DIY Swimming Pool Construction & Management – Key terms and questions answered

Glossary of Key Terms

Datum Point: The reference point that determines the ultimate top height of the pool, typically corresponding to the top of the coping stone.
Hopper Pool: A pool with a sloping floor that transitions from a shallow end to a deep end, resembling a hopper shape.
Constant Slope Pool: A pool with a continuously sloping floor from the shallow end to the deep end, without a distinct flat shallow area.
Constant Depth Pool: A pool with a uniformly flat bottom and equal depth throughout.
Linerlock: A plastic extrusion installed on top of the pool wall to secure the vinyl liner in place.
Skimmer: A device fitted into the pool wall that removes surface debris and serves as the vacuum point for cleaning.
Main Drain: Located at the deepest point of the pool, it draws water from the bottom for filtration.
Low Suction: A fitting placed in the deep end wall, parallel to the main drain, which provides additional suction for cleaning.
Return Inlet: Directs filtered water back into the pool, typically positioned in the shallow end wall.
Multiport Valve: A control lever on the filter that directs water flow for various functions like filtration, backwashing, rinsing, and recirculation.
Backwashing: Reversing the flow of water through the filter to flush out accumulated dirt and debris.
Priming: The process of filling the pump with water to create suction and initiate the flow of water through the system.
Solar Blanket: A floating cover that helps to heat the pool water using solar energy and reduce heat loss.
Winter Debris Cover: A heavy-duty cover used during the off-season to protect the pool from debris and weather elements.

Short Answer Quiz

What are the primary considerations when choosing a pool size?
Explain the role of SPATA in the swimming pool industry.
Describe the basic steps involved in constructing the walls of a liner pool.
Why is it important to include a low suction fitting in the pool design?
Explain the process of rendering the interior walls of the pool.
What is the purpose of pressure testing the pool pipework?
Describe the function of the multiport valve on the pool filter.
Explain the steps involved in backwashing the pool filter.
What are the key water chemistry parameters to monitor for proper pool care?
Outline the essential steps for winterizing a liner pool.

Short Answer Quiz – Answer Key

Available garden space, budget, access for machinery, underground utilities, overhead wires, water table, and ground structure.
SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association) is a nationally recognized organization in the UK that sets industry standards, ensuring member companies maintain high quality and provide customers with safeguards and peace of mind. Members undergo vetting, adhere to a code of ethics, and their work is regularly inspected for compliance.
Excavate to the required dimensions, construct a concrete foundation, build the walls using concrete blocks, render the walls with a smooth sand/cement mix, and install the linerlock extrusion.
It provides supplementary suction in the deep end, assisting in effective cleaning and debris removal from the pool floor.
Applying a thin layer of sand/cement render to the pool walls, smoothing it out to create a perfectly even surface for the liner installation. Corners are rounded for a finished look.
To identify any leaks or faulty connections in the pipework before filling the pool with water, ensuring a leak-free system.
It controls the flow of water through the filter system, allowing for different functions such as filtration, backwashing, rinsing, and recirculation.
Turning off the pump, setting the multiport valve to “Backwash”, restarting the pump to reverse water flow and flush out debris through the waste port, monitoring the sight glass for clear water, stopping the pump, setting the valve to “Rinse”, restarting the pump briefly, and returning the valve to “Filter”.
Chlorine level (1.0-1.5 ppm), pH (7.4-7.6), and total alkalinity (80-120 ppm). These parameters are essential for maintaining safe and clear pool water.
Lowering the water level below the skimmer, adding winterizing chemicals, draining the pump, filter, and heater, removing and storing the pump, covering the pool with a winter debris cover, and installing skimmer plugs or antifreeze devices.