Pool Basic Training

Cyanuric Acid

Also called a conditioner or stabilizer. A granular chemical added to the pool water which provides a shield to chlorine for protection from the sun's UV radiation.

Contaminants

Any chemicals, micro particles or organisms which reduce water clarity and quality or present health hazards.

Algae

Aquatic plants that contain chlorophyll and feed themselves through photosynthesis. Not harmful to humans but can discolor pool water and causes surfaces to become slick and slimy.

Skimmer Baskets

Catch baskets designed to fit into skimmers where surface debris can be caught and removed from the water. Moving water counterclockwise causes most of the debris to be caught in these baskets for removal

Etching

Caused by some of the plaster mix or the cement used in the aggregate mix being dissolved into the pool water.

Stabilized Chlorine

Chlorine that contains a stabilizer such as cyanuric acid to protect the chlorine from being degraded by the UV rays in sunlight.

Unstabilized Chlorine

Chlorine that does not have a specific stabilizer chemical added to it. It is very sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation found in natural sunlight. Can lose half of its strength every 30 minutes on days when the sun is shining brightly.

Combined Chlorine

Chlorine which has become chemically combined with certain types of contaminants and performs less satisfactorily as a sanitizer. Can be eliminated by shocking or super chlorinating the water. Also known as chloramines.

Backwash Valves

Controls the directional flow of pool water through the filter during the process of backwashing a Sand or DE swimming pool filter. They may also be called a multiport valve.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act

Designed to prevent accidental entrapment onto drains in swimming pools and hot tubs.

Filter Elements or Grids

Devices inside a filter tank designed to entrap dirt and debris. Cartridge and DE are two examples.

Valves

Devices that connect piping systems and can be used to either turn a water flow on or off, control the rate of a water flow or re-direct a water flow.

Germs

Different types of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. Can be pathogenic and disease causing and can be found in the air, on all types of surfaces and in water. Can also be transmitted between swimmers if pools and hot tubs are not properly sanitized.

Pool Stains

Discolorations of a swimming pool finish. Can be caused by metals, organic debris and improperly balanced pool water.

Curative Algaecide

EPA registered algae killer that works to remove algae that have already established colonies in the pool.

Latterals

Elongated, capped plastic nipples at the bottom of a sand filter which are slotted to allow for water passage whil keeping the sand in the filter tank.

Cartridge Filters

Filters that use a replaceable porous element made of plastic or polyester fabric or trap dirt and debris from pool water.

Vacuum Heads

Flat, rolling attachments which connect to the telescoping pole and the vacuum hose and allow dirt and debris to be sucked up into the hose and filtered within the skimmer basket.

Vinyl Liners

Flexible, heavy-duty waterproof plastic materials which are used to contain the water in above ground and in ground vinyl lined swimming pools.

Vacuum Hoses

Flexible, plastic hoses that connect the vacuum head to the skimmer.

Total Alkalinity

Indicates the water's resistance to change in pH. Can cause pH instability or bounce as it may be called.

Pool Leaf Rakes

Light weight, framed nets which attach to a telescoping pole and is used to scoop up floating pool debris or sunken debris that is too big to fit through the main drain or the vacuum hose line.

Filters

Mechanisms for capturing and removing dirt, debris, sand, algae and other suspended particles from a swimming pool or hot tub. Sand, cartridge, and DE. Requires cleaning and maintenance on a regular basis to perform properly.

Bacteria

Microscopic organisms that live in the air, in water, on land, and even inside the bodies of plants and animals including humans. Can be beneficial or disease causing.

Balanced Water

Neither corrosive nor scale forming water.

Biguanides

Non-halogen sanitizers utilizing a chemical polymer called PHMB that is EPA registered for use in swimming pools and hot tubs.

Returns

Places where the water comes back from the equipment to the pool. Mounted in a sidewall and are spread throughout the pool. They are adjustable so they can be aimed to eliminate areas of dead circulation and help the water circulate fully.

Above Ground Vinyl Lined Pools

Pools that sit on top of the ground and are constructed with pre-formed, metal or plastic interlocking walls or columns.

Fiberglass Pools

Pre-formed shells made of fiberglass that are installed in the ground.

Weirs

Small, hinged doors on the open side of the skimmer over which water flows as it is drawn into the skimmer when the pump is running. Prevents debris from floating out of the skimmer basket back into the pool when the pump is off.

Viruses

Smaller than bacteria and cannot be seen without a microscope. Can be transmitted through water from infected individuals and are controlled by maintaining proper sanitizer residuals.

Heaters

Specially designed types of equipment that pass water through a series of tubes called heat exchangers to gently warm the water in the pool or hot tub.

Chemical Feeders

Storage containers that hold an amount of concentrated chemicals which are then fed at a controlled rate into the water to prevent the growth of germs and algae.

Minerals

Substances such as Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium, Nickel, Copper, Silver, Zinc, Iron, Cobalt, or Aluminum. Their presence in high concentrations can lead to stains or scale formation.

Cloudy Water

Swimming pool water that has fine suspended particles in it which may include bacteria and/or algae, dirt and undissolved chemicals. May be the result of improper circulation, filtration, sanitation or water balance.

In Ground Vinyl Lined Pools

Swimming pools that are built into a hole in the ground and typically have a concrete or sand bottom. These pools use interlocking plastic or metal support walls that are assembled in the hole and backfilled with dirt. A heavy plastic liner is laid over the walls and floor to contain the water.

Portable Pools

Swimming pools that are constructed of a waterproof, flexible plastic which is inflated with air to make the walls semi-rigid and then filled with water.

In Ground Fiberglass Pools

Swimming pools that are manufactured, one piece shells made of a glass reinforced plastic which sits in the ground and is backfilled with dirt. They have a very smooth interior coating called a gel coat that is chemical resistant and long lasting.

Residual

The amount of a particular chemical available in the water after that chemical demand has been satisfied.

Free (Available) Chlorine

The amount of chlorine that is capable of controlling germ sand keeping the pool water protected for swimmers.

Degradation

The breakdown of chemicals or substances which will influence their effectiveness or structural integrity.

Corrosion

The disintegration of metal components and equipment; it also is the etching or dissolving of cement based pool surfaces.

Waste Lines

The lines (pipes) that carry the dirty water either from a filter that is being backwashed or a pool being vacuumed to waste.

Bleaching

The loss of fading or color on a vinyl liner pool due to prolonged contact with strong chlorine solutions.

Calcium Hardness

The measure of the calcium content of the water. If it measures too low, the water may be corrosive and cause etching of cement based finishes. If it measures too high, the water may have a tendency to form scale.

Pool Finish

The method of waterproof material that completes the inner shell of a swimming pool. Includes fiberglass, vinyl liners, flexible PVC, plaster, pebble or quartz.

PPM

The number of parts of one substance dissolved or mixed into a total of 1,000,000 parts of the combined substances.

Backwashing

The process used to remove collected dirt and debris from sand and DE type filter. This method uses a backwash valve to reverse the flow of water to wash away trapped dirt, debris and DE coatings. The dirty water is then piped to a waste line to prevent it re-entering the pool.

Dissolving

The process where chemicals and/or minerals go into a solution. Also know as diluting.

Circulation

The process whereby water is drawn from the pool, passed through various pieces of equipment and returned to the pool in a filtered condition. Keeps the sanitizer properly distributed throughout the pool and also distributes heated water from pool heaters.

Pool Water Balance

The relationship between different chemical measurements and other materials of construction that are contained within the pool.

Total Chlorine

The sum of free available chlorine and combined chlorine.

PSI

The unit by which filter pressure is measured on a pressure gauge. It increases as the filter gets dirtier.

Pressure Gauges

These indicate the amount of water pressure expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) that exist within the filter while the pump is operating. Increases in psi usually indicate a filter that is becoming clogged and an increase of 10 psi above normal indicates the need to clean or backwash the filter.

Pumps

These pull water in from the pool and push water back out through a series of equipment to the pool. Typically has a filter basket, motor and an impeller.

Skimmers

These sit along the top edge of a pool at the water's surface. They trap floating debris. They are important in helping the circulation system keep the water uniformly mixed.

Telescoping Poles

Two piece poles that extend and can be connected to a variety of pool cleaning attachments.

Main Drains

Typically located in the middle, deepest part of the pool. Draws in water from the pool bottom and may contain debris that has sunk to the bottom of the pool. There can be one or more. They assist in mixing of water and distribution of chemicals throughout the pool.

EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; responsible for managing federal efforts to control air and water pollution, radiation and pesticide hazards, environmental research, hazardous waste, and solid-solid waste disposal.

Shock

Used to bring the sanitizer levels up so high that breakpoint chlorination is reached.

Hard Water

Water containing large amounts of calcium and magnesium ions

Basic

A chemical having a high pH and can be used to increase pools pH. Also referred to as alkaline.

Buffers

A chemical results in resistance to changes in pH. A base such as Sodium Bicarbonate, when added to your pool will increase total alkalinity.

DPD Test

A color based method of testing chlorine levels in water that allows the user to determine both free levels and total levels of chlorine in the water.

Stretching or Wrinkling

A condition that forms on vinyl liners in pools. It can be caused by improper installation, water seeping in behind the liner, a leak, improper chemical application or pool water that is improperly balanced.

DE Filter

A filter that uses DE (Diatomaceous Earth), a natural white powder coated onto a set of plastic grids covered with a fine mesh fabric. Requires backwashing and/or physical cleaning and re-coating with DE to maintain proper filtration.

Sand Filter

A filter that uses a specific grade of sand as the filter medium. They are capable of removing 20-25 micron sized particles from pool water. They are popular due to their ease of backwashing.

Filtering Media

A finely graded material, such as sand, diatomeous earth or polyester fabric that removes suspended particles from water passing through it.

LSI or Langlier Saturation Index

A formula used to determine water balance by assigning values to levels of pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Water Temperature. When all parameters are in balance, the waterwill neither be corrosive or scaling. The formula is "SI=pH+TF+CH+AF-12.1."

Stabilizers

A granular chemical added to the pool water which provides a shield to chlorine for protection from UV radiation. Also known as Cyanuric Acid or Conditioner.

Aggregate Finish

A gunite pool finish composed of quartz granules, pebble material or other particles mixed with white cement and crushed marble. This pool finish has long lasting, bright colors and is more resistant to pool chemicals. This finish comes in a variety of colors and textures.

Protozoa

A large, diverse assortment of microscopic or near-microscopic one-celled organisms. Can cause serious illness or disease in humans and some are difficult to kill with common pool sanitizers.

Acid

A low pH chemical available as a granular, dry product or in a liquid form that is used to lower a pool's pH or total alkalinity levels. It can also be used to dissolve calcium carbonate scale from the surface.

Diatomaceous Earth or DE

A naturally occurring powder composed of the microscopic remains of extinct aquatic sea creatures called diatoms. These skeletal remains are porous and hollow with very fine internal channels that filter out extremely small particles.

Pebble Finish

A pool finish that consists of a pebble material that is mixed with cement and applied in an aggregate mixture to a Gunite pool.It acts as a sealer to prevent pool water from seeping through the gunite to the ground.

Plaster Finish

A pool finish that consists of white cement mixed with crushed marble that is troweled onto a Gunite pool and acts as a finely finished sealer to prevent water from seeping through the cement.

Pump Strainer Basket

A removable basket that sits inside of the swimming pool pump housing and collects pieces of debris, bugs and anything else that can harm or damage the pool pump or plug the impeller.

Impellers

A rotating disc attached to the shaft of the pump motor that spins at high speed. This spinning at high speed creates centrifugal force to push water to the outside of the disc where the pump housing collects this water and sends it out in a pressurized state.

Scale

A rough, whitish colored deposit that forms on pool surfaces when there are high levels of calcium that has come out of its proper solution. Can stick to pool finishes or tile very tightly.

Microorganisms

A simple form of life, commonly made up of a single cell and so small that it can only be seen with a microscope. Includes bacteria, viruses, protozoans, algae and fungi. Can be pathogenic or disease causing.

Sanitizers

A special group of chemicals used to prevent and/or kill germs in pool water. Must be EPA registered.

Gunite

A special mix of concrete used when building an in ground concrete pool. It is sprayed into the hole where the pool is to be built, covering the metal rebar and plumbing to form the swimming pools foundation or shell as it may be called.

Fungus

A spore-producing class of organisms formally classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts and mildews. Can cause diseases and skin irritations in humans and can be transmitted in pool and hot tub water.

Rebar

A steel bar with ridges that is easily bent to desired shapes and used to reinforce the gunite foundation of an in ground gunite swimming pool.

pH

A term used to indicate the level of acidity or alkalinity of water. Ideal range is 7.2 to 7.6.

Bromine

A type of halogen sanitizer belonging to the same chemical family as chlorine. EPA registered as a sanitizer for swimming pools and hot tubs. It is popular for the use of hot tubs because it has a low halogen odor and retains its effectiveness in a broader range of pH. It is not sunlight stable and degrades quickly when exposed to sunlight which limits its applications in uncovered outdoor pools.

Chlorine

A type of halogen sanitizer that is extensively used to sanitize water and prevent the spread of disease. EPA registered sanitizer for swimming pools and spas and is effective at controlling bacteria, fungi, viruses, most protozoa and algae.

Quartz Finish

A type of pool finish composed of small aggregate pieces or crushed quartz mixed with cement to form a brightly colored finish on gunite pools that is more resistant to etching and staining.