Pool Pros text questions here

This episode covers the challenges and opportunities of pool service businesses during winter, including cost management, database maintenance, and team engagement strategies. Learn practical tips to streamline operations, enhance professionalism, and maximize revenue in the off-season.

keywords

pool service, winter business tips, database management, team engagement, cost control, pool maintenance

key topics

• Cost management for island service trips
• Database cleanup and client follow-up
• Using photos and measurements for efficient service
• Team involvement and process improvement during winter

Sound Bites

• "Your database is the value of your business"
• "Merge and clean your client data regularly"
• "Photos serve as proof and quality assurance"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and guest introduction

01:14
Challenges of island service trips and costs

01:58
Managing costs and pricing for island services

03:15
Impact of seasonal changes on pool service business

04:08
Preparing for winter: pool hibernation and maintenance

06:40
Winter cleanup: database and photo management

08:37
Importance of maintaining a clean client database

11:07
Strategies for identifying and merging duplicate clients

13:44
Using photos and measurements for service efficiency

16:46
Starting winter projects: cleaning and process improvements

20:33
On-site documentation and client communication

24:18
Using photos and GPS for quality assurance

28:19
System cleanup and data management

33:28
Follow-up strategies and scheduling reminders

39:50
Team engagement and winter productivity

40:05
Fun and camaraderie in team challenges

41:11
Closing remarks and call to action

Resources

• BufferZone
• Xero Accounting Software

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This week on Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz rips into one of the most misunderstood topics in pool chemistry—cyanuric acid. Starting with a hard truth most pros overlook, the EPA-required label on chlorine products caps free chlorine at 4 ppm… and that’s not a suggestion, it’s law. From there, the episode dismantles the industry’s oversimplified “stabilizer” narrative and replaces it with what’s actually happening: cyanuric acid doesn’t just protect chlorine—it binds it, regulates it, and suppresses the amount of active sanitizer available in real time.

This is where the conversation gets uncomfortable. Because that “perfect” chlorine reading on your test kit? It doesn’t tell you how much hypochlorous acid you actually have—it just gives you a combined number that includes both active and bound chlorine. Drawing on research from Richard Falk, CDC studies, EPA modeling, and decades-old equilibrium work, Rudy breaks down how rising CYA levels throttle chlorine performance, slow disinfection, and create a system where pools look fine on paper but underperform in reality. The myth that “pH doesn’t matter with CYA present” gets crushed too—because while the impact is reduced, it’s still very real, and ignoring it stacks the problem. 

The takeaway is blunt: cyanuric acid isn’t the villain—mismanagement is. Every tablet adds CYA. Every week without dilution compounds the problem. And every pool pro who ignores the FC-to-CYA relationship is operating blind. This episode draws a hard line between surface-level pool care and true chemical control, making it clear that the industry is shifting toward those who understand the science—not just the numbers. Because at the end of the day, you’re not managing chlorine… you’re managing how much of it is actually doing the work.

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Thursdays with Steve & Wayne

“The Price of Doing Business”

🧠 Overview

This week on Talking Pools Podcast, Steve and Wayne break down the reality of running a pool service company—where one service call can derail your entire day and expose bigger industry problems.

👨‍🔧 From the Field

A commercial emergency turns into a full-blown headache involving:

•  Faulty flow meters 
•  Leaking high-pressure filters 
•  Multiple supply runs 
•  Hours of downtime 

👉 The takeaway: In commercial service, failure isn’t an option.

⚙️ Equipment Issues

•  Traditional flow meters and gauges are often unreliable 
•  Installation standards don’t match real-world conditions 
•  More pros are switching to better-performing alternatives like FlowVis-style meters 

💸 The Pricing Problem

Steve uncovers a major issue:

•  Distributor price: ~$700 
•  Online price: ~$500 
•  Knockoff: ~$200 

👉 For the first time: “I couldn’t sell this in good conscience.”

🌐 The Internet Changed Everything

Today’s customers:

•  Check prices instantly 
•  Know what things cost 
•  Question everything 

👉 And honestly? We all do the same thing.

🧪 Bigger Industry Concern

•  Equipment failing too quickly 
•  Warranties getting harder to process 
•  Manufacturers losing control of pricing 

👉 If cheaper works the same… what are we paying for?

📣 Get Involved

Seen this in your business?
 📧 [email protected]

🏆 Mentor Award

Nominate someone who shaped your career:
 👉 cpoclass.com

LaMotte Company
LaMotte Company is a leading manufacturer of water quality testing products & pool test kits

California Pool Association
Pool Industry Trade Organization

CMAHC
The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code promotes health & safety at public swimming pools

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In an industry where misinformation spreads faster than wildfire, this episode pulls no punches.

Natalie Hood sits down with Matt Doll, CEO of American Fire Products, to dismantle some of the most persistent—and dangerous—myths surrounding fire features in outdoor environments. From DIY disasters to misunderstood gas systems, this conversation is a wake-up call for builders, service pros, and homeowners alike.

Because here’s the truth:

👉 Fire features are not decorative add-ons.
 👉 They are engineered systems.
 👉 And when they’re done wrong… they fail hard.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🚫 The Myths That Won’t Die

•  Why you can’t just throw any glass into a fire pit (and what happens if you do) 
•  The dangerous assumption that “a burner is just a metal ring”
•  Why stainless steel is NOT all the same (201 vs. 304 matters more than you think) 
•  The truth about DIY fire pits and YouTube “experts”
•  Why cheap online fire pits can become expensive problems 

⚙️ The Technical Reality (That Most People Miss)

•  The difference between natural gas vs. propane systems
•  Why gas volume vs. pressure changes everything 
•  How media (lava rock, glass) actually affects flame performance 
•  The role of ventilation, drainage, and airflow in preventing catastrophic failure 
•  Why drop-in pans and proper ignition systems are non-negotiable in high-end builds 

💸 The Cost of Doing It Wrong

•  Real-world examples of $40,000 failures from poor system selection 
•  How undersized gas lines lead to weak flames and angry clients
•  Why builders often get blamed for products they didn’t even choose
•  The hidden risks of cheap materials and knockoff components

🧠 The Smart Approach (What Pros Should Be Doing)

•  Designing around engineered, off-the-shelf systems to reduce cost and risk 
•  Planning for gas, electrical, and system integration BEFORE construction
•  Using certified components and proper materials (not hardware store shortcuts) 
•  Building fire features that increase property value AND performance

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🎙️ Making Social Media Work for You (Without Letting It Take Over Your Route)

In this episode of Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea breaks down a question she’s been hearing more and more from pool pros in the field:

👉 “How are you posting so much… and still getting your pools done?”

What follows is a real-world, no-BS look at how to use social media as a tool—not a second job.

This isn’t about going viral.
 This isn’t about chasing millions of views.

This is about efficiency, strategy, and staying relevant without sacrificing your route, your time, or your sanity.

Andrea shares practical, field-tested insights on:

•  Filming content while you’re already working (without slowing yourself down) 
•  Choosing the right pools—and customers—to film at (and avoiding problems) 
•  Using simple tools like POV shots and B-roll to create content fast 
•  Avoiding time-wasting traps like over-editing, bad camera setup, and unnecessary gear 
•  Understanding how algorithms actually work (and how to work with them, not against them) 
•  Posting strategies that drive engagement without burning you out 
•  Why clickbait, rage bait, and auto-sharing can quietly wreck your reach 
•  How to stay consistent—even when you’re slammed with work 

There’s also a deeper message running underneath this entire episode:

👉 Social media should support your business—not compete with it.

If you’ve ever felt like content creation is pulling you away from what actually makes you money, this episode will help you recalibrate and take control of your time again.

Real talk. Real experience. Real strategies that actually work in the field.

📲 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and start making social media work for you, not the other way around.

POOL MAGAZINE

Pool Magazine is leading up to the minute news source for Swimming Pool News and Pool Features. Ou

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In this continuation of their conversation, Lee, Shane, and Nick are joined again by industry expert Spiros from Next Gen Experts to break down a topic that’s generating serious noise across the pool industry right now: proposed workplace exposure changes and what they actually mean.

This isn’t a surface-level chlorine conversation. It’s a deep dive into how regulations, standards, and real-world operations collide—and where the industry needs to be paying attention versus where it might be overreacting.

🧠 Key Topics Discussed

🔹 Toolbox Talks You’re Already Doing (But Not Documenting)
Many pool businesses are already holding informal safety and operations meetings—but without documentation, they don’t count. Spiros explains how simple adjustments can turn everyday conversations into compliant, valuable safety practices without adding complexity. 

🔹 Safe Work Australia Proposal — What’s Really Happening
There’s been a lot of chatter about new workplace exposure limits—especially around chlorine. But here’s the reality:

•  This is not just about chlorine
•  It includes 100+ chemicals (bromine, acids, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) 
•  It spans gases, vapors, dusts, and airborne residues
•  It affects multiple industries—not just pools

Spiros emphasizes that the proposal is broad, complex, and still lacking the evidence needed to justify sweeping changes.

🔹 Air Quality, Ventilation, and the Limits of Control
The conversation shifts into something most techs never think about:

👉 You can control what you add to the water
 👉 You can’t fully control what ends up in the air

From HVAC systems in aquatic centers to chemical off-gassing, there’s an entire layer of engineering happening behind the scenes—especially indoors—that most service pros never see. 

🔹 The Reality Check: Regulation vs Practicality
If these proposals were implemented as-is, the implications could be massive:

•  Retail pool stores may require advanced ventilation systems 
•  Many locations (especially leased or strata properties) may not be able to comply 
•  Costs could outweigh benefits—with no guaranteed improvement in outcomes

Bottom line: There’s still a long road ahead before anything becomes enforceable.

🔹 Chlorine Smell, Chloramines, and Misconceptions
That “pool smell” everyone talks about?

It’s not just chlorine—it’s often chloramines and other byproducts. The discussion highlights:

•  Why some facilities don’t smell like chlorine 
•  What corrosion inside buildings can reveal about air quality 
•  How environmental factors (like salt air) complicate everything 

🔹 Australian Standard 3633 — A Major Update Coming
One of the biggest takeaways:

👉 The 40-year-old Australian pool water standard is being completely overhauled

What’s coming:

•  A unified standard for residential and public pools
•  A performance-based approach (focus on results, not rigid methods) 
•  More scientific and technical depth
•  A document designed to become the industry benchmark

Public review is expected soon—and industry participation wil

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In this powerhouse roundtable, returning host Kelli Clancy leads a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most critical—topics in the pool industry: insurance and risk management. Joined by members connected to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Service Committee and industry insurance professionals, this episode breaks down what pool pros think they’re covered for… versus what actually protects their business when things go sideways.

This isn’t theory. This is real-world exposure—from pool pop-ups and design failures to catastrophic jobsite accidents and long-tail liability risks that can come back years later.

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Pool Pros text questions here

This episode explores the complexities of pool chemistry, legal considerations, industry trends, and the importance of understanding over following instructions blindly. Rudy Stankowitz shares insights on how industry control, product formulation disputes, and safety regulations impact pool professionals and consumers.

Keywords

pool chemistry, pool industry, pool safety, chemical regulation, pool maintenance, pool education, legal cases, industry trends

Key Topics

• Pool chemistry complexities and safety
• Legal cases involving pool chemicals
• Industry trends towards simplification and control

Guest Name

Rudy Stankowitz

Sound Bites

• "Follow the label, protect yourself legally."
• "Chemistry doesn't forgive mistakes."
• "Your knowledge is your best defense."

Chapters

00:00
Understanding Label Instructions in Pool Care

10:50
The Importance of Testing Over Following Rules

14:23
Legal Implications of Chemical Labels

27:48
Industry Trends: Simplifying Pool Care

AquaStar Pool Products
The Global Leader in

Safety, Dependability, & Innovation

in Pool Technology.

POOL MAGAZINE

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BLUERAY XL
The real mineral purifier!

Reduce your pool maintenance costs & efforts by 50%

Jack's Magic
If you know Jack's you'd have no stains!

Service Industry News


CPO Certification Classes
Attend your CPO class with Rudy Stankowitz!

the 'How to Get Rid of Algae' handbook
The most comprehensive guide on algae prevention and remediation you will ever own.

Online Pool Classes
The difference between you and your competition is what you know!

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Pool Pros text questions here

In this episode, Steve Sherwood interviews Pat Grignone from California Pool Association to explore how pool service professionals can optimize their business operations, partnerships, and insurance strategies to grow profitably and sustainably.

Keywords

pool service, business growth, partnerships, insurance, pool renovation, subcontracting, liability, pool industry

Key Topics

• Business capacity and scaling in the pool industry
• Partnering with subcontractors and specialists
• Managing insurance and liability for large projects
• Streamlining operations for profitability
• Best practices for pool renovation and startup

Guest Name

Pat Grignone

Sound Bites

• "Control the entire renovation and startup process"
• "Talk to your insurance agent before big projects"
• "Check in with your insurer when business changes"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:15
Steve's Personal Pool Industry Story

01:09
Challenges of Scaling a Pool Service Business

02:01
Balancing Service, Repairs, and Billing

02:54
Strategies for Managing Growth and Capacity

04:02
Partnering with Subcontractors and Vendors

08:31
Pricing and Profitability in Renovations

09:23
Managing Renovation and Startup Processes

10:45
Controlling Quality and Long-term Service

11:37
Partnerships with Leak Detection and Plaster Companies

12:35
The Cost of Equipment and Building a Large Company

13:45
Controlling the Entire Pool Renovation Process

14:25
Advice for Companies Outsourcing Jobs

15:16
Financial and Insurance Considerations for Large Jobs

16:11
Tax and Insurance Implications of High-Value Jobs

18:01
Monitoring Revenue and Insurance Changes

18:55
Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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Pool Pros text questions here

This episode busts common water chemistry myths, explores the science behind pool maintenance, and discusses the future of industry education. Featuring Eric Knight from Watershape University, it offers practical insights for professionals seeking to improve their water management skills.

Keywords

water chemistry, pool maintenance, water shaping, pool industry education, pool myths, chlorine, pH, alkalinity, CYA, salt systems

Key Topics

• Water chemistry misconceptions
• Proper water testing and treatment
• Impact of pH, alkalinity, and CYA on pools

Guest Name

Eric Knight

Sound Bites

• "The acid column pour myth is not accurate"
• "Adjusted alkalinity is not the true alkalinity"
• "Salt systems do not inherently raise pH"

Contact

Watershape University Homepage

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Water Chemistry Education

04:19
Eric Knight's Journey in Aquatics

07:12
The Future of the Pool Industry

09:52
Debunking Myths about Watershape University

12:55
Understanding the Curriculum and Its Accessibility

14:45
Advanced Training and Certification

14:52
Customer Service in Pool Industry

16:23
Debunking Water Chemistry Myths

23:33
Understanding pH and Chlorine Strength

29:46
The Future of Pool Automation

34:40
Understanding pH Myths in Swimming Pools

40:14
Salt Systems and Their Chemistry

43:22
Cyanuric Acid: The Misunderstood Protector

49:35
The Importance of Education and Automation in Pool Management

The Grit Game
The Grit Game, is not just playing the game, we’re changing it. 500+ years industry experience,

Revdup Apparel
a custom apparel company built for the pool industry. Founded by pool professionals

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