Pools glossary
Plain-English definitions of 0 pools terms you will see on quotes and inspection reports.
- 0Terms defined
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Find the word. Read the definition. Check the bid.
Gunite / shotcrete - concrete sprayed into a steel-reinforced form to create a pool shell. Allows any shape. Thursday Pools puts concrete pools at $50,000-$120,000 or more, with resurfacing at $8,000-$10,000 every 10 to 15 years.
Vinyl liner - the waterproof membrane in a vinyl pool. A consumable, replaced every 5 to 15 years at $3,000-$7,500 per Thursday Pools. Acid washing - a surface cleaning treatment for concrete pools, $300-$1,000 every 3 to 5 years.
Barrier - in CPSC's terms, the fence, wall, door alarms and power safety cover that keep a child from reaching the water. Power safety cover - a motorized cover complying with ASTM F1346-91, which CPSC treats as an acceptable protection measure where a dwelling wall forms part of the barrier. Self-latching gate - a gate that latches by itself on closing; CPSC recommends the release be at least 3 inches below the top on the pool side when it sits under 54 inches from the gate bottom.
ISPSC - the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, a model code from the International Code Council that states and localities may adopt, often amended. Variable-speed pump - a pump that can run slower for longer; ENERGY STAR certified inground models use about 20% less energy than standard pumps.
Three rules for every term
- Ask for the standard number, not the adjective "Safety cover" means little. ASTM F1346-91 means something specific.
- Get consumables named as consumables If a quote calls a liner a permanent feature, correct it. It has a 5-15 year life per Thursday Pools.
- Translate every line of a quote before signing If you cannot explain a line item in your own words, you cannot tell whether it is fairly priced.
A-Z pools dictionary
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Glossary terms for this industry are being written.
Where related figures come from
Sources last checked
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools · retrieved 2026-07-25
- Thursday Pools - Inground Pool Cost in 2026 · retrieved 2026-07-25
- ENERGY STAR - Pool Pumps · retrieved 2026-07-25
- UpCodes - International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) 2024 jurisdiction adoptions · retrieved 2026-07-25
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