
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Glossary of frequently used terms
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ACID WASH: The process of cleaning the interior surface of the swimming pool to prepare it for being filled.
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BACKWASH: Backwashing describes the process of pumping water through your pool's sand filter to clear it of debris. You should backwash your filter about once a month.
COPING: The material used to cap the pool shell wall and provide a finished edge between the pool and surrounds. Some popular options include concrete, tile, natural stone and timber decking.
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CHLORINATOR: A salt chlorinator uses a chemical process called electrolysis to produce hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which are the sanitizing agents that help to keep the swimming pool free from microbes and algae.
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EXPOSED AGGREGATE: A blend of components including cement, quartz sand, metallic oxides, glass and pebble applied as a finishing surface to the interior of the pool.
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FILTRATION: The process of passing pool water through a filter medium, such as sand, to remove dirt and debris.
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CARTRIDGE FILTER uses pleated polyester to capture dirt and debris. To clean a cartridge filter, squirt it with water from a garden hose.
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SAND FILTER traps dirt and debris in silica sand. Backwashing (see above) is used to clean a sand filter.
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FORMWORK: Built out of timber, plywood or sheet metal, the formwork is a temporary structure against which concrete can be sprayed and shaped. After the concrete has set, the formwork is removed.
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HEAT PUMP: An electrical device that transfers heat energy from the environment into the pool water to increase its temperature. This can prolong the swimming season and/or make swimming more comfortable.
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IN-FLOOR CLEANING: A system that removes dirt and debris from the pool by using a network of drains and retractable jets that circulate the pool water.
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POOL CLEANER: A device or system designed to remove dirt and debris from the pool. Examples are: suction, pressure, robotic or in-floor automatic.
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ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER: A unit that traverses the pool interior and removes direct and debris by sucking water through a cartridge filter. Most robots are also equipped with rollers to clean the tiled waterline.
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WATERLINE TILES: A band of tiles set directly beneath the coping. As well as enhancing the appearance of the pool, they protect against waterline staining.
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WET-EDGE: The waterline overlaps the pool coping to create a "wet edge". Water spills into a reservoir before being passed through the filtration system and back into the pool.
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