Beam The
upper section of the vertical wall of a gunite pool or spa.
A "raised beam" is one that extends above ground
level.
Blower An
electrical unit that generates air pressure to provide the
spa jets with bubbles.
Cantilever Edge
A pool deck of a poured or sprayed material that extends slightly
beyond the edge of the pool negating the need for traditional
coping.
Cartridge Filter
A filtration system that uses a fine mesh material to remove
suspended contaminants from the water. This type of filter
requires a 30 minute cleaning with a garden hose six to ten
times per year.
Chlorinator
A unit that holds chlorine tablets and automatically treats
the water.
Coping This
refers to the material that covers the first nine to twelve
inches of horizontal surface at the pools edge. It can be
brick, flagstone, concrete, or one of many natural or man-made
materials.
Deck This
term describes the patio that is attached to the pool itself.
Typical materials and finishes include brushed concrete, spraycrete,
cool deck, sundek, flagstone, and pea gravel. The deck often
accounts for 20 to 30% of a pool budget.
DE Filter
A filtration system that uses a layer of fine powder (diatomaceous
earth) to remove contaminants from the water. This type of
filter requires a ten minute backwashing process about once
a month that is accomplished by adjusting the valves. The
DE powder is relatively inexpensive but must be replaced after
each back washing.
Gas Heater
Spas and heated pools require a large heater to quickly heat
the large volume of water necessary. These are fueled by propane
or natural gas and are often the most expensive piece of equipment.
Gunite A
type of concrete that is applied with a sprayer to form the
pool shell. It can also be used to form slides, waterfalls,
pads, and other features.
In-Floor Cleaning
System A system of pop-up jets in the floor of a
pool that direct settled debris to an active drain for removal.
Lap Pool
A long, narrow pool, usually about four feet deep for swimming
laps.
Plaster
A smooth cement coating that seals a gunite pool shell. The
color of the plaster determines the apparent color of the
water. White = Light Blue, Grey = Deep Blue, Green = Blue/Green,
Brown = Emerald Green Water
Salt System A system
that uses electricity to disinfect water with chemicals
extracted from salt.
Sand Filter A filtration
system that removes contaminants by forcing the water through
a vessel of sand. These require backwashing about once a
month and have no need for replacement chemicals.
Sports Pool A pool
of various shapes and sizes that accommodate a net or goals
for games such as volleyball, basketball, or water-polo.
They are usually three to four feet deep at the ends and
four and a half or five feet deep in the middle.
Spa Any vessel that
holds hot water for soaking. Most popular spas are an integral
part of the gunite pool, have multiple jets, and use the
same circulation system as the pool. Hot tubs usually refer
to wooden vessels and Jacuzzi is a brand of spa equipment.
Sweeper System A
device that uses water pressure or suction to mechanically
remove debris from the floor and walls of a pool.
Swim Spa Sometimes
called a "Spool", swim spas are usually about
eight feet by twelve feet and have a large jet capable of
generating a current to swim against.
Tile Builders use
this term to refer to whatever material lines the inside
vertical rim of the pool and spa at the waterline. Typically,
the "tile" extends from just under the coping
edge downward six inches. It can be ceramic tile, porcelain
tile, flagstone, or marble. Since any floating contaminants
tend to collect here, a non-porous tile surface works best.
