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A customer points at a stain on the deck and says your chemicals did it. Another swears you left the water running while they were on vacation. If you run a pool service route long enough, you’ll face claims like these, and how you respond can decide whether you keep the account, pay out of pocket, or protect your business the right way. I walk through the real-world business decisions behind those moments, including why general liability insurance is such a big deal for pool service pros. I compare it to auto insurance: even when you know you didn’t cause the problem, you need a system that can investigate, negotiate, and handle claims without derailing your month. I also talk about the uncomfortable truth that sometimes it’s cheaper to settle a small dispute than to fight forever, especially when the goal is keeping a good client and moving on. Then we get into pool service pricing and rate increases. I break down the psychology of why customers may accept big price hikes elsewhere but resist a $10 to $20 monthly increase for pool cleaning, and I share a practical “opt-out” approach that can reduce pushback while still keeping your business sustainable as fuel and chemical costs rise. We also cover contingency planning for injuries, sick-route coverage options, and how solo operators can keep accounts serviced with helpers, ride-alongs, or temporary coverage. Last, I share the best ways to learn pool repairs and specialty work without trying to do everything: start with basics like motors, pumps, filters, and plumbing, use manufacturer clinics, shadow experienced techs, and outsource complex heater repair when it doesn’t make sense to stock parts or troubleshoot in the field. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more service techs can find it. I answer the business questions pool pros ask me most, from customer complaints to pricing strategy to how to keep your route running when life hits hard. I share real stories from the field and the practical guardrails I use to protect the business while staying fair to customers. • handling claims that you caused stains, damage, or a high water bill • why general liability insurance protects you when accusations escalate • how to raise pool service rates without triggering cancellations • using an opt-out offer to reduce pushback on increases • what to do if you get hurt and can’t run your pool route • IPSA sick-route coverage and real-world backup options • learning installs and repairs through clinics, shadowing, and apprenticeships • choosing basic repairs to master and when to outsource heaters 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 pullguycoaching.com. 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

If you’re trying to grow a pool service business on your own, the hardest part usually isn’t the water chemistry, it’s the workload design. I walk through the real-world service questions I get all the time from pool pros, starting with the big one: can you be successful as a single-person operation, or do you need employees to “make it”? My take is clear: solo pool service can be very profitable, but only if you know your limits and stop stacking every repair, cleanup, and extra task onto an already full weekly route. From there, I get specific with benchmarks and decision points that affect your income and your sanity. We talk about how many pools per day is realistic for full service accounts, how route density and drive time change that number, and why nine to ten hour days quietly push you toward burnout. I also cover how mixing in faster stops like spas or chemical-only service can make a heavy day manageable without sacrificing quality for your customers. Finally, I share practical customer policies that save you time and keep you safe: what to do when a client asks you to come back for a non-emergency issue, how to handle locked gates and access problems, when a surcharge is fair, and why “the dog has to be put away” can be a serious red flag for any pool technician. If you want a tighter pool route, stronger boundaries, and more profit with less chaos, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review, what’s your current pools-per-day target? We answer the pool service questions we hear most, focusing on how a solo pool tech can stay profitable without getting overloaded. We share practical benchmarks for pools per day, route driving time, and the policies that protect your schedule, your pay, and your safety. • setting limits as a single-person pool service business • building a four-day route to avoid burnout • why monotony and weather make time off necessary • realistic targets for pools per day on full service accounts • using chemical-only and spa stops to balance a busy day • reducing windshield time by tightening territory • when to drop outlying pools and how buying a partial route can help • handling non-emergency call-backs with a courtesy invoice policy • what to do when you cannot access a backyard on service day • why vicious dogs and strict access rules are red flags Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program they're offering, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com. 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

A customer drops a brand new “deal” pool cleaner into the water and suddenly you’re the bad guy because it doesn’t clean, doesn’t climb, and can’t be repaired. We dig into a problem every pool service business faces now that Amazon and online pool supply shopping are effortless: homeowners buying their own pool equipment and pool products without understanding compatibility, quality, parts availability, or long term cost. We walk through real examples that show how cheap pool cleaners can poison the whole idea of automatic pool cleaning in a customer’s mind, even when the right cleaner would work great. Then we shift into a practical approach that actually helps: sending customers direct links to the exact models we recommend, giving them a second choice, and clearly explaining what makes a “throwaway” cleaner versus a rebuildable unit with parts support. From there we talk pool chemicals, especially trichlor tablets. Bucket size, season planning, and consistent sanitation matter, and buying the cheapest small bucket online can create mid season shortages and unstable chlorine levels. We also tackle the high risk request every tech hears sooner or later: “I bought a variable speed pool pump online, can you install it?” We cover warranties, performance differences, review red flags, and how to set expectations so you’re not stuck repeating the same install every few years. If you’ve ever dealt with parts price pushback, OEM vs generic confusion, or customers comparing your invoice to online listings, this conversation gives you language you can use right away. Subscribe for more pool service tips, share this with a tech who needs it, and leave a review with your best strategy for handling customer supplied parts. We break down why customer purchased pool gear often backfires, from bargain cleaners that barely move water to lookalike pumps with weak warranties. We share simple ways to guide online purchases, explain OEM value, and avoid endless price fights while keeping the pool running right. • why ultra cheap pool cleaners fail and damage trust in automatic cleaning • how to send recommended purchase links and offer a second best option • trichlor tablet buying mistakes around bucket size, season planning, and consistency • what to do when a customer asks you to install an Amazon variable speed pump • warning signs in reviews and warranties and how to frame replacement costs • handling parts markup pushback when Amazon shows lower prices • tactics that reduce conflict like leaving old parts on site and letting customers source certain items If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those on my website, swimmingpoolearning.com, on the podcast icon. Click on that, there'll be over 2,000 podcasts for you to download and listen to. And if you're interested in the coaching program that I offer can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. 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

Airbnb quietly made a big operational change: starting November 20, hosts can’t require guests to do physical “checkout chores.” That means no more relying on renters to cover the hot tub, test strips, reset spa mode, or handle any hands-on pool tasks. For pool service pros and vacation rental managers, this flips the script, because the pool and spa now need a tighter, more professional service plan to stay safe, clear, and review-proof. We walk through what heavy bather load really does to a short-term rental hot tub and why basic weekly service often isn’t enough. We talk practical sanitation strategies including Frog mineral systems, bromine tablet setups, saltwater generators, ozone and UV add-ons, and why liquid chlorine remains one of the fastest ways to shock and recover water between guests. We also get honest about the ugly realities: foam, sunscreen oils, and that moment when the water is “toast” and draining is the smartest move. Then we zoom into operations and pricing. Check-in and check-out timing can force extra trips, weekend calls, and fast turnarounds that feel more like commercial pool service than residential. We share ballpark per-visit rates, when to charge more, and how to speed things up with submersible pumps and filter swap strategies so you’re not stuck on-site burning your day. If you service Airbnb pools or want to, hit play, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review if it helps. What’s the hardest part of short-term rental pool and hot tub maintenance in your area? Airbnb quietly made a big operational change: starting November 20, hosts can’t require guests to do physical “checkout chores.” That means no more relying on renters to cover the hot tub, test strips, reset spa mode, or handle any hands-on pool tasks. For pool service pros and vacation rental managers, this flips the script, because the pool and spa now need a tighter, more professional service plan to stay safe, clear, and review-proof. We walk through what heavy bather load really does to a short-term rental hot tub and why basic weekly service often isn’t enough. We talk practical sanitation strategies including Frog mineral systems, bromine tablet setups, saltwater generators, ozone and UV add-ons, and why liquid chlorine remains one of the fastest ways to shock and recover water between guests. We also get honest about the ugly realities: foam, sunscreen oils, and that moment when the water is “toast” and draining is the smartest move. Then we zoom into operations and pricing. Check-in and check-out timing can force extra trips, weekend calls, and fast turnarounds that feel more like commercial pool service than residential. We share ballpark per-visit rates, when to charge more, and how to speed things up with submersible pumps and filter swap strategies so you’re not stuck on-site burning your day. If you service Airbnb pools or want to, hit play, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review if it helps. What’s the hardest part of short-term rental pool and hot tub maintenance in your area? 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

Dragging a 50-foot vacuum hose to every stop used to feel like “just the job,” but it quietly steals time, energy, and consistency from a pool service route. We walk through why manual vacuuming is so dependent on the customer’s equipment and why it often sends fine dirt straight into the filter instead of truly removing it. If you have ever fought low suction, air leaks, a tired pump, or a dirty cartridge while trying to vacuum a full pool, you’ll recognize the pain points immediately. We then map out how to make full manual vacuuming rare by designing your service accounts around automatic pool cleaners and smarter spot vacuuming. Suction cleaners, pressure-side cleaners, and even robotic cleaners can keep debris under control all week, so your weekly visit becomes a fast check, a quick touch-up, and a better overall result. We also talk about the reality of customer objections and pools that are not ideal for a cleaner, plus how to handle those accounts without wrecking your schedule. From there, we get practical about gear: self-contained battery vacuum systems that do not rely on the customer’s filtration, why their larger intake beats a standard vacuum head for leaves and acorns, and what the bag micron rating really means for fine dirt. We cover a major upgrade option that filters down to about 10 microns using a cartridge filter assembly, and we compare alternatives like Vac Daddy with a vacuum-to-waste adapter, Water Tech Pool Blaster style vacuums with sand and silt bags, and the Advantage Port A Vac 2.0 for dirt-heavy areas. If you want a faster pool cleaning workflow and a route that scales, listen through, then subscribe, share the episode with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more techs can find it. Dragging a 50-foot vacuum hose to every stop used to feel like “just the job,” but it quietly steals time, energy, and consistency from a pool service route. We walk through why manual vacuuming is so dependent on the customer’s equipment and why it often sends fine dirt straight into the filter instead of truly removing it. If you have ever fought low suction, air leaks, a tired pump, or a dirty cartridge while trying to vacuum a full pool, you’ll recognize the pain points immediately. We then map out how to make full manual vacuuming rare by designing your service accounts around automatic pool cleaners and smarter spot vacuuming. Suction cleaners, pressure-side cleaners, and even robotic cleaners can keep debris under control all week, so your weekly visit becomes a fast check, a quick touch-up, and a better overall result. We also talk about the reality of customer objections and pools that are not ideal for a cleaner, plus how to handle those accounts without wrecking your schedule. From there, we get practical about gear: self-contained battery vacuum systems that do not rely on the customer’s filtration, why their larger intake beats a standard vacuum head for leaves and acorns, and what the bag micron rating really means for fine dirt. We cover a major upgrade option that filters down to about 10 microns using a cartridge filter assembly, and we compare alternatives like Vac Daddy with a vacuum-to-waste adapter, Water Tech Pool Blaster style vacuums with sand and silt bags, and the Advantage Port A Vac 2.0 for dirt-heavy areas. If you want a faster pool cleaning workflow and a route that scales, listen through, then subscribe, share the episode with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more techs can find it. 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

You walk into the backyard and your stomach drops: the surface is covered in debris, there’s dust floating on top, and the cleaner looks like it gave up days ago. When a pool “isn’t working,” the fastest path to a fix is a calm, repeatable troubleshooting order, and that’s what I lay out here for pool service techs and anyone responsible for pool circulation and water clarity.  I start at the controls because the easiest failures are often human ones. Standalone variable speed pumps can get knocked out of their weekly schedule with a single Start/Stop press, and some customers will do it just to quiet the equipment during a party. From there, I move through automation and timers, including what to look for with mechanical trippers, what a quick reset can solve on certain panels, and why a bad relay can trick you into thinking the pump motor is dead.  Next we use the numbers that don’t lie: filter PSI and flow. Low pressure can point to an impeller clog or diffuser issue, and I explain a simple way to clear debris and verify the pump basket isn’t cracked. High pressure usually means the filter is dirty, so we cover DE backwash and recharge, sand backwash, cartridge cleaning, and the telltale signs that cartridges or grids are simply worn out. I also hit cleaner-side problems like jammed heads, skimmer restrictions, side-port issues, and vac lock shutoffs, plus the overlooked reality that the runtime might be set far too low.  If you want more practical pool equipment diagnostics and service shortcuts, subscribe, share this with a tech who’s been burned by a “mystery” pool, and leave a review so more pros can find the show. A pool that looks like it hasn’t run all week usually has a simple cause if you troubleshoot in the right order. I walk through a practical checklist to confirm the pump schedule, pinpoint control problems, and restore flow before you start replacing parts. • spotting the visual signs of poor circulation and cleaner stoppage • checking standalone VS pump Start/Stop mistakes and customer habits • resetting automation when schedules glitch and verifying timers and trippers • diagnosing bad relays in automation panels before blaming the motor • recognizing capacitor failure sounds and confirming power to the pump • using filter PSI to separate impeller clogs from dirty filter problems • clearing the impeller safely and inspecting the pump basket for cracks • backwashing DE and sand filters and cleaning cartridge filters properly • identifying worn cartridges or DE grids when performance drops fast • fixing suction-side cleaner clogs plus side-port vac lock shutoffs • confirming runtime settings when the system runs too few hours Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. You can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. 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

“First month free” sounds like a fast way to land new pool service accounts, but it can quietly bring the exact customers you do not want: bargain hunters who chase deals, resist proper maintenance, and drop you the second you raise rates. We dig into why discounting your core monthly service is a pricing trap and how it can make your business look low-cost and easy to replace. Then we lay out better pool service marketing tactics that still give prospects a strong reason to choose you. We talk through tangible lead-ins like a free first filter cleaning (with a clear stated value), and how a discounted automatic pool cleaner can be a win for both sides: the customer gets a deal, and you get a pool that stays cleaner and faster to maintain. We also unpack supplier and manufacturer discount programs that can help you offer incentives without eating your profit. Finally, we get practical about growth decisions. We cover referral kickbacks that motivate real word-of-mouth, delayed “coupon” style incentives that protect your monthly rate, and when a small discount can be worth it, like tying a reduced green pool cleanup price to a new ongoing service account or responding to a competitor who underbids you by $20. If you want to grow your pool route without racing to the bottom, this one is a playbook. Subscribe for more pool service business advice, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with your best client-winning discount idea. We break down why “first month free” attracts the wrong pool service customers and weakens your pricing. We share smarter discount ideas that help you win better long-term accounts while protecting your pool service business. • why free-first-month deals tend to attract bargain hunters and short-term clients • how discounting the monthly rate signals low-budget service • using a free filter cleaning as a high-value lead-in • offering a discounted automatic pool cleaner to improve service efficiency • building a referral kickback program with gift cards after account retention • timing discounts later with coupons for future filter cleanings • when it makes sense to discount cleanups, installs, or match a small underbid Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. you can learn more at poopcoaching.com. 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

A vacuum cart looks like the obvious “pro” upgrade until you have to live with it on your truck every day. We walk through the real decision pool service techs face when buying a pool vacuum system: go with a carted powerhouse like a Riptide SL or Hammerhead, or keep it simple with a portable, cartless setup that’s faster to deploy and easier to store. Along the way, we get specific about what matters in the field, not just on a spec sheet.  We compare Riptide vs Hammerhead carts, talk weight and maneuverability, and explain why price jumps sharply when you add a full cart and transport rack. Then we shift to cartless options, including the challenges of heavier uncarted units and why portable cleaners like the Bottom Feeder and Shrimp can be a better fit when you only vacuum once or twice a day. If you’ve ever wondered how much battery runtime you really need on a pool route, we break down the practical reality of vacuum time per pool and what charging between stops can solve.  Truck clearance and workflow become the make-or-break details: hitch receivers, tailgate access, parking risks, driveway dips, speed bumps, and whether a side-mount solution is worth it. We also dig into debris type, because leaf-heavy routes reward raw power, while dirt-heavy areas may benefit from finer filtration options like a cartridge filter upgrade on certain portable systems.  If you’re buying a pool service vacuum and want fewer regrets, listen through, then match your choice to your service area and habits. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with the vacuum setup you’re running right now. We break down the real tradeoffs between buying a pool vacuum system with a service cart versus going cartless, and why the “best” choice changes with your route. We compare popular systems, talk through truck and gate logistics, and land on a simple rule: choose based on debris, frequency of use, and how you actually work day to day. • carted vacuum options narrowed to Riptide and Hammerhead • weight and maneuverability differences between the carts and vacuum heads • real pricing gap between carted and uncarted setups • why the Riptide XP can be frustrating to handle without a cart • cartless alternatives like Bottom Feeder and Shrimp for speed and convenience • truck clearance issues with transport racks and tailgate access • parking and driveway dip risks with hitch-mounted carts • benefits of a cart for carrying gear and looking professional • battery runtime realities and why bigger is not always better • matching vacuum choice to local debris like leaves versus fine dirt • cartridge filter option for finer dirt capture on portable units Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at pullguidecoaching.com. If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, somebodyfolearning.com. On the banner, click on the podcast icon. There'll be a drop down menu with over 2,000 podcasts for you there. 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

HOA community pools look like “just another commercial account” until you’ve serviced one and tried to win one. We’re pulling back the curtain on why HOA pools can be some of the most profitable, reliable, and scalable stops for a pool service business, and where they can quietly become a headache if you don’t understand how the community works. We walk through what makes HOA pools different from apartment complex and hotel pools, starting with the biggest advantage: homeowners fund the amenity through monthly assessments, so the pool area and pool equipment are often kept in solid shape. Then we get real about the downside: residents may confront you like they’re the boss. We explain who actually has authority (the HOA board) and why your best path to landing HOA pool contracts is usually through HOA management companies, not door knocking for board members. From there, we share practical commercial pool bidding advice that helps you win: keep the proposal simple, make it one page, put your price at the top, and highlight any commercial pool experience you already have. We also cover smart pricing for HOA pool service, including visit frequency, pool size, heavy bather load, health department logs, and the built-in “headache factor” you need to get paid for. If you want steadier cash flow, fewer payment battles, and a clearer path to scaling, this is the lane to consider. Subscribe for more pool service business strategy, share this with a tech who’s ready to go commercial, and leave a review so more pros can find the show. What’s the biggest challenge you face with commercial pool accounts right now? We break down why HOA community pools can be some of the most lucrative and stable commercial pool accounts, and why they’re different from apartment and hotel pools. We share how HOA boards and management companies think, what makes a bid stand out, and how we price these accounts so the work stays profitable. • what HOA community pools are and how funding works through monthly assessments • why HOA pools and equipment are often maintained better, plus the homeowner conflict downside • how to approach HOA management companies to get invited to bid • what boards want in a proposal, including the one-page bid rule and putting the price at the top • why the lowest bid usually loses and how reputation and commercial experience win trust • how to estimate pricing using visit frequency, pool size, markup, and health department logging • how to evaluate equipment during the walkthrough and reduce future “surprise” repairs • why HOA sites are often easier to keep clean and why HOAs tend to pay vendors reliably Learn more at Swimmy Poollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com. 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

Leslie’s Pool Supplies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the first reaction is panic, but the more important question is what it reveals about where the pool industry is headed. We walk through what Chapter 11 actually means, why it doesn’t automatically mean “going out of business,” and how a restructuring can keep a brand alive while creditors end up controlling the company. We also talk about the likely impact of closing roughly 150 underperforming locations and what that could mean for pool owners and pool pros who depend on nearby inventory. Then we zoom out to the real drivers behind the pressure on retail pool stores. The COVID-era pool boom created a spike in builds, remodels, and chemical demand, but that surge was always temporary as people returned to travel and normal routines. When sales cool, debt and fixed store costs hit harder, and the pool business is already seasonal by nature. We explain why seasonality makes pool pricing feel high, why quarterly results swing wildly, and why investors often misunderstand how pool revenue actually works. Finally, we dig into the disruptive force that’s accelerating everything: online pool supplies and cheap, fast-shipped pool parts. Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot don’t just compete on price and convenience, they also break the in-store “impulse buy” model that helps specialty retailers survive. We share real-world examples of generic parts showing up online for far less than traditional channels, and why that matters for retailers, wholesalers, and service companies over the next three to five years. Subscribe for more straight talk on pool business trends, share this with a pool pro or pool owner who’s feeling the changes, and leave a review with your take: are you buying more pool parts online now, or sticking with local suppliers? Leslie’s Chapter 11 filing signals a major shakeup in pool retail, even if the company keeps operating after restructuring. We break down why the bankruptcy happens, how store closures affect supply access, and why online parts and big box competition are the real long-term threat. • what Chapter 11 bankruptcy means for a retail pool chain and why it often ends with the business continuing • why creditors taking control can keep stores operating while shareholders get wiped out • how pandemic-driven pool sales surge fades and exposes debt and expansion risk • why online buying removes impulse sales that retail pool stores depend on • how Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Costco change where people buy pool chemicals and equipment • why the pool industry’s seasonality drives higher prices and unstable quarterly performance • how generic pool parts online pressure wholesalers, retailers, and pool pros on pricing • what store closures mean for consumers who rely on local inventory and advice If you're looking for other podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swingpoolearning.com, clicking on the podcast icon, and from there you can down you can listen to over 2,000 podcasts. And if you're interested in a coaching program they're offered, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. 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

“Trichlor is 99% chlorine” sounds like a slam-dunk reason to buy tablets, right until you read what the label is actually saying. We sit down with Bob Lowry to untangle one of the most persistent swimming pool industry myths: confusing product purity with chlorine strength. Along the way, we translate the language on chlorine buckets into real pool math you can use on a service route, in a retail store, or when a homeowner asks why their water chemistry keeps drifting. We walk through why the industry uses “available chlorine” in the first place, using chlorine gas as the historical benchmark. Bob explains how that comparison can mislead people who assume the biggest percentage on the label equals the most sanitizing power in the water. We also talk about what trichlor really brings with it, including the stabilizer side of the equation, and why understanding cyanuric acid (CYA) is key to keeping free chlorine effective. Then we tackle cal-hypo myths head-on. If you’ve ever heard that calcium hypochlorite “doesn’t add much calcium,” Bob gives a simple rule of thumb: for every 10 ppm of chlorine you add, you add about 7 ppm of calcium. That matters a lot in high-calcium fill water areas, and it changes how you think about long-term scaling, water balance, and product selection. We also get into how different available chlorine percentages change dosing, why some cal-hypo tablets require much more product, and how a basic spreadsheet can reveal the true cost per equivalent pound of chlorine. If you care about pool chemistry, water balance, and choosing the right sanitizer for your market, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro who still quotes the “99%” line, and leave a review with the myth you want us to debunk next. We clear up pool chemistry myths that keep getting repeated, especially the idea that trichlor is “99% chlorine” and therefore the strongest sanitizer. We also break down what “available chlorine” really means and why cal-hypo use can quietly drive up calcium hardness over time. • why “99%” refers to purity of the compound rather than chlorine strength • how chlorine gas became the reference point for available chlorine • what “available chlorine” on the label is actually comparing • why trichlor use also brings cyanuric acid into the pool • the practical rule of thumb for cal-hypo and calcium hardness buildup • why water region and fill water hardness change cal-hypo outcomes • how different cal-hypo percentages affect dosing and cost • using a simple spreadsheet to compare true chlorine cost Join my coaching program and take your pool service to the next level. Learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. And if you're looking for other podcast episodes, you can find those by going to my website, swimmingpro learning.com. And if you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolcoaching.com. 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

Evaporation is not “free water replacement” and it definitely is not a magic drain for cyanuric acid. I sit down with Bob Lowry to tackle the pool chemistry myths we keep hearing from techs, customers, and sometimes even product literature. If you service pools or manage your own, this conversation helps you separate what sounds true from what is actually happening in the water. We start with a stabilizer myth that refuses to die: the idea that trichlor tablets do not raise CYA much in hot, dry areas because pools lose so much water to evaporation. Bob explains why evaporation works like distillation, meaning only pure water leaves the pool while dissolved solids stay behind. From there, we talk through the real-world math of what trichlor adds over a season, why CYA only leaves through actual water loss like backwashing, splash out, bather drag out, leaks, or intentional draining, and how that impacts chlorine effectiveness. Next we take on the “liquid chlorine adds too much salt” claim and put TDS into context. Every chlorine type leaves a byproduct, and we compare what builds up from dichlor and trichlor, sodium hypochlorite, and cal-hypo. We also dig into acid choices, including why muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate are not the same tool, how sulfate buildup can contribute to calcium sulfate scale that may not show up on the LSI, and what that means for long-term pool water balance. If you want fewer surprises and better pool maintenance outcomes, listen through and share this with a pool pro who still believes one of these myths. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us which chemistry myth you hear most often. We sit down with Bob Lowry to break down pool chemistry myths that keep circulating in the industry and explain what actually builds up in the water over time. We walk through trichlor, liquid chlorine, cal-hypo, and acid choices so you can stop guessing and make smarter decisions on your route. • evaporation removing only pure water not cyanuric acid • trichlor tablet use driving CYA up week after week • liquid chlorine adding salt in small predictable amounts • why all chlorine types ultimately add to TDS • cal-hypo steadily increasing calcium hardness over a season • why muriatic acid and dry acid are not interchangeable • sulfate buildup leading to calcium sulfate scale outside LSI • dry acid storage issues due to deliquescence • clearing up the dry acid with chlorine generator warning Learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. 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

Your pool can test “fine” on chlorine and still struggle to stay clear, safe, and algae-free. The missing piece is often cyanuric acid (CYA), the stabilizer that protects chlorine from UV sunlight but also controls how much chlorine is actually active at any moment. When CYA climbs too high, the kill speed drops, problems linger longer, and the fix is rarely just “add more chlorine.”  We walk through what cyanuric acid is, why the pool industry embraced it, and the chemistry most people never hear: the majority of chlorine becomes bound to CYA, leaving only a small percentage immediately available. That equilibrium can be a benefit at normal levels, but it turns into a liability at 100, 150, or 200 ppm, where effectiveness falls off a cliff. We also dig into how CYA influences overall water balance, including pH buffering and why adjusted alkalinity matters when you’re thinking about LSI and avoiding scale or corrosion.  Then we get practical. If CYA doesn’t evaporate, how does it ever go down, and why does it seem to rise every summer? We connect stabilized chlorine tablets, ongoing chemical additions, and the reality that only real water loss lowers CYA. We compare partial drain and refill with alternative methods like alum floc, including the labor, cleanup, and rebalancing that can follow.  If you want better pool water chemistry, stronger chlorine effectiveness, and fewer recurring problems, listen through, then subscribe, share this with a pool owner or pool service pro, and leave a review with your biggest CYA question. We break down why cyanuric acid (CYA) helps chlorine survive sunlight but can also make chlorine far less effective when the level gets too high. We explain the chemistry in plain terms, then walk through the most realistic ways to bring CYA back down and keep it from creeping up again. • why the industry calls cyanuric acid a stabilizer and conditioner • how sunlight destroys unstabilized chlorine and why CYA changed pool service • what it means when chlorine bonds with CYA and stays in equilibrium • how high CYA slows kill speed even with “good” chlorine readings • why CYA affects pH buffering and adjusted alkalinity calculations • why drain and refill is the simplest reliable CYA reduction method • how alum floc works, the cleanup hassle, and concerns about leftover aluminum • why CYA does not evaporate and keeps building without real water loss Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in my coaching program, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com. 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

Low pH is one of the most expensive “quiet problems” in pool care, because it doesn’t just make water feel off, it can actively eat your pool. We sit down with legendary pool chemistry expert Bob Lowry and walk through what aggressive, corrosive water really means in the real world: plaster that starts to etch and turn rough, metal components that dissolve into the water, and the frustrating moment when invisible copper or iron finally hits a saturation point and shows up as stains. If you’ve ever wondered why damage seems to appear “all at once,” this explains the chain reaction.  We also dig into why vinyl liner pools and fiberglass pools can see pH drift lower more often than plaster pools, and why low pH can be harsher on vinyl than high chlorine levels. Then we pivot to spa and hot tub chemistry, where acidic sanitizers like trichlor or dichlor, bather load, and aeration all push pH and total alkalinity in different directions. We tie it back to swimmer comfort, eye and skin irritation, and why combined chlorine (chloramines) becomes noticeable and irritating at surprisingly low levels.  To close, we lay out practical correction strategies you can use immediately: when borax makes sense, why baking soda is mainly for total alkalinity (and not a true pH fix), when soda ash is the right call because it raises both pH and alkalinity, and how aeration can raise pH after you dial alkalinity in. We also revisit the pH versus chlorine effectiveness debate in the age of cyanuric acid, and why maintaining the right free chlorine level matters more than obsessing over tiny pH swings. Subscribe, share this with a pool owner or tech who’s fighting “mystery stains,” and leave a review with your biggest pH question. We break down what really happens when pool pH gets too low and why “aggressive” water quietly destroys surfaces, equipment, and even vinyl color. We also share simple, practical rules for testing and correcting pH and alkalinity without guessing. • low pH making water corrosive and etching plaster • dissolved metals reaching saturation then showing up as stains • copper and iron coming from equipment corrosion or fill water • why vinyl and fiberglass pools drift low without calcium and alkalinity sources • low pH damaging vinyl faster than many expect • spa and hot tub factors including acidic sanitizers and bather load • swimmer comfort range and why chloramines irritate at very low levels • when to use borax, soda ash, or baking soda based on pH and total alkalinity • using aeration to raise pH after alkalinity is set • why cyanuric acid changes the old “pH controls chlorine power” thinking If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those by go to my website, swingprolearning.com on the banner. Click on the podcast icon. That'll take you to a drop down menu with over 2,000 podcasts. If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. 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

“Trichlor is 90% available chlorine, so it must be the strongest” sounds logical until you follow the math all the way through. We sit down with Bob Lowry to untangle the biggest chlorine strength myth in pool care, breaking down what “available chlorine” actually means, why the industry compares everything to chlorine gas, and how a percentage on a bucket can mislead even experienced pool owners and pool service pros. We talk through the practical way to think about dosing: pounds of chlorine delivered to the water. That’s where liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) often surprises people, because a gallon of 12.5% can deliver about a pound of available chlorine even though the label number looks “small.” We also unpack why trichlor’s label ends up doubled when compared to the chlorine gas standard, and how competing terms like weight percent, trade percent, and liquid concentration keep the marketplace confusing. From there, we zoom out to the real-world tradeoffs that matter more than bragging rights: every chlorine type adds something to the pool. Liquid chlorine adds salt over time, cal hypo adds calcium, and stabilized chlorines like dichlor and trichlor add cyanuric acid. We also get blunt about saltwater chlorine generators: they do make chlorine, along with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, which ties directly to rising pH, corrosion risk when water evaporates and leaves salt behind, and the need for proper bonding to avoid electrolysis problems. If you’ve ever relied on “boost” mode to shock, we explain why that’s not the same as rapid superchlorination. Subscribe for more pool water chemistry clarity, share this with a pool owner who argues about tablet vs liquid, and leave a review with the chlorine question you want us to tackle next. We clear up the myth that a higher percentage on the label automatically means a stronger pool sanitizer. We walk through how “available chlorine” is calculated, why chlorine gas is the comparison standard, and what salt systems really produce in your water. • why liquid chlorine can deliver about a pound of chlorine per gallon • how trichlor’s “available chlorine” number is based on a comparison standard • weight percent vs trade percent and why labels confuse buyers • what chlorine gas actually does in water and why the standard persists • the hidden add-ons from each chlorine type: salt, calcium, cyanuric acid • why saltwater generators are chlorine generators and what else they create • output limits, voltage/current issues, and salt level problems that reduce chlorine production • corrosion, evaporation salt residue, and why proper bonding matters • why SWGs raise pH and why boost mode is not a true shock Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support from me. Learn more at Swimming Poollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swingpoollearning.com. 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