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Fire features have become an increasingly important part of outdoor living design, giving pool builders and designers new ways to create conversation areas, gathering spaces and architectural focal points around the backyard. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Chuck Nitschke, National Director of Sales at The Outdoor Plus, to take a closer look at what’s trending in fire pits and fire tables. We discuss how builders and designers are choosing between linear, round and rustic styles, why proportions and placement matter, and how products are being designed around everything from poolside entertaining to dining and larger gathering spaces. Nitschke also walks us through some of the products getting attention from builders and designers, including the Del Mar, Unity, Catalina, Mesa, Newport and Alameda. We discuss the growing role of customization, the advantages of different materials, natural gas versus concealed propane, custom sizing and the different burner configurations available to control the presentation of the flame. We also look at where the category is headed next as manufacturers continue to combine fire with new materials, lighting and increasingly functional outdoor furniture concepts. If you’re a pool builder, designer or outdoor living professional looking for ideas on incorporating fire into your next project, this episode offers an inside look at the products, applications and design trends shaping the category. Send us Fan Mail AquaBlu MosaicsAquaBlu Mosaics is a leading provider of mosaic tile and custom mosaics for swimming pools and spas.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Automatic pool covers have long been associated with safety, but their role in the modern backyard goes much further. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Tom Dankel, Vice President of Aquamatic Cover Systems, to discuss how rising energy costs, water conservation, maintenance and changing pool designs are influencing the conversation around automatic covers. Dankel shares insights from more than four decades in the industry, including how covers can reduce evaporation and operating costs, the distinction between ASTM safety covers and trackless systems, and the design considerations builders need to address early in a project. We also discuss solutions for freeform and unconventional pool shapes, as well as the growing retrofit opportunity for existing pools. It’s a practical conversation about how automatic pool covers fit into the way pools are being designed, built and used today. Send us Fan Mail Aquamatic Cover SystemsAquamatic Cover Systems are the industry leaders in retractable swimming pool safety cover systems.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Is fall the best time to start planning a pool renovation? In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Moore of Precision Pool Restoration to discuss what homeowners should know before remodeling an aging swimming pool. Moore shares the warning signs that indicate a pool may need more than routine maintenance, why seemingly cosmetic problems can point to larger issues, and how delaying repairs can ultimately make them more expensive. We also discuss renovation trends, equipment upgrades, budgeting priorities, choosing the right contractor, and why more homeowners are investing in the pools they already own. The conversation also explores why starting the remodeling process in the fall can provide advantages when it comes to scheduling, planning, material selections, and having the pool ready well before the next swim season. Whether you're a pool professional talking with customers about renovation or a homeowner considering an upgrade, this episode offers practical insight into when to start, what to prioritize, and how to approach a pool remodel the right way. Send us Fan Mail Viking CapitalThe pool builder financing program by Viking Capital is one of the best in the pool & spa industry. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

How does a robotic pool cleaner perform when you take it out of a controlled demonstration and put it to work in a real backyard? On this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, Joe Trusty sits down with pool professional Kelli Clancy of Legacy Pool and Spa to discuss her real-world evaluation of the iGarden K Series robotic pool cleaner. Clancy installed the K Series in a customer’s pool and monitored its performance over several months, giving both her and the homeowner plenty of time to see what the cleaner could actually do. They tested it against real-world debris, an older freeform pool, walls, steps, a tanning ledge and the everyday conditions robotic cleaners are expected to handle. Clancy shares what impressed her, where she sees room for improvement, and why she believes the K Series could be a good fit for homeowners purchasing their first robotic pool cleaner. If you’re considering a cordless robotic cleaner or simply want a pool professional’s perspective on the iGarden K Series, this episode offers an independent look at how it performed where it matters most: in an actual customer’s pool. Send us Fan Mail PSP Deck ExpoPSP/Deck Expo is where thought-leaders come together to deliver the highest standard of education. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down one-on-one with John Watwood, the President and CEO of POOLCORP, for a conversation about leadership, the state of the pool industry, and where the world's largest pool and outdoor living distributor is headed over the next few years. Watwood's career with POOLCORP began more than two decades ago in the company's Manager in Training program, where he spent time learning the business from the warehouse and sales center level. After building his career outside the company, he ultimately returned to POOLCORP and has now risen to its top leadership position. He takes the helm during a challenging period for the industry, with new pool construction under pressure and builders, service professionals, and retailers navigating a changing market. Watwood discusses what he's learned from spending his first months meeting directly with customers and employees, and why interfacing directly with the industry is central to his approach. The conversation explores his game plan for moving POOLCORP forward: strengthening its role as a business partner, making the company easier to do business with, investing in technology and operational execution, and finding new ways to help pool professionals grow. Listen in on a candid conversation with one of the industry's newest CEOs about the challenges ahead, the opportunities he sees in the market, and the leadership philosophy he intends to bring to POOLCORP's next chapter. Send us Fan Mail HaywardWin up to $100,000 on the muscle car of your dreams, courtesy of Hayward® and Streetside Classics.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Pool automation is moving beyond simply turning equipment on and off. The next generation of connected products is being designed to provide better diagnostics, actionable equipment data, predictive maintenance, and new ways for pool professionals to manage service in the field. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Young, Director of Product Marketing for Automation at Fluidra, and Orlando Gadea, Vice President of Global Digital Marketing and Customer Experience for Fluidra, to discuss AquaLink Edge, Jandy’s next-generation automation platform, and Trackr IO, Fluidra’s new software platform designed to connect the equipment pad, the technician, and the office. We dig into how smarter, interconnected equipment could reduce the industry’s reliance on tribal knowledge, shorten the learning curve for new technicians, improve troubleshooting, and give service companies better insight into how equipment is actually performing in the field. Young and Gadea also discuss the potential for predictive maintenance, more dynamic service routes, and a future where pool professionals can identify and respond to problems before the homeowner even knows something is wrong. It’s an inside look at how connected equipment, automation, and software could reshape the way pool service companies operate. Send us Fan Mail Florida Swimming Pool AssociationThe FSPA represents pool and spa professionals and promotes industry standards statewide in Florida.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Robotic pool cleaners are becoming smarter, more capable and increasingly autonomous. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Nathaniel Michaelis, General Manager and Vice President of Americas for WYBOT, to take a closer look at the company’s C Series and premium S Series robotic pool cleaners. Michaelis explains why WYBOT isn’t exactly the new kid on the block, with more than 20 years of experience manufacturing robotic pool cleaners behind the brand. The conversation gets into cordless cleaning, AI-assisted navigation, solar charging, self-parking and the new S3 self-emptying robotic pool cleaner. We also discuss why greater autonomy matters to homeowners, builders and service professionals, how robotic cleaners can improve efficiency between weekly service visits, and why WYBOT is investing heavily in its growing dealer and warranty network. Send us Fan Mail PSP Deck ExpoPSP/Deck Expo is where thought-leaders come together to deliver the highest standard of education. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

The pool market has changed, and builders are adapting. With new-pool construction slowing in many parts of the country, renovation, modernization and equipment upgrades are becoming an increasingly important source of opportunity. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Teri Wiltshire, Executive Director of Master Pools Guild, a global network of independent pool builders, to discuss what members are seeing in markets across the country and how successful companies are responding. We explore the shift toward renovation and add-on revenue, why lead quality and close rates matter more in a competitive market, and how builders are becoming more disciplined about sales, marketing, overhead and operations. Wiltshire also shares her perspective on technology and AI, including why new tools ultimately have to prove they can save time or generate measurable revenue. With more than 10 million residential pools already in the United States, the opportunity extends far beyond new construction. We discuss how builders can approach that installed base differently, why renovation requires its own sales strategy, and what separates companies adapting to today's market from those still operating with the same playbook they used during the pandemic-era boom. Listen in for an industry-level conversation about where the opportunities are shifting and how pool builders are positioning their businesses for the market that exists today. Send us Fan Mail Riverflow®Riverflow® transforms virtually any pool into a dynamic environment for fun, fitness and relaxation.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

In this episode, Ray Corral, founder and creative director of Mosaicist, breaks down how a single recessed trapezoid window became the design language for an award-winning South Florida pool. He explains how Mosaicist turned that architectural detail into a repeating geometric pattern that creates a 3D optical illusion on the pool floor, the math and sacred geometry behind the composition, and why the most difficult part was making the design fit an already-built shell. Corral also talks about designing color around water, light and reflection so the mosaic works with a Lautner edge and negative edge, the trial-and-error process of testing tones underwater, and why he considers this project a glass-ceiling breaker that opened the door for Mosaicist to pursue more contemporary pools using geometry, dimensional effects and architectural forms. Send us Fan Mail Universal White CementBetter Strength. Better Workability. For Pool Plasterers by Pool Plasterers: Universal White Cement.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Hayward is making a major push toward smarter, more flexible pool equipment. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we speak with Ryan Morson, Vice President of Sales and Technical Excellence at Hayward Holdings, about OmniX and the future of decentralized pool automation. Morson explains how OmniX builds intelligence directly into individual pieces of equipment, allowing builders, service professionals and homeowners to automate a pool one component at a time. We discuss retrofit opportunities, remote service capabilities, current equipment compatibility and how the platform could reshape the market for traditional centralized automation. Towards the end of the episode also take a few minutes to explore Hayward’s HeatPro heat and chill pumps, including the microchannel heat exchanger technology behind them, their heating and cooling performance, and the growing demand for cold-plunge capabilities and more effective temperature control in hot climates. Send us Fan Mail HaywardWin up to $100,000 on the muscle car of your dreams, courtesy of Hayward® and Streetside Classics.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Jobber recently surpassed 100,000 paid customers, a major milestone that reflects just how quickly technology is changing the way home service professionals run and grow their businesses. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Moly Milosovic, Head of Community at Jobber, and Scott Reynolds, owner of Purpose Pools in Las Vegas, to discuss what that evolution looks like in the pool industry. Reynolds shares how Purpose Pools has grown from a few hundred weekly service customers into a larger operation handling cleaning, repairs and roughly 100 customers each week through Jobber. He explains how the platform has helped his team improve customer communication, streamline operations and gain better visibility into the numbers behind the business. We also discuss the next challenge Purpose Pools is tackling: connecting advertising spend to actual customer revenue. Reynolds explains how a custom ROAS dashboard developed with PoolMarketing.com is helping the company follow leads through Jobber, identify which marketing channels are producing revenue and make smarter decisions about where to invest. Milosovic shares what Jobber is seeing across its growing customer base, why more contractors are adopting business software earlier, and how better reporting, marketing tools and AI could help service professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time building profitable businesses. It's a conversation about what happens when a pool company moves beyond simply chasing top-line growth and starts using better systems and better data to build a stronger business. Send us Fan Mail WYBOTThe WYBOT S2 Solar delivers cordless pool cleaning with smart navigation and powerful performance. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

New products make plenty of claims, but what really matters is how they perform once they get into the hands of contractors in the field. On this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Jason Evans of Pool Boy Plastering to talk about his experience using NanoSet from Sabal Green Group. Evans discusses why his company initially tested the admixture on just a handful of projects before eventually incorporating it into every plaster job they do. We get into what his crews are seeing during application and exposure, along with the differences Evans has noticed during startup, including less plaster dust, easier-to-manage pH and fewer callbacks related to staining and mottling. Evans also explains why those improvements have made NanoSet an increasingly valuable part of his company's plastering process. Send us Fan Mail BasecreteBasecrete is the preferred waterproof bond coating for pool contractors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Artificial rock waterfalls, grottoes, and pool slides can look incredible—but what’s happening underneath the surface can determine whether they last for decades or become a serious safety hazard. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Jason Lewis of Rockworks Inc., an Arizona contractor with more than 30 years of experience building and repairing custom rock features. Jason recently went viral after documenting the demolition of a failing artificial rock structure where a homeowner’s son actually fell through the top. What they discovered inside was alarming: reinforcing steel had deteriorated so severely that sections of rebar could be crumbled by hand after just six years. Jason explains why these failures happen, how moisture and improperly encased rebar can compromise thousands of pounds of concrete, and the warning signs homeowners should never ignore. We also discuss when a feature can realistically be repaired versus when demolition is the only responsible option, why cosmetic patches can create serious liability, and what proper construction should look like behind the finished rockwork. Finally, we look at the other side of the equation—a large-scale grotto and artificial rock project built correctly from the beginning—and how proper engineering, steel placement, concrete installation, and collaboration between contractors can make all the difference. If you own a pool with an artificial rock waterfall, grotto, or slide—or you’re considering adding one—this is an episode worth hearing. Send us Fan Mail GENESIS®GENESIS® is the leading educational program for pool builders and design professionals.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge is back for its sixth year, giving designers the same client, property and ambitious project brief—and challenging them to show how they would solve it. In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty sits down with competition co-founder Mike Farley to discuss how the Challenge has evolved, why you don't have to be an elite designer to enter, and why Farley believes learning from other competitors can be just as valuable as winning. Farley also breaks down this year's Siltstone Estate scenario in Louisiana, the challenges designers will have to solve, how design and visualization tools have changed over the years, and why competitors still need to show the thinking behind their work. The conversation also explores how the Challenge has helped designers grow their skills, gain industry recognition and, in some cases, turn a strong showing into new career opportunities. Send us Fan Mail Riverflow®Riverflow® transforms virtually any pool into a dynamic environment for fun, fitness and relaxation.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

Scuppers have evolved far beyond simple spillways. On this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, Joe Trusty sits down with Frank Vitori of AquaBlu Mosaics and Chuck Nitschke of The Outdoor Plus to explore how scuppers are transforming modern pool and outdoor living design. From sleek sheer descents and hidden linear water effects to immersive rainfall curtains and sculptural ornamental pieces, the conversation dives deep into the newest trends shaping today’s luxury backyards. The trio discusses how designers are using scuppers to create architectural rhythm, soften noise, divide entertainment spaces, add ambience, and layer water and fire features together for dramatic visual impact. They also break down some of the biggest mistakes builders make with scuppers — including poor flow management, improper placement, leveling issues, splash-out problems, and mismatched materials — and explain what it takes to execute these features correctly. Whether you’re a pool builder, designer, or outdoor living professional, this episode offers valuable insight into how modern water features are evolving from decorative accents into fully integrated design tools. Topics Covered Include: • Sheer descent scuppers and modern linear design • Rainfall scuppers and immersive outdoor environments • Creating ambience and masking unwanted noise • Using scuppers to divide and define outdoor spaces • Layering water and fire features together • Ornamental scuppers making a comeback • Common installation mistakes and how to avoid them • Custom scupper applications for luxury projects If you’re looking to elevate your pool designs and better understand where outdoor living trends are headed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Read more in Pool Magazine: Scuppers are Reshaping Modern Pool Design Send us Fan Mail TenjamTenjam furniture is ideal for the home, on the patio, or in and around the pool.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow Pool Magazine, the leading source for pool news on Social Media: FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube