When Customers Meet Chlorine Science

Text us a pool question!

Andrea kicks off the episode venting about her latest headache — a string of finicky customers inside a gated community who think pool service comes with mind-reading included. From access codes that don’t work to residents insisting their “pool smells too clean,” Andrea’s got stories that’ll make any tech feel seen. Paulette chimes in with her trademark humor and hard-earned wisdom, grounding the chaos with her calm-but-deadly insights on customer communication and setting boundaries.

But the episode doesn’t stay in the HOA drama zone for long — it quickly pivots into an impromptu chemistry deep dive. When one customer complains about chlorine levels “being too high because it smells,” Andrea and Paulette use the opportunity to unpack the truth behind chlorine chemistry, how Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) actually works, and why the “chlorine smell” myth refuses to die.

They break down:

• What ORP means in plain English (and why it’s a better measure of sanitation than free chlorine alone)
• How environmental factors like pH, sunlight, and CYA influence oxidation potential
• Common test kit interferences that can make readings go haywire — from residual monopersulfate (MPS) to copper and even dirty sample cells
• Why color-matching tests in the field are not the chemistry gospel some pool owners think they are

Andrea’s frustration turns into a mini chemistry class, with Paulette walking through troubleshooting steps that balance humor and hard science. The result? A perfect blend of real-world technician talk and science-backed pool wisdom that every service pro and water chemistry nerd will love.

Key Takeaways:

• Gated communities = gated logic (sometimes). Access and attitude are both part of the job.
• Chlorine smell ≠ too much chlorine — it’s usually chloramines, a sign of not enough free chlorine.
• ORP gives you a snapshot of water’s true oxidizing potential, not just the chlorine ppm number.
• Test interference can ruin your data faster than a leaf in a sample cell. Know your kit, rinse your vials, and don’t trust a color block alone.
• Customer education starts with confidence in your own chemistry knowledge.

Closing Moment:
Andrea ends the episode with a sigh and a laugh — “Maybe I’ll just put up my own gate next time.” Paulette replies, “As long as it keeps the chloramines out.”

Episode Length: ~42 minutes
Perfect For: Pool techs who love a mix of field stories and chemistry truth bombs — and anyone who’s ever been buzzed in by a gate code that didn’t work.

Hashtags:
#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolPros #WaterChemistry #ORP #ChlorineMyths #PoolServiceLife #AndreaAndPaulette #CPOClass #PoolTechTalk

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tik Tok

Email us: [e-mail]