sensors that track the movement of the sun and move on more than one axis. No matter how complex, the plumbing is generally similar to that of a pool or spa. Look for leaks. If the panels are located on the roof, be very careful and protect yourself with safety practices.
Basically, solar panels are designed to absorb heat from the sun and transfer that heat energy to the liquid passing through the panels. The concept is to have the water heated by the solar panels before going to the pool's heater. The sun is used first, before any fossil fuels. Basic pool barrier requirements include the following:
Every year, too many people are injured (or worse) at pools. Yet some still choose to skip a swimming pool inspection. Even without the monetary aspect (pool liners costing thousands, pumps gone bad, and other issues) the safety issues alone should encourage everyon to have a proper pool inspection. Below are some reasons why pool inspections are important:
|
AuthorSP Pool Inspections. Providing Pool Inspections throughout the Capital Region of NY Archives
May 2017
CategoriesSwimming pool inspections and swimming pool inspectors in: Albany, Saratoga, Altamont, Latham, Voorheesville, Wilton, Cohoes, Guilderland, Niskayuna, Ballston Lake, Gllenville, Scotia, and surrounding areas of NY!
|