A
Acid Wash
Procedure using an acid solution to clean the interior surface of a swimming pool.
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Air Blowers
A mechanical device that forces air through holes in the floor of a spa to produce bubbles.
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Angle of Repose
The maximum slope or angle at which a material, such as soil or loose rock, remains stable without falling or sliding.
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B
Backfill
The repositioning of the soil after construction of a pool, refilling an excavated area.
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Back Form
Shoring required below ground level when the soil caves in.
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Backwash
The process of thoroughly cleaning a sand filter by reversing the flow of water through the filter to flush out any dirt.
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Beam
Usually constructed of concrete and reinforced with steel rods, the beam is the lip located around the top of the swimming pool shell to support the pool coping.
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Booster Pumps
A water pump added to a spa circulation system to increase pressure to the jets. Also used for some automatic pool cleaners.
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Building Surveyor
An individual or company responsible for making sure a building is safe and that it complies with current Building Regulations. Surveyors evaluate and assess plans, conduct inspections and issue building permits, as well as checking that building practitioners are registered and carry appropriate insurance.
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C
Cartridge Filter
A swimming pool and spa filter that uses a replaceable porous element made of paper or polyester to remove even the finest particles without embedding them in the filter.
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Commissioning
To start up the pool once construction is completed and the pool has been filled with water. This involves adding chemicals to adjust the water balance and turning on the pool equipment.
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Concrete Pools
A swimming pool constructed of concrete and reinforced with steel.
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Coping
The walkway immediately surrounding the swimming pool or spa that provides a finished edge between the pool structure and the surrounds, also known as capping. Some popular finishes include terra-cotta, clay bricks, sandstone or bluestone type pavers, and timber decking.
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Courtyard Pools
A smaller sized swimming pool that can be located in more diminutive spaces.
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D
Datum Point
A point used to establish the finish level of the swimming pool, usually something existing on site i.e. house floor level, surveyed RL etc.
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Dosing System
A liquid chlorine feeder that is designed to automatically inject chlorine into the swimming pool at regular intervals throughout the filter cycle.
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E
Exposed Aggregate
A pebble-type interior finish made from a blend of ingredients including white cement, quartz sand, metallic oxides and coated aggregate. Exposed aggregate provides a smooth surface and is available in a range of colours.
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F
Finish Concrete Level (FCL)
The level of the finished pool structure.
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Formwork
Generally built on-site out of timber and plywood, the formwork provides a solid surface for the concrete to be sprayed against. Once the concrete has set (or cured), the formwork is stripped away (removed) to expose the finished shape of the concrete swimming pool.
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Filtration
The process of passing pool water through the filter medium to remove dirt and debris particles.
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G
Geometric Pools
A has even lines and features. Usually built in a rectangular shape, this pool is considered the “traditional” swimming pool style.
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Grout
A thin, coarse mortar used to seal joints like those between tiles. Grout is generally composed of a mixture of water, cement, sand and sometimes colour tint which is applied as a thick liquid and hardens over time.
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Gutter
An overflow trough at the edge of the swimming pool through which water and debris flow. A gutter is needed when a pool has a wet-edge design.
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H
Hair and Lint Pot
Used to trap finer particles that manage to pass through the skimmer box basket. This section of the circulating pump contains the secondary strainer basket for the filtration system. It requires regular cleaning.
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Handover
A meeting between pool builder and owner upon completion of the project to discuss the operation of the swimming pool, and to review equipment procedures and correct chemical balances.
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Hydrostatic Relief Valve
A spring loaded plug situated in the main-drain bowl designed to open if the water pressure under the pool is greater than the water pressure within the pool. A relief valve reduces the possibility of an empty pool lifting out of the ground.
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I
Indoor Pools
A located inside a house or other dedicated structure.
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In-floor Cleaning System
A programmed in-floor cleaning and circulation system that cleans a swimming pool automatically. Pop-up nozzles built into the floor of the swimming pool use high pressure streams of water to push dirt, sand, leaves and debris from every corner toward the MDX drain, where it is removed into a collection basket or canister for ease of disposal.
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L
Leaf Basket
A strainer basket situated in the skimmer box to trap large leaves and debris before they enter the hair and lint pot.
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Letter of Appointment
A document required by the building surveyor to confirm that a swimming pool construction company is applying for a building permit on behalf of the property owner. This is also called an ‘owners consent form’.
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Lap Pools
are built so that people can swim laps for health and fitness. They tend to be long and narrow, usually over 15 metres long.
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Licensed Electrical and Plumbing
Electrical and plumbing connections are not usually included in a swimming pool contract because they require work by licensed tradesmen. An electrician will be needed to install switch wires for pool lights and fountains etc. A plumber will need to make connections for the backwash, cold water supply and gas (if applicable).
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