The Pool Guy Podcast Show

Your pool can look perfect while the spa tells a different story: cloudy water, gritty steps, and that fine “dust” that shows up again an hour after you leave. We walk through how we vacuum a spa the smart way, whether it’s an attached spa that gets neglected by automatic cleaners or a standalone fiberglass spa where every speck of sand is instantly noticeable.

We start with the basics of spa cleaning for pool service pros: why spas collect more debris than pools (shade, weak circulation, tight spaces) and how to use a standard vacuum head and 50-foot hose efficiently when you’re already manual vacuuming. Then we get practical about speed on a route, comparing dedicated battery-operated spa vacuums and what actually matters most: real suction power and filtration that can capture fine dirt, algae dust, DE, and ash.

We also share our field-tested tool picks and why they work, including WaterTech options like the Catfish, Pool Blaster Max, and the premium Volt FX8, plus where Kokido and the BWT PK Giant fit in for debris removal. If you rely on larger vacuum systems, we break down maneuverability in spas and why compact units like the Bottom Feeder Shrimp can be a better match. We dig into micron ratings so you understand why some bags leave the spa cloudy, and we finish with a high-leverage “spa suction with pool return” trick for extreme dirt loads, followed by a final polish pass that leaves the spa truly spotless.

If you got value from this, subscribe, share the episode with a pool tech friend, and leave a review so more service pros can find it.

We break down why spas often look worse than pools and how we keep them spotless without wasting time on route. We share practical methods, the best spa vacuum tools, and a last-resort suction trick for spas packed with fine dirt, ash, or sand.
• reasons attached spas collect more debris than pools, including shade and weaker circulation
• quick manual method using a pool vacuum head and 50-foot hose, plus reprime timing
• battery spa vac recommendations, including WaterTech Catfish, Pool Blaster Max, and Volt FX8
• why sand silt bags matter for fine dirt, algae dust, DE, and ash
• Kokido and BWT PK Giant strengths for debris pickup, plus durability tradeoffs
• vacuum system guidance for spas, including why Riptide is awkward and why Bottom Feeder Shrimp shines
• micron ratings explained and why 100-micron bags can leave spas cloudy
• fiberglass spa reality check and why clients feel grit immediately
• heavy-dirt shortcut using spa suction with pool return, plus the reminder to switch back to pool mode
Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.
If you're looking for other podcasts, you can find us by going to my website, swingingpoolearning.com.
If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.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
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$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road

Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart aren’t just side hustles anymore, they’re a direct competitor for pool industry hiring. I’m breaking down how the gig economy pulls from the same talent pool pool service businesses need: dependable people in their 20s and 30s who want steady work but also want control over their time. When millions of drivers can tap an app and work whenever they want, a traditional pool route can look “too structured” at first glance, even if it pays well.

We dig into the real tradeoff: gig work can bring quick cash and flexible hours, but it often doesn’t build marketable skills that grow into a career. Pool service can. If someone learns water chemistry, cleaning systems, equipment basics, and then moves into repairs, installs, and route management, they’re building a future they can take anywhere, including starting their own pool service business. I also touch on why rideshare may face pressure over time from automation and self-driving tech, and why that makes skill-building even more important.

Then we get practical. I share ways to compete for great employees without pretending gig work doesn’t pay: provide a truck when possible, explain vehicle wear-and-tear costs, shorten the hiring timeline to 24 to 48 hours, and consider weekly pay to better match what app workers are used to. We also talk flexibility that doesn’t break your schedule, hybrid arrangements, and onboarding tips so new hires can adjust to weather, customer interaction, and the pace of a service route.

If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a pool pro who’s hiring, and leave a review with your best recruiting tip.

Gig work is pulling millions of potential hires away from pool service, and we explain why the “set your own hours” mindset makes recruiting harder than it used to be. We lay out practical ways to compete by offering real career skills, faster hiring, smarter pay, and a clearer path to stability.
• Gig economy scale and why it overlaps with pool industry hiring
• Flexibility as the main draw and how it reshapes worker expectations
• The long-term downside of gig work and the lack of marketable skills
• Why ghosting and pay demands are becoming more common
• Competing with a company truck and reframing true take-home income
• Building a recruiting pitch around training, advancement, and a real career path
• Creating limited flexibility with start times while keeping routes consistent
• Speeding up hiring decisions and considering weekly pay
• Allowing a hybrid model where workers keep gig apps on the side
• Helping new hires adjust to weather, customers, and physical demands
Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.
If you're looking for my coaching program, you can learn more at pullguidecoaching.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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Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)

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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

Bad pool chemistry rarely starts with “bad chemicals.” It usually starts with bad testing, rushed testing, or the wrong tool for the job. We break down the most common pool water testing options and explain how to choose a pool test kit that fits your reality, whether you’re a homeowner checking water once a week or a pool service pro trying to move fast on a packed route.

We compare reagent test kits as the daily driver for pool maintenance and explain what you should be measuring every time: free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid. Then we get specific about the industry standards, including the Taylor K-2005 and the Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006, and why the difference between dye and powder testing can matter more for speed than most people think. We also talk about the popular Poolmaster 5-way kit, the temptation of “flash testing,” and why quick shortcuts can produce wildly unreliable readings.

From there, we move into digital pool photometers and what you gain with tablets, longer shelf life, and a clear digital readout. We cover options like the LaMotte ColorQ 2X Pro line, why metals testing like copper and iron can be a game changer, and what to know about alternatives such as the PoolLab 2.0 and ITS style strip based photometers. Finally, we zoom out to the full spectrum, from affordable pool test strips for fast ballpark checks to the high end LaMotte Spin Touch system when you want maximum accuracy and don’t mind the cost.

If this helped you think differently about pool water testing, subscribe for more practical pool care advice, share the episode with a pool owner or tech who still guesses at colors, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

We walk through the real world choices for pool water testing, from budget test strips to pro grade reagent kits and high accuracy digital photometers. We share what we use for speed on a pool route, what we recommend for homeowners, and where accuracy is worth paying for.

• The core chemistry targets to test: free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid
• Why reagent test kits stay the fastest, most affordable daily option
• Taylor K-2005 vs Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006, including speed and chlorine range differences
• Poolmaster 5-way kit strengths and what you give up versus Taylor
• Why flash testing looks easy but fails in accuracy
• OTO safety concerns and why gloves matter
• Photometers explained: tablets, shelf life, digital readout, accuracy versus time
• LaMotte ColorQ 2X Pro 7 vs Pro 9 and why metals testing can matter
• Other photometer options, including PoolLab 2.0 and ITS strip based digital readers
• LaMotte Spin Touch as a premium testing system and the ongoing disc cost
• When pool test strips are “good enough” and where they fall short

Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.
If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.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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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

A pool filter can look “small” and still be the reason a system runs smoother, cleaner, and with less hassle on the equipment pad. I’m sharing my real-world take on the Aquastar Pipeline cartridge filter, including where it shines, where it takes a little mindset shift, and why it keeps getting compared to the wrong products online. 

I break down how the Pipeline PLF 35,000 stacks up against a common benchmark, the Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 520. We get into the numbers that matter to pool owners and pool service pros: price, design flow rate, and what “NSF certified” filtration and clarity mean in day-to-day operation. The big surprise is how a compact cartridge filter can be rated up to 200 gallons per minute, and why that can translate into strong circulation even as the cartridge loads with dirt. 

We also talk maintenance reality. One large cartridge can be faster to clean than a quad cartridge setup, often about five minutes versus a much longer teardown and rinse. I cover debris capacity, how often you might actually clean it in different environments, and why the Pipeline should not be lumped in with cheap single cartridge filters that lose flow fast as PSI climbs. I finish with practical notes on safety, the robust collar ring, depressurizing steps, and what to expect when retrofitting plumbing since the ports are not stacked like many standard tanks. 

If you’re deciding between a large cartridge filter and a compact high-flow option, listen through and then tell me what you value most: longer intervals or faster cleanings. Subscribe, share the episode with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

I share my real-world experience with the Aquastar Pipeline cartridge filter and why it performs nothing like the typical single cartridge tanks people compare it to. I stack it up against the Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 520 on price, flow rate, cleaning time, safety, and which pools actually benefit most.

• why the Aquastar Pipeline filter gets misjudged by size alone
• price comparison against premium large cartridge filters
• what deeper pleats and a larger core change in real use
• design flow rate differences and why flow drives performance
• cleaning time reality: one cartridge versus four
• how debris load affects cleaning frequency and service planning
• why it should not be compared to cheap off-brand 200 sq ft filters
• safety features like the robust collar ring and depressurization steps
• retrofit considerations: small footprint but offset plumbing ports
• when bigger filters still make more sense for convenience

Learn more at Summipoollearning.com.
If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, 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/

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

Weather can wreck a perfectly planned pool route in minutes. One moment the backyard is calm, the next you’re in a wind event where every pass with the net brings in more leaves, the power is out in nearby hills, and the safest move is to pack up and go home. That’s real pool service life, and we want you ready for it, not surprised by it.

We break down the extreme weather situations pool technicians run into most: sudden windstorms like the Santa Ana winds, wildfire conditions that dump fine ash into the water, and heavy rain days that turn visibility and driving into a hazard. I share how I think about “workable” drizzle versus shut-it-down rain, why thunderstorms are never worth the risk, and how to communicate realistic recovery timelines when storms hit in waves. We also get practical about cleanup strategy after a fire: fine-bag vacuum options, why ash keeps settling, and why filter cleanouts become part of the weekly rhythm.

To keep your business moving, we talk route strategy during multi-day forecasts: stacking pools, shifting days, and focusing on essentials when you simply cannot clean the way you want to. I also share the gear that helps me stay effective, from rainwear that keeps you mobile to cold-weather gloves and waterproof boots that save your hands and feet. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a pool pro, and leave a review so more techs can find the episode.

Extreme weather changes everything on a pool route, so we focus on when to work, when to stop, and how to keep customers informed while staying safe. We walk through windstorms, wildfire ash, heavy rain, and cold snaps, plus the gear and route moves that help us get pools back without burning out.

• deciding to stop cleaning during dangerous wind gusts
• checking nearby accounts and essentials when wind makes cleaning futile
• power shutoffs during wind events and the added fire risk
• why wind recovery can take two to three weeks
• how wildfires create ash problems that take weeks to fix
• vacuuming ash with fine bags and accepting repeat settling
• cleaning filters repeatedly as part of the ash cleanup process
• separating drizzle from heavy rain when planning pool service days
• skipping routes during thunderstorms and treating the pool pole like a lightning risk
• handling weeks of rain with basic checks and overflow planning
• teaching customers simple ways to drain down an overfilled pool
• moving pools earlier in the week to avoid forecasted downpours
• using cold-weather gloves to keep hands warm on early stops
• choosing waterproof boots to avoid wet feet and improve safety

Join the pool guy coaching program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support from me. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.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/

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

A windstorm can turn a clean backyard pool into a debris-filled mess in a single afternoon and if you service pools for a living, that mess multiplies across your entire route. We talk through what windy weather really means for a pool service business during Santa Ana wind events and other regional wind patterns, including why the first major storm of the season is often the most brutal. The goal is not perfection in one stop. The goal is a repeatable process that keeps circulation going, protects your schedule, and keeps you from wrecking your body trying to leaf rake every pool to the floor.

We share the exact “wind policy” structure we use in our service agreement: start by cleaning the filtration system (skimmer basket, pump basket, restoring prime), then skim the surface, then tackle leaves on the bottom, and vacuum only when conditions and time allow. That order matters when baskets are jammed, pumps lose prime, and you’ve got 15 pools in similar shape. We also get into real-world storm hazards like patio chairs, umbrellas, potted plants, and even barbecues ending up in the water and why a simple pre-storm reminder to secure items can prevent hours of chaos.

Then we go practical with equipment: why you should carry extra leaf rakes and a backup pole, and why a proper pool vacuum system is a game-changer during severe leaf and dirt events. We compare everyday options to heavier-duty vacuums designed for trashed pools, and we explain how customer education can help too, like leaving a pole and leaf rake onsite so homeowners can skim ahead of your service day without touching anything risky.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more service techs can find these storm-season strategies.

We get real about how extreme wind events can wreck a pool route and why trying to “make it perfect” in one visit burns you out fast. We share the wind policy we use, the cleanup order that keeps pools running, and the tools and customer habits that make storm weeks survivable.
• Santa Ana wind season expectations and why the first storm hits hardest
• using a written wind clause to protect time and reduce complaints
• prioritizing pump and skimmer basket cleanup to restore circulation
• skimming first and treating bottom cleanup as a later step when needed
• asking customers to secure patio furniture and loose yard items before storms
• carrying backup leaf rakes and an extra pole for breakage
• choosing a vacuum system that can handle heavy leaves and dirt
• leaving a pool pole and leaf rake onsite so customers can help safely
• handling pushback by explaining route math and daylight limits
Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.

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Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Support the show

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

You don’t have to be a full-time mechanic to run a real pool service business. We hear the same fear from new and growing pool pros all the time: “I can do weekly pool cleaning, but I don’t know repairs.” Here’s the surprise. Plenty of successful pool service companies build strong routes by focusing on weekly pool maintenance and outsourcing the heavy repair work, as long as they understand equipment well enough to diagnose symptoms, explain the issue clearly, and take smart next steps.

We walk through what “enough knowledge” actually looks like in the field. You need to know how pool systems operate, what normal flow and pressure look like, and how to identify common problems like air leaks, cracked baskets, clogged impellers, and equipment that won’t start. You don’t need to rebuild everything yourself, but you do need to recognize the signs, read error codes when they show up, and communicate confidently with the customer. That competence builds trust and keeps your weekly route running on time.

Then we get practical about outsourcing pool repairs. We compare partnering with another service company versus working with a repair-only tech, and we share ways to find reliable repair partners through suppliers, manufacturer warranty provider lists, and local reps. We also cover liability and billing decisions, including why direct-to-customer invoicing often protects your business. Finally, we draw the line between small repairs you can handle and major installs you should refer out, plus how to win new service accounts even when a pump is down or the pool is going green.

If you want to grow your pool route, streamline your schedule, and cut risk without sacrificing professionalism, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more techs can find it.

We answer the question pool pros worry about most: can you run a pool service business without doing repairs. We break down the minimum equipment knowledge you need, how we outsource major fixes safely, and how this setup can help you scale a weekly service route.
• Weekly service only as a viable pool service business model
• Basic pool equipment knowledge needed to spot problems without fixing everything
• Why repair-only partners reduce the risk of losing service accounts
• Practical ways to find trusted repair-only techs through suppliers, reps, and warranty lists
• Liability and billing setups that keep us out of the middle
• Small fixes we should handle versus major repairs we should refer out
• How we land new clients even when the pool needs repairs or a turnaround
Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com. And if you're looking for other podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swimmingprolearning.com.

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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
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Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Support the show

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

Your pool route might be profitable, but it also comes with a deadline most people ignore until their knees, hands, or shoulders force the conversation. We get real about the physical wear of pool service and why “I’ll figure it out later” can turn into working longer than you ever planned, especially when inflation keeps raising the cost of everything from gas to groceries. 

We walk through clear, practical retirement planning ideas for self-employed pool service pros: why cash sitting in the bank can lose value, how compound interest works over decades, and what a Roth IRA can do for your future taxes. We also talk about reinvesting profits back into your pool business for growth and deductions, while keeping an eye on the difference between active income and true passive income. And because Social Security may not carry as much weight for business owners, we dig into why outside guidance can help, including what you can learn from a financial advisor seminar. 

Then we tackle real estate investing, including why some advisors downplay it, and why rental property can be a rare mix of “now” benefits and “later” benefits. We cover tax deductions like depreciation and mortgage interest, how higher interest rates change the math for investors, and why service-minded pool professionals can make strong landlords because they already understand customer service and problem-solving. 

If you want a plan that helps you step back from the route on your terms, listen through to the end and pick one action you can take this week. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more people in the industry start planning earlier.

We talk about why pool service can be a great career but a tough long-term job for your body, and why planning for retirement gets more urgent the longer you stay in the field. We break down practical ways to invest profits so inflation does not quietly erase your future options.

• retirement stats and why many people feel behind
• how inflation reduces purchasing power over time
• why keeping too much cash can be costly
• compound interest and long-term market investing basics
• Roth IRA pros and the tradeoff of no tax break now
• reinvesting in a pool service business versus building passive income
• the physical wear of route work and planning around it
• Social Security limits for self-employed business owners
• meeting a financial advisor and learning from local seminars
• real estate investing as income, deductions, and long-term asset growth
• depreciation, interest, and expense deductions for rental property
• starting early, adjusting saving and investing percentages by age
• executing a plan now instead of “someday”

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 you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.

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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

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)

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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

Your customer says they’re “pretty handy” and offers to handle the filter cleanings to save money. Sounds reasonable until the filter doesn’t get cleaned for weeks, the water starts sliding toward algae, and you discover the clamp was reinstalled wrong. Now it’s not just a service problem, it’s a safety and liability problem. That DIY crossover is getting more common, and we’re breaking down where it helps and where it can seriously hurt your route.

We talk through why DIY pool maintenance has always been a major part of the industry, and how modern pool automation and chemical automation make homeowners feel even more capable. ORP systems, acid feed, salt systems, and app-controlled equipment can reduce day-to-day effort, but they don’t remove the need for correct maintenance and consistent oversight. When “helpful” tasks are done late or done wrong, the pool suffers and the pro often gets blamed.

You’ll hear real examples of what goes wrong when homeowners clean cartridge or DE filters, including improper assembly and dangerous clamp issues, plus common pump basket and skimmer basket mistakes that can cause loss of prime or equipment damage. We also dig into when chemical-only pool service can be a smart offering for experienced DIY clients, and how to set clear rules so the pool stays clean and everyone stays safe. If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with your own boundary rule you won’t bend.

DIY pool care is normal, but shared responsibilities can quickly create safety problems, bad water, and finger-pointing. We draw a hard line around high-risk equipment tasks and explain when a chemical-only pool service can actually work.
• why DIY homeowners still make up a big part of pool care
• how pool automation and chemical automation change the workload
• why customers want to clean their own filter and why it fails
• filter cleaning risks: timing, poor cleaning, dangerous reassembly
• real-world DE filter mistakes: no DE and far too much DE
• why homeowners should not touch pump baskets or skimmer baskets
• what DIY tasks are genuinely helpful: skimming, brushing, watching the water
• when chemical-only pool service fits and how to screen for the right client

Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.
If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer to learn more at poolguidecoaching.com.

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Support the show

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

That “simple stain” on the pool floor might be permanent, and that fresh coat of pool paint might be a countdown to peeling, cloudy water, and filters packed with chalky dust. We walk through the surface issues we see most often across plaster pools, Pebble Tec finishes, fiberglass pools, and vinyl liner pools, with real-world examples that help you diagnose what you’re looking at before you promise a miracle fix. 

We get honest about painting plaster pools: why it became popular as a cosmetic solution, what proper epoxy pool paint prep actually takes, and why the second round is so much harder than the first. We also talk about the most common plaster defects like step-area chipping, deep-end flaking, and rust marks caused by metal objects or chemical burns from trichlor tablets, plus why some “rust stains” are really rebar bleeding through the plaster and need a patch repair, not more acid. 

From there, we shift to Pebble Tec calcium haze that makes the finish look foggy, and the surprising rust spots caused by metal in individual pebbles that usually require a builder or warranty visit to chip out the source. We also cover fiberglass gel coat wear that shows up as white powder when you brush, and why fiberglass and vinyl are so easy to stain with tabs, granules, and metals. If you want fewer callbacks and cleaner service bids, you’ll leave with clear warning signs to watch for and smarter ways to set expectations. 

Subscribe for more pool service advice, share this with a tech who keeps inheriting “mystery stains,” and leave a review with the pool surface issue you want us to break down next.

Send us Fan Mail

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

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