Pool Chemistry & Surface Care, Without the Jargon
This site is designed to bridge the gap between “backyard advice” and technical industry documents. It explains pool water chemistry, sanitizer control, and plaster surface care in plain language, while still respecting the underlying science and industry standards.
What This Site Is For
Use this site as a reference when you need to know:
- How to keep water safe, clear, and comfortable for swimmers.
- How to prevent etching, scaling, and discoloration on plaster surfaces.
- How chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium, and CYA actually work together.
- How to perform real dosing calculations instead of guessing with “glugs” and scoops.
Core Topics
Each section focuses on one part of the system so you can solve real problems, not just memorize numbers.
- Water Chemistry Overview – The foundation of pool balance: testing, key parameters, and how they affect each other.
- Chlorine Dosing & Sanitizing – Why free chlorine matters, how pH and CYA change its strength, and how to calculate doses and neutralizer.
- pH Balance & Acid/Base Control – How pH interacts with total alkalinity, how it affects plaster and equipment, and how to use acid, bicarb, and soda ash correctly.
- Conditioner / CYA – How stabilizer protects chlorine from sunlight, how high CYA slows disinfection, and how to manage CYA over time.
- Plaster Surface Care – Practical guidance on startup, curing, and long-term protection of plaster and other cement-based finishes.
Who This Is For
- Homeowners who want straightforward, accurate explanations.
- Service techs who need a quick reference for calculations and cause–effect relationships.
- Facility operators who want to line up practice with chemistry, not guesswork.
How to Use This Site
If you are new to pool care, start with Water Chemistry Overview to get a sense of the full system. Then move into Chlorine Dosing and pH Balance to understand the daily adjustments that keep water safe and comfortable.
If you’re dealing with plaster issues or want to protect a new surface, go directly to Plaster Surface Care and cross-reference with pH, alkalinity, and LSI information.