We have compiled commonly used terminology specific to a
"residential pool language". Our glossary has two
categories:
Chemical and water balance definitions
Pool structure & equipment definitions (follows last
entry of Chemical Definitions(
Chemical and
Water Balance definitions:
ACID: Liquid (muriatic acid) or dry granular
(sodium bisulfate) substance used to lower the pool's pH
(toward a more acidic condition) or to lower total alkalinity
levels.
ACID DEMAND: A titration test used to
determine proper amounts of acid (or pH decreaser) to reach
correct levels. For example, to lower pH from 8.0 to 7.6,
your pool may "demand" 2 qts of acid.
ALGAE: Over 20,000 species known to man!
Algae may form on your pool surfaces or it may bloom in
suspension. We typically know algae to be green, but it may
also be yellow (mustard algae), black, blue-green or any
shade in between. It may form separate spots, or seem to grow
in sheets. Pink algae, is not algae at all, but a form of
bacteria. Algae are living, breathing organisms that need
warmth, sunlight and CO2 to thrive. For more info: see our
algae page
ALGAECIDE: Meaning: to kill algae.
Algaecides perform best as a backup to a routine sanitation
program. They also help to kill airborne spores as they blow
into the pool. A variety of algae treatment products are
available including copper and silver compounds, poly-quat
compounds, chlorine enhancers , and herbicides.
ALGAESTAT: An algaecide kills algae, while
an algaestat retards and prevents its genesis and growth.
ALKALINITY: Alkaline refers to the condition
where the water's pH is above 7.0 (neutral) on the pH scale.
It is the opposite of acidic. Alkalinity is the amount of
carbonates and bicarbonates in the water, measured in ppm of
Total Alkalinity.
ALUMINUM SULFATE: Also known as alum, this
product is used as a flocculant which attracts suspended
particles in the water together (green or cloudy pools). Alum
sinks everything to the bottom, which is then vacumned to
waste. A small amount of alum can also be used as a sand
filter additive.
BACTERIA: From a health perspective, the
most dangerous micro-organisms which may be living in the
pool water. Some are pathogens, which can cause infectious
diseases.
BACTERICIDE: Kills bacteria. Chlorine is a
bactericide and germicide. Silver "algaecides" are actually
more bactericide, and are useful on pink "algae".
BALANCED WATER: Balanced water is the result
when all of your chemical parameters are where they should
be, and thus "balance" each other. The key components of
water balance are pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and
Temperature, as measured using the Langelier Index of water
balance.
BASE: Those chemicals of alkaline nature
which will counteract the pH of an acid, eventually
neutralizing at 7.0. Common bases used around the pool would
include Soda Ash, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate and
Sodium Sesquicarbonate.
BASE DEMAND: A titration test used to
determine proper amounts of base (pH increaser) to reach
correct levels. For example, to raise pH from 7.2 - 7.6, your
water may "demand" 2 cups of soda ash.
BIGUANIDES: The name for a certain class of
sanitizers using the polymer PHMB, the only non-halogen
sanitizer available for pool and spa use. Soft Swim and
Baquacil are manufacturers of this technology.
BREAKPOINT CHLORINATION: When you shock your
pool, the goal is to reach a high enough level of free
chlorine, measured in ppm, to break apart molecular bonds,
specifically the combined chlorine molecules. When breakpoint
is reached with sufficient additions of chlorine, everything
in the pool is oxidized.
BROMAMINES: A combined bromine - ammonia
molecule. Unlike chloramines, which are strong smelling and
offer no sanitizing properties, bromamine compounds continue
to sanitize.
BROMINE: A member of the halogen family,
commonly used as a sanitizer in spas, because of its
resistance to hot water with rapid pH fluctuations.
BUFFER: A base such as Sodium Bicarbonate
(Baking Soda), added to your pool will increase alkalinity
which increases the buffering capacity of the pool; or, your
pool's resistance to pH change.
BUFFERING CAPACITY: The ability of the pool
to resist changes in pH, which prevents water balance. The
buffering capacity is given by the alkalinity, a close cousin
to pH. If your pH bounces, or resumes previous levels soon
after adjustment, your buffering capacity is too low. Check
your total alkalinity.
CALCIUM CARBONATE: Known as scale,
crystalline deposits of calcium may form on your pool
surfaces, equipment, or even line your pipes like cholesterol
in your arteries. Properly balanced water can prevent this.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE: The flaked calcium salt
used to raise levels of Calcium Hardness in your pool water.
Also good for snow melting.
CALCIUM HARDNESS: A titration test is used
to determine levels of the mineral calcium dissolved in the
pool water.
CARBON DIOXIDE: A gas, which when present in
the water, provides necessary food for the growth of algae.
CARBONATE: Primary in the make up of total
alkalinity and TDS.
CHITIN: A naturally occurring polymer found
in the shells of crabs and lobsters. Contained in the product
Sea-Klear, chitin acts as a coagulant and flocculent for
oils, metals and organic materials.
CHELATOR: A chelating agent is a water
soluble molecule that can bond tightly with metal ions,
keeping them from coming out of suspension and depositing
their stains and scale onto pool surfaces and equipment.
Similar to sequestering agents, chelators are found in such
products as Resist and Sea-Klear.
CHLORAMINES: The chlorine molecule is
strongly attracted to nitrogen and ammonia. When these two
hook up, they form a chloramine, which are undesirable, foul
smelling, space taking, compounds that require shocking the
pool water to get rid of.
CHLORINE: A member of the halogen family of
sanitizers, it's use in swimming pools is in the elemental
form of a gas, or as a liquid, granular or tablet compound.
When added to water it acts as an oxidizer, sanitizer,
disinfectant and all around biocidal agent.
CHLORINE, free available: Free, available
chlorine is that which is active, not combined with an
ammonia or a nitrogen molecule, and ready to react to destroy
organic material.
CHLORINE, combined: That portion of total
available chlorine left over when free available is
subtracted. The measure of chlorine which has already
attached itself to other molecules or organisms. Most of this
is made up of chloramines.
CHLORINE, total available: The sum of
combined and free chlorine levels. With a DPD test kit, one
determines free available level, then total available. The
difference, if any, is the level of combined chlorine.
CHLORINE DEMAND: The quantity of free
available chlorine removed during the process of sanitizing.
The amount of organic and non organic material contained in
the water will "demand" a certain level of oxidizer to be
destroyed.
CLARIFIER: A clarifier is a chemical used as
a coagulant of suspended microparticles. Helps the filter by
clumping smaller particles into filterable sizes.
COAGULANT: The properties of a chemical used
in the assemblage and precipitation of suspended material
which may make the pool appear cloudy.
CONTAMINANTS: Any microparticle or organism
which reduces water clarity or quality or presents health
hazards. All of our filtering, circulating and sanitizing is
directed here.
COPPER: An effective algaestat and
algaecide, copper as elemental is used in many pools in
products like pooltrine.
COPPER SULFATE: Similar to aluminum sulfate, this chemical
provides a coagulating and flocculent function in water. Used
in ponds. This amount of copper would stain swimming pools.
CONDITIONER: Also called Cyanuric Acid (CYA) or stabilizer,
this chemical provides a shield from the sun around the
chlorine molecule, extending the efficacy...aka; saving you
money.
CORROSION: The effects of a acidic pool environment, one in
which the pH and/or alkalinity are very low. Corrosion in the
form of etching, pitting or erosion of pool equipment and
surfaces is the result.
CYANURIC ACID: A granular chemical added to the pool water
which provides a shield to chlorine for protection from UV
radiation, which disrupts the molecule, destroying its
sanitizing ability.
DISINFECTANT: Chemicals or processes which work to destroy
vegetative forms of microorganisms and other contaminants.
Examples are chlorine, bromine, Soft-Swim, ionizers and
copper and silver algaecides.
DIRECTIONS: What you should read before using any chemicals.
DIRT DEMAND: The demand that your pool has for dirt. This
level is invertedly proportional to available time for
cleaning. If you remove the dirt from the pool, you have
created a dirt deficit, and the pool will actually suck dirt
out of the air to maintain its dirt demand.
DPD: A method of testing for chlorine levels in the pool
water. Unlike OTO, DPD testing allows determination of total
and free available chlorine levels, which, through
subtraction, gives us combined levels.
DRY ACID: Sodium bisulfate, a granular form of acid , used to
lower pH and alkalinity in the water. Safer and less caustic
than muriatic acid. Usually available as a "pH
decreaser."
EFFICACY: The power to produce an effect. Chlorine's efficacy
is affected by many factors, including the sun, water balance
and the water's chlorine demand.
ENZYMES: Used in swimming pool formulations designed to break
down and digest oils in a pool or spa similar to the way
enzymes are used in oil spill clean-up efforts.
FILL WATER: Used in filling or adding to the water level.
Whether from the hose or from a well, your fill water brings
its own chemical make up and water balance (or lack thereof).
FILM-X: A compound of citric acid used in cleaning plaster
and other pool areas. Safe replacement for muriatic acid.
FOAMING: A term used to describe surface foam on your water,
esp in spas/hot tubs. Foaming is caused by high TDS levels
working in combination with soft water and oils. Certain low
grade algaecides can foam when added to pool or spa. Use
enzymes for foam control.
FLOCCULANT: Essentially the same as a coagulant, this
chemical (such as alum) is used to combined suspended
alkaline material and/or algae into a heavy gel, which sinks
to the bottom for vacumning.
HALOGEN: A member of the family of elements fluorine,
bromine, chlorine and iodine.
HARD WATER: That water which is high in calcium hardness and
other salts which, as such, resists soap being lathered.
HYPOCHLORITE: A family of chlorine compounds such as Calcium
Hypochlorite and Lithium Hypochlorite, both granular, and the
liquid Sodium Hypochlorite. When these compounds contact
water, they release Hypochlorous Acid, the active sanitizing
agent.
IONIZER: An ionizer is a device mounted on your return line,
and through which water flowing will receive charged metal
ions. Manufacturers may use a copper anode and/or silver.
Copper is an algaecide and algaestat, while silver is known
for its properties as a bactericide. This electric, limited
technology has been replaced by the Vision System.
IRON: Usually introduced into the water from iron plumbing or
from well water, Ferric Iron can stain surfaces, while
Ferrous Iron will turn your water a clear green color.
LANGELIER INDEX: Also called the Saturation Index, Mr.
Langelier devised a system 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 water will neither be corrosive or
scaling.
MINERALS: Such as Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium, Nickel,
Copper, Silver, Iron, Cobalt or Aluminum. Their presence in
high non-chelated concentrations can lead to stains &
scale when conditions are right.
MICROORGANISM: A living, breathing creature in your pool. The
purpose of disinfectants are to remove such "infectants".
MURIATIC ACID: The liquid dilution of Hydrochloric Acid used
to lower pH and alkalinity, and to remove mineral stains and
scale. Extremely caustic and corrosive.
NASCENT OXYGEN: A single oxygen atom, not yet bonded to
anything. Extremely powerful oxidizer when harnessed.
NITROGEN: When combined with chlorine, nitrogen creates
chloramines, which do not belong in our pool. Nitrogen can be
found in many swimmer wastes (perspiration, suntan oil, hair
tonics, etc.) or be introduced by other means.
NON-CHLORINE SHOCK: A granular form of potassium
permonosulfate, used to oxidize materials such as
microorganisms, contaminants or chloramines.
OTO: Another method of testing for free available chlorine
levels in your pool, as in an OTO test kit.
OXIDATION: The "burning up" of organic waste and compounds in
the pool water. It also refers to what you may see on your
metal pool surfaces if your water is corrosive. Rust is a
form of this kind of oxidation.
OZONE: The molecule containing three atoms of oxygen; known
to be a very powerful sanitizer. Ozone producing equipment
creates this molecule by UV radiation or corona discharge
generators.
pH: The scale of relative acidity or alkalinity, expressed in
logarithmic numbers from 0 - 14, with 7.0 being neutral.
What's really being measured is the hydrogen ion
concentration. Some would say pH stands for Power of
Hydrogen.
POTASSIUM PERMONOSULFATE: See non-chlorine shock.
POLYMER: An algaecide / algaestat made up of repeating
polymer molecules. Used for green algae and available in
varying strengths.
PPM: Parts per million. A method of assigning value to
certain concentrations of chemicals in the water. For
example, alkalinity should be kept at 80-120 parts per
million, by weight and in relation to the water it's
dissolved in.
PRECIPITATION: To precipitate is to come out of solution;
become insoluble by result of chemical action. Material
forced out of solution, purposefully or accidentally, will
then settle, stain or scale, or remain suspended in the
water.
QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUND: A type of algaecide composed of
ammonia compounds. Effective algaestat for green and
blue/green algae.
REAGENT: The chemical indicators used in testing water
balance. (All the little bottles or tablets in your test
kit).
RESIDUAL: Usually refers to free available chlorine levels
remaining in the pool after initial treatment or activity
with contaminants.
SANITIZER: A chemical agent used to remove unwanted
contaminants.
SCALE: Usually whitish in color, scale forms on pool surfaces
and equipment when mineral salts are forced out of solution.
A scaling condition is one in which calcium hardness, pH
and/or alkalinity levels are out of balance.
SEQUESTERING AGENT: Like when OJ's jury was sequestered? A
sequestering agent ties-up minerals tightly in solution,
preventing their precipitation, which colors the water and/or
stains the pool. Synonymous to chelators, these are commonly
called stain & scale chemicals.
SHOCK: As a noun it loosely describes the products used in
shocking, such as hypochlorites, potassium permonysulfate or
hydrogen peroxide. As a verb it describes the act of bringing
the sanitizer level up so high that breakpoint chlorination
is reached. When breakpoint is reached, a "shock" or perhaps
a "lightning bolt" is a better analogy, is sent through the
water, tearing apart molecules and slashing through cell
walls. Ultimate purification, man.
SODA ASH: A base, used to counteract an acidic condition by
raising pH.
SODIUM BICARBONATE (baking soda): Another base, however its
properties will increase alkalinity more than pH. Used to
raise Total Alkalinity levels.
SODIUM BISULFATE: An granular form of acid, used to
counteract a scaling condition by lowering pH and/or
alkalinity.
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE: Liquid chlorine used in pools, identical
yet stronger than Clorox bleach.
SODIUM TETRABORATE: New technology that renders algae
incapable of processing carbon dioxide, which they need to
live.
SODIUM DICHLOR: A granular form of chlorine that is
stabilized with cyanuric acid. Used for shocking and
superchlorination.
SOFT WATER: Water that has low calcium and/or magnesium
content. Soap lathers easily in soft water.
STABILIZER: See Cyanuric Acid. Stabilizers, also called
conditioners, can be added directly to your pool to extend
your chlorine efficacy. Cyanuric acid is already added to
certain "stabilized" products such as Trichlor tablets and
Sodium Dichlor.
SUPERCHLORINATION: Applying 7 - 10 times the normal amounts
of chlorine to the pool as an added "boost" for contaminant
removal. Some refer to superchlorinating as being less than
shocking, in that breakpoint thresholds are not reached, or
the terms may be used synonomously.
TITRATION: A method of testing for total alkalinity, calcium
hardness and acid/base demand by adding a titrant, drop by
drop until a color change is observed.
TOTAL ALKALINITY: The ability of the pool water to resist
changes in pH. The "buffering" capacity of the water.
Additions of Sodium Bicarbonate will increase the levels,
expressed in ppm.
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS): A measure of everything that
has ever dissolved in the water; all the matter that is in
solution. High TDS levels can oversaturate your water,
causing all sorts of reactions.
TURBIDITY: Cloudy, dull, hazy water, due to microparticle
suspension.
ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT TREATMENT: Using UV wavelength radiation
to destroy contaminants in water. UV light is also used to
create ozone molecules for the same purpose.
VISION SYSTEM: The technology which isolates nascent oxygen
into a powerful sanitizing tool. See Cationic Sanitation.
pool structure & equipment:
Pool
structure & equipment definitions
AIR BLEEDER ASSEMBLY: Located on the top of the filter,
sometimes accompanied by a pressure gauge, the bleeder is
opened to release air trapped in the filter.
AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER: A device which agitates or vacumn
debris from the walls and floor of the pool.
BACKFILL: The repositioning of the soil after construction of
a pool.
BACKWASH: The process of thoroughly cleaning the filter
medium and/or elements by reversing the flow of water through
the filter to waste.
BALL VALVE: A device with a hollowed out ball inside which
can be turned with an external handle to decrease or increase
flow.
BLOWER: Plumbed into the spa return line, air is injected to
produce fun bubbles and a hydrotherapy effect in the spa.
BOOSTER PUMP: Secondary to the filter pump, a booster pump is
used to power an automatic pool cleaner such as Polaris or
Letro.
BTU: British Thermal Unit. A unit of measurement for the use
of gas by a gas appliance. Pool heaters are rated by their
consumption.
CAPACITY: The gallonage of the pool. Want the formula?
CARTRIDGE: One type of filtration, the cartridge is a
pleated, porous element through which water is passed
through.
CHECK VALVE: A one way flow device.
CHLORINATOR: Devices which allow for the safe, controlled
introduction of chlorine into the water.
CHLORINE GENERATOR: A miniature chlorine factory, this device
creates its own sanitizer for your pool.
CIRCUIT BREAKER: A switch which allows manual override of an
electrical circuit. It also automatically breaks the circuit
when current fluctuations are detected.
CIRCULATION SYSTEM: The "circuit" of plumbing which
continuously carries the water out of the pool, through the
pump & filter, and returns it to the pool.
CONDUIT: A pipe, usually gray pvc or flexible pvc designed to
carry wires from a source (i.e. time clock) to a load (i.e.
pump motor).
COPING: The capstone on top of the bond beam which finishes
the edge around a pool or spa. It may be precast concrete or
brick. On vinyl liner pools pre fab coping is usually part of
an integrated system for the wall, vinyl liner and deck.
COUPLING: A plumbing fitting designed to join two pieces of
pipe.
COVERS:
Automatic covers: Solid, reinforced vinyl which rolls onto a
reel on one end of the pool and attaches on the sides into
small aluminum tracks. Can be motorized or hand crank. Some
models may snap the sides into small anchors placed into the
deck, providing more shape flexibility. Provides safety (with
water pumped off), debris protection and heat/chemical/water
retention.
Hard Covers: A cover which rests on the edge or coping of the
spa or small pool. Provides a barrier to debris and possibly
people, while keeping the heat trapped in.
Solar Covers: Sometimes called a thermal blanket, this cover
floats on the surface, magnifying the sun's rays to warm the
water and also provide chemical/heat/water evaporation.
Winter Covers: A barrier to sun and debris, winter covers
secure the pool from contamination. These are subdivided
below.
Mesh Covers: These stretch tightly across the pool like a
trampoline. The only covers which can be called safety covers
in that the mesh polypropylene allows precipitation to pass
through.
Solid Covers: These are usually made of some form of plastic
or vinyl and are secured around the edges either by aqua
bloks or similar weight or the edges attach to anchors set in
the concrete or wood deck.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH: The filtering medium of the DE filter,
this dry powder is the fossilized remains of the ancient
plankton, diatom.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER: A filter tank containing fabric
covered grids which hold the DE powder up against the flow of
the water.
DIVERTER VALVE: Used in a twin port skimmer, a diverter
allows the operator to manipulate the amount of flow from the
main drain and skimmer to the pump.
DRAIN: Also called the main drain, this plumbing fitting is
the start of one suction line to the pump and is usually
situated at or near the center bottom of the pool.
EFFLUENT: The water that flows out of the pump, on its way
through the filter, heating and treating equipment, and
returning to the pool. Also known as the pressure side.
ELBOW: A 90 or 45 degree plumbing fitting. Used where your
pipes take a turn.
FILTER: A device used to remove particles suspended in the
water by pumping water through a porous substance or
material.
FILTER ELEMENT: A device inside a filter tank designed to
entrap solids and direct water through a manifold system to
exit the filter.
Cartridge filter elements and DE filter grids are two
examples.
FILTER MEDIUM: A finely graded material, such as sand,
diatomaceous earth, polyester fabric or anthracite coal that
removes suspended particles from water passing through it.
FILTER PUMP: The device that pulls water from the pool and
pushes it through the filter on its way back to the pool.
FILTRATION RATE: The rate of water pumped through a filter,
in gallons per minute (gpm).
GATE VALVE: The type that spins "lefty-loosey;
righty-tighty".
GAS VALVE: An electronic valve in the pool heater that
directs gas flow from the meter to the pilot and the burner
tray.
GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER: A GFCI device protects a
circuit from branching off by de-energizing the path of
electricity very quickly when it senses current loss. An
important safety device around water (the pool?).
GUNITE: A dry mixture of cement and sand mixed with water at
the "gun"; hence the name. A gunite operator "shoots" the
pool's rough shape, while finishers trowel after.
HEATER: A device used to heat the water. It may be electric,
fuel operated or solar powered heat.
HEAT EXCHANGER: A set of 8 or 10 ribbed copper tubes that
absorb the heat produced below it and transfer it to the
water cycling through its tubes.
HEAT PUMP: The antithesis of the air conditioner, the heat
pump's cooling coil removes heat from the air while the
condenser coil transfers it to water cycling through it.
HOT TUB: Usually considered a circular, wooden vessel filled
with heated and circulated water.
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE: A force involving built up ground water
which creates upward pressure beneath the pool shell.
HYDROSTATIC RELIEF VALVE: Fitting(s) installed in the floor
of the pool designed to manually or automatically release
hydrostatic pressure beneath the pool by allowing ground
water into the pool.
IMPELLER: The rotating vanes of a centrifugal pump; its
action creates the flow of water. The impeller is shaft
driven by an electric motor.
INFLUENT: The water coming into and up to the impeller from
the suction lines. These pipes are under vacumn pressure.
JANDY VALVE: A brand name of a three way valve, which has
simplified pool plumbing.
JET PUMP: Used in spas to provide additional thrust into the
hydrotherapy jets.
LADDER BUMPERS: Rubber caps or inserts which protect the pool
plaster or vinyl liner from the sharp steel ends of the
ladder.
LATERALS: Elongated, capped plastic nipples at the bottom of
a sand filter which are slotted to allow for water passage
while keeping the sand in the filter tank.
LOAD: An electric device which consumes energy, placing a
load on the source.
LOW WATER SUCTION: An influent fitting, typically low on the
wall in the deep end of a vinyl liner pool. A cheaper
alternative to a main drain.
MECHANICAL SEAL: A seal behind the impeller which prevents
water from running out along the shaft of a motor. aka; pump
seal.
MOTOR: A machine for converting electrical energy into
mechanical energy. Your motor is known as the dry end of the
filter pump. It drives the impeller, which moves the water.
MULTIPORT VALVE: A 4 or 6 position valve combining the
functionality of several valves into one unit,
revolutionizing pool plumbing. The six common functions are
described below:
Filter: This is normal water flow through the filter, say,
top to bottom. This is where the valve sits 99% of the time.
Backwash: When the pressure gauge indicates, you will need to
backwash the filter. When the handle is turned to backwash,
the flow through the filter is reversed, say, bottom to top.
The effluent water (out of the filter) is directed to the
waste line.
Rinse: After backwashing, it's a good idea to rinse for 15-20
seconds to remove any residual dirt that may "poof!" back
into your pool after backwashing. Rinse flows through the
water in filter fashion, say, top to bottom, but effluent is
sent out the waste line.
Recirculate: This setting bypasses the filter, water coming
into the multiport does a U-turn and heads back towards the
pool. Used only when the filter is broken (at least it's
circulating), or when adding specialty chemicals which
specify using this setting.
Drain / Vacumn to waste: This useful setting allows you to
vacumn up large volumes of debris that would either clog the
filter or pass through it because of its small size. Dirt
that is vacumned passes right out the waste line. It is also
the setting of choice when draining the pool or lowering the
water level (if you didn't need to backwash, which also
lowers the water level).
PLASTER: A common type of interior finish applied over the
concrete shell of an inground swimming pool.
PRESSURE CHECK: A test for the rate of water flow; also a
test for leaks in plumbing by placing a line in question
under pressure and waiting for the pressure to drop.
PRESSURE GAUGE: A device indicating pressure in a filter
system. Provides a determination of how the system is
operating, and informs us when service is required.
PRESSURE SIDE: The return side of the plumbing. The section
from the pump impeller towards the pool.
PRESSURE SWITCH: A switch used in pool heaters which opens
when the flow rate is insufficient for safe heater operation.
This disrupts the circuit in the heater, preventing it from
firing.
PLUNGER: The sliding disc assembly that changes valve
position in a push-pull valve. For example; up for backwash,
down for filtration.
PUSH-PULL VALVE: A two position valve used for backwashing
sand or DE filters.
PUMP: A mechanical wet-end, powered by an electric motor,
which causes hydraulic flow and pressure for the circulation
of the pool water.
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride, which is used to make flexible and
rigid PVC pipe used for pool plumbing.
RATE OF FLOW: Quantity of water flowing past a designated
point within a specified time period, measured in gallons per
minute (gpm).
RESTRICTED FLOW: The term used to describe a condition
preventing full flow of water. Restriction can occur with
full skimmer or strainer baskets, obstructions in the
plumbing, dirty filter, undersized plumbing or equipment , or
placing devices like, heaters, cleaners or fountains in the
circulation system. Restriction on the suction side creates
higher vacumn, (or suction) while on the pressure side
creates higher pressure.
RE-BAR: Reinforcement bar, used to add strength to a
concrete. After excavation of an in ground pool, a steel cage
is formed out of re-bar, and the gunite shell is shot over
and surrounding it.
SAND FILTER: A filter tank, usually fiberglass or ABS
plastic, filled with sand and gravel. The pump diffuses water
over the top of the sand bed, and forces it through the sand
and into the laterals on the bottom.
SHOTCRETE: A different type of application of the concrete
and sand mix which is used to "shoot the shell". Gunite is
pumped dry and mixed with water at the gun, whereas shotcrete
is pumped wet.
SKIMMER: A surface skimmer is a plumbing fitting set at water
level, containing a weir mechanism and a debris basket. The
skimmer is part of the suction side circulation system.
SKIMMER BASKET: Beneath the lid, the basket strains debris,
as the first line of defense in filtering the water.
SKIMMER NET: Attached to a telescopic pole, a leaf rake is a
very useful tool in keeping the pool clean. Also called a
skimmer net are the flat, "dip and flip" nets, which aren't
so useful.
STRAINER BASKET: The second line of defense is a basket at
the pump. The holes in this are smaller than those in a
skimmer basket, and prevent the pump impeller from clogging
up.
SOLAR SYSTEM: Black mats of miniature plastic tubes through
which water is pumped, absorbing the heat as it passes
through. These mats are roof mounted with up & down
plumbing connecting it.
SOURCE: Refers to the origination of electrical power. The
source for your filter pump (load) is probably a timer clock.
SUCTION SIDE: The plumbing prior to and carrying water to the
pump. This side is under vacumn pressure.
SPA: A filtered, hot water vessel with hydrotherapy jets and
air induction. Can be portable or installed permanently.
Jacuzzi is a brand name.
TEE: A plumbing fitting used to bring two pipes together into
one, or vice-versa.
TEST KIT: What you should be using more frequently to
determine the water balance in your pool.
TIME CLOCK: A mechanical device that controls the timed
operation of your electrical equipment, primarily your filter
and booster pumps.
TURNOVER: The amount of time it takes your pump to move all
the water in your pool through the filter and back again.
Usually, pools are designed for an eight hour turnover.
UNDERDRAIN: The lower collection system in a filter which
directs filtered water back towards the pool. It also
distributes water in reverse during backwashing. See
laterals.
VACUUM: Refers to the low pressure condition created in the
suction line. Also refers to the cleaning process of sucking
leaves, algae and debris from the pool floor.
VALVES: A device placed in the plumbing line which restricts
or obstructs water flow to create desired hydraulics, or may
permit flow in one direction only (as in a check valve).
VENTURI: Increasing water velocity by restricting pipe size.
VINYL LINER: One type of interior finish. The liner is draped
over a sand or cementitious floor, and locked into the top of
the wall.
WEIR: The device in a skimmer that controls the amount of
water coming into the skimmer, and keeps debris inside. That
"flapper-gate thing"