Glossary
Pool terms, in plain English.
A quick reference for the words you'll see on test strips, equipment, and our visit notes.
- Alkalinity
- A measure of the water's ability to resist pH changes. Proper alkalinity keeps pH stable.
- Algae bloom
- Rapid algae growth that turns pool water green or cloudy. Often caused by low sanitizer or imbalance.
- Chlorine
- Primary sanitizer used to kill bacteria and algae in pool water.
- Cyanuric acid (stabilizer)
- Protects chlorine from being burned off by UV light. Too much, however, makes chlorine ineffective.
- Filter media
- The material inside the filter (sand, cartridge, or DE) that traps debris from circulating water.
- pH
- How acidic or basic the water is. Pool water should sit between 7.4 and 7.6.
- Salt cell
- Component of a saltwater system that converts dissolved salt into chlorine.
- Shock
- A heavy dose of oxidizer used to clear contaminants and reset water quickly.
- Waterline tile
- Decorative tile band at the water's surface — takes the most wear from sun and chemistry.