The Pool Guy Podcast Show

David Van Brunt
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

In this podcast I cover everything swimming pool care-related from chemistry to automatic cleaners and equipment. I focus on the pool service side of things and also offer tips to homeowners. There are also some great interviews with guests from inside the industry. 

  1. Pool Water Testing Explained: What Pros Actually Use

    14 hrs ago

    Pool Water Testing Explained: What Pros Actually Use

    Bad pool chemistry decisions usually start with one thing: a bad test. We walk through the real pros and cons of the tools most people rely on to test pool water, and why your “best” method changes based on whether you’re running 80 stops a week, bidding a new account, starting up fresh plaster, or managing commercial compliance. We compare test strips, Taylor-style reagent test kits (including the popular K-2005 and K-2006), photometers like the Pool Lab 2.0 and ColorQ 2X Pro, and high-speed options like the LaMotte Spin Touch. You’ll hear where each method shines, where it can mislead you, and how factors like reagent shelf life, tablet handling, and simple user error can swing your readings. We also dig into why photometers are so powerful for accurate pH and chlorine numbers, plus how digital logging can support commercial pool records and customer trust. To wrap it up, we share a practical “mix and match” approach for pool service businesses: use the affordable tools daily, verify weird results quickly, and pull out the precision gear when you’re balancing LSI or solving a stubborn problem. We also make the case for one digital tool that earns a permanent spot on your truck: a reliable TDS and salinity meter, while explaining why portable digital pH probes often create more hassle than value. If this helps, subscribe, share it with another pool pro, and leave a quick review with your go-to testing method. We break down the four main ways to test pool water and explain why “best” depends on your route, your budget, and how precise you really need to be. We compare speed, cost, accuracy, and real-world use cases so you can stop guessing and start testing with purpose.   • four common methods: test strips, reagent kits, photometers, digital testers   • why Taylor reagent test kits stay the most affordable option for weekly service   • the biggest drawback of reagent kits: color matching and human interpretation   • how photometers work and why they deliver more precise digital readings   • when logging and documentation matter for commercial pools and startups   • why LaMotte Spin Touch is fast but expensive to run   • when test strips are accurate enough and when they are not   • using strips to verify odd readings and quickly confirm low chlorine   • which test factors you do not need to measure every week   • how user technique affects photometer accuracy with tablets and drops   • why a TDS and salinity meter is the most useful digital tool   • why portable digital pH probes often create more work than value   Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   Looking for other podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swingingpolearning.com.   If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    18 min
  2. Should You Buy a Cheap Variable Speed Pool Pump?

    1d ago

    Should You Buy a Cheap Variable Speed Pool Pump?

    A $300 variable speed pool pump can feel like the smartest upgrade you’ll make all year, until you try to plumb it in, dial in the flow, or keep it running past the first season. We dig into the budget VS pump wave hitting Amazon and big box retailers, and I share what I’d want any pool owner or pool service pro to understand before betting their circulation system on a bargain listing. We start with the unglamorous stuff that decides whether the install is easy or painful: equipment pad layout, inlet and outlet alignment, and why matching your existing pump family (Pentair, Hayward, or Jandy) often saves time and avoids surprise replumbing. From there, we get into the numbers that matter in real backyards. Horsepower ratings and “performance” claims don’t always translate to real head pressure, especially on complex pools with spas, water features, long plumbing runs, or higher resistance systems. If the pump can’t push water, everything downstream suffers. Next, we talk reliability and total cost of ownership. Cheap variable speed pumps can work, but the components and the drive electronics are often where corners get cut, and reviews commonly point to early failures. We also cover practical deal breakers: finding replacement parts, getting someone willing to service an off brand pump, and whether a standalone VS pump will communicate with automation systems like EasyTouch or Aqualink. Finally, I lay out smarter alternatives, including mid priced brand name VS pumps and a budget friendly approach many people overlook: replacing just the motor and drive (Century or Nidec) while keeping a solid wet end. If you’ve been tempted by a too good to be true price, listen all the way through, then subscribe, share it with a pool owner who’s shopping right now, and leave a quick review. What’s the lowest price you’d trust for the pump that runs your whole pool? We break down the real pros and cons behind the $300 to $700 variable speed pool pumps showing up on Amazon and at big box stores. We walk through install fit, honest performance, drive reliability, and why the cheapest option can get expensive fast.   • why low cost variable speed pumps can still run   • equipment pad alignment and why the inlet matters   • horsepower and head pressure claims that may not match reality   • a real service story where flow problems exposed an off brand pump   • cheap components, short lifespan reviews, and total cost math   • limited replacement parts and the risk of no service support   • automation drawbacks with EasyTouch and Aqualink systems   • better alternatives like mid priced name brands and motor plus drive retrofits   Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at Pool PoolGuyCoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    19 min
  3. How to Actually Find the Source of Algae in Your Pool

    2d ago

    How to Actually Find the Source of Algae in Your Pool

    Algae can make you feel like you’re losing your mind: you raise chlorine, the pool looks better, and then the green haze or mustard dust is back next week. We’re breaking that loop by doing something most pool care advice skips, identifying the real source of algae in a swimming pool, not just treating the symptoms. Some pools are simply under heavier “environmental pressure” from pollen, wind, and nearby trees, while others grow algae because of shade, poor circulation, and those stubborn dead spots where sanitizer never truly reaches. We also get practical about the equipment side of algae prevention. I walk through why a clean, working filter matters so much for chlorine distribution, how seasonal pump runtime often needs a big jump from winter to spring, and why over-backwashing a sand filter can actually hurt performance. If you’ve ever seen low chlorine readings that don’t make sense, worn cartridges or damaged DE grids may be part of the problem. Then we tackle the chemistry that solves a huge mystery for pool pros and homeowners alike: the free chlorine to cyanuric acid relationship. Using the 7.5% guideline, I explain how a pool can show 10 ppm free chlorine and still grow algae when CYA is very high, especially when trichlor tablets keep pushing stabilizer upward. Finally, we cover prevention add-ons like phosphate remover, enzymes, borates to 50 ppm, and mineral systems like Pool RX, plus the simplest high-impact habit of all: consistent brushing. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who fights algae, and leave a quick review so more pool owners and service techs can find the show. What’s the one pool on your route that keeps growing algae no matter what you do? Algae is not inevitable in every pool, so we focus on why certain pools on a route keep getting blooms while others stay clean. We walk through how to pinpoint the real source, then stack prevention tactics that make algae far less likely to return.   • environmental algae pressure from pollen, trees, and wind-driven debris   • shaded areas and circulation dead spots where chlorine does not reach   • filter condition and seasonal runtime as core algae controls   • sand filter backwashing based on a 10 psi rise   • the 7.5% free chlorine to cyanuric acid ratio and why “high chlorine” can still fail   • strategies to avoid runaway CYA from trichlor tablet use   • phosphate remover and enzymes as algae prevention tools   • borates to 50 ppm for long-term algistat protection   • mineral systems like Pool RX to prevent microalgae   • weekly brushing as a simple, high-impact habit for stubborn pools   Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support. From me, I’m a 35-year veteran in the industry. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, I’ve got the tools to help you succeed. Learn more at Sumipoollearning.com.   If you’re interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    17 min
  4. Bob Lowry on Pool Service Rookie Mistakes

    5d ago

    Bob Lowry on Pool Service Rookie Mistakes

    Algae every week even though the test kit shows plenty of chlorine? That headache usually isn’t bad luck, it’s bad math. We dig into the most common rookie mistakes new pool service pros make and show the chemistry behind why a pool can read “sanitized” while algae still wins. The big unlock is understanding cyanuric acid (CYA) and how it binds most of the chlorine in the water, leaving only a small active portion available to kill algae.  From there, we make the fix practical: stop guessing and start targeting free chlorine based on your stabilizer level. We walk through the easy field rule that free chlorine should sit around 7.5% of CYA, plus how adding borates at about 50 ppm can lower that requirement to roughly 5% in many pools. If you’re servicing trichlor pools with high CYA, this framework explains exactly why “6 ppm is high” can still be nowhere near enough.  We also shift from pure chemistry to water balance and operations. We talk about the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), what it’s designed to predict (scale forming vs corrosive water), and why “balanced” isn’t the same as “stable” when alkalinity and pH are constantly drifting. Then we hit a nuts-and-bolts issue that ruins otherwise good chemistry: filtration runtime. We explain turnovers, why one turnover only filters about 65%, why three turnovers is a smart target, and how low circulation creates dead zones where algae can grow.  If you want to tighten up your pool maintenance results, reduce call-backs, and run a more predictable pool service business, listen through and take notes. For more training, visit swimmingpoollearning.com and check out PoolGuyCoaching.com, then subscribe, share the show with a tech who needs it, and leave a review so more service pros can find it. We break down the most common rookie mistakes that keep new pool service pros stuck in recurring algae, cloudy water, and constant chemical chasing. We show how to set smarter chlorine targets using the cyanuric acid ratio, when borates change the math, why LSI can mislead if you ignore stability, and how pump runtime and turnovers make or break circulation.   • misunderstanding how high cyanuric acid weakens effective chlorine   • using the 7.5% of CYA free chlorine target   • lowering the chlorine requirement with 50 ppm borates   • why “2 to 4 ppm chlorine” can fail for algae prevention   • what LSI predicts and what it does not   • choosing target ranges to make water stable week to week   • calculating turnovers from pool volume and flow rate   • why short runtimes create dead spots and let algae take hold   Learn more at swimming poollearning.com.   If you're looking for other podcasts, just go to my website, swimming for learning.com.   And if you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    22 min
  5. Bob Lowry on Dialing in Free Chlorine the Right Way

    6d ago

    Bob Lowry on Dialing in Free Chlorine the Right Way

    Your pool can look fine on paper and still be losing the chlorine battle. We dig into the frustrating “problem pool” scenario where you’re pouring in gallons of chlorine and the free chlorine (FC) reading barely budges, then break down what’s really happening when chlorine gets consumed faster than you can add it. With Bob Larry’s help, we walk through how to think like a detective: look at the environment, the deck, landscaping, runoff, bather load, and even the odd stuff people don’t mention like rinsing tools or chemicals in the pool.  From there, we get practical about chlorine demand, including the idea of negative chlorine demand where your first big doses are basically paying off a hidden deficit. We talk through a proven cleanup strategy: raise FC to a strong level and keep it there for 24 to 48 hours so the pool actually finishes oxidizing contaminants and knocking out algae, instead of slipping back into the same cycle. We also touch on an underrated cost saver for commercial pools and busy backyards: getting swimmers to rinse off first can dramatically reduce what chlorine has to burn through.  Finally, we tackle the classic complaint: “My chlorine is 3 to 5 ppm but algae keeps coming back.” The missing link is cyanuric acid (CYA) and how it changes chlorine effectiveness. We explain the 7.5% of CYA rule for setting a reliable free chlorine target that prevents algae, plus why consistency between service visits matters so much in warm, sunny conditions. If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with a pool owner or tech, and leave a review so more people can stop wasting chlorine and start keeping water clear. We troubleshoot the pool that burns through chlorine and still reads near zero, using a detective mindset to track down hidden sources of chlorine demand. We also explain why “normal” free chlorine targets can still allow algae, then land on a practical CYA-based chlorine rule that keeps pools clear.   • identifying real-world chlorine killers like yard debris, runoff, deck wash water, and heavy bather load   • spotting sneaky contamination from cleaners, solvents, and tool rinsing   • understanding early algae growth, biofilm, and why algae is mature when you finally see it   • recognizing negative chlorine demand when big doses barely move the test result   • holding a high chlorine level for 24 to 48 hours to fully oxidize organics and kill algae   • reducing chlorine usage by having swimmers rinse off before getting in   • using the 7.5% of CYA free chlorine target to prevent algae   • keeping free chlorine consistent between service days to avoid fast blooms   Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support from me. I'm a 35-year veteran in the industry. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, I've got the tools to help you succeed. Learn more at swimming poollearning.com.   If you're looking for other podcasts, just go to my website, swimming for learning.com.   If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at pullguycoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    16 min
  6. Bob Lowry Breaks Down TDS in Pool Water

    Jun 24

    Bob Lowry Breaks Down TDS in Pool Water

    If you’ve ever stared at a “perfect” test strip while the pool still acts weird, you’re probably missing one of the quietest drivers in pool water chemistry: TDS. We dig into what Total Dissolved Solids actually means, why a simple digital meter belongs on every service truck, and how TDS can swing your saturation index enough to change your real-world results. Along the way, we unpack the old-school truth behind TDS, what the meter is really reading (conductivity), and why it is still a valuable approximation for everyday pool maintenance decisions. We also get specific about what’s building up in the water over time. Chlorine doesn’t just disappear, it becomes chloride. Many of the products you add carry sodium, and those ions stay behind. That matters even more in a saltwater pool, where you might be running 3,000 to 3,400 ppm salt before you count everything else. We talk through why a 5,000 to 6,000 ppm TDS reading can be normal with a generator running, but can turn into a chemistry headache when the cell is off and the salt is just along for the ride. One of the biggest takeaways is a myth-buster: the saturation index can describe scale forming or plaster corrosivity, but it does not predict metal corrosion. Real corrosion shows up in places you can see, like salt splash-out that dries into concentrated salt on decks and equipment, or motors and hardware that fail even when the index looks “fine.” We also cover when high TDS is a drain-and-dilute conversation in non-salt pools (about 1,500 ppm over starting), plus the tricky world of color bodies, organic staining, and why chlorine alone sometimes cannot fix yellow or tinted water. If you want fewer mystery problems and faster diagnoses, subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more techs start testing what actually builds up over time. We break down what TDS really measures, why it affects the saturation index, and why so many pool pros still ignore it. We also clear up a costly myth: “balanced” water can still corrode metal, especially around saltwater pools.   • why TDS testing fell out of routine pool service and why it matters   • what a TDS meter actually measures through conductivity and why it is an approximation   • what builds TDS over time, especially chloride and sodium from common pool chemicals   • how saltwater pools push TDS higher and what happens when the generator is off   • why the saturation index describes plaster risk, not metal corrosion risk   • real-world clues of high TDS such as brackish taste, stubborn color, and “can’t fix it” water   • how color bodies and organics can stain plastics and cleaners and resist chlorine   If you're looking for other podcasts, just go to my website, swimming for learning.com. On the banner is a podcast icon. There'll be a drop down menu with over 1900 podcasts for you there to listen to at your leisure. And if you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    17 min
  7. Bob Lowry on the Dangers of High CYA Levels

    Jun 23

    Bob Lowry on the Dangers of High CYA Levels

    Your pool water can look “chlorinated” on a test and still be unsafe or algae-prone. The missing piece is cyanuric acid (CYA), the pool stabilizer that quietly binds most of your chlorine and changes how much active sanitizer you actually have working for you. We sit down with Bob Lowry, inventor of liquid pool conditioner, to get brutally clear on why high CYA is a real problem and how to fix it without guessing.  We dig into what cyanuric acid really does beyond UV protection, how the chlorine to CYA equilibrium works, and why the same free chlorine reading can mean totally different sanitizing power depending on your stabilizer level. Bob lays out an easy operating rule for pool maintenance: target free chlorine as a percentage of CYA, with different guidance depending on whether you use borates. If you’ve ever fought recurring algae, this is the chemistry that explains why.  We also connect the dots to the most common cause of runaway stabilizer: trichlor tabs. When CYA rises week after week, the required chlorine level rises with it, creating a vicious cycle that catches a lot of pools in midsummer. We cover practical ways to transition to liquid chlorine, plus simple feeding options that keep levels steady between service visits. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a pool owner who keeps battling algae, and leave a review. What’s your current CYA level and how are you chlorinating right now? We break down why high cyanuric acid quietly weakens chlorine and forces you into higher and higher dosing just to prevent algae. Bob Lowry explains the real stabilizer to chlorine relationship, plus simple target ranges and practical ways to stop CYA from spiraling out of control.   • why cyanuric acid does more than block sunlight   • how CYA binds chlorine and slows sanitizing action   • the 7.5% of CYA chlorine target without borates   • the 5% of CYA chlorine target with borates   • recommended CYA ranges for outdoor pools and saltwater chlorine generators   • why trichlor tabs raise CYA and create a vicious cycle   • switching to liquid chlorine and options for midweek dosing   Are you a full service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    14 min
  8. Bob Lowry: The Truth About Persistent High pH in Pools

    Jun 22

    Bob Lowry: The Truth About Persistent High pH in Pools

    Your pool pH isn’t “random” or “stubborn” and once you understand what’s actually driving the rise, you can finally stop the endless acid cycle. We dig into the real reason pH climbs week after week: CO2 off gassing. Total alkalinity controls how much carbon dioxide wants to escape, and when alkalinity is too high, the water is essentially overcarbonated. As CO2 leaves the water to reach equilibrium with the air, pH rises, and the problem repeats. We also get honest about the pools that fight you the hardest: feature pools with negative edges, spillways, waterfalls, scuppers, rock cascades, spa jets, and blowers. All that aeration and turbulence accelerates CO2 loss, which means faster pH drift no matter how “perfect” your numbers look on paper. You’ll hear a simple spa-style experiment that makes the aeration effect impossible to ignore, plus the hard truth that some extreme designs may require a CO2 injection system if you want truly stable pH. Saltwater chlorine generator pools add their own twist. We explain how SWGs raise pH through hydroxide production and continuous aeration inside the cell, then talk through practical ways to reduce generator runtime by cutting chlorine demand. That leads into borates, cyanuric acid strategy, and why dialing in free chlorine as a percentage of CYA can work better than a one-size-fits-all target. We also clear up a long-running pool chemistry myth: liquid chlorine and calcium hypochlorite don’t create a lasting pH rise after chlorine is consumed. If you want fewer corrections, steadier readings, and a repeatable method for controlling rising pool pH, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a pool owner or pool pro who’s fighting pH, and leave a review with your biggest pH question. We break down why pool pH keeps rising and why the real driver is often CO2 off gassing tied to total alkalinity and aeration. We share practical targets and field-tested fixes for salt pools, feature pools, and new plaster so you can stop chasing pH every week.   • total alkalinity controlling CO2 off gassing and pH drift   • why high TA makes pH rise faster and more often   • setting realistic TA targets and lowering TA to stabilize pH   • how waterfalls, spillways, negative edges, jets, and turbulence push pH up   • when a CO2 injector becomes the only realistic path   • saltwater chlorine generator effects including hydroxide production and aeration in the cell   • using borates to reduce chlorine demand and slow pH rise   • balancing cyanuric acid and free chlorine as a percentage strategy   • plaster hydration in new pools raising pH for months   • why liquid chlorine and cal hypo do not cause lasting pH rise after chlorine is spent   Learn more at SwimmingPoollearning.com.   If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at pullguycoaching.com.   Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits      [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

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5
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About

In this podcast I cover everything swimming pool care-related from chemistry to automatic cleaners and equipment. I focus on the pool service side of things and also offer tips to homeowners. There are also some great interviews with guests from inside the industry. 

Information

  • Creator
    David Van Brunt
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pool Guy Podcast Show
  • Show Website
    The Pool Guy Podcast Show

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