Anyone who owns a swimming pool, whether it is indoors, outdoors, above-ground or in-ground, should be aware that their pool has a pump device and any pool that does not really should. A pool pump is in many ways the heart of your swimming pool, and specifically its filtration system. How does a pool pump work exactly?

In a typical pool pump, electricity powers an electric motor. This motor spins an impeller inside the pump housing, which sucks in the water from the drain (or drains in larger pools), filters it through the pump’s internal filtration unit, and finally sends the cleaned water back into the pool. Before the water flows into the actual pump, however, it travels through a metal strainer basket that is used to catch larger items, like leaves or even rocks. The basket can then be easily removed and emptied.

While the job of a pool pump may sound simple and to a point even inconsequential, the pool pump is in many respects the center, the very heart of your pool. Without a working one to keep the water continuously moving from the filter and back to the pool, removing microscopic organisms, molds and larger objects like leaves, your swimming pool can quickly turn into a breeding ground of bacteria which can cause illness and disease. This is why taking proper precautions and issuing proper maintenance to them is vitally important to ensuring not just the continued performance of the pump itself, but your pool as a whole.

Thankfully taking care of your pool pump is relatively easy. All you need to do is either during a lull in your pool use during the summer, or during the months when your pool will not be in use, is to remove it from its set area and clean it, removing any excess sand that may have gotten inside the impeller or motor. If you allow this sand and other residue to build up, it can eventually burn out your motor, leaving you to replace it.

There are many different kinds of pool pumps, depending on what kind of pool you have. Some are designed for above-ground pools, others for in-ground. Regardless of whether the pool is an in-ground or an above-ground, one key factor in determining which one you buy is the motor inside, specifically it’s horsepower. Many motors range in horsepower, from three and five for indoor pools, to seven to 10 for outdoor above-ground pools, to even stronger 30HP units for Jacuzzis.

While you may not think the horsepower of your pump matters, it actually does matter quite a bit. If you buy an underpowered unit, you may not be able to properly circulate the water through your filtration units, leaving it to be stagnant and collect bacteria, algae, and other undesirables. If your unit is overpowered, you can also experience the same kinds of problems as the water will wash right past the water intake hose, and over time can in fact catch the same undesirables as water that is simply stagnant.

Recreational swimming pools didn’t become popular until the mid 19th century. Modern Olympic Games (which began in 1896) included many competitions that signaled the popularity of swimming pools, which eventually prompted Oxford to build the first public swimming pool 1939.

Privately-owned, home pools became popular after the Second World War (partially due to the prominence of pools in Hollywood movies in that era). The growth of the suburban life in the in the 1950s solidified the pool’s role as a status symbol for middle-to-upper class Americans.

However, in-ground swimming pools are expensive and require major landscape modifications-conditions that many people can’t accommodate. On the other hand, above ground pools are light, affordable and are easily-assembled. Also, many of them are portable-favorable for prospective pool-owners who don’t intend to stay in one location permanently.

Because of their afford-ability, above ground pools have allowed more people access to summertime recreation than ever before.

Above ground pools can be made of a simple PVC-material and sold in any department store. Often considered “kiddie” or splasher pools, they nonetheless provide a refreshing place to sit on a hot summer day. Plus, many of them are now inflatable which makes storage easy when they’re not in use, especially during the off-season.

High-end models are more durable and constructed of a steel frame. The liner is made from vinyl or polyester, both of which are incredibly long-lasting. Legacy, a flagship manufacturer of above ground pools offers almost every shape and size, including ovals, circles and standard rectangles-some can reach up to 52″ deep!

Above ground pools require the same amount of sanitation of a regular, in-ground pool and that’s why most come with filters and pumps. Water pumps are the base of operations of any sanitary swimming environment. In pool pumps, an electric motor spins an impeller which draws water from all the drains in the pool and through a metal strainer before entering the pump. The strainer catches all the large debris. Then, water is pumped through the filter, where debris and chemicals are removed.

Even lap pools can be above ground¬-Legacy makes one that reaches up to 41 feet in length and is the perfect option for privatized exercise instead of battling for lanes at the local gym. Exercise pools are also very popular and not as pricey as lengthy lap pools. Developed over the last two decades, these recreation devices create adjustable resistance so the swimmer feels like they are actually swimming long distances when they are actually staying in one place.

Safety should always be the number one concern for all pool owners. Never leave young ones unattended around a pool area! It’s also a good idea to keep the surface covered when it’s not in use. Common sense is probably the best weapons against pool-related injury-according the Center for Disease Control, six people drown in pools every day and most of these cases are in public pools with certified lifeguards on duty.

Swimming pools are the perfect distraction on a hot summer day, but most people rarely think of the intricate processes that keep them clean. A pool without a proper sanitation system is unsafe for human enjoyment; pumps and filters are necessary for maintaining bacteria levels in the water.

An unclean pool can house numerous micro-organisms from infected swimmers and, left untreated, can spread hazardous diseases. Swimming in contaminated pools can cause diarrhea/Giardia, eye and skin infections and even respiratory problems if the water is swallowed.

To most of us, a pool is just a big hole in the ground filled with water-but they rely on pool accessories like water pumps, which utilize complex processes to keep water clean. During the pumping process, an electric motor runs an impeller which draws the water from the drains and through a strainer-which removes large debris from the water. Next, the pump moves the water through a filter before returning it to the pool. State law requires that all the water must be processed within a amount of certain time-usually between 30 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the size of the pool. To illustrate the vital role that pumps have in a pool system, imagine a typical apartment-size pool: 167,000 must be treated (pumped, filtered, returned) every six hours to keep the water sanitary!

Filters are also important pool accessories because they catch microscopic debris that passes through the strainer. There are three types of filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.

Sand filters are the most common because they are the most affordable. In these filters, water passes through tanks made of concrete or fiberglass which contain a layer of special grade sand. Gravity pulls the water through the tanks and the sand layer collect small debris before the water is returned to the pool. However, dirt and debris collect and build up over time-thus slowing the flow of water in the pump. When a custodian discerns that there is a blockage, they can reverse the flow of water (backwash) and redirect it into the sewer.

A diatomaceous earth filter is comprised of powder made from fossilized remains of sea organisms. When coated on a grid, these organisms act as little sieves that are efficient at catching microscopic particles. To recharge these filters, owners just pour more DE powder into the skimmers.

Cartridge filters use thin paper or cloth as a medium. These filters need to be replaced every 8 years or so.

Cleaning chemicals (like chlorine) are important pool accessories, but it’s important to consult a professional on how much a pool needs. An overabundance of chemicals can be irritating to swimmers’ skin and eyes.

I wish to share with you that drowning can be decreased by strict supervision around the water, the wearing of Coast Guard Approved Life-jackets, professionally taught swim lessons, and the use of a swimming pool alarm that announces unauthorized entry into the swimming pool. A swimming pool alarm sounds the alarm that water displacement of an object over 15 pounds has entered the water, that your attention is immediately required at pool side.

Stages of Drowning:
First Impression– is that many people have a false impression of what a drowning in action looks like. The truth is that when a person is in the act of drowning, they are not screaming for help nor are they waving their arms wildly. Rather, the head is tilted back with the face looking upwards. The body positioning is nearly vertical in the water and there is little to no leg action. There is rarely any sound emitted from a person who is truly in the first stage of drowning.

Breath Holding–Many of us have experienced what it feels like when you take a drink of a beverage and it goes down the “so-called” wrong tube. What happens is the epiglottis closes over the airway to prevent the liquid from entering the airway to the lungs. It is an involuntary breath holding action that may allow some movement, but the person cannot breathe.

Unconsciousness–When the body is deprived of oxygen, a state of unconsciousness takes effect. Movement ceases, breathing stops, and respiratory arrest takes hold. The victim sinks to the bottom of the water. The rate of decent depends on such factors as the amount of air trapped in the lungs, the body weight and muscle mass of the victim. Remained unconscious caused death unless breathing is reestablished.

Hypoxic Convulsion–The bluing of the skin is caused by the lack of oxygen in the blood stream. Fingernails and the lips appear blue, and the victim’s body becomes stiff, cold and ridged. Convulsive -like symptoms can appear, giving the name of Hypoxic Convulsion.

Clinical Death– The victim is declared clinically dead when both breathing and circulation stop. Cardiac arrest is the result.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes both chest compressions and rescue breathing. CPR needs to be accompanied with the use of an, Automated External Defibrillator. An (AED) should only be used in case of cardio-respiratory arrest on adults and children over eight years old.

More than 900 children between 1 and 14 die each year in drowning accidents. In the state of California, drowning is the number one cause of accident death for children 1-4 years of age.

Prevent Unauthorized Swimming Pool Use: The Pool Protector Alarm electronically monitors and senses water displacement if an object over 15 pounds that enters the pool. A loud pulsating alarm is triggered when the electronic sensor inside the Pool Protector is activated. Installation is very easy. The unit sits on the pool deck ready to detect water motion. Unless the pool alarm is put into Sleep Mode, it is always activated.

I was a certified Water Safety Instructor, CPR Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor for thirty years. I have made many assists and water entry swim rescues over the years.

The non-use of Coast Guard Approved Life-jackets and inadequately protected backyard pools, costs us all precious lives every year. Many accidents and loss of life water accidents can be prevented with these two pieces of equipment; the wearing of life-jackets (not sitting on them) and swimming pool alarms.

Conclusion: People purchase alarms for their cars to protect them from being stolen. Aren’t the lives of our children and pets far more meaningful and precious to us than our cars? Purchase a pool alarm for your home pools and prioritize what is most important in your life.