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.
STRATOSPHERE: The
second layer of Earth's atmosphere, just
above the troposphere, and below the mesosphere.
It is stratified in temperature, with warmer
layers higher up and cooler layers farther
down. This is in contrast to the troposphere
near the Earth's surface, which is cooler
higher up and warmer farther down
SUCTION SIDE: The
plumbing prior to and carrying
water to the pump. This side
is under vacuum pressure.
SUNBELT: The
southern half of the United States where
freezing temperatures rarely occur, and
high temperatures are particularly common.
SUPER-CHLORINATION: Applying
7 - 10 times the normal amounts of chlorine
to the pool as an added "boost" for
contaminant removal. Some refer to super-chlorinating
as being less than shocking, in that breakpoint
thresholds are not reached, or the terms
may be used synonymously.
TDS: See Total
Dissolved Solids
TEE: A
plumbing fitting used to bring two pipes
together into one, or vice-versa.
TEST
KIT: A method used to
test the water balance and sanitizing
level of your pool water.
TIME CLOCK: A mechanical
device that controls the timed operation
of your electrical equipment, primarily
your filter and booster pumps.
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 oversaturated
your water, causing all sorts of reactions.
TRICHLORO-S-TRIAZINETRIONE: a
chemical compound used as an industrial
disinfectant, bleaching agent and a reagent
in organic synthesis. This white crystalline
powder, which has a strong
"chlorine odour," is sometimes
sold in tablet or granule form for domestic
and industrial use.
TROWEL: A
pool trowel is a flat-bladed tool with rounded
ends used to apply viscous or particulate material
coatings to concrete, especially on pool decks.
TURBIDITY: Cloudy,
dull, hazy water, due to micro particle suspension.
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.
ULTRA VIOLET
LIGHT: Ultraviolet (UV) light is
electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength
shorter than that of visible light, but
longer than soft X-rays. It is so named
because the spectrum starts with wavelengths
slightly shorter than the wavelengths
humans identify as the color violet (purple).
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.
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).
Vermiculite: A
natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion
process is called exfoliation and it is routinely accomplished in
purpose-designed items. Vermiculite is formed by hydration of certain
basaltic minerals.
VENTURI: Increasing
water velocity by restricting pipe size usually
accomplished by a spa jet.
