Text us a pool question! Picture this: Andrea and Paulette, poolside pros turned accidental couch potatoes, trying to recover from their own version of "strongman competition" injuries. Andrea threw out her back, and not from wrestling a pool filter or wrangling algae—nope, she did it Ellie May Clampett style, chucking feed bags like a champ. Meanwhile, Paulette got sidelined after a heroic round of taking down hurricane shutters, all while Jim Cantore packed up his drama and left town. The resu...
Nov 05, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 640
Text us a pool question! In this episode, Peter and Shane start with concern over Lee’s mysterious absence—she's always on time, so the guys are understandably puzzled and worried. As they wait for her return, Shane seizes the moment to ask Peter a pressing question: How do you add a new employee to the team and transfer a service route without customers freaking out over the new face? Peter, a seasoned pro, dives in with advice on handling the transition smoothly. He suggests gradually introduc...
Nov 04, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 639
Text us a pool question! In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz delves into the thermodynamics of calcium carbonate precipitation, a significant challenge in pool maintenance, and discusses strategies for diversifying revenue streams in the pool service industry. He explains the science behind calcium carbonate scale formation, emphasizing the importance of managing water chemistry to prevent issues. Additionally, he explores high-margin services such as pool automation and safety equipment insta...
Nov 01, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 638
Text us a pool question! In this Halloween episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into eerie tales from the field, recounting hair-raising experiences from servicing pools. The episode is rich with creepy encounters and unexpected pool disasters that give listeners a chill – perfect for Halloween! With Andrea and Paulette taking up about 85% of the episode, they lead with the spooky and bizarre, sharing horror stories of green, murky waters and strange incidents that happ...
Oct 31, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 637
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Steve is hosting solo and plans to discuss the practical tools and tips he has gathered over his two decades in the pool industry. He emphasizes the importance of having the right tools for the job, sharing his personal collection of "cool pool tools" that help him tackle various challenges in the field. Steve also highlights the value of working smarter, not harder, and aims to provide insights on saving time, money, and en...
Oct 29, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 637
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee, Peter, and Shane dive into the highs and lows of managing pool businesses and discuss the importance of employee retention, company culture, and major industry updates. Here's a rundown: Weather, Kids, and Summer Vibes Lee kicks off by sharing Melbourne’s famously unpredictable weather, experiencing “four seasons in a week,” while Shane looks forward to a long weekend. Lee reminisces about flying with her young kids, and...
Oct 28, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 636
Text us a pool question! In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz blends education and humor as he breaks down the kinetics of chlorine decomposition in outdoor pools. He explains how UV radiation and heat degrade chlorine and dives into sustainable alternatives for pool maintenance, offering practical tips for eco-friendly operations. Key Topics: Chlorine Decomposition (00:03): HOCl vs. OCl-: Rudy introduces the main chlorine species that sanitize pool water—hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite io...
Oct 25, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 635
Text us a pool question! In this episode of Thursdays with Wayne & Steve , the hosts tackle the tough but necessary topic of firing customers. Wayne and Steve dive into the signs that it’s time to cut ties with a problematic client, exploring how to assess when the drama outweighs the revenue. They break down the common red flags—late payments, unrealistic expectations, and constant complaints—and discuss how to weigh those against the value of keeping a customer on the books. The duo also h...
Oct 24, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 634
Text us a pool question! Andrea and Paulette are back, and this time, they're schooling us on two things: Andrea's eager-but-clueless helper and, well, let’s just say some tadpoles didn’t make it out alive. Tragic but hilarious. Just when you think it's safe to get back in the water, BAM! You get hit with a Biolab update. You know, the place that had that massive fire. Trying to get things back on track after that has been a mess. Things are looking up, according to this Press Release. Picture t...
Oct 22, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 633
Text us a pool question! In this episode of Mondays Down Under , Peter, Shane, and Lee are joined by Spiros Dassakis, the Chief Policy Officer of SPASA, to dive into important updates regarding pool safety regulations, specifically changes to AS1926.1, which governs pool barriers in Australia. Spiros provides valuable insights into how these changes impact both pool service professionals and homeowners, emphasizing the critical role of proper barrier installation in ensuring pool safety. This ep...
Oct 21, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 632
Text us a pool question! In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz delves into the intricate world of pool chemistry, focusing on the critical role of cyanuric acid in maintaining chlorine levels. He emphasizes the importance of digital marketing strategies for pool service companies, including SEO and social media engagement. The discussion also covers the delicate balance between chlorine and cyanuric acid, offering practical tips for pool professionals to optimize their maintenance practices. tak...
Oct 18, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 615
Text us a pool question! In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Steve and Wayne take listeners on an emotional journey, imagining what the life of a pool guy would look like in a perfect world. From the first few words, you can feel the deep passion they have for the pool industry and the people who make it run. They paint a picture of an industry where pool service techs are treated like the professionals they truly are—where respect, appreciation, and recognitio...
Oct 17, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 614
Text us a pool question! In this Talking Pools Podcast episode, Andrea and Paulette dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, where pools were left in chaos, strewn with debris, and demanding far more than a simple skim and brush. Yet, one of the most pressing questions they tackle is: Why are pool service professionals so hesitant to charge extra for the extra work that comes with storm cleanup? Andrea and Paulette, seasoned pros in the pool industry, know all too well the hesitation that co...
Oct 15, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 613
Text us a pool question! In this gripping episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Peter shares a shocking story that will leave pool professionals both horrified and deeply aware of the dangers that lurk when chemicals are mishandled. He recounts an unforgettable moment when one of his customers mistakenly poured chlorine into an old sulfuric acid barrel. The hosts, Lee and Shane, are immediately taken aback, and the weight of the potential disaster sinks in. Peter explains that the reaction coul...
Oct 14, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 612
Text us a pool question! Summary: In this episode, Rudy covers two distinct but equally important topics. The show kicks off with an important news update on the Biolab fire that occurred on September 30, 2024, in Conyers, Georgia. Rudy discusses the impact of the fire, the ongoing investigation by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB), and the legal and environmental fallout from the event. He highlights the company's troubling safety history and how local residents are responding with class action l...
Oct 11, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 611
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Wayne and Steve dive into the critical topic of water testing for swimming pools. Wayne breaks down which water tests are the most important for maintaining optimal pool health, emphasizing the essential ones like pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. As Wayne discusses these vital tests, Steve’s passion for water care comes through in full force. He stresses the importance of daily testing, insisting that pool pro...
Oct 10, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 610
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Andrea and Paulette dive into the critical topic of cleaning up a pool after a hurricane. They focus on the essential steps pool service professionals must take to ensure the pool is safe, clean, and operational following the aftermath of a major storm. Andrea leads the discussion with a detailed breakdown of the process, starting with removing large debris, assessing any damage to the pool structure or equipment, and checki...
Oct 08, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 609
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , Peter and Lee delve into the topic of new hire training. Peter shares his experience of hiring a young woman who has little to no experience in pool service. He expresses his preference for hiring individuals with minimal prior experience, as it allows him to train them from scratch without having to correct bad habits they may have learned from previous jobs. Lee enthusiastically praises Peter for bringing another woman int...
Oct 07, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 608
Text us a pool question! Episode Overview: In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz kicks off Friday's show by sharing his personal experience with Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that recently hit Florida, causing widespread damage and flooding. Rudy recounts how the storm tore through his own backyard, damaging his screen enclosure and pool. He provides an update on the BioLab fire in Conyers, Georgia, which is raising concerns about the chlorine supply chain—especially for trichlor tablets—poten...
Oct 04, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 607
Text us a pool question! In this episode, Wayne and Steve dive into the crucial topic of Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, explaining why it's essential for pool service companies and expert witnesses alike. They begin by highlighting how E&O insurance protects businesses from claims of negligence or inadequate work, covering potential legal costs that could otherwise be devastating. For pool service companies, Wayne emphasizes that even with the best intentions and practices, mist...
Oct 03, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 606
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into Andrea’s personal experience with anxiety and how it led her to believe she was on the verge of being fired. The conversation touches on the mental and emotional challenges of working in pool service, highlighting how stress and miscommunication can create unnecessary worry. The episode also explores a unique pool maintenance tip from Andrea’s boss involving an unconventional method to handle wat...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 605
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter, Lee, and Shane dive into the complexities of swimming pool heaters, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. They start by discussing the benefits of modern heaters, including efficiency, performance, and the convenience they offer for extending the swimming season. The hosts highlight how newer models have become more environmentally friendly with improved energy consumption and faster heating times, making them an a...
Sep 30, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 604
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses important updates in the pool industry, including Fluidra's acquisition and the PHTA's support for the Swim Act. He delves into the impact of sulfate levels in pool water, explaining how they can damage pool equipment and structures. Rudy emphasizes the importance of monitoring sulfate levels and provides insights on testing methods. The conversation then shifts to the complexities of sales tax for p...
Sep 27, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 603
Text us a pool question! In this episode, Wayne and Steve dive deep into the intricacies of securing and managing pool service contracts with government agencies. Steve begins by sharing his experience navigating the often complex and bureaucratic processes involved in bidding for contracts at the municipal and federal levels. He outlines the steps required to win these lucrative contracts, from preparing detailed proposals and complying with strict regulations to navigating the public bidding p...
Sep 26, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 602
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette recount their week spent out in the field, tackling various challenges while servicing pools. The episode is full of stories about the highs and lows of the job, from funny moments to technical problems they encountered. They discuss the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, and problem-solving in the day-to-day operations of pool service. Their candid experiences give listeners a real sense of what...
Sep 24, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 601
Text us a pool question! In this Talking Pools Podcast episode, Peter, Lee, and Shane explore the advantages of employing virtual receptionists, emphasizing the importance of matching accents to the region served. They discuss how having an Australian virtual receptionist for Australian companies, and a New Zealand accent for New Zealand-based firms, can improve customer relations and trust. The trio explains that businesses in both countries have been overwhelmed with spam calls from individual...
Sep 23, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 600
Text us a pool question! In this episode, Rudy dives into two key topics: the rising issue of Concrete Cancer (also known as Alkali-Silica Reactivity or ASR) in swimming pools and how to create an effective blog for your pool service business that not only attracts readers but keeps them coming back for more. Key Topics: Concrete Cancer & ASR in Swimming Pools (00:00 - 14:27) What is Concrete Cancer/ASR? Concrete cancer refers to the deterioration of concrete due to corrosion of the rebar, c...
Sep 20, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 599
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne and Steve explore the concept of "local summers" or "False Fall," where locals close their pools on Labor Day regardless of the temperature. Steve discusses the intricacies of securing contracts with corporate properties and governmental agencies, even quoting a client hundreds of thousands of dollars for six-figure pool service contracts, a process that took him two days to complete. He notes that 90% of residential po...
Sep 19, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 598
Text us a pool question! In this mysterious episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea teams up with her mother, Paulette, for a conversation that's bound to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Andrea has kept the subject of this episode completely under wraps—nobody knows what they discuss, and it’s all a well-guarded surprise. Adding to the intrigue, Andrea edited this episode herself, so no one but her and Paulette are in on the secret. Whether it’s a deep dive into pool industry topi...
Sep 17, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 597
Text us a pool question! In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosts Peter, Shane, and Lee dive into the ongoing debate of "replace it versus fix it" within the pool industry. As new products continue to emerge, they emphasize the importance of checking parts availability and performance before offering them to clients, underscoring how the reputation of the equipment you sell directly impacts your own. Peter and Lee share some amusing tales from the world of automatic cleaners, with Pet...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 596
