Glossary of Swimming Pool & Spa Service Terms

Below are some key terms and descriptions that will help you navigate your way through your swimming pool and spa service from beginning to end.

acid
When a pool’s pH balance is off, acid needs to be added to the water. This chemical contains hydrogen and balances out the presence of alkaline materials in the water; however, too much acid can corrode metal and be very uncomfortable to swim in.
Also known as: muriatic acid for pools, cyanuric acid, acid wash pools, swimming pool acid, pool chlorine, cyanuric acid levels in pool, chlorine, muriatic acid swimming pool, ascorbic acid for pools, swimming pool chemical, pool acid wash procedure

aboveground swimming pool cleaning and repair
Services for cleaning pool filters; maintaining the pH of the water; and maintaining the pool equipment and accessories or a combination of these services for aboveground swimming pools.
Also known as: above ground swimming, above ground spas, above ground pools, swimming pool cleaning service, pool cleaning service, pool cleaning companies, in ground swimming pools, pool cleaning, above ground pool liners, swimming pools, swimming pool cleaning, swimming pool liners, above ground pool, ground swimming pool, swimming pool supplies

algae
A term for a variety of microscopic organisms which have features that are similar to plants. These organisms are fairly harmless, but they can significantly change the color of your pool water. If the algae gets thick enough, it can also damage the filter.
Also known as: swimming pool algae, pool algae removal, pool algae treatment, pool maintenance, pool chemicals, swimming pool black algae, swimming pool algae control, pool green algae, green algae in pool, green pool water

algaecide
A substance used to kill algae in pools and spas. This substance could be a herbicide or a silver or copper compound. Each different type of algaecide destroys a different type of algae, so make sure you know what kind of algae you’re dealing with before you buy a product.
Also known as: pool algaecide, green clean algaecide, greenclean algaecide, algicide algaecides, swimming pool algaecide, algaecide for pools, copper algaecide, pond algaecide, silver algaecide, string algae control

alkalinity
The opposite of acidity. You can test your pool’s pH to find its alkalinity. This can be done with test strips from a pool supply store.
Also known as: alkalinity of water, pool alkalinity, alkaline water, lower alkalinity in pool, pool alkalinity high, increase alkalinity in pool, low alkalinity in pool, pool alkalinity low, raising alkalinity in pool

backwashing
The process of reversing the flow of water through a pool’s filter so it can be cleaned.
Also known as: backwash, backwash filter, backwash pool filter, backwash hose, backwashing filters

bleach
A term for liquid chlorine. This is similar to the bleach that can be used in laundry, but swimming pool bleach has three times the concentration of actual chlorine.
Also known as: bleach for swimming pool, swimming pool supplies, bleach in swimming pool

calcium chloride
A water-soluble white salt that’s used to alter the hardness of swimming pool water.
Also known as: calcium chloride dehydrate, anhydrous calcium chloride, calcium chloride uses

calcium hardness
A term that describes the calcium content of swimming pool water. Water can be too “hard” or not hard enough. When it’s too hard, the water won’t be comfortable to swim in. You could also see white calcium buildup appearing on your fixtures. When the water isn’t hard enough, it can corrode metals.
Also known as: calcium hardness in pools, swimming pool calcium hardness, calcium hardness test, calcium hardness increaser

cartridge filter
The replaceable element of a pool filter. It’s usually made of polyester or paper.
Also known as: cartridge filters, cartridge pool filters, cartridge pool filter, spa cartridge filters, spa cartridge filters, pool cartridge filters, pool cartridge filter cleaner, pool filter cartridges

chlorine
A material that’s used to disinfect pool water. What is commonly referred to as chlorine is often sodium hypochlorite.
Also known as:chlorine tablets, chlorine in water, pool chlorine tables, chlorine pool

clarity
A term that describes the transparency of swimming pool water. When the water isn’t clear, there might be an algae problem.

cover
This protects a pool or spa when it isn’t being used.
Also known as: spa pool covers, spa covers, spa pool cover, pool and spa covers, pool spa covers, pool spa cover, pool and spa supplies

diatomaceous earth (DE)
A powder that’s made up of thousands of single-celled organisms (fossilized diatoms). These tiny fossils are porous and make a perfect material for filtering impurities out of swimming pool water. Some of the most effective swimming pool filters on the market are DE filters.
Also known as: DE, diatomaceous earth pool filter, diatomaceous earth pool filters

drain
The pool drain is situated in the deepest part of the swimming pool. It’s connected to the swimming pool pump, which circulates and filters the water.
Also known as: main drain

filter
A swimming pool filter keeps the water clean and free from unhealthy particles. It cleans the pool water by running it through a porous substance (diatomaceous earth or sand) that pulls out impurities.
Also known as: pool filter cartridge, pool filter parts, swimming pool filters, pool filters and pumps, swimming pool filter, pool filter cartridges

filtration rate
A term that describes the speed at which water moves through a swimming pool filter.

hot tub chemicals
Chemicals used for spas (hot tubs) to disinfect, sanitize and continuously kill bacteria in the water.
Also known as: hot tub chemical

hot tub accessories
Accessories that maintain the pH of the water, the pump and its parts, the cleaning of the filters, the upkeep of the hot tub equipment, and other accessories that aid in the upkeep of the hot tub.
Also known as: hot tub chemicals, hot tub covers, hot tub parts, hot tubs, hot tub, hot tub filters, portable hot tub, portable hot tubs, hot tub accessory, hot tub maintenance, hot tub filter, hot tubs covers, spa maintenance services

in-ground swimming pool repair & cleaning
Services for cleaning pool filters, maintaining the pH of the water, and maintaining the pool equipment and accessories or a combination of these services for an in-ground swimming pool.
Also known as: inground swimming, pool repair, in ground swimming pools, swimming pool supplies, inground pool repair, inground swimming pool repair, swimming pool liner repair, swimming pool liner, swimming pools services

pool cleaning service
Services for cleaning pool filters, maintaining the pH of the water, and maintaining the pool equipment and accessories or a combination of these services.
Also known as: pool cleaning services, swimming pool cleaning, swimming pool cleaning equipment, pool cleaning business, cleaning pool services, swimming pool cleaning service, pool cleaning, swimming pool cleaning services, pool tile cleaning, pool cleaning equipment

spa cleaning
Services for cleaning spa filters, maintaining the pH of the water, and maintaining the hot tub equipment and accessories or a combination of these services.
Also known as: hot tub maintenance, spa maintenance, spa cleaner, spa filter cleaning, spa cleaning supplies, pool and spa supplies, cleaning spa filters, hot tub products, pool service, pool and spa cleaning, spa cleaning products, pool cleaning products, spa maintenance services

spa repair
Services to repair spas (hot tubs) by repairing the hot tub itself, the filtration system, and/or the spa pump and its parts.
Also known as: hot tub repair, spa repairs, hot tub heater, spa pump repair, hot tub heaters, pool and spa repair, hot tub maintenance, hot tub repairs, hot tub repair, spa heater, hot tub spa repair, spa heaters, spa accessories, pool spa repair, spa maintenance services

swimming pool cleaners
Products that clean pools by either using the suction and return lines or the pool’s circulation system.
Also known as: swimming pool cleaner, automatic swimming pool cleaners, pool cleaners automatic, pool cleaners, automatic pool cleaners, swimming pool cleaner, swimming pool cleaning, above ground pool cleaners, swimming pool parts, swimming pool cleaning service

swimming pool construction
The building of an aboveground or in-ground outdoor enclosure that’s designed, intended, or used for the containment of water.
Also known as: concrete swimming pool construction, swimming pool builders, swimming pool designs, swimming pool contractors, swimming pool installation, inground swimming pool construction

swimming pool maintenance
Caring for the upkeep of aboveground and in-ground swimming pools. These services include adding chlorine and other chemicals to pools, winterizing pools, getting pools ready for the season, and vacuuming pools.
Also known as: swimming pools maintenance, swimming pools, swimming pool supplies, inground swimming pool maintenance, above ground pool maintenance, swim pool maintenance, swimming pool chemicals, swimming pool service and repair, spa maintenance services

swimming pool paint
Water-impermeable paint that’s specially formulated and has good wet adhesion. This paint is used to protect and decorate the interior surfaces of pools.
Also known as: swimming pool paint, swimming pool paints, concrete swimming pool paint, swimming pool deck paint, swimming pool paint colors, painting swimming pool, pool paint, paint swimming pool, pool painting

swimming pool pump
This mechanical device causes the water to flow under pressure to filtrate or circulate the swimming pool water.
Also known as: swimming pool pumps, swimming pool filter pumps, above ground pool pumps, above ground swimming pool pumps, swimming pool filter pumps, swimming pool pumps filters, swimming pool heat pump

swimming pool service
Services for treating swimming pool water, cleaning swimming pool filters, and maintaining and repairing pool equipment and accessories or any combination of these services.
Also known as: swimming pool service and repair, swimming pool maintenance, pool service, swimming pool services, swimming pool cleaning services, swimming pools service, swimming pool cleaning service, swimming pool supplies, swimming pool maintenance, pool cleaning service, spa maintenance services

swimming pool repair
Services for swimming pools such as patching or possibly replacing a liner. Also, these services could be repairing the underground or aboveground part of the filtration system, including the pump and its parts.
Also known as: swimming pool repair, pool service, swimming pool service and repair, swimming pool cleaning service, swimming pool service and repair, swimming pool repairs, swimming pool repairs companies, pool cleaning services, swimming pool repair service, swimming pool service, swimming pool services

swimming pool supplies
Supplies that maintain the pH of the water, the pump and its parts, the cleaning of the filters, the upkeep of the pool equipment, and other accessories that aid in the upkeep of the swimming pool.
Also known as: swimming pool supplies, swim supplies, swimming pool supply, swimming pool supply, swimming pools supplies, swim supply, swim pool supplies, swimming pool equipment supplies, swim supply store, swimming supply, above ground swimming pool supplies, swimming pool service and repair

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