Here Are Some Simple Ways You Can Improve The Circulation In Your Swimming Pool

What is the first thing people notice before entering a pool? Easy! It’s the water! Dirty, murky water is such a deterrent when it comes to your swimming pool. Have you ever thought about what keeps your pool clean and healthy?

Pool maintenance is not always about brushing the walls and adding chlorine to the water to balance its chemistry. Some of the most important things are circulation and filtration. The pumping system is the heart, and the filtration system, the liver of your pool.

You have to keep the water moving if you want to keep it clean. Without proper pool circulation, your pool may soon turn into a pond where the water is stagnant and full of algae. Still water without any flow promotes algae growth and collects dirt. That’s surely not something you would like to picture your pool as. Want to keep the water crystal clear and swimmable? Pay attention to the water circulation along with other pool maintenance basics.

Why is Water Circulation So Important?

Imagine a perth inground pool without any circulation. Dirt, debris, bugs, and all the unwanted things that fall into the pool remain inside the water. Soon it becomes home to algae and bacteria and the water turns cloudy. The water chemistry will go for a toss leading to pH imbalance. Chemicals will not get distributed properly. The result? Skin issues, stomach infections, and other illnesses. Soon enough, a ruined pool that’s unfit for use!

Circulation moves the water in the pool through the filtration system keeping the pool water healthy and clean. The water is pushed through filters that catch and screen out unwanted things in the water. The filtration system can also eliminate oils from skin and cosmetics that float in water. As long as your pool circulation system is in top shape, it will aid the water stay clear throughout the season.

Paying attention to the pool circulation system and trying to improve it always turns out to be beneficial for your pool’s health. Additionally, circulation helps in mixing pool chemicals and spreading them all around, helping you to save on chemicals. With good water circulation in place, your pool will have clean water all through the season.

Factors Affecting Pool Circulation and How to Improve it

The Pump

The pump handles the pool circulation. It pulls the water and allows it to go through the filtration system before returning it back to the pool. So, for good swimming pool circulation, what you need first is a good pump.

You must be wondering what a good pump is? Single-speed pumps have greater speed, consume high energy, move the water faster, but may not give enough time to the filters to work properly. Pumps with variable speed allow you to set the speed at a lower level, save on energy, and help the filtration system work slowly but effectively. However, the pump you choose will also depend on the type and the size of the pool you have. For bigger pools, low-capacity pumps may not be the best option as they will not circulate the water properly.

Return Jets

While the pump circulates the pool water, it draws water from the pool to the skimmer. The water then travels through the filter, which removes debris and impurities in the water. Finally, it is pushed back to the pool via return jets when it is clean. Most pools are equipped with more than just one jet and skimmer for better filtration and circulation. The jets are installed on the little holes that you see on the walls of the swimming pool. They return the water with powerful streams to improve circulation and also help in mixing the pool chemicals like chlorine thoroughly.

It is important to ensure the return jets are placed in the right direction for better circulation. The best is to point them on the opposite side of the skimmer, close to the dead spots, and downwards to prevent any buildup on the pool surface. That will create a spin effect allowing the water to flow better.

Some important things to keep in mind –

  1. Place the return jets at proper angles
  2. Make sure they are fully operational
  3. Choose the correct size
  4. Install enough return jets

Dead Spots

Dead areas are places where the circulating water mechanism cannot reach. Sluggish water movement in these areas can hamper even water distribution. Some common dead spots like areas behind the ladder often lead to algae growth and accumulation of fine dirt on the pool floor. Make an effort to eliminate as many dead zones as possible by improving the circulation dynamics of your pool. Additionally, brush these areas weekly to avoid algae and dirt buildup.

Vinyl liner pools have seams that make them more susceptible to dead spots. The same goes for the uneven, porous surface of concrete pools. Trapped dirt leads to faster algae growth and unclean water. Fibreglass pools score better in this respect. The non-porous surface allows better water circulation and prevents algae buildup. No matter what kind of pool you have, ensure the return jets are positioned correctly for effective water circulation.

An effective way to handle the problem of dead zones is by installing an in-floor cleaning system. Such systems return water into the pool through several heads placed in sequence along the floor. When the water gushes in, it sweeps the floor and moves water toward the main drain, helping to get rid of debris.

Turnover Rate and Flow Rate

The turnover rate is the number of hours that the pumping and the filtration system takes to cycle the entire pool water once. The correct turnover rate determines how well the water in your pool can be cleaned and disinfected. Ideally, the water in a pool should be recirculated thrice to four times every day.

To do that effectively, you need to set your pump speed correctly depending on your pool size. Ideally, the target should be a minimum turnover rate of six to eight hours and at least two turnovers a day. You can use a pool turnover rate calculator or talk to pool maintenance professionals to get it right.

Filter

The filter plays an important part in keeping your pool free from debris, oils, and other impurities. It is important to clean the filter at regular intervals to prevent clogging and to change when it has come to the end of its lifespan. A dirty filter can affect the pool’s circulation and take more than usual to clean your pool. Keep a check on your pool filter to maintain healthy water quality in the pool.

A clean pool does not happen by chance! The key is to maintain good circulation. Regular maintenance, the right equipment, and a little care will greatly help you to improve the pool circulation.

Infographic created by Big Blue Swim School, Offering Kids Swim Lessons Chantilly, VA

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