The Pool Envy® Podcast

I just want the cheapest contractor because I can’t afford it right now.” I get it. But pools punish cheap decisions because the savings up front often come back as a bigger invoice later: rework, delays, failed inspections, buried defects, safety issues, and finger-pointing when something goes wrong. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® breaks down anonymous mid-build disaster patterns: th...

The pool looked fine—until it didn’t. And by the time it turns into a dispute, the conversation changes completely.   When a pool project goes sideways, the internet gets loud—but the real world gets quiet: paperwork, photos, timelines, and standards. In this episode, Jason Davies (Pool Envy®, Florida CPC1460695) breaks down what actually matters when a project crosses the line from “built” to “de...

Don’t add salt to a new pool too early. That one startup mistake can contribute to plaster damage, scaling, dusting, efflorescence, and delamination — and it often gets blamed on the saltwater system. “My saltwater system destroyed my plaster.” It’s one of the most common and expensive misdiagnoses in the pool industry. In this episode, Jason Davies explains why salt chlorinators are almost never...

Every pool pad has that rusty metal time clock hanging near the pump — sometimes “weatherproofed” with an upside-down ice cream bucket. That little box helped create some of the worst advice in the pool industry, because it trained homeowners to chase “minimum hours” instead of water quality, circulation, filtration, and system safety. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® explains why pump...

If you have ever seen a “new plaster day” celebration turn into an “is this normal?” panic post — dusting, streaks, footprints, blotchy spots, or rough areas — this episode is for you. Jason Davies of Pool Envy® explains why many new pool plaster problems begin in the first 24–48 hours, sometimes before the pool is even fully filled. In plain homeowner and contractor language, we cover what new pl...

Cash sounds simple. Skipping permits sounds faster. But those shortcuts can turn into fines, forced tear-outs, insurance headaches, failed inspections, and expensive fixes — sometimes years later, right when you try to sell. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® breaks down what really happens when work is done without permits, or when an owner-builder permit is used the wrong way. We discus...

This short episode was recorded from a Florida beach, but the topic is serious: what homeowners should think about before a pool project goes sideways. Jason Davies of Pool Envy® explains why pool scams, unfinished jobs, vague scopes of work, change orders, and “licensed” contractors who suddenly go quiet can leave homeowners stuck with expensive problems. We discuss how to look at pool quotes, co...

Certified vs. Licensed: They Said They Were Licensed… But They Lied — They Were Only Certified In Florida, “certified” and “licensed” can sound similar, but they are not the same thing when someone is advertising pool work. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® breaks down one of the pool industry’s favorite tricks: using training certificates, credentials, or vague “licensed and insured” la...

Your unlicensed pool contractor may not hate you — but the risk they leave behind can feel like they do. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® explains how unlicensed pool work can shift risk onto the homeowner: insurance problems, neighbor-damage liability, resale issues, rework costs, permit problems, and disputes that can become expensive fast. We bust common homeowner myths:  “He’s been...

Most pools look fine… until something happens and the insurance company shows up.   Then suddenly the “perfect” backyard becomes a liability map.   In this short episode, Jason Davies (Pool Envy®, Florida CPC1460695) breaks down the exact scenario he sees over and over: beautiful pools hiding dangerous code violations, missing bonding, old components, bad drain covers, and zero documentation — all...

Florida pool season is here — and so are the “pay the deposit and pray” horror stories. Too many projects stall after a big check. In this short episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® gives homeowners and honest contractors a clear, statute-anchored playbook so you do not become the next cautionary tale. We cover Florida’s over-10% deposit rule, the 30-day permit application clock, the 90-day start-w...

This week had range. Jason tracks down a diesel return-line drip on the plaster truck, spends time sharpening the website and comms, lands the most fun project of the year , and explains why November in Wisconsin is the perfect window to hydroblast and set a project up for a fast spring start. We keep it big picture, not DIY —how we diagnose, how we communicate with owners and AHJs, and why the me...

Title: Pool Heater Gas Sizing: Heat Without Headaches Summary: Your heater doesn’t run on vibes—it runs on pressure and volume . In this episode we define what “good” looks like under IFGC §402 / NFPA 54 so owners and builders can communicate clearly and avoid the lockout blame game. No DIY here—this is the big picture, outcomes, and documentation you should expect from a licensed pro. Safety note...

Pool equipotential bonding is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — electrical safety requirements around a swimming pool. In this short episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® walks through NEC 680.26 in plain language: why bonding exists, what it actually does, and the key sections contractors, inspectors, and pool owners need to understand. We cover the “Ring of Safety,” perimeter su...

Why do so many pool projects melt down? It usually is not “too much regulation.” It is too little planning. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® breaks down the fast-“yes” incentives, missing scopes of work, and communication gaps that push homeowners, builders, and inspectors into conflict. We walk through a clear case study involving gas meter and regulator sizing, then cover the homeowne...

Tight closets and “creative” vents do not make comfort — they make risk. In this episode, Jason Davies of Pool Envy® explains why a gas pool heater needs a proper air path to operate safely. We break down the air-in, air-out, and room-pressure problem: combustion air, venting, exhaust, and the clues that show up when a heater is struggling to breathe. On real walk-ins, those clues can include whit...

This trailer sets the tone for Pool Envy® —the show where licensed expertise meets real-world practice. Expect: Code clarity: ISPSC , VGB , NEC 680 —decoded into do-this-not-that steps Compliance in the field: inspections, plan review, permitting, barrier & entrapment safety Subtle nuances the industry misses: hydraulics/turnover, AHJ interpretations, contractor best practices Business that st...