| |
| |
| ACID: A sour
chemical substance that releases hydrogen ions with the ability to
dissolve metals, neutralize alkaline materials and to combine with
bases to form salts. Acid is used to lower (decrease) pH and total
alkalinity of swimming pool and spa water. Examples are muriatic
acid (hydrochloric) and dry acid (sodium bisulfate). All liquids
with a pH lower than 7.0 are acidic or acid. |
| |
| AGGLOMERATION:
The gathering of fine, suspended matter in water into “flocs” or
larger masses that then can settle and be filtered from the water. |
| |
| ALGAE:
Microscopic plant-like organisms that contain chlorophyll. Algae are
nourished by carbon and use sunlight to carry out photosynthesis.
They are introduced by rain or wind and grow in colonies producing
nuisance masses. Algae are not disease-causing but they can harbor
bacteria and they are slippery. There are 21,000 known species of
algae. The most common pool types are black, blue-green, green and
yellow or mustard. Pink or red colored algae-like organisms exist
but are bacteria and not algae. Maintaining proper sanitizer levels,
shocking and superchlorination will prevent their occurrence.
|
| |
| ALGAECIDE:
(also algicide) A natural or synthetic chemical designed to kill
destroy or control algae. |
| |
| ALGAESTAT:
(also algistat) Any chemical or substance that inhibits the growth
of algae. |
| |
| ALKALI:
(also called base) A class of compounds which will react with an
acid to give a salt. A substance that creates a bitter taste and a
slippery feel when dissolved in water. An alkali has a pH greater
than 7.0 and is the opposite of an acid. Alkalis may include the
soluble hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate salts of calcium,
magnesium, potassium and sodium. A reaction between an acid and a
base is called neutralization. |
| |
| ALKALINITY:
(also more commonly called total alkalinity) A measure of the
pH-buffering capacity of water. Also defined as the water's
resistance to change in pH. Composed of the hydroxides, carbonates
and bicarbonates in the water expressed in parts per million (ppm)
or milligrams per liter (mg/L). One of the basic water tests
necessary to determine water balance. The ideal range is from 60
parts per million (ppm) to 140 ppm. |
| |
| AMMONIA:
Introduced into the water by swimmers as waste (perspiration or
urine). Quickly forms foul-smelling, body-irritating chloramines - a
disabled, less effective form of chlorine. See chloramines or
combined chlorine. |
| |
| ANTI-FOAM: A
chemical added to the water to remove suds or foam. These products
do not alleviate 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, superchlorination, clarifiers and
enzymes may help remove the causes. |
| |
| ANTI-SCALANT:
A chemical that inhibits or delays precipitation and subsequent
scale formation. |
| |
| AVAILABLE CHLORINE:
The amount of chlorine, both free and combined, in the pool water
that is available to sanitize or disinfect the water. Sometimes
called residual chlorine. |
| |
| 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.
|
| |
| BACKWASH RATE:
The rate of flow through the filter media during the backwash cycle,
measured in gallons per minute per square foot (GPM/Sq. Ft.).
|
| |
| BACTERICIDE:
A chemical or element that kills destroys or controls bacteria.
|
| |
| BACTERIOSTAT:
A substance that prevents or retards bacteria growth. |
| |
| BALANCED WATER:
The correct ratio of mineral content, pH and alkalinity levels that
prevents water from being corrosive or scale forming. |
| |
| BIOCIDE: Any
substance or medium having the energy to destroy bacteria. Any
substance or chemical that kills or inhibits the growth or
microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, molds and slimes.
|
| |
| BLACK ALGAE:
A stubborn strain of algae that grows in pools and spas. It can be
difficult to remove. See algae. |
| |
| BLEACH: This
term usually refers to liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl,
10-percent to 12-percent chlorine by weight). It is the same
chemical used in laundry bleach but pool chlorine is 12-percent
available chlorine while laundry bleach is about 5-percent to
6-percent available chlorine. A gallon of liquid chlorine contains
about 1 pound of pure chlorine or is equivalent to 1 pound of gas
chlorine. |
| |
| BODY OIL:
The term used to describe oil from or on our bodies that gets into
the water. Sometimes it refers to sun tan oil or lotion. |
| |
| 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
treatment. |
| |
| BROMINE: A
common name for a chemical compound containing bromine that is used
as a disinfectant to destroy bacteria and algae in swimming pools
and spas. Available as a tablet or as sodium bromide, a granular
salt. |
| |
| BROMINE TABLETS:
Common name for two chemical compounds containing bromine. They are
used as disinfectants to destroy bacteria and algae. A separate
oxidizer must be used to destroy swimmer waste. |
| |
| BROMINATOR:
A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing bromine at a
controlled rate. Most often a canister or floater filled with
tablets of bromine. |
| |
| BROWN ALGAE:
A particularly hardy kind of algae that can look brown but is
actually what is called yellow. |
| |
| CALCIUM: The
presence of calcium in water is a factor contributing to the
formation of scale and is a means of identifying hard water.
|
| |
| 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 pool
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 water. |
| |
| 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 forms scale. One of the basic water tests
necessary to determine water balance. Minimum level 150 parts per
million (ppm). Ideal range is 200 ppm to 400 ppm. |
| |
| CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE:
A compound of chlorine and calcium used as a disinfectant,
sanitizer, 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-percent available
chlorine but is available as 70 percent and 75 percent also. Often
referred to as cal-hypo. |
| |
| 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 as its removal system. |
| |
| CHELATE:
Pronounced KEY-late. Also called sequester. It is the process of
preventing metals in the water from combining with other components
in the water to form colored precipitates that stain pool walls and
bottoms or produce colored water. |
| |
| CHELATED COPPER:
Copper algaecides that contain a special ingredient to prevent the
copper from staining pool walls and bottoms 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. |
| |
| 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. Chloramines are removed by super-chlorination or shock
treatment. |
| |
| CHLORIDE:
The ionic, non-killing form of chlorine. When chlorine in water is
reduced or is used up, it becomes chloride ion in water.
|
| |
| 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, chloramines, 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 NEUTRALIZER:
A chemical solution used to make chlorine harmless. Used in test
kits to counteract the bleaching effect of the chlorine or bromine
in order to increase the accuracy of pool water tests. Sold as
chlorine and bromine neutralizer, it is used to destroy excessive
amounts of chlorine or bromine so the high levels will not affect
swimmers. Chemicals used for this are sodium thiosulfate, sodium
bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, hydrogen peroxide
and Vitamin C. |
| |
| CHLORINE RESIDUAL:
The amount of chlorine left in the pool or spa water after the
chlorine demand has been satisfied. |
| |
| CLARIFIER: A
chemical compound used to gather or to precipitate suspended
particles so they may be removed by vacuuming or filtration. There
are two types: inorganic salts of aluminum (alum) or water-soluble
organic polyelectrolytes. Often referred to as a coagulant or
flocculent. |
| |
| CLARITY: The
degree of transparency of the water. |
| |
| CLOUDY WATER:
The visible effect in water created by material in suspension - also
called turbidity. Adding a clarifier will coagulate the particles
and make the filter more efficient. |
| |
| 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:
See cyanuric acid. |
| |
| COPING: The
cap or top lip on the pool or spa wall that provides a finishing
edge around the pool or spa. It can be formed, cast in place,
precast or pre-fabricated 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 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. |
| |
| COPPER SULFATE:
A chemical prepared from copper and sulfuric acid. It is one of the
oldest algaecides available. It is also called blue vitriol, blue
copperas, bluestone and cupric sulfate. |
| |
| CORROSION:
The etching, pitting or eating away of the pool or spa vessel or
equipment. Caused by improper water balance, misuse of acid or
acidic products or from "soft" water. |
| |
| HARD TOP COVER
- 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, for maintenance and thermal
protection. |
| |
| WINTER COVER
- A cover that is secured around the perimeter of a pool, spa or hot
tub and provides a barrier to bathers and debris when closed for the
season. |
| |
| SOLAR COVER
- 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
wind-borne debris from entering the water. |
| |
| CYANURIC ACID:
(also known as conditioner and stabilizer) It protects chlorine in
the water from being destroyed by sunlight. Minimum level 30 parts
per million. Too much does not slow down chlorine activity or
effectiveness. It does not protect bromine from sunlight.
|
| |
| D. E. FILTER:
(also called a diatomaceous earth filter) A filter designed to use
diatomaceous earth (D.E.) as the filter medium. The D.E. is added
through the skimmer when the pump is on. This deposits the D.E. on a
grid, where it then becomes the filter medium. |
| |
| DECHLOR OR
DECHLORINATE: (also called chlorine neutralizer) The
process of adding a chemical to the water to remove the residual
chlorine. Chemicals used for this are sodium thiosulfate, sodium
bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, hydrogen peroxide
and Vitamin C. |
| |
| 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,
superchlorination, clarifiers and enzymes may help remove causes.
|
| |
| DIATOMACEOUS EARTH:
(also called D.E.) A white powder 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 and
deposits itself on a grid. The powder then becomes the filter
medium. |
| |
| DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
FILTER: (also called a D.E. 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. |
| |
| DICHLOR: A
fast-dissolving chlorine compound containing sodium, chlorine and
cyanuric acid (stabilizer or conditioner). It has a nearly neutral
pH (pH 6.8) and is quick dissolving so it can be used for regular
chlorination or superchlorination. Two types are sold. The anhydrous
version provides 62-percent available chlorine and is more dangerous
to store and handle. The dihydrate, which has 56-percent available
chlorine, is much safer to store and handle. |
| |
| ETCHING:
Corrosion of the surface of a vessel, plumbing, equipment or
fixtures. Plaster etching is caused by corrosive or aggressive
water, usually because the pH and alkalinity are too low.
|
| |
| FIBERGLASS:
Fine-spun filaments of glass which are available in a rope or mat
form. When used in a process with polyester resins, catalysts and
hardeners, fiberglass can be formed or molded into pools, spas and
related shapes. |
| |
| FILL WATER:
(also called makeup water) Water added to a pool or spa to replace
water lost due to evaporation, splash out or drag out. |
| |
| FILTER: A
device that removes undissolved or suspended 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 added to the filter that
allows the existing filter to become more efficient. Examples are
alum, water clarifiers and D.E. (diatomaceous earth). |
| |
| 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 from the pool or spa is flowing through it. |
| |
| FILTER MEDIUM:
In essence, 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.
|
| |
| FILTRATION RATE:
The rate at which the water is traveling through the filter
expressed in gallons per minute (gpm) per square foot of filter
area. |
| |
| FLOATER: A
chemical feeder whereby the chemical is placed in a container and
the container is allowed to float around the pool dispensing the
chemical. The chemical dissolves in the floater and is released into
the water. Most often these are used for chlorine or bromine.
|
| |
| FLOC: 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). |
| |
| FOAM: A
froth of bubbles on the surface of the water. Usually caused by
soap, oil, deodorant, hair spray, sun tan oil, etc. that is shed
into the water as swimmers enter. |
| |
| FREE AVAILABLE
CHLORINE (FAC): The amount of free chlorine in the pool or
spa water that is available to sanitize or disinfect the water. FAC
is sometimes called residual or available chlorine. |
| |
| FREE CHLORINE:
The amount of free chlorine in the pool or spa water that is
available to sanitize or disinfect the water. Free chlorine is
sometimes called residual or available chlorine. |
| |
| GAS CHLORINE:
A chemical element used as a sanitizer and disinfectant in swimming
pool water. The greenish gas is compressed and becomes a liquid
under pressure. It is 2.5 times heavier than air and is highly toxic
to humans if released. |
| |
| GUNITE: A
mixture of cement and sand sprayed onto contoured and supported
surfaces to build a pool. Gunite is mixed and pumped to the site dry
and water is added at point of application. Plaster is usually
applied over the gunite. |
| |
| HAIR & LINT STRAINER:
Usually a basket before the pump that is design to catch and prevent
hair, lint and other small material from entering the pump where it
may damage the impeller. |
| |
| HALOGENS:
The chemical elements either individually or collectively that
constitute Group VIIA of the periodic table: namely, fluorine,
chlorine, bromine iodine and astatine. Of these, only chlorine and
bromine are used as disinfectant and sanitizers in pool and spas.
|
| |
| HAND SKIMMER:
A screen attached to a frame which can be connected to a telepole to
remove large floating debris such as leaves and bugs from the
water's surface. |
| |
| HARD WATER:
Drinking water term that indicates water that contains one grain per
gallon - 17.1 parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
or higher of total hardness. The ideal range of hardness for pools
and spas is 200 ppm to 400 ppm. |
| |
| HARDNESS:
The amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water. "Water"
or "total" hardness refers to the total of the magnesium and calcium
dissolved in the water. Calcium hardness refers to just the calcium.
Measured by a test kit and expressed as parts per million (ppm).
Proper range is 200 ppm to 400 ppm. |
| |
| HARDNESS INCREASER:
A chemical used to increase calcium or water hardness. It is usually
calcium chloride. |
| |
| HEATER: A
fossil-fueled, electric or solar device used to heat the water of a
pool, spa or hot tub. |
| |
| HYDROJET: A
fitting in the pool or spa on the water return line from the
equipment that blends or mixes air and water creating a high
velocity, turbulent stream of air-enriched water. |
| |
| IDEAL LEVEL OR RANGE:
The universally accepted ranges for the chemical parameters for
swimming pool or spa water. For instance, the ideal pH range is 7.4
to 7.6; the ideal chlorine level is 1.5 parts per million (ppm) to
3.0 ppm; the ideal total alkalinity is 80 ppm to 140 ppm depending
on the sanitizer being used; the ideal hardness level is 200ppm to
400 ppm. |
| |
| IONIZER: A
water-sanitation device that uses electricity to generate metal ions
which are dispersed in the water. It works by passing a low-voltage,
DC current through a set of metallic (usually copper and silver)
electrodes placed in line with the circulation equipment. The copper
is an algaecide while the silver is a bactericide. This process does
not remove swimmer waste. |
| |
| JET: (also
called a hydrojet or hydrotherapy jet) A fitting in the pool or spa
on the water return line from the equipment that blends or mixes air
and water creating a high velocity, turbulent stream of air-enriched
water. |
| |
| LINER: (also
vinyl liner) The vinyl membrane that acts as the container to hold
or contain the water in a swimming pool. |
| |
| LIQUID CHLORINE:
Sodium hypochlorite solution, chemical formula usually provides 10
percent to 12 percent available chlorine; has a pH of 13 and
requires that small amounts of acid be added to the pool to
neutralize the high pH. Good for regular chlorination and
superchlorination. It is the same chemical used for household or
laundry bleach except that laundry bleach is about 5.6-percent
available chlorine. One gallon of liquid chlorine 12.5 percent is
equal to about one pound of gas chlorine. |
| |
| LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE:
A dry, granular chlorinating compound with an available chlorine
content of 35 percent. It is rapid dissolving and should be used to
superchlorinate vinyl-liner pools, painted pools or fiberglass pools
as well as spas and hot tubs. |
| |
| MAGNESIUM HARDNESS:
A measure of the amount of magnesium dissolved in the water. It is
part of total or water hardness. It also causes scale if levels are
too high. In tap water, magnesium hardness is about 25 percent of
the total hardness and calcium is about 75 percent. |
| |
| MAIN DRAIN:
Usually refers to a plumbing fitting installed on the suction side
of the pump in pools, spas and hot tubs. Sometimes called the drain,
it is located in the deepest part of the pool, spa or hot tub. The
Main Drain is unique in that it does not allow the water to drain to
waste but rather connect to the pump for circulation and filtration.
|
| |
| MAKE-UP WATER:
Sometimes called "tap" or "refill" water. It is the water used to
replace water lost to evaporation, splash out, leaks or swimmer drag
out in the pool. |
| |
| MEDIA: A
selected group of materials used in filters and filter devices to
form barriers to the passage of certain solids or molecules that are
suspended or dissolved in water. Media is the plural form of medium
and refers to more than one type of barrier material. In the pool
and spa industry, filters use either sand, polyester or diatomaceous
earth (D.E.) as the media. |
| |
| MSDS:
Abbreviation for Material Safety Data Sheet, an informative fact
sheet provided by companies that make and distribute hazardous
substances. As part of the Worker Right to Know Law, an MSDS must be
available for each substance and mixtures of hazardous substances.
|
| |
| MURIATIC ACID:
An acid used to reduce the pH and alkalinity levels in pool water.
It is also used in acid washing, a process that removes stains and
scale from pool plaster. |
| |
| MUSTARD ALGAE:
A particularly hardy form of algae that is yellow colored. See
algae. |
| |
| NEUTRALIZER:
A chemical solution used to make chlorine or bromine harmless. Used
in test kits to counteract the bleaching effect of the chlorine or
bromine in order to increase the accuracy of pool water tests. Sold
as chlorine and bromine neutralizer, it is used to destroy excessive
amounts of chlorine or bromine so the high levels will not affect
swimmers. The most common ones are sodium thiosulfate, sodium
sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, hydrogen peroxide and vitamin C.
|
| |
| NON-CHLORINE SHOCK:
A term given to a class of chemical compounds that are used to
oxidize or shock the water (destroy ammonia, nitrogen and swimmer
waste). They contain no chlorine or bromine and do not kill living
organisms. Swimmers may re-enter the water in only 15 minutes after
adding a non-chlorine shock. Examples are monopersulfates, hydrogen
peroxide and percarbonates. |
| |
| NSPI:
Abbreviation for the National Spa & Pool Institute. |
| |
| ORGANIC CHLORAMINES:
Chloramines formed from the combination of chlorine and organic
ammonia or nitrogen (swimmer waste, perspiration, urine, sweat,
saliva, etc.) these are not considered disinfectants like inorganic
chloramines. |
| |
| OXIDATION:
To rid the water of ammonia, nitrogen compounds and swimmer waste
(organic compounds). These organic compounds disable chlorine, are
body irritants and have a foul smell. Removal is accomplished by
superchlorination or by shock treating with a non-chlorine oxidizer.
|
| |
| OXIDIZER: A
non-chlorine shocking compound that removes or destroys built-up
contaminants and chloramines in pool water without raising chlorine
levels as required when "superchlorinating." |
| |
| PART PER MILLION:
Abbreviated as ppm. It is a "weight-to-weight" expression. It means
one part in one million parts, such as, 1 pound of chlorine in 1
million pounds of water or 119,904 gallons. |
| |
| pH: A term
used to indicate the level of acidity or alkalinity of pool water.
Too low pH causes etched plaster, metal corrosion and eye
irritation. Too high pH causes scale formation, poor chlorine
efficiency and eye irritation. Proper range for pH in swimming pools
is 7.4 to 7.6. It is always written with a lower case "p" and a
capital "H." |
| |
| pH DECREASER:
A chemical that decreases or lowers the pH of the water. Muriatic
acid, dry acid and sodium bisulfate are examples. |
| |
| pH INCREASER:
A chemical that increases the pH of the water. Soda ash, sodium
sesquicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate are examples of pH
increasers. |
| |
| pH METER: A
sensitive volt meter used to measure pH via an electrode placed in
the water. |
| |
| PLASTER: A
mixture of white cement and white marble dust used as an interior
finish which can be tinted, colored or left white, applied to the
gunite or shotcrete of a pool or spa. |
| |
| PUMP: A
mechanical device, usually powered by an electric motor, which
causes hydraulic flow and pressure for the purpose of filtration,
heating and circulation of pool and spa water. Typically, a
centrifugal pump is used for pools, spas and hot tubs. |
| |
| QUAT: See
quaternary ammonium compounds. |
| |
| QUATERNARY AMMONIUM
COMPOUNDS: (also called quats) A type of organic compound
in which the molecular structure includes a central nitrogen atom
joined by four organic groups as well as to an acid radical.
Cationic quaternary ammonium compounds adsorb on the cell walls of
microbes and algae and react chemically with the negative charges
carried by the cell walls. These chemical compounds of ammonia are
used as algaecides and algaestats. |
| |
| REAGENTS:
The chemical agents, dyes, indicators or titrants used in testing
various aspects of water quality. |
| |
| RESIDUAL BROMINE:
The amount of measurable bromine remaining after treating
the water with bromine. The amount of bromine left in the pool or
spa water after the bromine demand has been satisfied. Includes
hypobromous acid (HOBr), hypobromite ion, free and total bromine and
all combined bromine. |
| |
| RESIDUAL CHLORINE:
The amount of measurable chlorine remaining after treating the water
with chlorine. The amount of chlorine left in the pool or spa water
after the chlorine demand has been satisfied. Includes hypochlorous
acid (HOCl), hypochlorite ion free and total chlorine and all
combined chlorine. |
| |
| SAND:
Usually refers to the filter medium used by a sand filter. The grade
most often specified by filter manufacturers is grade #20 with a
particle size of 45 to 55 mm (millimeters). |
| |
| SAND FILTER:
A filter using sand or sand and gravel as the filter medium. The
oldest (patented in 1790) method of improving water quality,
generally using two layers of sand supported by an underbed layer of
gravel. |
| |
| SANITIZE: To
render sanitary; to kill all living things including bacteria and
algae. Similar to sterilize. |
| |
| SCALE: The
precipitate that forms on surfaces in contact with water when the
calcium hardness, pH or total alkalinity levels are too high. This
is the result of chemically unbalanced pool and spa water. Scale may
appear as grey, white or dark streaks on the plaster, fiberglass or
vinyl. It may also appear as a hard crust around the tile.
|
| |
| SCALE INHIBITOR:
A chemical added to the water that prevents scale from forming.
|
| |
| SCUM: The
extraneous or foreign matter which rises to the surface of the water
and forms a layer or film there. It can also be a residue deposited
on the tile or walls of the pool or spa. Sources of scum are soap,
oil, deodorant, hair spray, sun tan lotion and various others.
|
| |
| SEQUESTERING AGENT:
(also called chelating agent) A chemical that will combine with
dissolved metals in the water to prevent the metals from coming out
of solution (precipitating or causing stains). May also be a
chemical that removes dissolved metals from water. |
| |
| SHOCK TREAT:
The practice of adding significant amounts of an oxidizing chemical
(usually non-chlorine oxidizers such as sodium persulfate or
potassium peroxymonosulfate) to the water to destroy ammonia and
nitrogen compounds or swimmer waste. Shock treat used to mean
superchlorinating to 10 parts per millions (ppm) to 20 ppm of free
chlorine. |
| |
| SHOTCRETE: A
mixture of sand and cement sprayed onto contoured and supported
surfaces to build a pool or spa. Plaster is applied over the
shotcrete. Shotcrete is premixed and pumped wet to the construction
site. |
| |
| SILVER ALGAECIDE:
Algaecides that have colloidal silver or silver ions as
their active ingredient. |
| |
| SKIMMER: A
device installed through the wall of a pool or spa that is connected
to the suction line of the pump that draws water and floating debris
in from the surface of the water. The skimmer basket catches large
debris while the filter traps smaller particles. |
| |
| SKIMMER BASKET:
A removable, slotted basket or strainer placed in the
skimmer on the suction side of the pump, which is designed to trap
floating debris in the water flow from the surface without causing
much flow restriction. |
| |
| SKIMMER WEIR:
Part of a skimmer that adjusts automatically to small
changes in water level to assure a continuous flow of water to the
skimmer. The weir has the appearance of a small floating "door" on
the side of the skimmer that faces the water over which water flows
on its way to the skimmer. |
| |
| SODIUM BICARBONATE:
(baking soda or bicarb) Used to raise total alkalinity in
pool and spa water with only a slight affect on the pH. |
| |
| SODIUM BISULFATE:
(dry acid) A chemical used to lower the pH and total
alkalinity (2.5 pounds of dry acid are equal to 1 quart of muriatic
acid). |
| |
| SODIUM BORATE:
See sodium tetraborate. |
| |
| SODIUM BROMIDE:
A salt of bromine, used to establish a bromide "bank" in pool and
spa water prior to beginning the use of bromine tablets.
|
| |
| SODIUM CARBONATE:
(common name - soda ash) A chemical used to raise the pH
and total alkalinity in pool and spa water. |
|
 |
| |
| SODIUM DICHLOR:
A fast-dissolving, granular, stabilized organic chlorine compound
providing either 56-percent or 63-percent available chlorine. Used
for regular as well as superchlorination. It also contains an
ingredient (cyanuric acid or stabilizer) that prevents chlorine from
being destroyed by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.
|
| |
| SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE:
Good for regular chlorination and superchlorination. It is not
recommended for spas and does not contain conditioner or stabilizer
to protect it from sunlight, but it is protected if stabilizer or
conditioner is already in the water. It usually provides 10-percent
to 12-percent available chlorine (or about 1 pound of pure chlorine
per gallon); has a pH of 13; and requires that small amounts of acid
be added to the pool to neutralize the high pH. |
| |
| SODIUM
SESQUICARBONATE: A chemical mixture of equal parts of soda
ash and sodium bicarbonate used to increase pH and total alkalinity
in pool and spa water. It has a pH of 10.1. |
| |
| SODIUM SULFITE:
A chemical used to neutralize, de-chlorinate or debrominate
pool and spa water. |
| |
| SODIUM TETRABORATE
PENTAHYDRATE: White crystals or powder used to scavenge
from water and as a buffer which supplies alkalinity to water so pH
can be more easily maintained. |
| |
| SODIUM THIOSULFATE:
A chemical used to neutralize, de-chlorinate or debrominate
pool and spa water. |
| |
| SOFT WATER:
Water that has a very low calcium and magnesium content (water
hardness) - usually means less than 100 parts per million (ppm) or 6
grains. Also includes water that has been processed through a water
softener. Pools and spas should never be filled with soft water from
a softener. Water with less than 100 ppm of hardness should be
increased to a minimum of 150 ppm to 200 ppm using calcium chloride.
|
| |
| SOLAR COVER:
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
wind-borne debris from entering the water. |
| |
| SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM:
Usually panels or coils of plastic or metal through which
water passes to increase the temperature from the sun's radiant
heat. |
| |
| SOURCE WATER:
(also called "tap" water) The water used to fill or refill the pool
or spa. |
| |
| STABILIZED CHLORINE:
A family of chlorine pool sanitizers that contain
conditioner (cyanuric acid or isocyanuric acid) to protect the
chlorine from the degrading ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. Most
common types are sodium dichlor and trichlor. Granular form is
dichlor which is fast dissolving and can be used for regular
chlorination or superchlorination by broadcasting into the pool or
spa. Tablet or stick form is trichlor which is usually used in a
chlorine feeder either the floating type or the in-line erosion type
used for regular chlorination only. |
| |
| STABILIZER:
(also known as conditioner) See cyanuric acid. |
| |
| STAIN: A
discoloration or a colored deposit on the walls or bottom of a
swimming pool or spa. Most often stains are metallic oxides,
hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, silicates and phosphates of such
metals as iron, copper and manganese. They may appear as green,
gray, brown or black. |
| |
| STAIN INHIBITOR:
See sequestering agent. |
| |
| STERILIZE:
To destroy or kill by any of several means all living microorganisms
in water. |
| |
| SUPERCHLORINATION:
The practice of adding an extra large dose - 5 parts per million (ppm)
to 10 ppm - of chlorine to the water to destroy ammonia, nitrogen
and swimmer waste which can build up in the water. This level of
chlorine is required to destroy all of the combined chlorine in the
water, which is called break-point chlorination. |
| |
| SUSPENDED SOLIDS:
See TDS. |
| |
| TAC:
Abbreviation for Total Available Chlorine. It is the total amount of
chlorine in the water and includes both free available chlorine and
combined available chlorine. |
| |
| TDS: (also
called Total Dissolved Solids) A measure of the total amount of
dissolved material in the water. It is comprised of the spent or
carrier chemicals added every time chemicals are added as well as
the hardness, alkalinity, chlorides, sodium, magnesium, calcium,
etc. The maximum amount in a pool is 2,500 parts per million (ppm).
Maximum for a spa is 1,500 over starting TDS. The only way to
effectively lower TDS is to drain part or all of the water and
replace it. |
| |
| TELEPOLE: A
long-handled aluminum pole designed to extend in length. Various
pool-cleaning tools such as brushes or vacuums may be attached.
|
| |
| TEST KIT: An
apparatus or device used to monitor specific chemical residuals,
levels, constituents or demands in pool or spa water. Kits usually
contain reagents, vials, titrants, color comparators and other
materials needed to perform tests. The most common pool and spa
water tests are: pH, total alkalinity, free available chlorine,
water hardness, cyanuric acid, iron and copper. |
| |
| TEST STRIPS:
Small plastic strips with pads attached that have been impregnated
with reagents that can be used to test pool water for residuals,
levels, constituents or demands. The strips are usually dipped in
the water and the resulting colors of the pads compared to a
standard set of colors to determine concentration. |
| |
| TITRATION:
The method used to test for total alkalinity and water hardness in
swimming pool and spa water. An indicator reagent is added to a
sample and then another reagent (a titrant) is added until the
sample changes color. The drops or amount of titrant used are equal
to the concentration in parts per million. |
| |
| TOTAL ALKALINITY:
The total amount of alkaline materials present in the water, also
called the buffering capacity of the water. It is the water's
resistance to change in pH. Low total alkalinity causes metal
corrosion, plaster etching and eye irritation. High total alkalinity
causes scale formation, poor chlorine efficiency and eye irritation.
The test measures for hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates.
|
| |
| TOTAL CHLORINE:
(also Total Available Chlorine) The total amount of chlorine in the
water. It includes both free available and combined chlorine.
|
| |
| TRICHLOR: A
slow-dissolving, stabilized organic chlorine compound in tablet form
that provides 90-percent available chlorine. Used for regular
chlorination but must be dispensed using a floating feeder or an
in-line feeder (chlorinator). Trichlor contains an ingredient (cyanuric
acid or stabilizer) that prevents the chlorine from being destroyed
by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Trichlor has a pH of 2.8
and regular trichlor tabs should not be placed in the skimmer as the
low pH will corrode the metal components in the equipment.
|
| |
| TURBIDITY:
Cloudy condition of the water due to the presence of extremely fine
particles in suspension that can not be trapped by the filter
because they are too small. Adding a clarifier such as an organic
polymer or alum will coagulate the particles and make the filter
more efficient. Turbidity is measured with a Nephelometer and
expressed in units of opaqueness called NTU (Nephelometer Turbidity
Units). |
| |
| VINYL LINER:
The vinyl membrane that acts as the container to hold or contain the
water. |
| |
| WATER BALANCE:
Water that has a pH of 7.4 to 7.6, a total alkalinity of 80 parts
per million (ppm) to 140 ppm, calcium hardness of 200 ppm to 400 ppm,
and a TDS of less than 2,500 ppm. The water is said to be "in
balance" when the water is within these parameters. |
| |
| WATER CLARIFIER:
(also called coagulant or flocculent) A chemical compound used to
gather (coagulate or agglomerate), or to precipitate suspended
particles so they may be removed by vacuuming or filtration. There
are two types: inorganic salts of aluminum (alum) and other metals
or water-soluble organic polyelectrolytes. |
| |
| WEIR: (also
called skimmer weir) Part of a skimmer that adjusts automatically to
small changes in water level to assure a continuous flow of water to
the skimmer. The small floating "door" on the side of the skimmer
that faces the water over which water flows on its way to the
skimmer. |
| |
| WINTER COVER:
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. |
| |
| WINTERIZING:
The procedure for preparing the pool or spa for freezing weather.
Includes chemical treatment and physical treatment to protect
equipment and vessel - draining, anti-freeze, drain plugs, etc.
|
| |
| YELLOW ALGAE:
A particularly hardy kind of algae that is yellow or mustard
colored. |
| |
|
Glossary of
Pool Terms
Courtesy of
Pool Corp |
| |
StarClassifieds.com
