Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The heat doesn’t just make pool work uncomfortable, it changes the job. When the forecast locks in at 105 to 110 degrees, your energy drops, your patience gets thinner, and your risk of mistakes climbs. We break down how to approach extreme summer pool service like a system: protect your body first, then redesign the route and the work so you’re not fighting algae, vacuuming forever, or standing in direct sun at the worst time of day.
We start with the reality of heat stress for pool technicians: why you can’t simply “mentally push through” a heat advisory, and why hydration and sun avoidance are non-negotiable for safety. From there, we get tactical about pool maintenance and algae prevention. Clean filters before peak season, then consider a seasonal water conditioner or algaecide-style charge that funds true summer helpers like PoolRx, borates at roughly 50 ppm, or an optional weekly program using phosphate remover and enzymes. The goal is simple SEO-friendly pool care: clearer water, steadier free chlorine, fewer emergencies, and less time wasted brushing algae in brutal weather.
Then we move to route planning strategies that actually work in the field: start as early as possible, eliminate morning slowdowns like gas and supply stops, and build shade into your late-day pools so you get real relief. We also talk about “minimum effective service” during a heat wave, when manual vacuuming and full lab-style testing may not be the best use of time.
• heat advisories as a real mental and physical drain
• hydration and avoiding direct sun to reduce heat illness risk
• stopping algae before it starts to avoid brutal brushing days
• cleaning filters before the season for better summer water clarity
• adding a seasonal charge for PoolRx or borates as chlorine helpers
• using phosphate remover and enzymes as an optional weekly booster
• starting at sunrise and removing morning delays
• planning stops around shade and using the truck AC to recover
• minimizing manual vacuuming during heat waves
• using test strips to speed up pool water testing
• staying locked on routine to prevent equipment mistakes in heat
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Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
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Support the show (buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
The heat doesn’t just make pool work uncomfortable, it changes the job. When the forecast locks in at 105 to 110 degrees, your energy drops, your patience gets thinner, and your risk of mistakes climbs. We break down how to approach extreme summer pool service like a system: protect your body first, then redesign the route and the work so you’re not fighting algae, vacuuming forever, or standing in direct sun at the worst time of day.
We start with the reality of heat stress for pool technicians: why you can’t simply “mentally push through” a heat advisory, and why hydration and sun avoidance are non-negotiable for safety. From there, we get tactical about pool maintenance and algae prevention. Clean filters before peak season, then consider a seasonal water conditioner or algaecide-style charge that funds true summer helpers like PoolRx, borates at roughly 50 ppm, or an optional weekly program using phosphate remover and enzymes. The goal is simple SEO-friendly pool care: clearer water, steadier free chlorine, fewer emergencies, and less time wasted brushing algae in brutal weather.
Then we move to route planning strategies that actually work in the field: start as early as possible, eliminate morning slowdowns like gas and supply stops, and build shade into your late-day pools so you get real relief. We also talk about “minimum effective service” during a heat wave, when manual vacuuming and full lab-style testing may not be the best use of time.
• heat advisories as a real mental and physical drain
• hydration and avoiding direct sun to reduce heat illness risk
• stopping algae before it starts to avoid brutal brushing days
• cleaning filters before the season for better summer water clarity
• adding a seasonal charge for PoolRx or borates as chlorine helpers
• using phosphate remover and enzymes as an optional weekly booster
• starting at sunrise and removing morning delays
• planning stops around shade and using the truck AC to recover
• minimizing manual vacuuming during heat waves
• using test strips to speed up pool water testing
• staying locked on routine to prevent equipment mistakes in heat
Send us Fan Mail (buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
hasa.com/hasa-app
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
store.thebottomfeeder.com
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
![Black Algae: Can You Accidentally Infect Another Pool?
Black algae can turn a clean pool into a never-ending battle, and the worst part is you might be spreading it yourself without realizing it. We dig into what “black algae” really is (often cyanobacteria), why it clings so stubbornly to plaster, and why the usual quick shock routine often fails unless you do the one step most people skip: aggressive brushing to break the protective heads so chemicals can reach what’s underneath.
We also get specific about transmission and cross contamination. Spores can hitch a ride on anything wet, from a bathing suit that went from the ocean to the pool, to the damp tools riding in the back of a service truck. We talk through the biggest culprits, including nets, leaf rakes, bags, and especially stainless steel brushes, plus how low free chlorine levels make the next pool far more likely to “catch” black algae after exposure.
Then we lay out a practical pool maintenance plan for black algae treatment and prevention: how to approach superchlorination safely, when topical products like granular trichlor or broken cal-hypo tablets can help, and how copper options (including chelated systems like PoolRx) fit into longer-term control without creating staining issues. If you want fewer callbacks, fewer route-wide outbreaks, and a clear plan for stopping black algae from coming back when chlorine dips, this one is for you. Subscribe for more pool service training, share this with a tech who needs it, and leave a review with your toughest black algae question.
We break down why black algae is so hard to kill, why it often comes back, and why it is more like cyanobacteria than typical pool algae. We also explain how black algae can spread from pool to pool through damp tools and low chlorine, plus the practical steps we use to treat it and prevent cross contamination.
• What black algae is and why it resists normal shocking
• How spores can hitchhike on wet suits, towels, and pool tools
• Why brushing the heads off is nonnegotiable for treatment
• When superchlorination works and why circulation matters
• Granular trichlor and cal-hypo tablet options for topical killing
• Copper approaches like PoolRx and dosing cautions to avoid staining
• Dedicated nets, rakes, and stainless brushes to stop route-wide spread
• The “never let chlorine hit zero” rule after a black algae cleanup
Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the pool guy coaching program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support. From me, Im a 35-year veteran in the industry. Whether youre starting out or scaling up, Ive got the tools to help you succeed. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If youre interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com.
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
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Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Black Algae: Can You Accidentally Infect Another Pool?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rSsZQ2yz3U4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bob Lowry’s Legacy In Every Backyard with Terry Arko
The best pool chemistry advice is the kind you can use on your next route. We sit down with Terry Arco to share how Bob Lowry’s teachings are being refined into fast, field-ready training for residential service pros, plus a major update to the IPSA manuals that shaped a generation of technicians. If you’ve ever held chlorine at 3 ppm and still fought algae, or watched CYA granules sit on the floor in cold water, this walkthrough connects the dots between LSI, stabilizer, and free chlorine in a way that saves time and reduces callbacks.
Terry explains how a six-hour class became a tight, high-impact course based on Lowry’s 26-page Pool Chemistry for Service Pros. We unpack the three recurring challenges on most routes—water balance swings, misunderstood CYA behavior, and persistent algae despite “right” chlorine levels—and show how to solve them with clear targets and better testing. Expect actionable tips on managing LSI to avoid scale and corrosion, setting free chlorine relative to CYA and sunlight, and using aeration demos to see pH dynamics in real time.
We also highlight HASA’s stewardship of Bob’s work, including updated IPSA training manuals and a Spanish edition in progress, while honoring the way Bob bridged lab smarts with backyard realities. From liquid pool conditioner to phone calls returned, his legacy is practical chemistry that respects the craft and the clock. The 2026 schedule brings these condensed courses to major shows and regional events nationwide, so you can level up without losing a day on the route.
• Abridged course drawn from Pool Chemistry for Service Pros
• Focus on LSI for scale and corrosion control
• Practical CYA management tied to sunlight and chlorine strength
• Rethinking fixed free chlorine targets to prevent algae
• Demonstrations on aeration and pH behavior
• HASA stewardship of Bob Lowry copyrights
• IPSA manuals updated and Spanish versions in development
• 2026 training at Western, Southwest, Florida, Arizona, and Fresno events
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
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Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Bob Lowry’s Legacy In Every Backyard with Terry Arko](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rc12afGEgFg/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Truth About Chem Costs and Pool Service Rates
Prices at the supply house keep climbing, and chlorine isn’t bouncing back to 2016. We dig into the real reasons chemical costs surged 100–160% in just five years—pandemic shocks, the Biolab fire, transportation and regulatory pressures, payroll hikes—and why those forces keep a firm floor under today’s pricing. From tabs and liquid chlorine to cal-hypo and specialty products, we connect the dots between market dynamics and the margins on your route.
Then we get practical. You’ll hear how to stop absorbing chemical costs without alienating good clients: move trichlor tablets out of your monthly rate, bill a 50‑pound bucket upfront, or use a one-time halfway subsidy to transition. We outline when to charge for shock events, how to set a seasonal algaecide or conditioner fee for enzymes and phosphate removers, and how to document usage so problem pools don’t sink your profits. If a timer fails, a party trashes the water, or the system sits in spa mode, you’ll have a clear, fair policy ready to go.
Finally, we walk through the pricing math that calms nerves. A $10 monthly increase across an average route can more than offset one or two cancellations, and small annual bumps are easier for customers to accept than sporadic leaps. We share language for a simple rate letter grounded in facts—chemical inflation, fuel, payroll—and a framework for tracking costs per account so you know when to adjust. The result is a service business that stays profitable, transparent, and sustainable, even when chlorine keeps inching up.
• structural reasons chlorine prices stay elevated
• why bundling tabs and shocks destroys margins
• options to bill tablets upfront or split the first bucket
• when and how to charge for shock and specialty chems
• using a seasonal algaecide or conditioner fee
• the math and mindset for small annual price increases
• writing a clear, honest rate increase letter
• handling pushback and customer churn without panic
• tracking costs per account to spot problem pools
• links to more episodes and coaching resources
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits The Truth About Chem Costs and Pool Service Rates](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rkU3RIbQ1bw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Joe Laurino on Smart Pool Water Management
Pool water can look crystal clear and still be quietly destroying your surfaces and equipment. We sit down with Joe Laurino of Periodic Products, known to many pool pros for Culator metal elimination, to break down what “balanced water” really means and why it is the first step in preventing metal staining, corrosion, and costly repairs. If you’ve ever wondered why a heater fails early, why plaster starts to feel rough, or why stains keep coming back, the answer often starts with aggressive water chemistry.
We get specific about the chemistry that matters most for everyday pool maintenance: keeping pH in the 7.2 to 7.8 range, using total alkalinity as a true buffer, and maintaining calcium hardness so water doesn’t try to pull minerals from plaster. Joe shares a simple, standards-based rule of thumb for water replacement using total dissolved solids (TDS), and we talk about why “old water” can become chemically ugly even when it still looks clear. We also cover when high cyanuric acid (stabilizer) pushes you toward partial draining because it is so hard to remove any other way.
Then we tackle the big question pool service professionals hear all the time: drain and acid wash, or treat the stains with the pool full? Joe explains why acid washing is a last resort because it dissolves and thins the surface, and he walks through a safer ladder of stain removal options, starting with mild acids like ascorbic and citric, then stepping up only if needed. You’ll also learn why vinyl and fiberglass surfaces often release stains faster than porous plaster. Subscribe for more practical pool chemistry guidance, share this with a pool owner or tech who fights stains, and leave a review with your biggest water balance question.
We talk with Joe Laurino from Periotic Products about why water balance is the foundation for preventing corrosion, surface damage, and metal staining. We also share a practical way to decide when to drain water, plus a safer progression for stain removal before you ever consider an acid wash.
• why aggressive water dissolves plaster, metals, and even vinyl plasticizers
• how pH 7.2 to 7.8 supports chlorine performance and protects equipment
• why total alkalinity buffers pH swings and helps prevent corrosion
• when TDS rise signals old water and partial draining
• why acid washing thins and roughens plaster and should be a last resort
• how no-drain treatments can lift stains and let you dump metals with the water
• why vinyl and fiberglass stains often remove more easily than plaster
• choosing ascorbic, citric, then oxalic before muriatic acid
Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Learn more at swimming poollearning.com. So email us, call us, and we’ll be happy to address issues. If you’re interested in the coaching program they offer, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Joe Laurino on Smart Pool Water Management](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sYJMX1GQcDY/mqdefault.jpg)
![SKIMMER: Build A Pool Business You Can Sell
Your pool service route isn’t just a weekly schedule, it’s an asset that can be worth real money if you can prove it. We sit down with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to get specific about what actually increases a pool service business valuation, and what quietly destroys it when a buyer starts digging. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build something you can sell, this conversation lays out the practical path.
We get into what “due diligence” looks like when someone wants to acquire a pool service company: the buyer is really buying your people, your customers, and your data. That makes your pool service management software a core part of the deal. Clean service history, secure customer records, consistent invoicing, and organized routes don’t just make your life easier, they reduce risk for an acquirer and can materially raise what your business is worth. We also talk about the customer-facing side: modern communication and payments signal professionalism and help retention.
Then we zoom out to the bigger trend: private equity and consolidation moving into pool service. We unpack the real fears pool pros have about pricing and marketing, why big companies often end up charging more, and how that can actually give small operators room to raise rates. We also tie it to the “speed wins” reality in home services, where answering first can beat price and reviews, and where tools like routing, customer communication, and AI-assisted call handling can help you compete.
If you want to protect your route, grow smarter, and build a business that’s actually sellable, listen through to the end and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with the biggest change you’re making to increase your company’s value.
Your pool service route isn’t just a weekly schedule, it’s an asset that can be worth real money if you can prove it. We sit down with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to get specific about what actually increases a pool service business valuation, and what quietly destroys it when a buyer starts digging. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build something you can sell, this conversation lays out the practical path.
We get into what “due diligence” looks like when someone wants to acquire a pool service company: the buyer is really buying your people, your customers, and your data. That makes your pool service management software a core part of the deal. Clean service history, secure customer records, consistent invoicing, and organized routes don’t just make your life easier, they reduce risk for an acquirer and can materially raise what your business is worth. We also talk about the customer-facing side: modern communication and payments signal professionalism and help retention.
Then we zoom out to the bigger trend: private equity and consolidation moving into pool service. We unpack the real fears pool pros have about pricing and marketing, why big companies often end up charging more, and how that can actually give small operators room to raise rates. We also tie it to the “speed wins” reality in home services, where answering first can beat price and reviews, and where tools like routing, customer communication, and AI-assisted call handling can help you compete.
If you want to protect your route, grow smarter, and build a business that’s actually sellable, listen through to the end and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with the biggest change you’re making to increase your company’s value.
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
https://hasa.com/hasa-app
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roa... SKIMMER: Build A Pool Business You Can Sell](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sZp8jcuKq1M/mqdefault.jpg)
![Harold Evans: The Pool Industry Needs to Get Smarter
He sold his pool company from the middle of a world cruise, then came home with a sharper take on where pool service is headed. Harold Evans returns to the Poohway Podcast Show to share the wild logistics of closing a deal while traveling, why Hasa felt like the right long-term partner for his brand, and what he’s learned after years of building tools and training for working pool pros.
From there, we get practical and opinionated about what actually creates value in a backyard. We talk Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and why balanced water is about protecting heaters, surfaces, and warranties, not just “passing” a test kit. Harold explains why reducing friction matters, how an LSI app helps techs make better calls faster, and why teaching the “why” beats handing out rote habits that break the moment conditions change.
We also take on the uncomfortable business side: customers watching service visits on cameras, inflation crushing margins, and the temptation to do less work for the same price. Harold makes the case that chem-only service and every-other-week stops can become expectation traps, especially as DIY pool owners gain access to Amazon parts, AI-driven advice, and endless online info. We close with a bigger industry lens on online education, trade shows, consumer demand, consolidation, and what it takes to stay profitable without racing to the bottom.
If you want more profit, fewer headaches, and a pool service business that can compete in the DIY era, listen now, then subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
We catch up with Harold Evans on how his family business sale came together mid-cruise and why he believes education is still the strongest differentiator for pool pros. We dig into LSI, the real cost of “faster” service, and how DIY tools, Amazon, and inflation are forcing the pool industry to rethink value.
• The behind-the-scenes story of selling a pool company while traveling
• Why education beats product-pushing for long-term customer trust
• What LSI is for and why it is not a sanitation metric
• Reducing friction so busy techs actually use water balance tools
• Why spending less time on-site can destroy perceived value
• The risks of chem-only and every-other-week service models
• How inflation quietly erodes profit when rates do not change
• DIY customers, AI, and Amazon reshaping parts access and expectations
• Distribution inventory pressure and why pros are ordering online more
• Online training vs trade shows and why consumer education matters
Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.
If youre interested in the coaching program that I offer can learn, definitely learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com.
Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
https://hasa.com/hasa-app
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Harold Evans: The Pool Industry Needs to Get Smarter](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s_uE7doTqgc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Pool Service Safety Tips That Matter
The fastest way to get hurt on a pool route is to treat “routine” like it means “safe.” We’re talking about the real hazards that show up behind the gate, the ones that don’t always look dangerous until the moment they are: the quiet dog watching you work, the safety net that has to be re-tensioned just right, the open gate you swear you’ll close “in a second.” I share the practical rules I use to reduce risk for myself and for any employee I’m training, because a single injury can take you off the schedule and a single mistake can turn into expensive property damage.
We dig into chemical safety from a pool technician’s point of view, including why muriatic acid leaks are so destructive, how drips happen off a service cart, and the habits that prevent stains on decks and driveways. Then we get blunt about the non-negotiables: never mix pool chemicals, don’t store incompatible products together, and don’t ignore how dangerous trichlor fumes can be when you open a chlorinator or when tablets get wet in a bucket. If you’ve ever caught a harsh “chlorine” smell and felt your lungs react, you already know this is not hypothetical.
We also hit electrical safety at the equipment pad, especially old Intermatic timers with missing safety shields that can leave live wires exposed. Wet hands, standing water, and a quick flip of a switch can become a shock in a heartbeat, so we talk about what to look for and what not to touch. I also flag the bigger business picture: liability, training, and why insurance is worth serious consideration.
If this helps you think differently about pool service safety, subscribe, share it with a tech you’re onboarding, and leave a review so more pool pros can find it. What safety rule has saved you the most trouble on your route?
We walk through real-world pool service safety risks that can hurt techs, damage property, and create liability for your business. We share practical rules for pets, pool barriers, chemicals, and electrical gear so you can train employees and protect yourself on every stop.
• treating backyard dogs as a serious jobsite hazard
• avoiding accounts where pets cannot be reliably secured
• understanding why pool safety nets add time and liability
• building the habit of closing and latching every gate
• preventing muriatic acid spills with better transport and tight lids
• securing all chemicals in the truck and on the cart
• wearing nitrile gloves to reduce chemical burns
• never mixing pool chemicals and separating incompatible products
• respecting trichlor fumes from chlorinators and wet tablet buckets
• watching for missing safety shields on Intermatic timers to avoid shocks
• considering liability insurance to reduce risk exposure
Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If youre interested in my coaching program, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.
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Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
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Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Pool Service Safety Tips That Matter](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sbDvF641Za0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Low-Chlo: The Future of Pools with Founder Todd Guarino
Salt pools get marketed like a break from chlorine, but the truth is simpler: a salt system is still a chlorine factory, and many homeowners end up swimming in higher chlorine than they realize. We sit down with Todd Garino, founder of the Low-Chlo Sanitizer System, to talk about a different path, mineral-based pool sanitation designed to keep residential pools clear and safe while targeting low free chlorine levels around 0.5–1.5 ppm.
Todd explains where the technology came from, why it has been quietly used for years, and what changed to finally bring it to a wider market. We get into the real-world problems that pushed this forward: salt cells that don’t last like they used to, variable-speed pump run times that burn through cell hours, and the industry habit of treating “more chlorine” as the default answer. Then we break down the mechanics in plain language: how a vortex tank and mineral media create an electrolytic effect without electricity, why trichlor is used mainly for oxidation, and why the system is plumbed to help reduce chlorine exposure to heaters.
We also cover what pool pros care about most: install difficulty, maintenance time, chemical consumption, and customer confidence. If you’ve been looking for a low chlorine pool system, an alternative to a saltwater chlorinator, or a way to reduce chemical costs without risking water quality, this conversation gives you a grounded framework to evaluate it.
Learn more: https://low-chlo.com/
• what the Low-Chlo system is and why it is not new technology
• the origin story from a fiberglass pool builder solving fading and shell issues
• why salt cells fail sooner than people expect and how variable-speed pumps affect cell life
• how mineral media provides sanitation while trichlor is used mainly for oxidation
• what “low chlorine” targets look like in real pools and why more is not always safer
• cost comparisons versus saltwater chlorine generators and traditional chlorine programs
• maintenance steps including reversing flow and how frequency changes with hard water
• warranty basics and why water balance still matters
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Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Low-Chlo: The Future of Pools with Founder Todd Guarino](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sxHoSBu9fZo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Green Pool: The Hidden Problems You Need to Spot
A green pool can be the fastest way to add new customers or the easiest way to get burned. We walk through the decision making that separates a profitable green pool cleanup from a job that eats your time, chemicals, and patience, starting with the first question to ask on the phone: why did the pool turn green? That answer often reveals whether you are dealing with normal homeowner overwhelm, a recent home purchase, or a potential non payer situation.
Once you arrive to bid, we talk about reading the entire property and deciding whether you even want this client on your pool route long term. Heavy debris, oversized pools, awkward access, and aging equipment can turn a weekly stop into a constant struggle. We also cover two clean ways to walk away without drama: explaining you are overbooked for a multi visit cleanup, or bidding high so you are protected either way. Because you cannot see the plaster under green water, we explain why a green pool cleanup waiver matters for liability, stains, and pre existing damage that only shows up after the water clears.
On the technical side, we break down how filters impact your pool service pricing, including DE filters, cartridge replacements, and sand filter considerations, plus why getting money up front (or billing day one as its own invoice) can save you from a bad outcome. We compare the shock and awe method versus using flocculant like aluminum sulfate, and we close with the pricing mindset that prevents underbids.
• asking why the pool turned green as the first filter for client quality
• spotting property neglect that predicts payment and expectation problems
• treating green pool cleanups as a pool route growth strategy
• deciding if the pool is a good long term service fit based on debris, size, and equipment age
• using two clean exits: being overbooked or bidding high
• protecting yourself with a green pool cleanup waiver when you cannot see the surface
• inspecting filters and pricing for cartridges, grids, or repeated cleanings
• structuring upfront payments while staying compliant with local rules
• choosing between shock and awe chlorine dosing and the flocculant method
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Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Green Pool: The Hidden Problems You Need to Spot](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tGdceFZuDYs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bob Lowry Explains Why Borates Are a Game-Changer
Your pool can be perfectly chlorinated and still feel like it’s fighting you every week, especially when pH keeps climbing for no obvious reason. We dig into one of the most useful “stability tools” in pool chemistry: borates. Along with industry expert Bob Lowry, we explain what it really means to add borates, why many pros treat them as a one-time addition, and how they help slow pH rise in pools with saltwater chlorine generators, spillovers, waterfalls, and other sources of aeration.
We also get practical about products and dosing. Boric acid tends to be the simplest path because it dissolves easily and causes minimal changes to pH and total alkalinity. We compare that with sodium tetraborate options like borax, which can spike pH and alkalinity and force a muriatic acid correction. You’ll hear why “once it’s in the water it acts the same,” but the setup work can be very different depending on what you buy.
Safety and compliance questions come up a lot, so we address borate ppm targets head-on: 35 vs 50 ppm, why recommendations shifted, and how to think about toxicity using simple parts-per-million math.
If you want steadier water, fewer pH surprises, and another layer of algae resistance to support good chlorine habits, this conversation will sharpen how you use borates on a service route.
• our field test of borates with low chlorine and what happened over three weeks
• borates as a one-time addition with infrequent testing
• how borates buffer pH rise in aerated pools and saltwater chlorine generator pools
• borates as an algostat and why they do not kill algae
• choosing boric acid for easier dosing and fewer pH and alkalinity adjustments
• what happens when you use borax style products and why muriatic acid is needed
• whether 35 ppm or 50 ppm makes a meaningful difference and why some brands picked 35
• the toxicity question, ppm math, and why borates do not bioaccumulate
• residential vs commercial considerations and why rules vary by state and health code
• why many distributors do not stock borate products and
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Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits Bob Lowry Explains Why Borates Are a Game-Changer](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ufBoww-uUtk/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Real Benefits of Being a Self-Employed Pool Professional
Ready to stop chasing every call and start running a business that serves your life? We dig into the mindset shifts and practical moves that help pool service pros say no to low-value work, set a four-day schedule, and price with real confidence. If you’ve ever wondered why your calendar is full but your bank account feels thin, this is the roadmap to flip that script.
We start by reclaiming time. Once you’re established, you can group stops, move misfit accounts, and even create a three-day weekend cadence that keeps you fresh. Then we get honest about pricing. Being the lowest bid doesn’t build a future; it builds fatigue. You’ll hear how to benchmark against your market, bid green pools without losing money, and align monthly rates with the true cost of service, travel, and expertise so every stop supports a healthy margin.
From there, we turn taxes from a headache into an advantage. Mileage vs. actuals, tools and chemical deductions, software and phone expenses, even qualified vehicle write-offs—paired with quarterly tax planning to avoid penalties and stabilize cash flow. We also break down why pro-grade gear and a dependable truck are not splurges but force multipliers that save your body, speed your day, and elevate client trust. Finally, we map out what to do with profit: reinvest to buy partial routes or bring on a tech, or diversify into rentals, index funds, or other small businesses that add passive income. The aim is simple—turn today’s hustle into tomorrow’s freedom.
If this conversation helps you think bigger about your route, your rates, and your future, follow the show, share it with a fellow pool pro, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Your next profitable decision might start here.
• shifting from all yes to selective work
• designing a four-day week with route changes
• pricing for margin not just volume
• tax benefits, deductions and quarterly payments
• investing in better tools and trucks
• turning profit into growth and passive income
• options to scale with employees or diversify
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Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA
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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
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Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits The Real Benefits of Being a Self-Employed Pool Professional](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/unw6JOFFXXE/mqdefault.jpg)