Glossary of Pool Maintenance Terms

Glossary of Swimming Pool Service and Maintenance Terms

• Algaecide – A chemical product used to kill or prevent the growth of algae in swimming pools.
• Backwash – The process of cleaning a pool’s filter by reversing the flow of water to flush out trapped dirt and debris.
• Calcium Hardness – Measure of the calcium and magnesium content in the pool water, important for maintaining pool surface and water balance.
• Chlorinator – A device that automatically adds chlorine to the pool water at a set rate to maintain proper sanitation.
• Cyanuric Acid (CYA) – A chemical that stabilizes chlorine from degradation due to sunlight and is often called pool conditioner or stabilizer.
• DE Filter (Diatomaceous Earth) – A type of pool filter that uses diatomaceous earth as the filter medium to trap particles as small as 5 microns.
• Flocculant – A chemical that causes small particles to clump together so they can be more easily removed by the filtration system or vacuuming.
• Free Available Chlorine (FAC) – The amount of chlorine in the pool that is available and active for disinfection.
• Muriatic Acid – A strong acid used to lower the pH and alkalinity levels in the pool water.
• Oxidizer – A chemical, often non-chlorine, used to break down organic contaminants in pool water.
• pH Level – A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; ideal pool pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.
• Phosphates – Chemical nutrients that can feed algae and should be minimized or eliminated in the pool.
• Pool Shock – A concentrated chemical treatment used to destroy chloramines and other contaminants for a clean and clear pool.
• Return Lines – Pipelines that return treated water from the filter back into the pool.
• Sanitizer – Chemicals used in the pool to kill bacteria, algae, and other harmful organisms; chlorine and bromine are common sanitizers.
• Scale – Mineral deposits that can form on pool surfaces and equipment when water is imbalanced, particularly in areas with hard water.
• Skimmer – A device installed in the side of the pool that removes floating debris from the surface of the water.
• Total Alkalinity (TA) – The total amount of alkaline substances in the water that helps stabilize pH levels.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – A measure of all organic and inorganic materials dissolved in the pool water; high levels may require water replacement to maintain water quality.