The Pool Guy Podcast Show

David Van Brunt

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. The Pool Recovery Playbook

    hace 46 min

    The Pool Recovery Playbook

    A pool doesn’t turn cloudy for no reason, and it rarely gets fixed by “just add more chlorine.” When water looks dull, hazy, or starts showing algae, we use a simple three-step reset that gets results fast because it treats the whole pool system: filtration, sanitation, and circulation. We start where most people don’t: the filter. A dirty sand filter, DE filter, or cartridge filter can choke off flow, kill circulation, and trap the very debris you’re trying to remove. We talk about knowing your clean starting PSI, what high pressure is really telling you, and the real-world signs you’ll see at the skimmer or spillway when water isn’t moving. If you skip this step, you can shock all day and still watch the pool stay cloudy. Then we get specific about shocking to the right level and why “err on the side of more” often makes sense when algae, combined chlorine, or heavy organic load is present. For saltwater pools, we cover when to hit boost or superchlorinate, when to dial output to 100%, and how a dirty or failing salt cell can quietly be the reason chlorine dropped to zero. Finally, we dig into the underrated move that ties everything together: running the pump 24 hours (sometimes 48), how to do it with an Intermatic timer or automation, and how to explain the electricity cost versus chemical cost to customers. If you want a practical playbook for fixing cloudy pool water, improving pool circulation, and delivering better results as a pool service pro, press play. Subscribe, share this with a pool tech who needs it, and leave a review with your go-to method for turning a pool around. We walk through the three-step process we use to turn a cloudy, algae-prone pool back to crystal clear blue without wasting chlorine. We focus on filtration, shock-level dosing, and nonstop circulation so the water actually has a chance to recover. • Spotting early signs of poor pool water quality like cloudiness and algae   • Cleaning or backwashing first so flow and circulation recover   • Using filter PSI and visual flow clues to diagnose restriction   • Sand, DE, and cartridge filter actions that “move the needle”   • Shocking to the right free chlorine level based on severity   • Setting expectations with customers about no-swim windows   • Using salt system boost and turning output to 100%   • Troubleshooting why chlorine hits zero and preventing repeats   • Running the pump 24 to 48 hours using timers or automation   • Explaining electricity cost versus chemical cost to customers   Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   Looking for other podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swinging for learning.com, and clicking on the podcast icon and the banner.   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

    18 min
  2. Smart Pool Owners Are Future Thinking Their Pool Cleaners

    hace 3 días

    Smart Pool Owners Are Future Thinking Their Pool Cleaners

    A pool cleaner purchase is rarely just a purchase. It’s a long-term decision about repairs, downtime, and whether the “convenient” option becomes the most expensive option three seasons later. We walk through the real-world tradeoffs between suction side cleaners, pressure side cleaners, corded robotic pool cleaners, and the ever-popular cordless robotic pool cleaner. I break down why suction cleaners remain the most economical and most repairable choice for many pool service routes, and why cordless robots can feel amazing right up until you have to deal with warranty claims, shipping a unit back, or paying for a battery and drive assembly that isn’t designed for an easy swap. We also talk about what to look for in brand support, including whether there’s a true U.S. repair center or if you should expect a mail-in exchange and possibly a refurbished replacement. From there, we get practical about daily use. Corded robots can offer strong cleaning power and programmable weekly cycles, but the cord can be a hassle. Suction cleaners can run 24/7 with the pump and keep debris under control, yet hoses, swimmers, and solar surface skimmers can create friction. Pressure cleaners bring their own quirks too, especially when customers remove them and break quick disconnects or wall fittings. I share customer training tips that prevent common disasters, like leaving a suction cleaner on the deck while the system runs or exposing a skimmer opening after disconnecting hoses. If you want a smarter way to choose the best pool cleaner for your pool or your customers, hit play, then subscribe, share the show with a pool owner or pool pro, and leave a review so more people can find it. We break down how suction, pressure, corded robotic, and cordless robotic pool cleaners perform in the real world, not just on the box. We also get honest about warranties, battery repairs, service centers, and the customer habits that can turn a simple cleaner into a weekly problem.   • comparing cleaner price points and why suction stays the budget winner   • calculating cost per season versus long-term repairability   • understanding cordless robot battery design and why repairs get expensive   • checking for U.S. service centers and planning for shipping and refurbished replacements   • weighing corded robot power and programming against cord hassle   • using suction cleaners for week-long maintenance and spotting common annoyances   • handling pressure cleaner quick disconnects and avoiding broken wall fittings   • training customers on skimmer safety, baskets, and preventing pump air issues   Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   you can learn more at coolguycoaching.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. Pool Chemistry Gone Wrong: Common Tech Mistakes Explained

    hace 4 días

    Pool Chemistry Gone Wrong: Common Tech Mistakes Explained

    Eyeballing pool chemicals feels fast, but it can quietly wreck your results and your margins. I walk through the most common pool water chemistry mistakes I see on pool routes, starting with the habit of default dosing: “a quart of acid,” “half a gallon of chlorine,” and other shortcuts that ignore what the water is actually doing. With today’s chemical prices, accuracy matters, and the good news is it does not have to mean slow, complicated math. A simple dosing app like poolcalculator.com can get you to the right number in about a minute. From there, we get into why “balanced water” is bigger than clarity and sanitizer. The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) helps you spot water that is corrosive (heater damage, staining risk, surface wear) or scale forming (tile line buildup, equipment scaling). I explain how tools like the Orenda app make LSI practical in the field and why ignoring it can turn routine acid additions into long-term damage. We also talk about cyanuric acid (CYA) creep from trichlor tablets and how it snowballs through the season. As CYA rises, the free chlorine level required for effective sanitation rises too, which is why the 7.5% guideline matters. Finally, if you’re fighting algae, cloudy water, or chloramines, I explain why under-shocking often does almost nothing and how aiming beyond breakpoint chlorination can save you from repeat blooms next week. Subscribe for more pool service and pool chemistry training, share this with a tech who still eyeballs doses, and leave a review with the chemistry mistake you want help fixing next. We break down the pool water chemistry mistakes that waste chemicals, damage surfaces, and create repeat problems on a pool service route. I explain how quick dosing math, LSI awareness, and the right chlorine strategy make results more consistent and more profitable.   • relying on rules of thumb instead of calculating doses   • using dosing apps like poolcalculator.com to save time and money   • understanding LSI to prevent corrosive water and scale forming water   • recognizing cyanuric acid creep from trichlor tablets across the season   • applying the 7.5% CYA to free chlorine guideline to keep chlorine effective   • seeing how total alkalinity changes muriatic acid demand and pH drop risk   • avoiding underdosing when shocking for algae, chloramines, and combined chlorine   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

    18 min
  4. Pool Service Safety Tips That Matter

    hace 5 días

    Pool Service Safety Tips That Matter

    The fastest way to get hurt on a pool route is to treat “routine” like it means “safe.” We’re talking about the real hazards that show up behind the gate, the ones that don’t always look dangerous until the moment they are: the quiet dog watching you work, the safety net that has to be re-tensioned just right, the open gate you swear you’ll close “in a second.” I share the practical rules I use to reduce risk for myself and for any employee I’m training, because a single injury can take you off the schedule and a single mistake can turn into expensive property damage.  We dig into chemical safety from a pool technician’s point of view, including why muriatic acid leaks are so destructive, how drips happen off a service cart, and the habits that prevent stains on decks and driveways. Then we get blunt about the non-negotiables: never mix pool chemicals, don’t store incompatible products together, and don’t ignore how dangerous trichlor fumes can be when you open a chlorinator or when tablets get wet in a bucket. If you’ve ever caught a harsh “chlorine” smell and felt your lungs react, you already know this is not hypothetical.  We also hit electrical safety at the equipment pad, especially old Intermatic timers with missing safety shields that can leave live wires exposed. Wet hands, standing water, and a quick flip of a switch can become a shock in a heartbeat, so we talk about what to look for and what not to touch. I also flag the bigger business picture: liability, training, and why insurance is worth serious consideration.  If this helps you think differently about pool service safety, subscribe, share it with a tech you’re onboarding, and leave a review so more pool pros can find it. What safety rule has saved you the most trouble on your route? We walk through real-world pool service safety risks that can hurt techs, damage property, and create liability for your business. We share practical rules for pets, pool barriers, chemicals, and electrical gear so you can train employees and protect yourself on every stop.   • treating backyard dogs as a serious jobsite hazard   • avoiding accounts where pets cannot be reliably secured   • understanding why pool safety nets add time and liability   • building the habit of closing and latching every gate   • preventing muriatic acid spills with better transport and tight lids   • securing all chemicals in the truck and on the cart   • wearing nitrile gloves to reduce chemical burns   • never mixing pool chemicals and separating incompatible products   • respecting trichlor fumes from chlorinators and wet tablet buckets   • watching for missing safety shields on Intermatic timers to avoid shocks   • considering liability insurance to reduce risk exposure   Are you a pool 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 my 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

    18 min
  5. Employee Onboarding That Actually Works

    hace 6 días

    Employee Onboarding That Actually Works

    One rushed hire can undo years of hard-earned trust on your pool route. We break down how we train and onboard a new pool service employee so customers still get the same clean water, the same reliable routine, and the same professional experience they expect from us. We start with a realistic training timeline (and why three to four weeks of ride-alongs is often the sweet spot), plus the mindset shift that saves your sanity: a new pool technician will have questions, forget steps, and need reminders, even if they seem sharp on day one. From there, we define “culture” in a pool service business, because the service standard you tolerate becomes the service your tech delivers, whether you run a volume route or a premium, detail-driven route. Then we get practical about hiring in today’s market, where gig work competes for the same workers. We talk W-2 realities, pay structure options like hourly plus per-pool style bonuses, workers’ comp considerations, and the math you need to confirm you’re still profitable after payroll taxes. Finally, we outline a field-ready checklist: professional appearance, a consistent stop routine, key water chemistry tests, equipment checks, chemical safety, and the vacuuming standard that prevents the most common customer complaint. We close with a hard truth that matters: character screening can save you from a no-notice quit that leaves you holding the bag. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a pool pro who’s hiring, and leave a review so more service techs and owners can find the show. We lay out a practical approach to employee training and onboarding that protects your pool route, your service quality, and the value of your business. We talk honestly about why new techs forget steps, how customer complaints start, and what systems keep things running smoothly. • setting a realistic training timeline with ride-alongs and ongoing check-ins   • defining company culture and the service standard we expect   • hiring challenges from gig work competition and shrinking applicant pools   • planning pay structure, W-2 compliance, breaks, payroll records, workers’ comp   • presenting professionally with uniforms, truck signage, and basic conduct rules   • building trust while sharing the right amount of customer information   • teaching a repeatable pool stop routine from visual check to chemicals   • covering water chemistry priorities and what to test weekly versus quarterly   • inspecting equipment early to catch leaks, noise, and flow issues   • training chemical safety and preventing common trichlor mistakes   • setting a clear vacuuming rule to reduce customer complaints   • requiring fast reporting of problems before customers notice   • screening for character to reduce no-notice quitting risk   Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   If you're looking for other podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, sweetpoollearning.com on the banner.   And if you're interested in the coaching program I offer, 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

    24 min
  6. Phosphate Removers Explained Simply

    25 may

    Phosphate Removers Explained Simply

    Algae that won’t quit is usually trying to tell you something, and a lot of the time that “something” is phosphates. We dig into the real role phosphates play in pool water chemistry, why they’re measured in parts per billion, and why they don’t simply disappear through evaporation or time. If you’ve ever had a pool that looks balanced but still blooms, or you watch chlorine vanish day after day, this conversation gives you a clean, practical way to diagnose what’s happening. We break down the most common ways phosphates enter the water: fertilizer drift, organic debris, phosphate-containing soaps and cleaners, and especially fill water where orthophosphates can be added during municipal water treatment to protect copper pipes. From there, we get specific about when it makes sense to test, what “300 ppb” really means in the field, and which testing options are the easiest to rely on, from simple strips to pool store testing and tools like the Spin Touch. Then we talk treatment without the drama: how to choose a phosphate remover based on strength, how to dose per 10,000 gallons, and why overdosing can trigger cloudiness, heavy filter loading, and rising PSI. We also connect the dots to prevention, including maintenance dosing and the critical 7.5% free chlorine to cyanuric acid ratio so algae doesn’t reappear and make customers doubt the whole process. If you want clearer pools, fewer repeat algae calls, and a better way to explain pricing, hit play, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with your biggest phosphate or algae question. We break down what phosphates are, why they act like algae food, and why they linger in pool water instead of disappearing over time. We also walk through how to test, when to treat, how to dose safely, and how to prevent the same algae cycle from coming right back. • what phosphates are and why they feed algae • common phosphate sources such as fill water orthophosphates, fertilizer drift, cleaners and sequestrants • why phosphates build up instead of evaporating or breaking down • when algae points to a phosphate problem and the 300 ppb rule of thumb • practical testing options including strips, pool store tests and Spin Touch • choosing a phosphate remover based on strength and phosphate level • dosing guidance per 10,000 gallons and why overdosing causes cloudiness and high filter PSI • cleaning the filter after treatment and using maintenance doses all season • keeping algae from returning by holding free chlorine to the 7.5% FC to CYA ratio • how to explain the process and price the added chlorine and labor Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at Summicpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, 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

    18 min
  7. SKIMMER: Build A Pool Business You Can Sell

    22 may

    SKIMMER: Build A Pool Business You Can Sell

    Your pool service route isn’t just a weekly schedule, it’s an asset that can be worth real money if you can prove it. We sit down with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to get specific about what actually increases a pool service business valuation, and what quietly destroys it when a buyer starts digging. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build something you can sell, this conversation lays out the practical path. We get into what “due diligence” looks like when someone wants to acquire a pool service company: the buyer is really buying your people, your customers, and your data. That makes your pool service management software a core part of the deal. Clean service history, secure customer records, consistent invoicing, and organized routes don’t just make your life easier, they reduce risk for an acquirer and can materially raise what your business is worth. We also talk about the customer-facing side: modern communication and payments signal professionalism and help retention. Then we zoom out to the bigger trend: private equity and consolidation moving into pool service. We unpack the real fears pool pros have about pricing and marketing, why big companies often end up charging more, and how that can actually give small operators room to raise rates. We also tie it to the “speed wins” reality in home services, where answering first can beat price and reviews, and where tools like routing, customer communication, and AI-assisted call handling can help you compete. If you want to protect your route, grow smarter, and build a business that’s actually sellable, listen through to the end and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with the biggest change you’re making to increase your company’s value. Your pool service route isn’t just a weekly schedule, it’s an asset that can be worth real money if you can prove it. We sit down with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to get specific about what actually increases a pool service business valuation, and what quietly destroys it when a buyer starts digging. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build something you can sell, this conversation lays out the practical path. We get into what “due diligence” looks like when someone wants to acquire a pool service company: the buyer is really buying your people, your customers, and your data. That makes your pool service management software a core part of the deal. Clean service history, secure customer records, consistent invoicing, and organized routes don’t just make your life easier, they reduce risk for an acquirer and can materially raise what your business is worth. We also talk about the customer-facing side: modern communication and payments signal professionalism and help retention. Then we zoom out to the bigger trend: private equity and consolidation moving into pool service. We unpack the real fears pool pros have about pricing and marketing, why big companies often end up charging more, and how that can actually give small operators room to raise rates. We also tie it to the “speed wins” reality in home services, where answering first can beat price and reviews, and where tools like routing, customer communication, and AI-assisted call handling can help you compete. If you want to protect your route, grow smarter, and build a business that’s actually sellable, listen through to the end and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with the biggest change you’re making to increase your company’s value. 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

    25 min
  8. SKIMMER AI Phone - Never Miss A Lead!

    21 may

    SKIMMER AI Phone - Never Miss A Lead!

    The fastest way to lose a new pool service customer is painfully simple: let the call go to voicemail while you’re out on route. I sit down with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to talk about a practical use of AI that actually earns its keep, an AI phone receptionist built specifically for pool businesses. We get into what AI should do for operators, save time, reduce interruptions, and stop real revenue leaks, instead of adding another shiny tool to the pile. Niki breaks down how Skimmer’s AI Phone works day to day: answering during the hours you choose, asking the questions you design, and routing calls based on rules for existing customers versus brand-new leads. The system can collect contact info, address, service area details, and even pool type, then store the call data inside Skimmer and create a customer record automatically. We also talk about “custom knowledge” so you can embed troubleshooting steps and safety escalations, like when a caller reports smoke or a potential equipment hazard. Hal zooms out on what this means for growth in the pool industry. Bigger companies used to win by default because they could always pick up the phone. If a small operator can answer every call with an AI voice agent, the playing field shifts. We also dig into how to choose pool service software the smart way: stability, security, business continuity, and the ability to integrate with the rest of your tech stack through APIs and webhooks. If you’re looking for pool route software, field service management tools, and a realistic approach to AI automation, this one delivers. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro who misses too many calls, and leave a review with your biggest customer communication headache. What would you want an AI receptionist to handle first? We talk with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer about why missed calls quietly crush pool service growth and how an AI phone receptionist can fix it without adding office overhead. We also get honest about AI hype, what “real” time savings look like, and why software stability and security matter as much as flashy features.   • AI overwhelm and a simple test for value: does it reduce real work   • How Skimmer AI Phone answers calls and routes them by rules   • Capturing lead details automatically and creating new customer records   • Using custom knowledge for troubleshooting, escalations, and safety   • Why always answering calls changes the growth advantage of big companies   • Pricing, 30-day free trial, and what setup looks like in practice   • What to look for in pool route software: uptime, security, long-term support   • Building an integration ecosystem with APIs, webhooks, CRMs, and ERPs   • Making software simple for techs in the field and back office teams   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 swimmingpoollearning.com.   If you want to try Skimmer for free, simply go to my website, swimmingpoollearning.com, and click on the skimmer banner that's on the home page of the website.   And if you want more podcasts, you can also go to that same site, swimmingpoollearning.com. On the banner, there's a podcast icon. Click on that, and there'll be over 1900 podcasts there for you to listen to at your leisure.   And 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

    26 min

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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. 

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