The Pool Guy Podcast Show

David Van Brunt
  • 4.7 (133)
  • 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. Before You Start a Pool Service Business, Listen to This

    1h ago

    Before You Start a Pool Service Business, Listen to This

    Everyone loves the freedom of owning a pool service business until the scary questions show up: “What if I fail?” “What if I get sick?” “What about health insurance and retirement?” I walk through the most common negatives people bring up about the pool industry and give you the unfiltered reality, including the parts I can’t sugarcoat. We start with the small business failure myth and why it’s often less about the industry and more about basics like experience, customer service, and having an actual plan. From there, I challenge the idea that a W-2 job automatically equals security. Layoffs, automation, and AI have changed the game fast, and I explain why hands-on service work like pool cleaning, chemical balancing, and equipment problem-solving is far harder to replace than many “career” office roles. Then we get into the real hurdles: self-employed health insurance costs, what happens if you’re injured, and how to think about retirement when you don’t have a 401k match or pension. I share practical ways to reduce risk, including building a six-month emergency fund, using monthly service billing to create breathing room, and setting pool service pricing that covers the true cost of running your business. If you’re thinking about starting a pool route or scaling your existing route, this is the mindset and strategy check that keeps you from overthinking and underpricing. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more service owners can find the show. We name the biggest negatives people say about the pool industry and separate real hurdles from fear-based noise. We also share practical ways to protect yourself with pricing, savings, and long-term planning so pool service stays stable and scalable.   • why the “8 out of 10 businesses fail” stat misses what actually causes failure   • how competence, planning, and customer service change the odds fast   • why “no safety net” applies to most jobs now, including white-collar roles   • why service businesses like pool service are harder to replace with AI   • building a six-month emergency fund to reduce stress and risk   • the real downside of self-employed health insurance and how to price for it   • what to do if you get sick or injured, including scheduling realities with monthly billing   • replacing a pension mindset with consistent investing and scalable income   Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.   Join the pool guy 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

    19 min
  2. Residential vs. Commercial Pools: No Contest

    1d ago

    Residential vs. Commercial Pools: No Contest

    Commercial pool service can look like the fast lane to bigger revenue, until you realize how many forces you do not control. We walk through the real differences between residential pool care and commercial pool maintenance, starting with what “commercial” actually means: community-used pools like apartments, HOAs, hotels, the YMCA, and public facilities that live under health department oversight. That oversight changes your day, your paperwork, and your stress level in ways most new techs do not see coming.  We get specific about the operational realities: inspections, daily logs, and shutdown triggers tied to chlorine and pH ranges, plus the unpredictable stuff like user behavior that can close a pool even when you did your job. We also talk about the people side of the business, because commercial accounts often add management companies, approval delays, and the challenge of pleasing 30 or 40 voices instead of one homeowner. If you have ever felt stuck waiting on authorization while a motor is down and the water is slipping, you will recognize this problem instantly.  Then we dig into the money, the right way. Yes, commercial accounts can pay significantly more, but they usually demand three to five visits a week, higher insurance limits, and a “headache factor” you should price honestly. We also cover the risk of concentrating your income in a few large accounts and the cash-flow pain that can come with net-30 billing and slow payments. If you are deciding what kind of pool service route to build, this conversation will help you choose with open eyes.  If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more service techs can find the show. We break down why residential pool care often beats commercial pool care for working pool pros, even when commercial accounts look more lucrative. We compare regulation, workload, pricing, risk, and the day-to-day realities that make one route easier to live with and easier to keep stable.   • defining commercial pools vs residential backyard pools   • health department regulation, inspections, and required logs   • certification differences like CPO requirements for commercial work   • dealing with management companies, approvals, and multiple stakeholders   • heavy bather load and why commercial water turns faster   • shutdown triggers and chemistry ranges that can get you closed   • pricing a commercial account, including the “headache factor”   • higher insurance requirements and building costs into bids   • time demands, service frequency, and why mixing routes is hard   • concentration risk when you lose a high-dollar account   • payment delays, net-30 billing, and the hassle of collections   Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support. Learn more at swimming poollearning.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

    20 min
  3. EPA vs. Sodium Bromide: The Real Story Part 2 of 2

    2d ago

    EPA vs. Sodium Bromide: The Real Story Part 2 of 2

    A single line on a label can shake an entire trade, especially when that trade has been using the product for 30 plus years. We pick back up with Scott Hamilton, the CEO of United Chemical, to sort out what the EPA’s “not for use in outdoor pools” language is really responding to, and whether the bromate concern is being evaluated in a way that matches real pool conditions. We get into the chemistry behind bromate exposure, including why some researchers argue it should not be assessed with a strictly linear model. Scott explains the case for looking at thresholds and real-world dose, plus the research showing how stomach acid can reduce a large portion of trace bromate back into bromide. We also talk about what makes the EPA process move slowly: protocol review, data acceptance, and the very real staffing and workload constraints that can turn a decision into a multi-year timeline. Then we zoom out to the business and legal side of pool chemical regulation. Why do some products stop claiming they “kill algae” even when pros swear they work? Because pesticidal claims trigger registrations, state-by-state fees, and a compliance burden that can be brutal. We also address the fear factor directly, how to think about risk tolerance, and why transparency matters when the manufacturer has a stake in the outcome. If you want to judge the study for yourself, we point you to the download link. Subscribe for more pool industry deep dives, share this with a tech who’s debating sodium bromide, and leave a review with your take: should outdoor pool labeling follow worst-case assumptions or field-relevant data? We keep talking with Scott Hamilton about the EPA’s interim stance on sodium bromide labels and what the latest bromate data actually says about real-world risk. We weigh the science, the legal reality of pesticidal claims, and why transparency matters when pool pros have relied on a product for decades.   • how bromate exposure is being modeled and why linear risk assumptions may not fit real pool use   • what research says about stomach acid reducing trace bromate back to bromide   • how the EPA makes interim decisions and what it would take to revisit or reverse them   • why some manufacturers remove algae-kill claims and how registration fees shape labels   • how to think about risk tolerance alongside other common pool industry hazards   • why publishing methods and raw data helps the industry move past rumors   If you'd like to see a copy of the study, there's going to be a link in this podcast description for you.   You can download that study and read it for yourself.   If you're looking for part one, again go to my website, swimmingprolearning.com, click on the podcast icon, and open a drop-down menu of other podcasts that I've done before.   If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com.   Download the full Sodium Bromide Study: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X6-1uJJ7MZugeRDpch0tpop2vg0hjPR0/view?usp=sharing 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

    29 min
  4. EPA vs. Sodium Bromide: The Real Story Part 1 of 2

    3d ago

    EPA vs. Sodium Bromide: The Real Story Part 1 of 2

    The EPA’s sodium bromide relabeling decision didn’t just tweak a bottle panel, it pulled a familiar algae treatment tool out of the outdoor pool conversation overnight. We’re joined by Scott Hamilton, the CEO of United Chemical to explain what the EPA’s interim decision actually says, why “not for use in outdoor pools” now shows up on sodium bromide-based algaecides, and how that single change ripples through distribution when big suppliers decide they won’t stock the category at all.  From there, we get practical and technical. Scott walks us through worst-case outdoor testing designed to stress the chemistry: high pH, zero cyanuric acid (CYA), and heavy liquid chlorine dosing in above-ground pools. We talk bromate formation, why the EPA leans on conservative assumptions like 100% conversion, and what the real-world data shows instead, including the striking difference between treating a pool with active algae versus clean water. If you’ve ever wondered why timing matters, we dig into the “first hour” window where most bromate formation tends to occur and what actually drives the reaction.  We also zoom out to risk, regulation, and perception: how Prop 65 style warning logic shapes the conversation, how the EPA swim model estimates ingestion exposure over a lifetime, and the question every pool pro asks, why hot tubs still get a pass while outdoor pools don’t. Subscribe for part two, share this with a pool pro who’s navigating algae season, and leave a review with your take on the ruling. We sit down with Scott Hamilton from United Chemical to unpack the EPA’s interim decision that forces sodium bromide products to remove outdoor pool use from their labels and triggers major supply chain fallout. We dig into bromate formation, what worst-case testing actually shows, and why the first hour after dosing becomes the key battleground in the chemistry debate.   • who the interim decision affects and why labels now read not for outdoor pools   • why Pool Corp and others stop carrying sodium bromide products   • how the EPA reaches decisions when it does not run its own controlled lab tests   • worst-case outdoor testing design using high pH, zero CYA, and heavy liquid chlorine   • what the data shows with algae present versus clean water   • why most bromate formation happens in the first hour   • how proprietary ingredients can suppress bromate formation   • how Prop 65 and linear risk models shape public perception   • why hot tubs get treated differently under the EPA exposure assumptions   Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at Swimmypoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at ProGuideCoaching.com.   Download the full Sodium Bromide Study: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X6-1uJJ7MZugeRDpch0tpop2vg0hjPR0/view?usp=sharing 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

    27 min
  5. Nautis VSF Maintains Perfect Flow Automatically!

    4d ago

    Nautis VSF Maintains Perfect Flow Automatically!

    Your pool doesn’t care what RPM your pump runs at. It cares about flow. And most of the headaches we see as pool owners and pool service pros start when circulation quietly drifts away from what the pool actually needs. I sit down with Sean McDermott, Executive Vice President at H2 Flow Controls, to unpack the Nautilus VSF variable speed pool pump and the idea behind it: stop guessing speeds and start controlling real, measured gallons per minute. We dig into adaptive flow, including constant flow mode and turnover mode, and why “set it and forget it” RPM schedules often fall apart as filters get dirty, plumbing conditions change, and water features or in-floor systems cycle on and off. Sean explains how the pump adjusts automatically to maintain the target flow rate, aiming for a pool that’s both energy efficient and operationally efficient. That means better circulation, more consistent chemical distribution, and fewer surprise problems that show up when flow drops over time. We also get practical on features pool pros will appreciate: app-based monitoring in the Blue Sync app, a dirty filter warning tied to sustained RPM increases, boost mode for bather load or rough weather, and upcoming heater control through a two-wire fireman switch with flow settings that help protect gas heaters and optimize heat pumps. We wrap with what went into testing, American manufacturing and support, and how the pump lines up with common installs so replacement work is simpler. If this helps you think differently about variable speed pumps, subscribe, share the episode with a pool pro friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find it. We talk with Sean McDermott from H2 Flow Controls about the Nautilus VSF variable speed pump and why measuring real flow beats guessing RPM. We explain how constant-flow control can improve circulation, protect equipment, and reduce the pool problems that show up when conditions change.   • the business case for launching a new VS pump in a crowded pool equipment market   • constant flow vs fixed RPM settings and why pump curves and head calculations often miss reality   • adaptive flow setup using pool gallons and either constant flow mode or turnover mode   • automatic adjustment as filters load up, water features change, and systems drift over time   • water quality benefits of steady circulation for chemical dispersion and salt systems   • Blue Sync app monitoring plus a dirty filter warning based on sustained RPM increase   • boost mode to handle sun, rain, heavy use, and seasonal debris   • heater control using a two-wire fireman switch with heater-safe flow settings   • scheduling support for in-floor cleaning systems   • made-in-the-USA development and faster support through in-house assembly and R&D   • installation fitment notes matching common pump footprints and the available horsepower models   To learn more about the Nautus VSF Pump, go to h2flow.net. You can also hear more podcasts by going to 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

    30 min
  6. Coming Soon! The New PCTI Video Training Program

    Jun 5

    Coming Soon! The New PCTI Video Training Program

    A lot of residential pool techs learn water chemistry the hard way: a few rules of thumb, a few opinions from the internet, and a lot of costly guessing when something won’t clear up. We wanted to change that conversation, so we brought Terry Arko back on to share real news about a new training rollout that preserves Bob Lowry’s legacy while making it easier for today’s pool service pros to actually use. We dig into why Bob Lowry’s Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) mattered so much for the backyard pool professional, especially in a world where CPO certification is aimed at commercial operations. Terry explains how HASA took on the responsibility of maintaining and expanding that residential pool care education, and how the growth of on-demand learning (including the influence of Orenda’s education approach) helped shape the new direction. The goal is simple: practical pool chemistry training that’s clear, relatable, and built for what you see on route. Then we get into the big update: HASA is filming 14 short training videos based on Bob’s residential material, followed by a quiz and a certification. We also talk about the specific concepts that make this training worth your time, including cyanuric acid (CYA) and chlorine effectiveness, water balance and LSI for residential pools, the importance of free chlorine over combined chlorine, and how understanding buffering and source water can help you save chemicals while keeping pools more stable. If you want smarter, simpler pool chemistry that you can apply immediately, listen through and keep an eye out for the video series dropping on the HASA site. Subscribe, share this with a tech who needs it, and leave a review so more pool pros can find the training they’ve been missing. We share breaking news on a new HASA-hosted training series that brings Bob Lowry’s residential pool chemistry teachings back in a modern format. We also talk through why practical, poolside chemistry education matters and how techs can access certification-style learning again.   • the training gap between residential pool service and commercial certification paths   • Bob Lowry’s teaching style and why it resonates with backyard pool pros   • how HASA and Orenda help expand access to pool chemistry education   • why the condensed two-hour format works better for many techs   • what to expect from the 14 short videos, quiz, and certification   • the downside of overly theoretical instruction and the value of usable concepts   • key chemistry topics like CYA, free chlorine, combined chlorine, LSI, source water, and buffering   Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. Email Terry Arko at terryarko@hasa.com. You can also learn more about the coaching program they offer 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

    19 min
  7. Summer Pool Survival Guide with Terry Arko

    Jun 4

    Summer Pool Survival Guide with Terry Arko

    Summer doesn’t “start” on a date for pool pros, it starts the moment the water warms and your easy week turns into a sprint. Terry Arco from HASA joins me to unpack what really changes when pools transition from spring to summer, and why the industry can feel like feast or famine depending on weather, bather load, and how prepared you are before the rush hits. We get specific about summer pool care: how rising water temperature shifts LSI, why calcium becomes more likely to precipitate and form scale, and why algae goes from dormant spores to rapid growth. That chemistry shift is exactly why chlorine demand climbs so fast, and why a “coasting” route can suddenly require tighter testing, faster adjustments, and fewer missed visits. We also talk practical prevention: proactive shock treatments while pools are quieter, checking cyanuric acid (CYA) early, and getting ahead of phosphates, borates, and total dissolved solids (TDS) so you’re not stacking fixes later. Then we zoom out to the real-world pressures pool service professionals face, including budgeting for 2x to 3x chemical use and navigating rising costs tied to fuel, transport, and labor. We also cover drought restrictions that can limit draining, which makes early-season drain and dilute decisions even more important. Finally, we get into pool tech safety: hydration that actually works (electrolytes, not just water), cooling strategies, and how to avoid the fatigue that can lead to dangerous mistakes on deck. If you want a smoother, safer, more profitable summer, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with your best preseason checklist tip. We talk with Terry Arco from HASA about the spring to summer shift that makes pools change fast and forces pool pros to move from cruising to full speed. We break down what warm water does to balance, algae risk, and your workload, plus how to protect your body when heat becomes the biggest hazard on the route.   • seasonal weather swings that disrupt the old summer calendar   • warmer water driving LSI changes and increasing scale potential   • algae waking up as temperatures rise and chlorine demand spiking   • proactive shock treatments before heavy pool use starts   • managing CYA early and avoiding mid-summer drain surprises   • checking phosphates, borates, and TDS to reduce troubleshooting later   • budgeting for higher chemical spend and ongoing price increases   • drought restrictions affecting draining and dilution strategies   • hydration with electrolytes and practical heat-safety routines   Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.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

    27 min
  8. The Most Frustrating Part of Cleaning a Pool Filter

    Jun 3

    The Most Frustrating Part of Cleaning a Pool Filter

    Filter cleaning is where “simple maintenance” turns into stuck lids, mangled threads, mystery leaks, and the one moment on a job that can actually hurt you. We walk through the common pool filter problems that almost never get talked about, especially on D.E. filters and quad cartridge filters with metal clamps and spring barrel nuts, and we share the exact fixes we use when a filter top refuses to seat back onto the tank. We get specific about the real culprit behind most hard-to-close lids: a worn or wrong O-ring, even when it looks perfectly fine. You’ll hear why brand-specific O-rings matter, how silicone spray and Magic Lube change the game, and what to do when the clamp hardware won’t thread or starts shedding metal because it’s cross-threaded. We also cover tightening and verification tips, including using a multi-torque socket and a rubber mallet to eliminate slack, because a clamp with gaps is not just a leak risk, it’s a safety risk. From there we shift to other route realities: single cartridge filters with overtightened plastic rings, debris-packed threads, and the fastest way to break them loose without breaking equipment. We also talk about fiberglass filter tanks that leave your arms itching for days, plus simple protection steps like long sleeves and even wrapping the lid. To round it out, we dig into drain plug headaches, leaking drain plug O-rings, and backwash valve problems, including push-pull piston valve O-rings, multi-port spider gasket symptoms, and a temporary ball valve trick that can buy you time until the proper repair. If this helps, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, share it with a tech who’s fighting a filter clamp right now, and leave a review with your go-to filter cleaning tip. We share the pool filter cleaning problems that blindside even experienced techs, from lids that refuse to seal to clamps that can become a real safety hazard. We also walk through practical tool-and-process fixes you can use on route to prevent leaks, reduce damage, and avoid painful mistakes.   • brand-specific filter O-rings and why “looks fine” can still fail   • silicone spray and Magic Lube methods to help lids seat and extend O-ring life   • safer filter cleaning by removing the pump lid to prevent pressure buildup   • spring barrel nut and clamp tricks when threads will not catch   • spotting cross-threading and when replacement is the only smart move   • freeing overtightened single cartridge rings with a rubber mallet   • preventing fiberglass tank itching with sleeves or saran wrap   • drain plug wrench options, leak risks, and spare drain plug O-rings   • push-pull piston valve symptoms and O-ring replacement guidance   • multi-port spider gasket failures and a temporary ball valve workaround   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 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

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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
    1.9K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pool Guy Podcast Show
  • Show Website
    The Pool Guy Podcast Show

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