Pool TERMS

A handy glossary of pool terms to make new pool owners comfortable with "pool talk." It's also a great refresher for not-so-new owners.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

ACID

Chemical which lowers pH.

ALGAE

Microscopic plants that enter your pool by rain, wind and dust, among other things, and can cause discoloration of the water or pool surfaces.

ALGAECIDE

Chemical that kills or prevents algae.

ALKALINITY OR TOTAL ALKALINITY

The total concentration of several basic (as opposed to acidic) chemicals in your water.

B

BACTERIA

Microscopic organisms that enter your pool from swimmers and dust, among other things, and can cause irritation, infection, and cloudy water.

BALANCED WATER

Total water chemistry that is right where it should be to prevent both corrosion and scaling. The factors to check for in balancing your water are pH, total alkalinity and water hardness.

BROADCASTING

Tossing granules out over the deep end of your pool.

C

CHLORAMINE

A compound formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen or ammonia. It causes eye and skin irritation and has a strong, unpleasant chlorine odor.

CHLORINE

The sanitizing agent that kills algae and bacteria in your pool.

CHLORINE DEMAND

The amount of chlorine required to kill bacteria and algae, and to break down other contaminants in your water.

COMBINED CHLORINE

Chlorine that is in combination with ammonia, nitrogen or other organic compounds.

CORROSION

Eating away of metal surfaces in your system caused by water that's out of balance.

F

FLOCCING ACTION

Capability of a clarifier to collect and form dirt particles large enough for removal by filters or vacuums.

FREE CHLORINE

The residual amount of chlorine left over after the chlorine demand has been met. This is the good form of chlorine.

H

HARDNESS OR WATER HARDNESS

A measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water.

O

OXIDIZER

An agent that works to eliminate organic compounds from pool water.

P

pH

A measure of acidity or basicity in your water. On a scale of 0 to 14, 7 is considered neutral.

PPM

Parts per million, the standard measure of any chemical's concentration in your water.

S

SCALE

White, gray or brownish spots on surfaces or equipment caused by water that's out of balance.

SHOCK OR SHOCKING

The practice of periodically adding an oxidizer to destroy chloramines and other undesirable compounds such as suntan oils, perspiration and urine.

STABILIZED CHLORINE

Chlorine that contains cyanuric acid protecting the chlorine against the negative effects of the sun. Lasts up to 5 times longer than unstabilized chlorine.

STABILIZER

A supplement that must be tested and adjusted in all pools once each summer, and regularly in pools that use unstabilized chlorine.

T

TOTAL CHLORINE

The total amount of chlorine in your water that's a combination of chlorine in the form of chloramines (combined chloramines) and free chlorine.

U

UNSTABILIZED CHLORINE

Chlorine that does not contain cyanuric acid to protect it against negative effects of the sun.

W

WINTERIZING

The act of closing your pool for the off-season months.