Pool Plumbing

There are many pool plumbing configurations and every pool has custom plumbing. To break it down, most pools are in one of the following categories:

PASSIVE  DRAIN SYSTEM:  One direct suction line to the pump from the  skimmer. The passive drain is plumbed in the 2nd skimmer port. In an active drain system, this second port is used as an overflow or capped off. 

ACTIVE DRAIN SYSTEM: Two (or more) direct suction lines to the pump, with a spa or vacuum line also

POOL + HOT TUB COMBO: The pool has a hot tub (usually elevated) attached to the pool and runs on a common pump.

COMMERCIAL/GRAVITY FED: Commonly found in commercial pools and apartment pools with scum gutters; entirely different plumbing arrangement than your standard backyard pool.  

Some additional plumbing features to consider: 

IN-FLOOR CLEANER/POP UP SYSTEM: instead of returns or in addition to returns, pop up plumbing systems use a zone changer to alternate flow between floor pop ups with an extensive plumbing in the shell.   

SOLAR HEATED SYSTEM: pools that have an optional roof mounted solar collector with black plumbing/collector pipe that allows pool water to be naturally heated by the sun and circulated back into the pool. 

GAS HEATER/ELECTRONIC HEAT PUMP: pools have additional heating components that are either natural gas heaters or electronic heat pumps. These components will increase the temperature of the pool (and/or hot tub) and also increase the amount of daily evaporation loss when used. 

WATER FEATURES: there are so many water feature options that are available for pools. these are typically dedicated lines plumbed onto the return side of the pump and include: sheer descents, water bowls, deck jets, bubblers, fountains, and many more.