The Pool Guy Podcast Show

Clear water starts with the right filter, not a monster pump. We dive into the real drivers of pool clarity and ease of maintenance, showing why filter sizing determines circulation, energy use, and how often you clean. If you’ve battled cloudy water, sluggish skimmers, or a cleaner that crawls, the culprit may be a filter that’s too small for your pool and conditions. We break down how different...

Heavy leaves or fine dust—what’s slowing you down? We break down the real-world tradeoffs between the most popular pool vacuum systems so you can match the right tool to every stop and cut your cleaning time without cutting corners. Drawing on years in the field, we compare Riptide and Hammerhead cart rigs, the updated Power Vac handheld, and the ultra-portable Bottom Feeder and Shrimp. We also sp...

Ever heard a variable speed pump scream for a minute on a cold morning and wondered if the motor is toast? We dig into the real-world signs that separate normal quirks from costly failures, sharing field-tested ways to read noises, clouding, and pressure spikes without overreacting or replacing parts you don’t need. We start with cold-start pump behavior and why grease viscosity makes a VS motor s...

Clients adore their dogs, and many let them swim daily. We get real about what that means for your route: higher bather load, stubborn scum lines, clogged filters, and chlorine that seems to vanish overnight. Instead of fighting the habit, we show you how to build a resilient service plan that keeps water safe, controls algae pressure, and protects your margins without overpromising on crystal cla...

Want a pool service schedule that actually lets you take time off without losing momentum or money? We break down a practical framework for solo operators and small teams to reclaim rest, reduce burnout, and keep customers happy year-round. We start with the hard truth: summer time off is risky. Heat, bather load, and algae pressure make July and August the most fragile weeks on a route. Then we f...

Leaves don’t just make a mess, they steal your time, stress your body, and starve your margins. We break down a clean, repeatable system to handle heavy debris pools without burning out: what to avoid, what to automate, and where to invest so your route stays profitable even when the wind goes wild. We start with selection strategy—why a mature business doesn’t need every account—and how saying no...

Saying yes to every pool is the fastest way to burn out your route and your margins. We break down a practical bidding system for weekly service, green pool cleanups, acid washes, and installs that protects your time, sets clear expectations, and helps you win the right work at the right price. We start with the mindset shift: only bid work you’re ready to start. From there, we walk through a thor...

Dust lines, cloudy steps, and second passes with a manual vac eat time and profit. We tackled the root problem—fine debris slipping through bags—and put the Bottom Feeder Cartridge Assembly Kit 2.0 to the test. The result is a portable vacuum that captures down to about 20 microns without losing thrust, letting us collect leaves and silt in one run while keeping maneuverability in tight spaces lik...

Ever wish you could drop a problem account without triggering a one-star review? We dig into a step-by-step method for ending service gracefully, using clear language, respectful timelines, and smart psychology to leave on good terms and protect your reputation. If you’ve battled heavy debris, unpredictable seasonal leaf drops, or customers who won’t fix failing equipment, this guide lays out exac...

Driving less can be the biggest raise you give yourself. We dive into how to tighten your pool service route so every mile worked actually pays, from drawing smarter borders to pruning outliers and building compact days that feel smooth even when things go sideways. You’ll hear a clear framework to map clusters, create crossover paths for flexibility, and avoid the trap of taking “just one” out-of...

Ready to grow your pool business without adding long days or heavy labor? We break down a simple strategy to boost revenue using services already hiding along your route: hot tubs, water features, chemical-only tiers, and filter cleanings. With clear systems, tight pricing, and smarter routing, you can turn five- to seven-minute stops into reliable income and keep your energy high all week. We sta...

The truck you drive can either protect your margin or quietly drain it, and most pros overestimate how much vehicle they really need. We walk through a practical, field-tested approach to choosing a pool service rig that balances chemical safety, daily ergonomics, and total cost of ownership. From compact cars with hitch carriers to mid-size workhorses and full-size comfort machines, we talk throu...

Two truths shape modern pool care: the fundamentals haven’t changed, and expectations never stop rising. We dig into why pool service remains resilient through recessions, how green pools trigger vector control action, and why owners treat upkeep like insurance when a basic build can top $130,000. From chemistry that still works to routines that keep gear alive, we connect the dots between steady...

Forget the old rule that outdoor pools must live at 7.4 pH. We dig into why cyanuric acid, not pH, is the dominant force behind chlorine strength in the sun, and how reframing your strategy around the FC-to-CYA ratio can reduce algae, cut costs, and protect your surfaces. With insights from industry committee work and modeling, we explain why a 20:1 CYA-to-free chlorine ceiling matters, why 30–50...

Most pool pros have heard it for years: lower the pH to make chlorine stronger. That’s true in non-stabilized water, but once cyanuric acid enters the picture, the rules change. We sit down with Eric Knight to unpack why the FC-to-CYA ratio, not pH, governs chlorine’s effective strength in outdoor pools—and how that insight can save you time, money, and a lot of acid. We break down the chemistry i...

Clear water without the constant chlorine chase starts with getting the minerals right. We sat down with Fridge Tweer from PoolRx to unpack how proper sizing, clean filters, and smart booster timing keep mineral levels in the sweet spot so chlorine stays low and algae stays gone. From backyard pools to large commercial bodies of water, we walk through the exact steps that improve clarity, reduce c...

Algae that won’t quit, stains that appear out of nowhere, and chlorine that seems to do less the more you add—if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We sat down with Fred Squeer of Pool RX to unpack the chemistry hiding beneath clear water: dissolved metals and high cyanuric acid. Together we map a straightforward plan to reduce chlorine use, prevent algae, and avoid oxidation events that crea...

Clear water shouldn’t require a chemistry degree, a mountain of tabs, or weekly emergencies. We sit down with Fred Schweer, VP of Sales at PoolRX, to unpack how a chelated mineral system—copper, silver, and zinc—eliminates algae and frees up chlorine so your pools stay cleaner with less effort and expense. If you’ve battled microalgae, chased phosphate numbers, or watched high CYA slow your saniti...

Pools don’t fail just from age or weather; they fail when chemistry, circulation, and surface type don’t match. We dig into the real-world differences between vinyl, fiberglass, plaster, and pebble finishes, showing how each material changes your approach to water balance, sanitizer levels, and maintenance. From ground prep that keeps nutgrass from piercing vinyl to the warranty risks of using tri...

The calm of a backyard pool and the chaos of a hotel deck look similar from the waterline—but they run on different rules. We pull back the curtain on why commercial water turns volatile under heavy bather load, how chlorine gets consumed faster than you can pour it, and what it really takes to keep guests safe and inspectors satisfied. From oxidation priorities to daily logs, this is a candid loo...

Fresh plaster only gets one chance to cure right, and most problems start before the first cannonball. We dive straight into the real-world startup decisions that determine whether your pool finishes smooth and stain‑free or inherits permanent issues. With veteran insights from chemical expert Bob Lowry, we compare the big methods—barrel, traditional, and acid—and map clear rules of thumb for when...

Ever wonder why a pool can look fine one week and show stains, rough plaster, or a failing heater the next? The culprit is often low pH—water that turns aggressive, dissolves metals, and etches surfaces long before the damage is obvious. We walk through how acidic water behaves, where metals come from, and why stains show up only after the water hits its saturation point. We dig into real-world se...

Algae pressure, drifting pH, and vanishing chlorine can make pool care feel like a tug of war. We sat down with renowned chemist and educator Bob Lowry to map out a cleaner, calmer path: use borates the right way, match your CYA to your chlorine needs, and stop fighting the water. The conversation cuts through marketing myths to show why boric acid at 50 ppm stabilizes pH and supports sanitizer pe...

Crystal-clear water means more than fine micron ratings; it means steady flow, low pressure spikes, and a filter you can actually live with. We dive into the real-world reasons cartridge filters outperform DE and sand for most pools, from massive surface area that keeps PSI stable to a simple cleaning routine that skips the gray dust and regulatory headaches of diatomaceous earth. We walk through...

Ever walked up to a job and found the pool equipment living inside a freshly finished bedroom? We have—and that’s just the start. This story-driven episode shares the funniest, strangest, and most useful moments from decades on the route, each one paired with practical takeaways you can use today. We start with access and liability: a garage converted to a mother-in-law unit, complete with D.E. fi...