The Pool Guy Podcast Show

Tired of wrestling with outlets and extension cords just to vacuum a pool? We dig into the new battery that turns the VacDaddy’s 55 GPM suction into a truly portable solution and lay out exactly where this tool shines: routine service, storm cleanups, shallow features, and green pool recoveries. Without sacrificing power, the battery removes the biggest friction point—finding a plug—while keeping what pros already love: bag-based d...

Forecasts only matter when they help you make better moves. We lay out a clear-eyed view of the 2026 pool season: modest 2–3% industry growth, a slowdown in new builds, and a steady shift toward service demand—especially across apartments, HOAs, and townhome communities where shared pools are now standard amenities. If you’ve wondered whether to raise rates, chase commercial accounts, or lean into software, this conversation connec...

Cold water doesn’t just chill your pool—it changes how your salt system works. We break down what really happens when temperatures drop, why most cells throttle or shut off around 50 to 60 degrees, and how to keep water clear without burning through gear or cash. If you’ve ever wondered whether to pull the cell, which sanitizer to lean on, or how to set yourself up for an easy spring, this walkthrough gives you a step-by-step plan....

Looking for a faster, lighter way to vacuum pools without hauling a cart? We break down the new Shrimp kit and stack it against the trusted Bottom Feeder to help you decide what actually fits your route, your pools, and your budget. From first impressions to field use, we get specific about size, throat diameter, runtime, handling, and durability—so you can choose based on results, not hype.

We start with why compact vacuu...

If you clean pools for a living, the vacuum system you choose can either speed up your route or slow you down at every backyard gate. We break down cart-based workhorses like Riptide and Hammerhead and match them against cartless contenders including the Bottom Feeder, Shrimp, Power Vac’s relaunch, Riptide XP, and the Hammerhead Remora. You’ll hear clear pros and cons on power, maneuverability, durability, price, and real access is...

Tired of losing accounts to low-price flyers or “I’ll handle it in winter” cancellations? We share a practical retention system that keeps clients loyal by focusing on what they feel at home: fast replies, reliable visits, crystal water, and billing they can trust. No fluff—just the habits that stop churn before it starts.

Water quality makes or breaks loyalty, so we outline a preventive playbook: sustaining proper chlorin...

Ever wonder what the numbers really look like behind a pool service route? We pull back the curtain with a clear, practical breakdown of a 45-pool operation charging $185 per month, then map the journey from gross revenue to true take-home pay. You’ll hear how recurring service, tight expense control, and smart tax choices can turn a four-day workweek into roughly $5,000 in monthly net income without 12-hour days or constant upsell...

Ever finish a stop, glance at the truck, and realize you’re down to one gallon of chlorine with six pools to go? That pit-in-the-stomach moment is avoidable, and we walk through a field-tested system to keep your route moving without last-minute supplier runs or apologetic reschedules. Our goal is simple: turn your truck and garage into a lean, reliable inventory that protects your time and your bottom line.

We start with ...

Cold weather doesn’t put a year‑round pool on pause—it rewrites the playbook. We walk through the real rules of winter care for open pools in warmer regions, showing you how to keep water clear, equipment safe, and surfaces protected when temperatures drop. From algae myths to smarter chemistry, you’ll get a practical framework you can use the same day.

First, we tackle the big misconception: cold water doesn’t kill algae,...

A handshake can’t stop a chargeback, clean a windblown pool in one visit, or explain why you took a sick day. We dig into the real-world moments that turn friendly client relationships into friction, and show how a simple one-page service agreement replaces tension with trust. From setting owner responsibilities like maintaining water level and providing clear access, to outlining late fees, service pauses, and repair payments, we ...

Ever wonder why a pool stays clear for months and then collapses in a heatwave despite “weekly shock”? We pull back the curtain on the most persistent pool chemistry myths and replace them with simple, durable rules you can use on every visit. This is a frank guide to working with stabilizer, choosing the right chlorine, and avoiding the subtle traps that turn easy weeks into green emergencies.

We start by dismantling the ...

Air is the invisible enemy of a pool pump, and once it slips into the system, your prime is gone, your filter pressure dives, and your day gets longer. We zero in on the real reasons pumps refuse to prime and share the simple, reliable fixes working pros use to get water moving fast.

We start with the most common failure point—the pump lid O‑ring—and explain how age, dryness, and missing gaskets break the vacuum seal. From...

Customers don’t judge by jargon; they judge by what they see and how their pool performs after you leave. We dive straight into the habits that signal true professionalism on a pool route: a 30–40 second equipment scan, disciplined filter decisions, and a firm stance on water-level responsibilities that keeps you out of liability trouble.

You’ll learn a simple checklist for catching leaks, reading filter pressure, and spot...

Choosing a variable speed pump shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. We walk through a simple, field-tested way to size the right unit by matching your current single-speed horsepower to modern total horsepower (THP), accounting for plumbing size, distance, and voltage, and then using RPM control to hit your flow goals without wasting energy. No fluff—just practical rules you can apply the moment you step onto the equipment pad.

Some pools look profitable until they aren’t. We pull back the curtain on the accounts that drain time, money, and patience, and we map out the simple rules that keep your route safe and sustainable. From the backyard with a trained guard dog to the “easy” green pool with a dying pump, we show you how to spot trouble before you’re knee-deep in cloudy water and finger-pointing.

First, we talk safety with real stories from t...

In this episode of The Pool Guy Podcast Show, I share how to spot and avoid bad customers. From late payers to micromanagers and unrealistic pool owners, I’ll walk you through the red flags I’ve learned to recognize over the years. I’ll also give you my strategies for setting expectations, protecting yourself with agreements, and knowing when it’s time to walk away. Not every account is worth keeping — and sometimes saying no is th...

In this episode of The Pool Guy Podcast Show, I share how I’ve landed new accounts through networking with builders, realtors, and HOAs. These groups already have the trust of homeowners — and if you position yourself the right way, they can become your biggest referral sources. I’ll break down my personal approach. I’ll also give you some practical tips for building and keeping those relationships strong. If you’re tired of chasin...

In this episode of The Pool Guy Podcast Show, I’m exposing a scam that’s been making the rounds in our industry and costing pool pros real money. The setup sounds innocent — someone calls saying they’re moving in soon and want to hire you for pool service. They send you a check that looks legitimate, but it’s written for too much, and then they ask you to forward the extra to another “vendor.” By the time the bank flags the check a...

In this episode of The Pool Guy Podcast Show, I’m sharing some of the biggest pool fails I’ve run into over the years. I’ll talk about the headaches of trying to get warranty coverage through a home warranty policy, why salt pools with dead cells can bring everything to a halt, and the hidden dangers of running your pool with low water. I’ll also dive into equipment rooms with terrible placement that make servicing nearly impossibl...