The Pool Guy Podcast Show

Algae that won’t quit, stains that appear out of nowhere, and chlorine that seems to do less the more you add—if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We sat down with Fred Squeer of Pool RX to unpack the chemistry hiding beneath clear water: dissolved metals and high cyanuric acid. Together we map a straightforward plan to reduce chlorine use, prevent algae, and avoid oxidation events that create brown iron spots or purple coppe...

Clear water shouldn’t require a chemistry degree, a mountain of tabs, or weekly emergencies. We sit down with Fred Schweer, VP of Sales at PoolRX, to unpack how a chelated mineral system—copper, silver, and zinc—eliminates algae and frees up chlorine so your pools stay cleaner with less effort and expense. If you’ve battled microalgae, chased phosphate numbers, or watched high CYA slow your sanitizer to a crawl, this conversation r...

Pools don’t fail just from age or weather; they fail when chemistry, circulation, and surface type don’t match. We dig into the real-world differences between vinyl, fiberglass, plaster, and pebble finishes, showing how each material changes your approach to water balance, sanitizer levels, and maintenance. From ground prep that keeps nutgrass from piercing vinyl to the warranty risks of using trichlor tablets with fiberglass, we s...

The calm of a backyard pool and the chaos of a hotel deck look similar from the waterline—but they run on different rules. We pull back the curtain on why commercial water turns volatile under heavy bather load, how chlorine gets consumed faster than you can pour it, and what it really takes to keep guests safe and inspectors satisfied. From oxidation priorities to daily logs, this is a candid look at the work behind a compliant, o...

Fresh plaster only gets one chance to cure right, and most problems start before the first cannonball. We dive straight into the real-world startup decisions that determine whether your pool finishes smooth and stain‑free or inherits permanent issues. With veteran insights from chemical expert Bob Lowry, we compare the big methods—barrel, traditional, and acid—and map clear rules of thumb for when each one makes sense based on sour...

Ever wonder why a pool can look fine one week and show stains, rough plaster, or a failing heater the next? The culprit is often low pH—water that turns aggressive, dissolves metals, and etches surfaces long before the damage is obvious. We walk through how acidic water behaves, where metals come from, and why stains show up only after the water hits its saturation point.

We dig into real-world service scenarios: vinyl and...

Algae pressure, drifting pH, and vanishing chlorine can make pool care feel like a tug of war. We sat down with renowned chemist and educator Bob Lowry to map out a cleaner, calmer path: use borates the right way, match your CYA to your chlorine needs, and stop fighting the water. The conversation cuts through marketing myths to show why boric acid at 50 ppm stabilizes pH and supports sanitizer performance without turning your main...

Crystal-clear water means more than fine micron ratings; it means steady flow, low pressure spikes, and a filter you can actually live with. We dive into the real-world reasons cartridge filters outperform DE and sand for most pools, from massive surface area that keeps PSI stable to a simple cleaning routine that skips the gray dust and regulatory headaches of diatomaceous earth.

We walk through how pleated media provides...

Ever walked up to a job and found the pool equipment living inside a freshly finished bedroom? We have—and that’s just the start. This story-driven episode shares the funniest, strangest, and most useful moments from decades on the route, each one paired with practical takeaways you can use today.

We start with access and liability: a garage converted to a mother-in-law unit, complete with D.E. filter and heater behind a t...

Ever wonder why a product that makes your job easier somehow never shows up on store shelves? We tackle that head-on with borates: how 50 ppm boric acid helps tame rising pH in saltwater pools, reduces chlorine and acid use, and even cuts down on algaecide. We walk through where to buy it online, how to test it accurately, and why some retailers avoid stocking it despite clear demand. The bigger takeaway: when you meet customers wh...

Stop overdelivering for free and start running a cleaner, faster, more profitable route. We break down a practical pool service system that scales, from smart service tiers to a weekly workflow that keeps quality high and labor tight. You’ll learn how to set expectations with chemical-only, mid-tier, and full-service offerings, and when to upgrade a client based on debris load, pool size, and their appetite for DIY.

We sha...

Ever feel like your best service is eating your profits? We dig into the quiet ways pool pros lose time and money—free return visits, marathon storm cleanups, and “courtesy” chemicals—and share practical scripts and policies that keep clients happy while protecting your margins. The core idea is simple: set fair expectations, price for real effort, and stop projecting your standards onto customers who just want the pool blue, clean...

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

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

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

We start with the big decision: include filter cleaning in your monthly price or bill it ...

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

You’ll hear why a missing bonding lu...

Pressure doesn’t look dangerous—until the instant it is. We take you right to the two moments that matter most in filter service—when the lid comes off and when it goes back on—and show you how to turn a risky task into a safe, repeatable routine.

We start by reframing the filter as a pressure vessel, not a harmless canister. Sand filters are usually one-piece and lower risk; cartridge and DE filters come apart, rely on cl...

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

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