Air Relief Valve (aka Air Bleeder): used on top of the filter, this device is used to let the air escape and allow the tank to fill with water. It’s critical to open the air bleeder before restarting the motor. The force of the water can compress the air and cause excessive pressure which can damage the equipment. Backwash: the process of running water through a filter in the reverse direction to flush the filter of debris and contaminents, freeing up the filter to be less restricted so the water can pass through the filter more efficiently, collecting more debris. Cartridge: the element in a filter, covered with pleats of fabric, to strain debris and contaminants from the water passing through it. Caulking: material used in a joint to create a waterproof seal. Centrifugal Force: the outward force created by an object in circular motion. The force that is created by water pumps to move water. Chlorinator: a mechanical device or pump that delivers chlorine to a body of water.

Circulation System: the combination of pipes, pump, filter, and other components through which water flows. Coping: the cap stone on the edge of a pool or spa mounted on the bond beam. Discharge: the flow of water out of a pipe or port. Effluent: the water discharging from a pipe or equipment. Erosion System: a type of chemical feeder in which tablet sanitizer is slowly dissolved by constant flow of water through the device. Filter Run: the time between cleanings, expressed as the total running time of the system, also called the filter cycle. Flow Meter: a device for measuring the rate of water passing through a given pipe, expressed in gallons per minute (gpm). Flow Rate: the volume of water passing a given point in a given time, expressed in gallons per minute (gpm). Gate Valve: a valve that restricts water flow by raising and lowering a disc across the diameter of the pipe by means of a worm drive. Gauge: refers to a measuring device, as in pressure gauge.

Typically 0-60 p.s.i. Used to measure tank pressure, influent pressure, and effluent pressure on filtration systems. Gunite: a dry mixture of sand and cement that is mixed with water at the nozzle and sprayed onto contoured and supported surfaces to build a pool or spa, creating the shell of the pool. High-rate Sand Filter: a filter using sand for the filtration media designed for high flow rates. Strains impurities larger than 50 to 80 microns. Uses pool water to clean dirty filters. Hose Bibb (also bib): the faucet to which a garden hose is attached. Hydrostatic Valve: a check valve located in the main drain of a pool to relieve hydrostatic pressure created by the groundwater. The valve allows groundwater into the pool, but does not let water out. Impeller: rotating part of a pump that creates centrifugal force to create pressure and suction. The impeller is said to be closed, if it is shrouded (covered) on both sides of the vanes, or semi-open if shrouded on one side, while the interior surface of the volute creates a partial shroud on the other side.

Laterals: the slotted horizontal collection tubes at the bottom of a sand filter, installed on the drain manifold hub. Leafmaster: a brand name; leafmaster is a term applied to a device that vacuums large debris from a pool by means of water pressure created with a garden hose. Leaf Rake: a large open net secured to a frame that attaches to a telepole that is used to skim debris from the surface of the water. Best Laptops For TorrentingDifferent from a leaf net, the screen is like a bag which will hold a greater capacity of debris.Dayton Tire Sales Dixie Main Drain: the suction fitting located in the lowest portion of a body of water; Arca Swiss Camera Digital Backsecondary intake for the circulation system. Manifold: an assembly that combines several other components together;

a pipe fitting with several lateral outlets for connecting other lines. Niche: the housing built into the wall of a pool for an underwater light. National Pipe Thread (NPT): the generally accepted standard specifications for threaded plumbing pipe and fittings. NPT threading is slightly tapered, so when the treaded fitting is tightened a seal occurs. Plaster: a hand-applied combination of white cement, aggregates, and additives that covers the shell of a gunite pool or spa to waterproof and add beauty. Plaster can also be colored. Pressure Gauge: a device that registers the pressure in a water or air system, expressed in pounds per square inch (psi). Prime: the process of initiating water flow in a pump to begin circulation by displacing air in the suction side of the circulation system. PSI: Pounds per square inch.The type of plastic pipe and fittings most commonly used in pool and spa plumbing. Return: the line and/or fitting through which filtered water is discharged into a body of water, also called an inlet.

Return fittings are designed with adjustable plates, which allow the flow of water through the unit to be regulated. The returns closest to the pump get more flow; the ones furthest away get less. Sight Glass: a clear glass or plastic section of pipe that allows viewing of the water in the line. Used when backwashing filters, a way to know when the discharge water is clean by water clarity. Skimmer: a part of the circulation system that removes debris from the surface of the water by drawing surface water through it. Strainer Basket: a plastic or stainless steel mesh container that strains debris from water flowing through it inside the strainer pot. Strainer Pot: the housing on the intake side of a pump that contains a strainer basket and serves as a water reservoir to assist in priming (also called hair and lint strainer). Teflon Tape: a thin fabric provided on a roll used to coat threaded plumbing fittings to prevent leaks. Telepole: a metal or fiberglass pole that commonly extends to twice its original length with the two sections locking together.

The telepole is used with most pool and spa cleaning tools. Turnover Rate: The amount of time required for a circulation system to filter 100 percent of the pool water. Valve: a device in plumbing that controls the flow of water. Three common styles of valves are wafer, ball, and gate. Wafer and ball style are similar. A wafer valve involves a circular disc, and a ball valve has a sphere with a hole through the center. Both styles are connected to an arm style handle, which goes from open to closed position with ¼ swing of the handle. When the handle is perpendicular to the valve and piping, it is closed. When parallel, it’s open. A gate style valve involves a sliding plate which is threaded. As you spin the wheel style handle, the threaded rod connected to the sliding plate closes the valve as you spin clockwise and opens the valve as you spin counterclockwise. Weir: the barrier in a skimmer over which water flows. A floating weir raises and lowers its level to match the water level in a pool or spa.