The Pool Guy Podcast Show

Growing a pool service business comes down to clear choices and honest math: buy a route, build organically, or blend both. Each path has tradeoffs in cash, time, and risk. Buying through a trusted broker can deliver instant revenue and a safety net, but it requires real capital and commitment. Building through ads and local outreach can be cheaper per account, but it demands relentless effort and...

The work is honest, the sun is relentless, and the clock on your knees is louder than you think. That reality sparked a straight‑talk conversation about converting today’s pool service income into tomorrow’s durable, low‑friction cash flow. We dig into three realistic paths—scaling your route into a managed operation, investing in the markets, and building a real estate portfolio—and break down th...

Most routes bleed time and money during filter season, not because the work is hard, but because the system behind it is fuzzy. We break down a simple framework that keeps your margins healthy, your schedule predictable, and your clients happy: when to clean, how to price, what to replace, and which tools shave minutes off every stop. We start with the big decision: include filter cleaning in your...

Electricity and water don’t forgive small mistakes. We walk through the real hazards hiding at the equipment pad and show how two simple safeguards—proper bonding and a working GFCI—stop shocks, fires, and scary surprises before they start. From tracing that lone copper wire to pressing the GFCI test button, we share the steps pros use daily and the stories that make those habits stick. You’ll hea...

Pressure doesn’t look dangerous—until the instant it is. We take you right to the two moments that matter most in filter service—when the lid comes off and when it goes back on—and show you how to turn a risky task into a safe, repeatable routine. We start by reframing the filter as a pressure vessel, not a harmless canister. Sand filters are usually one-piece and lower risk; cartridge and DE filt...

Storm clouds don’t just bring water—they rewrite your entire pool route. We dive into a practical, low-drama system for handling rain without wasting chemicals, damaging equipment, or risking your safety. From the first messy storms of the season to those frustrating back-to-back rainy Tuesdays, we share how to protect margins and maintain clean, clear water with decisions based on forecast patter...

Ever opened a pump lid and watched the pool start emptying onto the pad? We’ve been there, and today we map out the simple field habits that stop the flood, speed up service, and keep clients happy. From spotting below-waterline equipment to shutting down both sides of the system, we share practical, low-cost tricks that save a service day—think tennis balls in skimmers, expanding chamois in retur...

Ready to earn more without adding more hours to your week? We break down three practical paths pool pros use to scale: hiring your first tech with clean pricing and standards, selling select accounts for lump‑sum cash, and building passive income that compounds over time. You’ll hear the exact numbers, the customer conversations that make handoffs smooth, and the realistic headaches to expect so y...

A runaway hose, a rooftop spa, and a driveway that cost $90,000 to fix—small choices can turn a routine stop into a six-figure claim. We dive into the three risks that quietly drain profits for pool professionals: water damage, chemical spills, and water chemistry mistakes. Along the way, we share hard-earned stories and the simple, repeatable habits that keep clients happy, claims rare, and premi...

A pool route looks peaceful from the curb, but the work sits where chemistry, electricity, plumbing, and customer trust collide. We brought on Sean Reardon, the insurance broker serving the United Pool Association, to unpack the real risks pool technicians face and why generic coverage so often misses the mark. From the UPA’s origins as a mutual support network to the evolution of group policies b...

Copper promises a cleaner pool with less work, but the chemistry tells a different story. We walk through what copper really does well—suppressing algae at low levels—and where it falls short, especially on fast disinfection and heavy oxidation. If you have ever wondered why water looks clear but still isn’t truly safe, or why blond hair turns green after a weekend swim, this conversation connects...

Think a four-hour pump schedule is “good enough”? We put that myth to rest with clear math, real-world examples, and a simple plan for dialing in filtration so you stop chasing cloudy water and recurring algae. With Bob Lowry in the chair, we unpack why three turnovers is the sweet spot for clarity and safety, how to measure true flow instead of guessing, and what happens to sanitizer when circula...

Algae keeps coming back even when your test reads “plenty of chlorine”? Here’s the missing piece: cyanuric acid quietly ties up most of your free chlorine, leaving only a small slice as active HOCl. We dig into the real chemistry behind clear water, then translate the math into one simple rule you can use on every stop. We walk through the practical percentage target that actually prevents algae:...

Cold water changes everything. As temperatures slide, algae take a back seat, chlorine demand dips, and the Langelier Saturation Index tilts toward corrosive—quiet shifts that can quietly chew through plaster and equipment if you are not paying attention. We sit down with industry legend Bob Lowry to map a simple, reliable winter playbook that protects the vessel, extends gear life, and saves mone...

Ever wondered why your chlorine test reads fine but algae still shows up? We pull back the curtain on the hidden math behind tablets, explaining how cyanuric acid quietly slows chlorine and why a “set-and-forget” trichlor program can turn into a chemistry treadmill. You’ll learn the simple 5% rule—keep free chlorine at roughly five percent of your CYA—and see how that single ratio restores predict...

What if the fastest way to grow your pool service isn’t a new ad, but a missed call you never return? We walk through the simple, repeatable habits top plumbers, HVAC techs, and landscapers use to win business—and show exactly how to apply them to pool care. The playbook is straightforward: answer quickly, look professional, write clear bids, and respect the clock. Do these well and you’ll close m...

Tired of wrestling with outlets and extension cords just to vacuum a pool? We dig into the new battery that turns the VacDaddy’s 55 GPM suction into a truly portable solution and lay out exactly where this tool shines: routine service, storm cleanups, shallow features, and green pool recoveries. Without sacrificing power, the battery removes the biggest friction point—finding a plug—while keeping...

Forecasts only matter when they help you make better moves. We lay out a clear-eyed view of the 2026 pool season: modest 2–3% industry growth, a slowdown in new builds, and a steady shift toward service demand—especially across apartments, HOAs, and townhome communities where shared pools are now standard amenities. If you’ve wondered whether to raise rates, chase commercial accounts, or lean into...

Cold water doesn’t just chill your pool—it changes how your salt system works. We break down what really happens when temperatures drop, why most cells throttle or shut off around 50 to 60 degrees, and how to keep water clear without burning through gear or cash. If you’ve ever wondered whether to pull the cell, which sanitizer to lean on, or how to set yourself up for an easy spring, this walkthr...

Looking for a faster, lighter way to vacuum pools without hauling a cart? We break down the new Shrimp kit and stack it against the trusted Bottom Feeder to help you decide what actually fits your route, your pools, and your budget. From first impressions to field use, we get specific about size, throat diameter, runtime, handling, and durability—so you can choose based on results, not hype. We st...

If you clean pools for a living, the vacuum system you choose can either speed up your route or slow you down at every backyard gate. We break down cart-based workhorses like Riptide and Hammerhead and match them against cartless contenders including the Bottom Feeder, Shrimp, Power Vac’s relaunch, Riptide XP, and the Hammerhead Remora. You’ll hear clear pros and cons on power, maneuverability, du...

Tired of losing accounts to low-price flyers or “I’ll handle it in winter” cancellations? We share a practical retention system that keeps clients loyal by focusing on what they feel at home: fast replies, reliable visits, crystal water, and billing they can trust. No fluff—just the habits that stop churn before it starts. Water quality makes or breaks loyalty, so we outline a preventive playbook:...

Ever wonder what the numbers really look like behind a pool service route? We pull back the curtain with a clear, practical breakdown of a 45-pool operation charging $185 per month, then map the journey from gross revenue to true take-home pay. You’ll hear how recurring service, tight expense control, and smart tax choices can turn a four-day workweek into roughly $5,000 in monthly net income with...

Ever finish a stop, glance at the truck, and realize you’re down to one gallon of chlorine with six pools to go? That pit-in-the-stomach moment is avoidable, and we walk through a field-tested system to keep your route moving without last-minute supplier runs or apologetic reschedules. Our goal is simple: turn your truck and garage into a lean, reliable inventory that protects your time and your b...

Cold weather doesn’t put a year‑round pool on pause—it rewrites the playbook. We walk through the real rules of winter care for open pools in warmer regions, showing you how to keep water clear, equipment safe, and surfaces protected when temperatures drop. From algae myths to smarter chemistry, you’ll get a practical framework you can use the same day. First, we tackle the big misconception: cold...