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Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Floc-It Friday with Rudy Stankowitz If we tell people to do better, we have to leave them somewhere to go when they try. After several episodes that stirred up the pool industry, Rudy asks a question that includes himself: Can somebody earn our respect after they’ve lost our approval? From his conversations with Eric Knight to the response surrounding the 14 PSI interviews, Rudy talks about recognizing experience earned through different paths, correcting people without humiliating them, and giving progress a chance without letting anyone off the hook. An announcement isn’t proof of change. What happens in the next difficult interaction matters. Then the conversation turns to water chemistry. Rudy explains why he teaches a preferred operating pH of 7.2–7.6, looking beyond saturation index and chlorine effectiveness. Drawing on published research and his six years studying swimming pool algae and cyanobacteria, he discusses the factors behind that preference, the limits of the evidence, and why the pool in front of you still requires judgment. In this episode: Recognizing professional growth, even when you disagree with someone.Eric Knight, Lauren Broom, and acknowledging the work people put into learning.The 14 PSI conversations, accountability, and rebuilding trust through actions.Helping new technicians ask questions without regretting it.Why Rudy’s preferred pH range considers more than LSI.Copper behavior, iron discoloration, and the distinction between precipitation and corrosion.Rudy’s algae investigations and the biological communities behind visible growth.Why findings about particular cyanobacteria or diatoms need careful interpretation.Disinfection byproduct trade-offs and treatment-specific considerations involving coagulation and ozone.Making recommendations you can explain, monitor, and adjust.Episode chapters 00:03 Can people earn back our respect? 01:57 Disagreement, experience, and recognizing effort 03:34 Eric Knight, Lauren Broom, and making room for learning 05:20 The 14 PSI conversations and expectations for change 08:47 Help one person move forward 11:52 Why Rudy prefers a pH of 7.2–7.6 14:02 Iron, discoloration, and upward pH drift 14:52 Algae research, biological complexity, and treatment trade-offs 21:23 Closing thoughts Chapter times are approximate. The challenge: Explain something. Share a resource. Give someone credit for improving. If you owe an apology, make it without attaching a closing argument. Join the conversation: Send questions and feedback to [email protected]. Content note: Explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Steve & Wayne You spend hours inspecting a commercial pool, identifying problems, calling suppliers, and building a proposal. Then the customer takes your scope of work to somebody cheaper. Congratulations. You just did their homework for free. This week, Steve and Wayne tackle the cost of giving away your expertise and the uncomfortable question that comes with it: Should pool professionals charge for commercial site visits and proposals? Steve shares a recent bidding experience, the advice he received from a commercial builder, and why being helpful needs some boundaries. The guys also discuss screening prospective customers before getting stuck in traffic, pricing difficult pools, setting expectations with homeowners, and making business decisions around three things: time, money, and energy. Plus, Pat joins the conversation for an insurance discussion about running a business from home, using vehicles for both work and personal errands, and reviewing coverage when your services or route change. In this episode: Chemical handling, protective equipment, and the consequences of getting careless.Wayne’s encouragement to get involved in industry committees and local associations.How Truman’s pool service story prompted Steve to rethink customer conversations about difficult pools.Working with a hotel client to explore a heater schedule and reduce operating costs.Screening residential leads with photos and preliminary pricing.Questions to ask about personal and business insurance coverage.Why selling a route deserves a conversation with your insurance agent.The difference between a service proposal and a paid pool inspection.Setting limits when “a quick question” becomes an unpaid consultation.Paying employees for added responsibility and accounting for time spent sourcing expensive equipment.Episode chapters 00:01 Chemical handling and liability 03:21 Getting involved in the pool industry 05:13 Learning from other Talking Pools hosts 05:53 Difficult pools, pricing, and customer expectations 09:00 Time, money, energy, and a hotel heater project 12:30 Screening leads before making the drive 16:30 Insurance questions with Pat 31:25 When proposals become free consulting 39:21 Inspections, professional boundaries, and client relationships 45:28 Rudy and Eric Knight’s three-part conversation 46:54 Productivity, employee incentives, and equipment sourcing Chapter times are approximate. We want to hear from you: Do you charge for commercial site visits or proposals? Do you credit that fee toward the work if the customer hires you? Send your experience to [email protected]. Also mentioned: Rudy Stankowitz and Eric Knight’s three-part discussion, with two installments on Rule Your Pool and one on Talking Pools. Content note: Explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here That vacation rental has a hot tub. Great. When did somebody last test the water? Natalie Hood welcomes microbiologist Dr. Roy Vore back to the Talking Pools Podcast for part two of their hot tub myth-busting conversation. This time, they get into the plumbing, the maintenance shortcuts, and the uncomfortable questions every service professional and vacation rental owner should be asking. Roy discusses biofilm management, the limits of shocking, and why he considers once-a-week service inadequate for busy vacation rental hot tubs. Natalie also asks the question guaranteed to settle an argument in somebody’s house: Does sitting in a hot tub count as taking a bath? Between the laughs, the conversation gets serious about guest safety, operator responsibility, and charging enough to do the job properly. In this episode: Biofilm inside hot tub plumbing and Roy’s approach to purgingWhat shocking accomplishes and where its usefulness stopsWater replacement, bather load, and total dissolved solidsShowering before soaking and washing swimsuits between usesWhy Roy calls for daily attention at vacation rental hot tubsPseudomonas, Legionella, and the risks discussed in the episodeSkin irritation, chloramines, and that familiar “chlorine smell”Ozone and bromine compatibility concernsWhy an unused hot tub still needs maintenanceTesting, service records, and knowing when to ask for helpEpisode chapters 00:00 What’s hiding in the plumbing? 04:40 Biofilm and hot tub purges 07:23 Can you shock your way out of biofilm? 09:11 Water replacement and service expectations 10:32 Does a hot tub count as a bath? 12:35 Showering before soaking 15:20 Wash your swimsuit 19:59 Testing schedules and vacation rental hot tubs 29:21 Skin sensitivity and disinfection byproducts 34:11 Ozone, chlorine, and bromine 35:48 The neglected hot tub myth 38:39 Preparing a hot tub for arriving guests 41:17 Roy’s final advice for service professionals The takeaway: A hot tub is an amenity that comes with responsibility. Test the water, take the service seriously, and charge for the work it takes. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Three raffle entries. One winner. Six months of pool cleaning True wishes he hadn’t given away. This week on Tru in the Loop, True shares how a holiday giveaway landed him a problem pool with relentless debris and a layout that made every visit a headache. The experience changed what he looks for before quoting a new account. Then pool builder Adam joins the conversation to explain how his years on a service route shaped the pools he builds today. From equipment access to return placement, Adam builds with the person maintaining the pool in mind. He also shares how he grew from a teenage pool tech into a business owner overseeing construction and roughly 250 service accounts, and why keeping his maintenance route has helped him weather construction’s slower stretches. Plus, should cleaning algae off the coping be included, charged separately, or handled as goodwill? True weighs the responses and explains why taking care of customers starts with pricing your service correctly. In this episode: Gas Money Monday (Not affiliated with the Talking Pools Podcast) turns one pool pro’s generosity into help for another.The giveaway that became six months of unpaid headaches.Why True now counts and checks return locations before quoting service.Building pools with maintenance and equipment access in mind.Adam’s approach to plumbing upgrades and customer expectations.Creating distinctive pools with Baja shelves and custom spa finishes.Adam’s perspective on contractor credentials, written agreements, and progress payments.Knowing when to hire instead of doing everything yourself.How recurring service revenue supports a construction business.Pricing the little extras without building resentment.Setting phone boundaries so work doesn’t follow you everywhere.A takeaway worth remembering: “Don’t jump over dollars to pick up dimes.” This week’s business tip: Separate your business number from your personal number and establish a cutoff time. Being available to customers shouldn’t mean being on call every waking hour. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, software built to help pool service businesses operate more efficiently. Listen to Tru in the Loop every Tuesday on the Talking Pools Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast app. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Pool equipment has changed. Water testing has changed. So why has Australia’s pool water quality standard taken so long to catch up? On this episode of Mondays Down Under on the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee Salisbury and Nick welcome Chris Smith from Waterco for a look inside the proposed rewrite of Australian Standard AS 3633. With 42 years in the industry and a seat on the technical committee, Chris explains how the draft came together, why its scope is expanding beyond private pools, and which proposals are generating debate. The conversation tackles filtration, testing, supplementary sanitizers, and the challenge of creating consistency across state health requirements. There’s also a question for every pool business owner: Have the people recommending your products actually used them? In this episode: Chris’s journey from building equipment to chemical training and research.Why retail staff need hands-on experience with green pool cleanups.Reading product labels and catching changes to instructions.Expanding AS 3633 to address residential and public pools.How working groups, technical review, and public comments shape the draft.Australian Standards versus state and local requirements.Professional water testing and the tools technicians use.Proposed testing frequencies, including total alkalinity.Chlorine dioxide and the discussion around supplementary sanitizers.Proposed chlorine limits and the practical challenges of heavy bather loads.Accounting for cold plunges, warmer water, filtration, and equipment response.Episode chapters: 00:12 | Welcome to Mondays Down Under 02:14 | Meet Chris Smith: 42 years in the pool industry 07:05 | Research, product trials, and asking why 08:46 | Get your retail staff out into the field 09:58 | Read the label, even when you know the product 12:35 | Why AS 3633 needed a rewrite 18:49 | Expanding the scope to residential and public pools 24:43 | When standards and local requirements differ 28:22 | What counts as professional water testing? 31:23 | Public comments and evidence behind the proposals 33:24 | The alkalinity testing discussion 34:26 | Chlorine dioxide and supplementary sanitizers 44:27 | Proposed combined chlorine limits 45:25 | Temperature ranges, cold plunges, and sanitizer targets 47:23 | Chlorine limits, bather loads, and equipment capacity About the guest: Chris Smith of Waterco brings experience across pool equipment, water chemistry, training, and product development. He joins the conversation as a participant in the AS 3633 technical committee. This episode discusses draft proposals under review at the time of recording. Proposed values should not be treated as final requirements. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Talking Pools for more conversations from across the pool industry. The Pool Shop Coachan online store offering industry-specific business mentoring, coaching, and training programs 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 Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Rudy Stankowitz and Eric Knight of Pool Brain continue their three-part crossover conversation with a question that gets uncomfortable fast: How can the same water readings look balanced in one calculation and aggressive in another? They compare the PHTA/NPC calculation Rudy teaches with the Orenda calculator Eric helped develop, explain where their approaches differ, and discuss what those differences mean when you’re standing beside an actual pool. Then there’s everything your standard test kit might miss, the challenge of managing water between weekly visits, and the difference between teaching someone a range and teaching them how to make a decision. In this episode: Beyond the basic test kit: Sulfates, nitrates, manganese, and what your source-water report can tell you.Cold-plunge testing: Why sample temperature belongs in the conversation.Ranges, alkalinity, and pH: Where Rudy and Eric agree—and where their targets differ.Same readings, different LSI: A comparison of calculation methods, including how they account for CYA and borates.Every pool has an environment: Trees, covers, turbulence, and adapting your approach to the backyard.Seven days between visits: Customer participation, specialty chemicals, and automation across different budgets.Teaching judgment: How to move technicians from memorizing numbers to understanding the pool.Manufacturer education: Bias, transparency, and Eric’s account of how the Orenda calculator evolved.Phosphates and algae: Their role in a service strategy, recurring problems, and the importance of brushing.Salt-cell flakes: Eric challenges a familiar explanation and discusses the testing behind his position..Follow the crossover: Part 1: Rule Your Pool — October 28.Part 2: Talking Pools — this episode.Part 3: Rule Your Pool — November 4, the conclusion.Sponsors featured in this episode: Service Industry News, Pool Brain, Blueray XL, AquaStar Pool Products, and Jack’s Magic. #TalkingPools #RuleYourPool #PoolChemistry #PoolService #LSI #PoolProfessionals Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Are you making money on every pool, or just staying busy? This week on Thursdays with Wayne & Steve, the guys get back to business basics for pool professionals. Steve explains why knowing your costs, understanding your pricing, and building relationships with reliable subcontractors can make the difference between having a full route and having a profitable business. Steve also shares what his coastal community has been dealing with as storms and beach erosion threaten homes, and he talks candidly about the toll the uncertainty has taken on his mental health. In this episode: Welcoming Truman, host of Tru in the Loop, to the Talking Pools lineupCalculating the real cost of servicing a pool, from chemicals and labor to insurance and transportationHourly pay versus pay per pool when bringing on helpPricing weekly service and accounting for the full yearKnowing when to turn down an account that doesn’t make financial senseWorking with repair and leak-detection specialistsHaving a plan when you encounter equipment you don’t know how to serviceStorm preparation, evacuation plans, and the stress of living with uncertaintyInsurance Interlude: Steve is joined by Pat Grignon to discuss questions pool professionals should ask their insurance agents. They cover potential gaps involving chemical spills, overfilled pools, acid washes, popped pools, and equipment repairs. Coverage depends on the policy, so review your own terms and limits with your agent. Steve also shares a practical tip for reducing the risk of an overfilled pool: a mechanical hose timer that shuts the water off after a set period. Have a topic or question for Wayne and Steve? Email [email protected]. This episode contains adult language. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #ThursdaysWithWayneAndSteve #PoolService #PoolBusiness #PoolProfessionals #PoolServiceInsurance Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Hot tubs may be small, but the problems hiding in them can be anything but. In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Natalie Hood sits down with microbiologist Dr. Roy Vore to tackle hot tub chemistry, sanitation, and the misconceptions that can leave bathers soaking in more than warm water. Roy explains why hot tub water chemistry can change much faster than in a swimming pool, how heat and aeration affect it, and why sanitizer residual is only one part of spa care. Natalie and Roy also discuss chlorine versus bromine, recreational water illnesses, and what Roy does before stepping into a hotel hot tub. In this episode: Why a hot tub isn’t simply a small swimming poolHow heat, bather load, and jets affect spa waterChlorine versus bromine: Roy’s perspectivePseudomonas, biofilm, and recreational water illnessWhy water replacement mattersTesting the water before taking a soakThe importance of operator training and regular monitoringNext Wednesday: Natalie and Dr. Roy Vore return to conclude their conversation about hot tubs, germs, and how to keep the water safer. This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, helping pool professionals run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable service businesses. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here A clean pool wasn’t enough to keep the customer. In this episode of Tru in the Loop, Pool Boy True shares a hard lesson he learned when a customer asked for service documentation, and he took too long to provide it. Her request was about more than paperwork: she wanted peace of mind. True joins Christian of Pure Water Pools on Florida’s Treasure Coast to talk about servicing standalone spas. They discuss how spa use affects maintenance, what technicians should consider when pricing service, and why Christian believes spas can profitably add to a pool route. Plus, True gives Rob the Pool Boy of Blue Horizon Pool Company his flowers, reads a listener’s unforgettable route story, and wraps up his hiring miniseries with three interview questions designed to uncover ownership, motivation, and problem-solving skills. In this episode: Why listening to customer concerns can make or break an accountService documentation and customer confidenceStandalone spa maintenance, filtration, and water chemistryPricing spa service and communicating its valueWhen it may be time to walk away from a customerThree interview questions to help find the right fit for your teamSponsor: This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, providing tools to help pool professionals run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable service businesses. Mentioned: Swim University Catch Tru in the Loop every Tuesday on the Talking Pools Podcast. Stay blessed! Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here When the schedule fills up, shortcuts start looking pretty reasonable. A missing job note here, a skipped photo there. Then a customer calls, a pump won’t start, and suddenly that five-second video becomes the most valuable thing your technician recorded all week. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee, The Pool Shop Coach, joins Nick to discuss building procedures that pool professionals actually use. From consistent service standards to employee onboarding, they explore how clear expectations, accessible instructions, and explaining the “why” help keep a growing business running smoothly. Nick shares a customer dispute involving a green pool cleanup and a failed pump, illustrating why service documentation matters. Lee suggests reviewing one procedure each week with the team, giving technicians a voice in improving the processes they follow. In this episode: Why busy teams slip back into old habits.How missing notes create problems long after the service visit.Using photos, videos, and job records to support technicians during customer disputes.Keeping procedures accessible through shared folders and service software.Explaining why each task matters to improve staff buy-in.Updating service procedures when equipment and methods change.Making workplace safety part of onboarding and regular team meetings.Building employee handbooks that answer everyday questions.Introducing technical training in manageable stages.Recording repeatable training videos with Loom.Episode chapters 00:00 Sponsor: PoolBrain 00:12 Welcome to Mondays Down Under 00:36 Procedures, habits, and cutting corners 05:40 A pump dispute and the value of documentation 07:47 Where your procedures live 11:04 Consistent service and explaining the “why” 15:43 Updating procedures and involving the team 17:41 Photos, accountability, and backing your technicians 21:23 Workplace safety and employee onboarding 24:36 Handbooks and professional first impressions 27:32 Training resources and learning in stages 28:46 Using Loom to record repeatable processes 31:31 Sharing training videos across your business 32:20 Listener shout-out and how to get in touch Takeaway: Pick one procedure at your next team meeting. Review what it says, explain why it matters, and ask the people doing the work what needs updating. Resources mentioned: PoolBrain, Loom, Dropbox, Google Drive, supplier training portals, SPASA Training, and LaMotte water training. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you in part by PoolBrain. Send questions and topic suggestions: [email protected] Connect with Lee: Find The Pool Shop Coach on Facebook and Instagram. Content advisory: Contains occasional adult language. The Pool Shop Coachan online store offering industry-specific business mentoring, coaching, and training programs 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 Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Can a Facebook group keep its edge without making every question a public execution? Rudy Stankowitz rejoins 14 PSI’s Shawn Davis and Dan Chiles for the conclusion of their conversation about toxicity, accountability, and changing the culture of an online pool-professional community. The goal sounds straightforward: build people up, share useful knowledge, and keep the ball-busting. Putting that into practice? That’s where the conversation gets interesting. Rudy presses for specifics on consistent moderation, helping newcomers, addressing personal conflicts, and encouraging experienced members to become better teachers. Shawn and Dan discuss the group’s restructuring, acknowledge the need for change, and explain why they still want room for sarcasm, roasting, and personality. Along the way, they explore why advice that works in one region can fail spectacularly in another. From sandy soil on the Outer Banks to Texas clay and Florida groundwater, troubleshooting requires context—and the professional standing beside the pool has information a Facebook comment cannot replace. In This Episode Advice needs context: Why location, soil, and site conditions change troubleshooting decisions.Correction versus humiliation: Helping someone improve without telling them to leave the industry.Accountability among friends: Calling each other out before an argument becomes something worse.Changes at 14 PSI: The administrative restructuring described during the recording.Education beyond good intentions: Possible discussions, expert Q&As, and mentoring opportunities remain under consideration.Getting lurkers involved: What would help hesitant members start asking questions and sharing their work?Keeping the edge: The difference between inviting a roast and asking for help.Recognizing improvement: Giving public credit when someone develops their skills.Chapters 00:00 — Acknowledging the negativity and introducing Part Two 01:16 — Why good advice doesn’t work everywhere 05:57 — The professional poolside makes the final call 07:55 — Consistent expectations and recognizing growth 09:22 — Turning experience into better mentoring 10:51 — Personal conflicts and moderator support 11:56 — Group restructuring and the proposed direction 14:49 — Holding longtime friends accountable 15:21 — Education plans and encouraging questions 16:57 — What meaningful progress would look like 18:27 — Trade-show memories and community connections 19:26 — Dan’s invitation to hesitant posters 19:56 — Why join 14 PSI? 20:47 — BlueRay XL shout-out and closing remarks Content advisory: Explicit language, adult humor, and frank discussion of online hostility. The question for listeners: What would make you comfortable asking for help in a professional Facebook group—and what would make you leave? Be good. Be safe. Don’t put tabs in the skimmer. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolIndustry #PoolProfessionals #Mentorship #OnlineCommunity Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Wayne & Steve Wayne Ivusich is flying solo, and he’s brought a list. Welcome to “Pissed-Off Wayne Thursdays,” where questionable pool service habits earn a finger wag and a reminder that saving a few minutes can create expensive problems. From chlorine tablets in skimmers to backwashing on autopilot, Wayne tackles shortcuts he sees across the industry. He explains why testing only chlorine and pH leaves part of the picture missing, discusses water balance, and encourages technicians to think about the long-term effects of their service decisions. Then, Steve Sherwood joins Pat Grignon of the California Pool Association for an Insurance Interlude about a deceptively simple task: filling a pool. A discussion of an overflow incident involving a damaged retaining wall turns into a conversation about liability, subcontractors, documentation, and why “the homeowner said they’d turn it off” can become a very expensive sentence. In This Episode Skimmer shortcuts: Wayne discusses chemical dosing practices and potential equipment damage.Chemical additions: Why compatibility, application instructions, and dosing sequence deserve attention.Backwashing habits: Using pressure readings and manufacturer guidance to make maintenance decisions.Testing beyond chlorine and pH: Alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, temperature, and total dissolved solids.Additional troubleshooting tests: Phosphates, copper, iron, and manganese.Pool overflow liability: How a running hose can lead to property damage and disputes over responsibility.Documentation that matters: Service records, photos, customer texts, and subcontractor insurance.Managing pool fills: Hose timers, flow meters, and estimating fill time.Episode Chapters 00:01 — Wayne goes solo: Welcome to Pet Peeve Thursdays Chemical dosing, skimmer habits, backwashing, water testing, and water balance. 22:11 — Sponsor messages 24:20 — Insurance Interlude: When filling a pool becomes a nightmare Steve and Pat discuss overflow damage, responsibility, insurance, and practical precautions. 38:00 — Closing thoughts and listener questions Featured Voices Wayne Ivusich — Thursday co-host and water chemistry educator Steve Sherwood — Thursday co-host Pat Grignon — Vice President, California Pool Association Support Our Partners LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch: https://www.waterlinkspintouch.com Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code: https://www.cmahc.org PoolBrain: https://www.poolbrain.com Questions or episode suggestions? Email [email protected]. Listener note: Contains explicit language. Follow product labels and equipment manufacturer instructions for chemical application and maintenance. Insurance coverage and liability depend on the policy and circumstances. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Before he worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger or led ocean innovation initiatives, Terry Tamminen was servicing swimming pools in Malibu. And when he couldn’t find the comprehensive maintenance reference he wanted, he wrote one. This week on Talking Pools Podcast’s Wednesday Mythbusting Session, Natalie Hood wraps up the 2026 Top Ten Mentor interview series with Terry, author of The Ultimate Pool Maintenance Manual and a 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award finalist. Terry shares how his pool industry experience helped shape a career in environmental protection, why sharing knowledge still matters decades later, and what happened when the company servicing his own pool discovered whose backyard they were standing in. There’s also a technician cutting his route short to go skiing. Apparently, checking the slopes was easier than checking the pools. In this episode: The Malibu years: Building a pool service business with a celebrity clientele.Writing the manual: Turning years of classes, equipment information, and field experience into a resource for pool professionals.Mentorship with patience: Adapting to different learning styles and helping people reconsider old habits.Knowing your limits: Why “let me find out” beats confidently handing someone a bad answer.Pool myths: Discussing strong pool odors, chloramines, and the misconception that saltwater pools are chlorine-free.Professional standards: Why education and technical competence matter in a business involving water, electricity, and chemicals.The blue economy: Introducing emerging careers in aquaculture, underwater robotics, and ocean technology.Honest feedback: Finding people who will tell you when you’ve screwed up, even when you haven’t asked.Episode chapters 00:00 — Meet Terry Tamminen 02:36 — From real estate to a Malibu pool route 09:58 — What the mentor recognition means to Terry 11:32 — Sharing practical knowledge and staying involved 15:30 — The people who shaped his approach 17:57 — Giving someone an opportunity 19:15 — When guidance doesn’t work out 22:25 — Teaching beginners and challenging established habits 24:07 — Strong pool odors and testing before treating 26:15 — Saltwater pool misconceptions 28:56 — Education and professionalism 31:12 — Mentorship and ocean careers 32:56 — Taking the pool industry seriously 34:57 — Why mentors need honest feedback, too 36:11 — A boat trip to Catalina and a chance to learn 38:30 — Terry’s closing message The takeaway: Keep learning, share what you know, and take the work seriously. Even the person who wrote the book can learn something from the technician standing in his backyard. 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award sponsors Title Sponsors: BlueRay XL and United ChemicalGold Sponsor: LaMotteSilver Sponsor: Revved Up ApparelSupporting Sponsor: AquaComfort Water GroupContent advisory: Contains explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Tru in the Loop | Talking Pools Podcast Host: Truman Guest: Zach of Pineapple Pool Boyz, Arizona Truman bids a one-day cleanup that turns into a four-day construction-debris nightmare, complete with a long commute and a well-water refill that adds another headache. Then he revisits the morning he fell into a pool and walked face-first into a glass door in front of a room full of realtors. All before 9 a.m. Some business lessons come with spreadsheets. Others leave forehead prints. This week, Zach of Pineapple Pool Boyz joins Truman to explain how he went from a corporate banking job to buying his first 12 pool accounts and building a service business. They get into buying routes, training technicians, hiring longtime friends, and why a poorly priced account is the owner’s problem to fix. The conversation tackles a trap plenty of pool pros recognize: chasing more accounts without making enough money on the ones they already have. Zach shares his approach to pricing, charging separately for chemicals, building customer trust, and bringing in skilled repair professionals when their expertise saves time. Plus, Truman opens the mailbag for a debate about high pool water levels and closes with part two of his business mini-series: writing a job description that tells applicants what the work actually requires. In this episode: The cleanup estimate that missed three extra days of work.Leaving corporate life and starting with a small pool route.Growing through referrals, networking, and account purchases.Training employees before sending them out alone.Hiring friends while setting clear expectations and boundaries.Paying technicians fairly and taking responsibility for pricing mistakes.Improving profit per pool instead of simply adding more stops.Building relationships with customers, employees, and fellow pool pros.Finding mentors who help you understand the business side.The water-level debate: skimmer performance, debris, and customer communication.Turning company values into an honest hiring process.This week’s business homework Before writing your next technician job description, answer three questions: What personality traits does your ideal technician have?Which parts of this job have made you want to quit?What made your worst hire, coworker, or boss difficult to work with?Use those answers to describe the person you need, the realities of the work, and who would struggle in the role. Next week, Truman moves into interview questions. Connect with Zach Find Pineapple Pool Boyz on Instagram. Boyz ends with a Z. Episode sponsor PoolBrain, tools to help pool professionals run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable service businesses. Listen, follow, and share Send this episode to the pool pro who keeps adding accounts but still wonders where the money went. Follow Talking Pools Podcast for more conversations about the work, the business, and the people behind the pole. Contains adult language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]

Ask a question here Link to The Pool Shop Coach’s ‘KNOW YOUR NUMBERS’ CALCULATOR : www.thepoolshopcoach.com.au/knowyournumbers Your shop is packed, the service trucks are rolling, and bags of salt are flying out the door. So why does the profit disappear? On this episode of Mondays Down Under on the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee Salisbury, The Pool Shop Coach, and Nick in Brisbane tackle the expenses quietly eating away at pool business profits. From merchant fees and surprise freight charges to fuel, wages, and electricity, those “little” costs can turn a busy season into a whole lot of work for very little return. The conversation kicks off with a spirited discussion about Australian card payment surcharges before getting into the bigger question: When did you last review your prices against what it actually costs to run your business? Lee explains why adding a few cents to your prices might fall short, how discounts take a bigger bite out of gross profit than owners realize, and why value-added offers deserve a closer look. In this episode: Merchant fees and the hidden cost of getting paid.Why a 10% discount can cut gross profit by 20% in the example discussed.Markup versus margin—and why a 50% markup produces roughly a 33% gross margin.Accounting for overhead, including a wage for the owner.Using store incentives to encourage return visits.Identifying products that may be losing money.Why a healthy bank balance doesn’t necessarily mean a profitable business.Preparing for summer with prices grounded in your actual costs.Featured resource: Lee introduces her free Know Your Numbers calculator, designed to help owners understand overhead and what each sale needs to contribute before the business earns a profit. The episode also opens with a heartfelt message of support for Shane and his family following the loss of his mum. Our love is with them. The takeaway: Before you sell another pallet of salt, make sure you know whether those bags are helping pay the bills—or adding to them. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, helping pool professionals run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable service businesses. Questions or topic suggestions? Email [email protected]. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: [email protected]