Basic Swimming Pool Components

Basic pool equipment includes a water input valve, a water output drain, a skimmer, a pump, and a filter. The skimmer is mounted flush on the pool deck. It draws water from the pool surface. From there, the filtered, clean water is sent back into the pool via the input valve. For any debris that sinks to the floor of the pool, a cleaner can get it. The drain on the bottom of the pool is used to empty the pool for winter or so that it can be cleaned.

While these are the basic components of a swimming pool, there are other components that can be added to your pool, as well. A few examples of these extra options follow.

Underwater Lighting

Before selecting a particular lighting system, make sure you decide on a power source. Will you power the lights via solar electricity or simply wire them into your home’s grid? If your pool has easy access to sunlight, then solar powered lights are a good option. However, if your garden is well shaded, then your solar lights may not be able to charge during the day. Once you’ve decided on a power source, pick out a lighting system that you like. Make sure you have an electrician install the system because wiring the lights incorrectly could be dangerous.

Pool heating

By far, the most interesting way to heat your pool is using a solar absorber. With the help of solar absorbers, you can extend the swimming season considerably. Plus, in contrast to a conventional pool heating system, there are almost no operating costs because the heat is provided by the sun. Only the pump consumes power.

The simplest variant of the solar absorber is the so-called solar hose which heats up due to its dark black coloring. There are also panels that operate according to the same principle. Experts advise that you get an absorber surface that is roughly equivalent to 50 to 100 percent of the surface area of the pool. A solar absorber can be most easily mounted on the garage or house roof. However, you’ll need an appropriately dimensioned pump, because the water has to overcome the height difference between the pool and the roof.

A Deck

A deck around your pool is a great way to turn your pool area into a party area. A deck gives you the space to host parties or just lounge around. The most important thing to consider when choosing a deck is the material. When a deck is going around a pool, the deck has to be made of a material that won’t be too slippery under wet feet. You’ll also want to pick a material that is low-maintenance. Wood, for example, requires a lot of upkeep and doesn’t hold up well under continuous exposure to water. By far the most low-maintenance decking material is what the deck specialists at Capital Construction Contracting Inc call “composite decking”, which is a mixture of wood and plastic.