• Biguanide Biguanide is a type of swimming pool sanitizer that can be used instead of chemical-based sanitizers like chlorine or bromine.
  • Base Demand Base demand is a term used to explain the extent swimming pool water needs a basic substance added to increase the pH level.
  • Base Demand Test A base demand test measures base demand, determining the extent an alkaline substance needs to be added to pool water to increase the pH.
  • Below Ground Pools Below-ground pools are swimming pools dug into the ground, allowing for easier access and improved aesthetics over above-ground pools.
  • Buffer A buffer is a chemical addition to swimming pools, usually sodium bicarbonate, which increases the ability of the water to resist rapid fluctuations in pH when adding acids or bases to the pool water.
  • Bromine Bromine is an acceptable sanitizing chemical used in swimming pools.
  • Blue-Green Algae Blue-green algae can appear in swimming pools, and is more difficult to eliminate than other types of algae like green or mustard algae.
  • Black Algae Black (also called blue-green) algae can appear in pools, often as small round dark spots at or near crevices, cracks, and shaded areas of the pool.
  • Bather Load Bather load is a pool industry term to describe the amount of swimmers, or bathers, in a pool at any given time or during a given time span.
  • Base Adding a base to pool water will cause the water to become more basic. Pools that contain too much of a base can cause cloudy water and pool surface scaling.
  • Baking Soda Baking soda is also called sodium bicarbonate and is used to raise the alkalinity of swimming pool water.
  • Bacteria Bacteria are small living organisms that can be found in pools, although a pool that is well sanitized should consistently keep bacteria counts below unsafe levels.
  • Backwashing Backwashing is the process of cleaning the main swimming pool filter by reversing the flow of water through the filter, dislodging filter debris and removing the debris-filled water from the pool lines, leaving a cleaned filter.
  • Basic Basic describes the level of base present in swimming pools, or how much pool water behaves like a base.
  • Balanced Water Balanced swimming pool water does not corrode pool walls and liners, does not damage pool equipment, and helps make a more enjoyable swimming experience.