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Glossary Of Swimming Pool Terms & Definitions |
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BACKFLOW The backing up of water through a pipe in the direction opposite to normal flow.
BACKWASH The process of thoroughly cleaning the filter by reversing the flow of water through it with the dirt and rinse water going to waste.
BACTERIA Single-celled microorganisms of various forms, some of which are undesirable or potentially disease-causing. Bacteria are controlled by chlorine, bromine or other sanitizing and disinfecting agents.
BACTERICIDE A chemical or element that kills, destroys or controls bacteria.
BAKING SODA Chemically called sodium bicarbonate. It is white powder used to raise the total alkalinity of pool or spa water without having much affect on pH.
BALANCED WATER The correct ratio of mineral content and pH level that prevents the water from being corrosive or scale forming.
BALL VALVE A simple non-return valve consisting of a ball resting on a cylindrical seat within a liquid passageway.
BASE Also called basic - A class of compounds which will react with an acid to give a salt. Base is the opposite of an acid. See alkali.
BLEACH This term usually refers to liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite 12% available chlorine). It is the same chemical used in laundry bleach but pool chlorine is 12% available chlorine while laundry bleach is about 5 to 6%% available chlorine.
BLOWER An electrical device that produces a continuous rush of air to create the optimal bubbling effect in a spa, hot tub or whirl- pool. It is usually plumbed in with the hydrotherapy jets or to a separate bubbler ring.
BLUE FINGERNAILS A condition caused by too much copper in the pool water. Blue finernails are not caused by chlorine. The copper may get into the water by the bad practice of placing trichlor tabs in the skimmer. This acidic product will cause low-pH water, which will in turn dissolve metals in the equipment. The dissolved metal (usually copper) then stains hair, fingernails and, eventually, pool walls. It can also be caused by keeping the pH too low or misusing acid.
BRKPNT CHLORINATION Breakpoint Chlorination - The process of adding sufficient free available chlorine to completely oxidize all organic matter and ammonia or nitrogen compounds. All chlorine added after that point is free available chlorine.
BROMAMINES By-products formed when bromine reacts with swimmer waste (perspiration or urine), nitrogen or fertilizer. Bromamines are active disinfectants and do not smell, although high levels are body irritants. Bromamines are removed by superchlorination or shock treating.
BROMIDE A common term for a bromide salt used to supply bromide ions to the water so they may be oxidized or changed into hypobromous acid, the killing form of bromine. Used as a disinfectant.
BROMINATOR A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing bromine at a controlled rate. Most often a canister or floater filled with tablets of bromine.
BROMINE A common name for a chemical compound containing bromine that is ued as a disinfectant to destroy bacteria and algae in swimming pools and spas. Available as a tablet or as sodium bromide, a granular salt.
BTU Abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. The amount of heat necessary to raise 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
BUFFER A substance or compound that stabilizes the pH value of a solution. It is also the water's resistance to change in pH.
BYPASS An arrangement of pipes, gates and valves by which the flow of water may be passed around a piece of equipment or diverted to another piece of equipment; a controlled diversion.
CAL. HYPOCHLORITE Calcium Hypochlorite - A compound of chorline and calcium used as a disinfectant, sani- tizer, bactericide, algaecide and oxidizer in swimming pool and spa water. It is available as a white granular material usually used for superchlorination or it is available as tablets used in a feeder for regular chlorination. It usually contains 65% available chlorine.
CALCIUM CARBONATE Crystalline compounds formed in swimming pool and spa water when the calcium, pH and total alkalinity levels are too high. Once formed, the crystals adhere to the plumbing, equipment, pool walls and bottom. These crystals are better known as scale.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE A soluble white salt used to raise the calcium or total hardness level in the pool or spa.
CALCIUM HARDNESS The calcium content of the water. Calcium hardness is sometimes confused with the terms water hardness and total hardness. Too little calcium hardness and the water is corrosive. Too much calcium hardness and the water is scale forming. One of the basic water tests necessary to determine water balance. Minimum level is 150 ppm. Ideal range is 200 to 400 ppm.
CARTRIDGE A replaceable porous element made of paper or polyester used as the filter medium in cartridge filters.
CARTRIDGE FILTER A pool or spa water filter that uses a replaceable porous element made of paper or polyester.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP A pump consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating shaft and enclosed in a casing or volute and having an inlet and a discharge connection. The rotating impeller creates pressure in the water by the velocity derived from the centrifugal force.
CHECK VALVE A mechanical device in a pipe that permits the flow of water or air in one direction only.
CHELATE (Pronounced KEY-late) - also called sequester - It is the process of preventing metals in the water from combining with other components in water to form colored precipitates that stain the pool walls and bottom or produce colored water.
CHELATED COPPER Copper algaecides that contain a special ingredient to prevent the copper from staining the pool walls and bottom or producing colored water.
CHEMICAL FEEDER Any of several types of devices that dispense chemicals into the pool or spa water at a predetermined rate. Some dispense chlorine or bromine while others dispense pH-adjusting chemicals.
CHLOR. NEUTRALIZER A chemical used to make chlorine harmless. Used in test kits to counteract the bleach- ing effect of the chlorine or bromine in order to increase the accuracy of pool water tests. Sold as chlorine and bromine neu- tralizer, it is used to destroy excessive amounts of chlorine or bromine, so the high levels will not affect swimmers.
CHLORAMINES Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds formed when insufficient levels of free available chlorine react with ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer, perspiration, urine, etc.). Chloramines are still disinfectants, but they are a much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine. Chloamines are removed by superchlorination or shock treating.
CHLORINATOR A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing chlorine at a controlled rate. Most often a canister or floater filled with tablets of chlorine.
CHLORINE A term used to describe any type of chlorine compound used as a disinfectant in swimming pool and spa water or to kill, destroy or control bacteria and algae. In addition, chlorine oxidizes ammonia and nitrogen compounds (swimmer and bather waste).
CHLORINE DEMAND The amount of chlorine necessary to oxidize all organic matter (bacteria, algae, chloamines, ammonia and nitrogen compounds) in the pool or spa water.
CHLORINE ENHANCER A chemical compound that when used in conjunction with chlorine makes the chlorine perform better as an algaecide.
CHLORINE GENERATOR An electrical device that generates chlorine from a salt solution in a tank or from salt added to the pool water.
CHLORINE LOCK This is a term that implies that an over- abundance of cyanuric acid (stablizer or conditioner) in the water would cause the chlorine to be all "locked up." This is not true.
CHLORINE RESIDUAL The amount of chlorine left in the pool or spa water after the chlorine demand has been satisfied.
CLARIFIER Also called coagulant or flocculant - A chemical compound used to gather (coagulate or agglomerate), or to precipitate suspend- ed particles so they may be removed by vacuuming or filtration. The are two types; inorganic salts of aluminum (alum) or water- soluble organic polyelectrolytes.
CLARITY The degree of transparency of the water.
COAGULANT An organic polyelectrolyte used to gather (coagulate) suspended particles in the water.
COMBINED CHLORINE Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds formed when insufficient levels of free available chlorine react with ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer, perspiration, urine, etc.). Combined chlorine is still a disinfectant, but it is a much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine.
CONDITIONER Chemically, conditioner is cyanuric acid. It slows down the degradation of chlorine in the water by sunlight. Minimum level is 10 ppm. Too much does not slow down chlorine activity or effectiveness. Conditioner does not protect bromine from sun- light.
COPINGThe cap or top lip on the pool or spa wall that provides a finished edge around the pool or spa. It can be formed, cast in place or precast, or prefabricated of extruded aluminum or rigid vinyl. It may also be part of the system that secures a vinyl liner to the top of the pool wall.
COPPER It is one of nature's elements. It is also used for various parts of equipment and plumbing in swimming pools and spas. Corrosive water caused by misuse of chemicals, improper water balance, or placing trichlor tablets in the skimmer can cause copper to be dissolved from the equipment or plumbing and deposit the precipitates on hair, finger- nails or pool walls. High levels of copper also cause green water. Copper is also used as an algaecide. Maximum level is about 0.2 ppm.
COPPER ALGAECIDE A chemical compound that contains the element copper. Copper sulfate was one of the original copper algaecides. Too much copper in the water can cause green-colored stains. Newer copper algaecides contain an ingredient that prevents the copper from staining but does not affect copper's ability to kill algae. These special copper algaecides are called chelated copper algaecides.
CORROSION The etching, pitting or eating away of the pool or spa or equipment. Caused by improper water balance, misuse of acid or acidic products or from soft water.
COUPLING A plumbing fitting that is used to connect two pieces of pipe.
COVER, HARD-TOP A cover used on pools, spas and hot tubs that rests on the lip (coping) of the pool or spa deck - not a flotation cover. Used as a barrier to swimmers and bathers, and for maintenance and thermal protection.
COVER, SOLAR A cover that, when placed on the water's surface of a pool, spa or hot tub, increases the water temperature by absorption and transmission of solar radiation; reduces evaporation and prevents wine-borne debris from entering the water.
COVER, WINTER A cover that is secured around the perimeter of a pool, spa or hot tub that provides a barrier to bathers and debris when the pool, spa or hot tub is closed for the season.
CYANURIC ACID Also called condition and stabilizer - Chemically, conditioner is cyanuric acid. It protects chlorine in the water from being destroyed by sunlight. Minimum level is 10 ppm. Too much does not slow down chlorine activity or effectiveness. Does not protect bromine from sunlight.
D. E. FILTER Diatomaceous Earth Filter - A filter designed to use diatomaceous earth (D.E.) as the filter medium. The D.E. is added through the skimmer with the pump on, which takes the D.E. and deposits it on a grid. The D.E. then becomes the filter medium.
DECKS Those areas immediately adjacent to a pool, spa or hot tub that are specifically con- structed or installed for use by bathers for sitting, standing or walking.
DEFOAMER Also called anti-foam - A chemical added to the water to make the suds or foam go away. These products do not remove the source of the sudsing. Most often, the water must be drained and refilled to remove the soaps, oils and other causes of foaming. Shocking and superchlorination may help prevent foaming.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH Also called D.E. - A white poder composed of fossilized skeletons of one-celled organisms called diatoms. The skeletons are porous and have microscopic spaces. The powder is added through the skimmer with the pump on and deposits itself on a grid. The powder then becomes the filter medium.
DICHLOR The common name for sodium dichlor. A fast- dissolving chlorine compound containing chlorine and cyanuric acid (stabilizer or conditioner). It has a neutral pH and is quick-dissolving, so it can be used for regular chlorination or superchlorination.
DIFFUSER A porous plate, tube or other device through which air is forced and divided into minute bubbles for diffusion in the water. A diffuser can also be an overdrain on a sand filter. A difuser is also used on a closed- face impeller on a pump to concentrate water flow to the center of the impeller.
DISINFECT To kill al pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms.
DISSOLVED SOLIDS Also called TDS or total dissolved solids - A measure of the total amount of dissolved matter in water. Examples are calcium, magnesium, carbonates, bicarbonates, sodium, chlorides and metals. High levels can cause corrosion, colored water or salty taste. Maximum level is usually 2500 ppm for pools. Maximum level for spas is 1500 ppm over starting level.
DIVERTER VALVE A plumbing fitting used to change the direc- tion or redirect the flow of water. Some diverter valves are used on pool/spa combin- ations to allow the use of the spa and then switch the flow back to the pool. A brand name diverter valve is called an Ortega valve, which is sometimes used to describe a diverter valve.
DIVING BOARD A recreational mechanism for entering a swimming pool, consisting of a semi-rigid board that derives its spring from a fulcrum mounted below the board and attached to the deck.
DPD An indicator reagent used for the determination of free and total chlorine, bromine, ozone and other oxidizers in water. Better than using OTO for chlorine because it measures free chlorine.
DRAIN This term usually refers to a plumbing fitting installed on the suction side of the pump in pools, spas and hot tubs. Sometimes called the main drain, it is located in the deepest part of the pool, spa or hot tub. It is not a drain, such as a drain on a kitchen sink. Main drains do not allow the to drain to waste but rather connect to the pump for circulation and filtration.
DRY ACID Chemically, sodium bisulfate. A dry white crystal that produces acid when added to water. It is used for lowering pH and total alkalinity. Safer to handle than muriatic acid.
EFFLUENT The water that flows out of a pump, filter or heater, usually on its way back to the pool or spa.
ELBOW A plumbing fitting shaped at a 90 degree or a 45 degree angle usually made of metal, PVC or some other plastic.
ELECTROLYSIS An electrochemical reaction causing a black stain normally found around metal fixtures or on the plaster. It is caused by two dissimilar metals being plumbed together or from an improper electrical grounding of pool equipment or lights. Electrolysis also means the decomposition of water and other inorganic compounds in aqueous solution by means of electricity. Chlorine generators use this principle to produce chlorine from salt in the water.
EPA Abbreviation for the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
ESCUTCHEON PLATE An ornamental shield, flange or border used around a pie, plumbing fitting, grab rail or light.
FIBERGLASS Finespun filaments of glass which are avail- able in a rope or mat form. When used in a process with polyester resins, catalysts and hardeners, can be formed or molded into pools, spas and related shapes.
FILTER A device that removes undissolved or sus- pended particles from water by recirculating the water through a porous substance (a filter medium or element). The three types of filters used in pools and spas are sand, cartridge and D.E. (diatomaceous earth).
FILTER AID A chemical compound added to the water or to the filter that allows the existing filter to become more efficient. Examples are alum, water clarifiers and D.E. (diatomaceous earth).
FILTER AREA The toal surface area of the filter medium that is exposed to the flow of water from the pump, expressed in square feet. Examples are: a 36 sq.ft. (also 36 ft2) D.E. filter and a 100 sq.ft. (slao 100 ft2) cartridge filter.
FILTER CARTRIDGE A replaceable porous element made of paper or polyester used as the filter medium in cartridge filters.
FILTER CYCLE The operating time between cleaning or backwashing cycles of a filter. Also the amount of time the filter has water flowing through it each day expressed in hours.
FILTER ELEMENT A device within a filter tank designed to trap suspended solids as water flows through it from the pool or spa.
FILTER MEDIUM The material used in the filter to trap suspended dirt particles as the water is flowing through it. The polyester or paper used in making a cartridge filter element. The sand used in a sand filter. The D.E. (diatomaceous earth) used in a D.E. filter.
FILTER POWDER A common name for diatomaceous earth (D.E.), used as the filter medium in a diatomaceous earth filter.
FILTER ROCK Graded, rounded rock and/or gravel used to support the filter medium. Usually used with rapid-rate sand filters.
FILTER SEPTUM That portion of tjhe filter element consist- ing of cloth, wire screen or other porous material on which the filter medium or filter aid is deposited. The nylon grid on a D.E. filter is the septum.
FILTER, SAND A type of filter media composed of hard, sharp silica, quartz or similar particles with proper grading for size and uniformity. The most common grade used is No. 20 in sand filters.
FILTRATION RATE The rate at which the water is travelling through the filter, expressed in U.S. gallons per minute (gpm) per square foot of filter area.
FIREMAN'S SWITCH A mechanical switch located inside the time clock, which opens a circuit and shuts off the heater 10 or 15 minutes prior to shutting off the water circulation pump, allowing the heater to cool down. This helps reduce lime buildup in the heat exchanger.
FLOC (See flocculation) - The clump or tuft formed when suspended particles combine with a flocculating agent.
FLOCCULATING AGENT Also flocculant - A chemical substance or compound that promotes the combination, agglomeration, aggregation or coagulation of suspended particles in the water.
FLOCCULATION The combination, agglomeration, aggregation or coagulation of suspended particles in such a way that they form small clumps or tufts (called floc).
FLOW RATE The quantity of water flowing past a design- ated point within a specified time, such as the number of gallons flowing past a point in 1 minute - abbreviated as gpm.
FOAM A froth of bubbles on the surface of the water. Usually comes from soap, oil, deo- dorant, hair spray, suntan oil, etc., that is shed into the water as swimmers enter.
FREE AVAIL.CHLORINE Free Available Chorine - The amount of free chlorine in the pool or spa water that is available to sanitize or disinfect the water. Sometimes called residual or available chlorine.
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