Glossary - Swimming Pool Terms

above ground swimming pool - A swimming pool with both walls and water line above ground level.

accessory - Any one of many products available that you may choose to add to your pool to make it more fun, easier to clean and maintain, more pleasing to the eye, or more functional. Common pool accessories include: floats, games, fountains, fences, slides, and diving boards.

algae - Organic growth that will turn swimming pool water green in color.

algaecide - Any pool chemical added with the purpose of eliminating algae growth within the swimmin pool.

alkalinity increaser - A chemical added to pool water to increase total alkalinity levels.

automatic pool cleaner - A piece of pool equipment that functions independently with the objective of removing dirt and debris from the pool floor and wall. Common types of automatic pool cleaners include: Suction Side Cleaners, Pressure Side Cleaners, and Robotic Cleaners.

bounce - Used to describe the changing of pH levels from one extreme to the other. Usually caused by low total alkalinity.

buffering - The ability of pool water to resist a change in pH.

calcium hardness - A term used to describe the amount of dissolved calcium in your pool water. Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 and 500 ppm (parts per million).

chemcical start up kit - Any kit that includes all the chemicals you need to get your pool water chemistry (pH, Total Alkalinity, etc.) in the appropriate ranges at the start of season. These are highly recommended as they take much of the "guesswork" out of making chemical applications.

chemical applications - The chemicals you apply optimize your pool water chemistry for cleanliness and clarity. A general understanding of the elements of pool water chemistry is essential to know what to add when.

chlorine - The most common of all pool sanitizers.

chlorine shock - A chemical added to pool water with the purpose of seeking out and oxidizing contaminants such as algae, debris, and other organic matter.

clarifier - Any pool chemical added with the purpose of eliminating particles suspended in the water and thus making pool water clearer.

cloudy - A term used to describe the condition of pool water when microscopic particles are suspended in the water and reduce water clarity. Although there are many causes of cloudy water all are relatively easy to correct once the problem is identified.

colored water - A condition of pool water where the water takes on any one of a number of unnatural colors. Usually caused by the prescense of stain producing metals such as copper, manganese, and cobalt, colored pool water can be corrected through regular use of a sequestering agent.

conditioner - Sometimes referred to as "stabilizer" this chemical will shield chlorine from rapid destruction by sunlight.

corrosion - The deterioration of metals or similar material in and around the pool water. Usually corrosion is caused by low calcium hardness and can be corrected by adding water hardness increaser.

cover pump - Any pump designed for the purpose of removing water that has collected on top of a winter pool cover during the offseason.

debris bag - Any bag used for the purpose of collecting debris and removing it from the swimming pool. Debris bags are most commonly used in conjunction with automatic pool cleaners.

disinfection - The act of ridding swimming pool water from organic matter.

filter - A piece of pool equipment that removes debris by allowing trapping particles that are too large to pass through. Common types of filters include: Cartridge Filters, Sand Filters, and Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Filters.

float - Any pool accessory designed to allow a person to float on top of the pool water. Floats are designed for relaxation and fun!

free chlorine - The amount of chlorine still available for sanitizing purposes in your pool. This differs from the total amount of chlorine and must be tested for independently.

heater - A piece of pool equipment designed to raise the temperature of pool water. Pool heaters come in electric, natural gas, liquid propane, and oil burning models.

informed consumer - Any body that has "done their homework" so to speak before making a purchase. The informed consumer is much more likely to know what they need and want having read information before browsing product lines or speaking with salespeople. The informed consumer buys with confidence, avoids overpaying, and avoids costly errors in judgement. The Swimming Pool Library is dedicated to allowing all free access to the information that will make them informed swimming pool consumers.

inground swimming pool - A swimming pool with walls at and water line below ground level.

installation - The activities associated with constructing a swimming pool or adding some piece of pool equipment or pool accessory.

maintenance - The activities that must be performed on a regular basis to keep the pool water clean and the pool equipment working correctly. Adding of chemicals and changing/cleaning/backwashing the filter are examples of pool maintenance.

parts explosion - A diagram that separates the workings of any product, including pieces of pool equipment, in such a way that one can see the individual pieces and a general idea of how they fit together.

pH - The measure of the relative acid or base of swimming pool water. Ideal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.8 .

pH reducer - A chemical added to pool water to lower pH levels..

plumbing - Pool plumbing includes any and all hoses/piping and equipment through which water travels out of and back into the swimming pool. Plumbing allows water to pass from the pool through the filter and any other pieces of equipment (ozonators, chlorine generators, pool heaters, solar heaters, etc. before traveling back into the swimming pool.

pool alarm - Any one of many products available designed to increase the safety of the pool area by alerting the user of a wide range of actions occurring in and around the pool. Pool surface alarms, gate alarms, and alarms designed for children to wear all fall into this category.

pool equipment - Any one of a number of products that aid in the cleaning, circulation, filtration, heating, or sanitation of pool water. Pool pumps, pool cleaners, pool filters, and pool heaters are all good examples of swimming pool equipment.

pool toy - Any one of a number of pool accessories designed to promote fun in and around the pool. Pool basketball and volleyball games fall into this category.

pool water chemistry - The different elements of levels, such as pH and total alkalinity, that make comprise the chemical make up of the water in your pool. Knowing one's pool water chemistry is the best way to know what chemical applications to make and when to make them.

pressure side pool cleaner - Any pool cleaner that attaches to a port that returns water to the swimming pool. Pressure side cleaners work by shooting out a stream of water that forces debris into a collection bag for removal.

pump - A piece of pool equipment used to force water from the swimming pool, through the filter, and back into the pool.

pump and filter system - A piece of swimming pool equipment combining both the pool pump and pool filter on the same mounting.

return line - The piece of plumbing through which water which was removed from the swimming pool is reintroduced back into the swimming pool.

robotic pool cleaner - Any pool cleaner that is self contained, meaning it works on it's own power and not that supplied by any suction or return line in the swimming pool. These are the only cleaners that are not in any way attached to the pool's circulation system.

sanitizer - A specialized chemical designed to keep swimming pool water clean and free of debris. Chlorine is a common example of a sanitizer.

scale deposits - Mineral deposits left when minerals precipitate from pool water due to pool water imbalance. Usually brought on by high calcium hardness.

sequestering ageant - A chemical that groups particles suspended in pool water into large enough bundles so as to be filtered by the pool filter.

skimmer - A part of the pool wall through which water is sucked out of the pool and into the plumbing which leads to the pool filter.

stabilized chlorine - Chlorine in tablet, pelet or cake form that is ready to be added in such a way that it will dissolve and slowly release chlorine into your pool water.

stabilizer - Sometimes referred to as "conditioner" this chemical will shield chlorine from rapid destruction by sunlight.

suction port - Any opening in the pool wall through which water is sucked out of the swimming pool. Usually this port is the skimmer.

suction side pool cleaner - Any pool cleaner that sucks up debris by way of a hose attached to any pipe or fitting that sucks water out of the swimming pool. The debris is then removed from the pool water by the pool filter.

The Swimming Pool Library - An online resource of pool information designed as way for pool owners to learn everything they need to know to make informed decisions regarding the purchasing, installation, and care of swimming pools and all their associated products.

total alkalinity - The measure of your pool water's ability to resist change in pH. Ideal total alkalinity in pool water is between 75 and 120 ppm (parts per million).

vacuum - Any method used to remove debris from the pool floor and walls. The most common methods include attaching a hose to the suction side (skimmer) of the pool plumbing and sucking up the debris.
water hardness increaser - A chemical added to swimming pool water to correct low calcium hardness.

winter cover - Any type of common cover applied to a swimming pool in an effort to close the pool for the season. Winter covers vary from safety covers in their inability to support any substantial weight placed on top of them.