Talk to your pool cleaner with confidence! Learn the basics of your swimming pool system fast with our illustrated cheat sheet.
Sure, you enjoy your pool — but do you really know how to talk about it? Do you know the swimming pool terms needed to have a smart conversation about pool care with your service provider?
Maybe you just bought your first home with a pool, or you’re thinking about installing one. Learn your “pool anatomy 101” with our overview.
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A knowledgeable pool owner can make simple fixes and start the diagnostic process before calling a professional. That kind of troubleshooting saves the trip fees of calling out pool technicians.
Not every pool owner is a “tech whiz” — and that's okay. If you know a little about how your pool works, That can be as simple as learning a few key swimming pool terms.
You don't need a PhD in pool science to have an intelligent conversation about your pool. Learn these basic terms and functions, then get back to living in poolside paradise.
Let's break your pool down into its 4 major sections.
Your pool consists of four sections:
Each section of your swimming pool construction has standard parts you should understand. Learn these pool construction terms, and you'll talk to your pool mechanic like a pro.
And hey — the only thing better than informed conversations with your home service providers is managing them all for $9 a month.
The pool shell is the main structure of the pool, typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl. It holds the water and provides the shape and depth of the pool.
The pool deck is the area surrounding the pool, made of various materials such as concrete, stone, pavers, or wood. It provides a stable and safe space for poolside activities.
Mastic is a flexible sealant applied around the edges of the pool, where the pool deck meets the coping tiles or the pool shell. It prevents water from seeping between the deck and the pool, reducing the risk of damage and leaks.
Coping tiles are the cap or edging tiles that are installed around the top perimeter of the pool shell. They provide a finished edge and help protect the pool's
The suction components of your pool design draws water and debris out of the shell to start the cleaning process..
The skimmer is located on the pool's sidewall and is designed to draw water from the pool's surface. It collects debris like leaves, insects, and other floating material before it reaches the pump and filter.
The weir (or flapper) has 3 main functions. It makes trapping floating pool debris easier. It then keeps the debris in your skimmer basket, even when the pool pump is off. Finally, it prevents unwanted air from entering your filtration system while the pool is in use.
Inside the skimmer, there is a removable skimmer basket. It acts as a filter, capturing larger debris and preventing it from entering the pump and filter system.
The main drain is located at the deepest point of the pool's floor. It provides a second suction point that helps with water circulation, especially for pools with multiple skimmers.
The pool pump is the literal heart of the circulation system and is usually located near the pool equipment area. It creates the necessary suction to draw water from the skimmer(s) and main drain, pushing it through the filtration system and returning it to the pool through the return jets.
Various valves are used to control the flow of water on the suction side. Here are the most common :
These components work together to draw water from the pool, remove debris and contaminants, and circulate the water through the pool's filtration system.
TLDR: Proper maintenance + regular inspection = better water quality.
The heart of your pool design cleans and filters the water of debris and other impurities. It helps keep your water chemistry free from alkalinity and your pH level normal. We've highlighted the three most common kinds of filters:
A type of pool filter that uses diatomaceous earth, a porous, fossilized rock, as the filtration medium. It offers excellent filtration efficiency and is especially effective at removing tiny particles and impurities from the water.
Sand filters work by passing water through a bed of sand, which traps impurities and allows clean water to return to the pool.
Cartridge filters use a replaceable cartridge made of pleated fabric to trap debris and impurities from the water. They are easy to clean and maintain.
Learn about your pool's pressure system so you can troubleshoot issues before calling a pro.
The pool filter is located on the pressure side of the system. After the pool pump has drawn water from the skimmers and main drain, it pushes the water through the filter. That's where impurities and debris are trapped and removed from the water.
A pressure gauge is usually attached to the filter, indicating the pressure inside the filter tank. It helps determine when the filter needs to be cleaned or backwashed.
Return jets are openings through which filtered and treated water returns to the pool. Swimming pool water goes here after passing through the filtration system. These return jets are located on the pool walls and help maintain proper water circulation and distribution of pool chemicals.
Now you know a little more about the parts of your pool system. So let's take the next step and discuss how the system actually works.
As a tiny droplet of water enters the pool, it merges with the existing water and the pool chemicals within it — chlorine, etc. The skimmer draws it in, capturing debris along the way, like leaves and skimming off surface oils like sunscreen.
From there, it gets pulled through the pool pump, where pressure builds up slightly, propelling it further into the pool filter. Inside the filter, impurities are removed, leaving the droplet fully cleaned and ready to be reused.
Finally, it shoots through the return jets and back into the pool
Sometimes a pool issue isn't an easy fix. Now that you know how to talk about your pool, you're ready to have a smart conversation with your service professional.
When you're able to identify your pool's issues with confidence, it eliminates a ton of stress. You'll get an informed quote that only addresses the repairs you need. Your pool service techs can focus all their effort on the proper areas — and you'll get back to swimming in no time.
Stress-free pool maintenance requires a reliable, trustworthy service provider. HOMR is a home maintenance concierge service that handles sourcing, vetting, scheduling, and management for you. Our system ensures your provider has the expertise to meet your individual pool maintenance needs.
HOMR fully manages your home maintenance year-round for just $9 a month. We handle the house work so you can focus on swimming in style.
