1. Swimming Pool Basics Dave Thompson www.swimmingpoolservices.com
Rick Woemmel

2. Basic Swimming Pool Design

3. What are questions that you have?
Problems
How to…
What is your most common service call?

5. Three answers to cloudy water
Flow
Filtration
Water Chemistry

6. What do we mean by “FLOW”?
Pump
Plumbing
Valves

8. How do we check for flow problems?
Flow Meter
Hand in front of return
Look into top of pump (most have clear lid)
Look into skimmer for water flow
Water surface movement
Dye test

10. Flow Problems: Leaks Pump seal Clogged impeller (check baskets)
Suction
Discharge
Pump seal
Clogged impeller (check baskets)
Motor issues
Bad valves
etc

11. Filtration 3 main types of Filtration “pre-filters” such as baskets
Sand
Cartridge DE
“pre-filters” such as baskets
Filters can be before or after a pump
Most are on discharge side on pumps.
Most are on suction side on spas (cartridge)

12. Sand Filtration Rapid sand High Rate Sand (most common)
Layers of sand / multiple tanks
High Rate Sand (most common)

13. Cartridge Filtration Replaceable Media Most common in portable spas
Pleated fabric or treated paper

15. D.E. Filtration
Filter powder MUST be used in conjunction with this type of filtration
Add filter powder at the rate of 1.0 – 1.25 pounds per 10 s.f. of filter surface area.

16. Grid covered by cloth
D.E. Powder on cloth
Powder in place by water

17. Micron Removal Salt – 100 Hair – 70 Salt Rapid Rate – 50
Visibility – 40
High Rate – 25 50 40
Cartridge – 15
Red Blood Cell – 8
D.E. – 4
Bacteria – 1

18. Common Filtration Problems
Filter needs backwashing
Cartridges need cleaning
Sand bed “channeling”
DE filter “bridging”

19. Backwashing a Sand Filter

20. Cleaning a Cartridge or DE Filter
Rinse off debris with hose or very light power washer
Soak in de-greasing solution
Rinse off and soak in acid solution if metal stains are present
Replace in filter

21. Sand Bed Channeling Visually inspect sand bed Perform a “mud test”
Common problem is hard water and high saturation index

22. DE Filter “Bridging”

23. Water Chemistry Everyone checks for sanitizer / disinfectant
Commonly overlooked is water balance pH
Total Alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Total Dissolved Solids
(water temperature)

24. Water Balance 9 24 33 50 66 76 91 97
8.5
8.0
7.8
7.5
7.2
7.0
6.5
6.0
% HOCl pH

25. Water Balance Langelier Saturation Index
Determination if water is corrosive or scale forming
Takes into account 5 balance values, does not consider sanitizer

26. Water Balance
Values are given for each of your test results, pH is entered directly into the equation. “Balanced” water is water that is closest to ZERO on the Langelier Scale.
TDS Factors

27. Saturation Index pH as tested is substituted directly
Tf, Cf, Af and TDSf are determined by the Saturation Index Factor Chart

29. Water Chemistry
There are also various “trouble shooter” chemicals to assist with cloudy water:
Algaecides
Sequestering Agents
Clarifiers
Borates

30. Chemical Controllers

31. Chemical Feeders
Erosion feeder:

32. Chemical Feeders

33. Chemical Feeders
Diaphram Pump

34. Motor nameplate info:

35. HEATERS Various types of heaters: Gas fired (natural and propane)
Electronic ignition and millivolt
Oil Fired
Electric
Heat Pump
Solar
Geothermal

36. Heaters

37. Why do pools “pop”?