The Pool Guy Podcast Show
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.
Episodes
1848 episodes
The Truth About Chem Costs and Pool Service Rates
Prices at the supply house keep climbing, and chlorine isn’t bouncing back to 2016. We dig into the real reasons chemical costs surged 100–160% in just five years—pandemic shocks, the Biolab fire, transportation and regulatory pressures, payrol...
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Season 10
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Episode 1849
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20:15
Ask the Pool Guy: YouTube Q&A
Tired of white dust on your dark pebble finish, shredded filter media, or the stress of a sudden cold snap? We dig into the practical, money-saving tactics that keep pools clear and equipment safe, backed by decades in the field and feedback fr...
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Season 10
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Episode 1848
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17:36
Why Your Pool Pump Isn’t the Problem — Your Filter Is
Clear water starts with the right filter, not a monster pump. We dive into the real drivers of pool clarity and ease of maintenance, showing why filter sizing determines circulation, energy use, and how often you clean. If you’ve battled cloudy...
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Season 10
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Episode 1847
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17:30
Cart vs Cordless: Which Pool Vacuum Is Best?
Heavy leaves or fine dust—what’s slowing you down? We break down the real-world tradeoffs between the most popular pool vacuum systems so you can match the right tool to every stop and cut your cleaning time without cutting corners. Drawing on ...
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Season 10
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Episode 1846
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19:40
Normal Pool Behavior vs Real Problems
Ever heard a variable speed pump scream for a minute on a cold morning and wondered if the motor is toast? We dig into the real-world signs that separate normal quirks from costly failures, sharing field-tested ways to read noises, clouding, an...
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Season 10
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Episode 1845
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19:41
Why Dog Pools Are Never “Balanced”
Clients adore their dogs, and many let them swim daily. We get real about what that means for your route: higher bather load, stubborn scum lines, clogged filters, and chlorine that seems to vanish overnight. Instead of fighting the habit, we s...
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Season 10
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Episode 1844
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17:40
Pool Service Vacation Rules Every Pro Should Know
Want a pool service schedule that actually lets you take time off without losing momentum or money? We break down a practical framework for solo operators and small teams to reclaim rest, reduce burnout, and keep customers happy year-round....
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Season 10
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Episode 1843
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20:23
The Right Way to Clean Heavy Debris Pools
Leaves don’t just make a mess, they steal your time, stress your body, and starve your margins. We break down a clean, repeatable system to handle heavy debris pools without burning out: what to avoid, what to automate, and where to invest so y...
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Season 10
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Episode 1842
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19:43
Pool Service Bidding Rules Every Pro Must Follow
Saying yes to every pool is the fastest way to burn out your route and your margins. We break down a practical bidding system for weekly service, green pool cleanups, acid washes, and installs that protects your time, sets clear expectations, a...
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Season 10
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Episode 1841
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21:05
Stop Chasing Fine Dirt: Bottom Feeder Cartridge Filter Assembly 2.0
Dust lines, cloudy steps, and second passes with a manual vac eat time and profit. We tackled the root problem—fine debris slipping through bags—and put the Bottom Feeder Cartridge Assembly Kit 2.0 to the test. The result is a portable vacuum t...
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Season 10
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Episode 1840
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19:20
When “One More Pool” Isn’t Worth
Ever wish you could drop a problem account without triggering a one-star review? We dig into a step-by-step method for ending service gracefully, using clear language, respectful timelines, and smart psychology to leave on good terms and protec...
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Season 10
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Episode 1839
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19:55
Stop Driving, Start Earning: Building a Tight Pool Route
Driving less can be the biggest raise you give yourself. We dive into how to tighten your pool service route so every mile worked actually pays, from drawing smarter borders to pruning outliers and building compact days that feel smooth even wh...
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Season 10
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Episode 1838
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18:28
You’re Driving Past Profit: Hidden Revenue on Your Pool Route
Ready to grow your pool business without adding long days or heavy labor? We break down a simple strategy to boost revenue using services already hiding along your route: hot tubs, water features, chemical-only tiers, and filter cleanings. With...
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Season 10
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Episode 1837
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19:29
Small Truck: When Going Compact Makes Sense
The truck you drive can either protect your margin or quietly drain it, and most pros overestimate how much vehicle they really need. We walk through a practical, field-tested approach to choosing a pool service rig that balances chemical safet...
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Season 10
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Episode 1836
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20:50
Dive In: Season 10 Starts Now
Two truths shape modern pool care: the fundamentals haven’t changed, and expectations never stop rising. We dig into why pool service remains resilient through recessions, how green pools trigger vector control action, and why owners treat upke...
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Season 10
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Episode 1835
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19:27
Balance or Bust: Finding the Ideal pH with Eric Knight
Forget the old rule that outdoor pools must live at 7.4 pH. We dig into why cyanuric acid, not pH, is the dominant force behind chlorine strength in the sun, and how reframing your strategy around the FC-to-CYA ratio can reduce algae, cut costs...
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Season 10
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Episode 1834
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14:51
Pool Chemistry Truths: Chlorine, pH & CYA with Eric Knight
Most pool pros have heard it for years: lower the pH to make chlorine stronger. That’s true in non-stabilized water, but once cyanuric acid enters the picture, the rules change. We sit down with Eric Knight to unpack why the FC-to-CYA ratio, no...
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Season 10
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Episode 1833
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23:49
PoolRx Boosters: When, Why, and How—According to Fred Schweer
Clear water without the constant chlorine chase starts with getting the minerals right. We sat down with Fridge Tweer from PoolRx to unpack how proper sizing, clean filters, and smart booster timing keep mineral levels in the sweet spot so chlo...
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Season 9
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Episode 1832
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21:22
High CYA & High Metals: Fred Schweer’s Fix-It Formula
Algae that won’t quit, stains that appear out of nowhere, and chlorine that seems to do less the more you add—if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We sat down with Fred Squeer of Pool RX to unpack the chemistry hiding beneath clear water:...
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Season 9
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Episode 1831
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18:30
Fred Schweer: The Science Behind PoolRx+ and Cleaner Water
Clear water shouldn’t require a chemistry degree, a mountain of tabs, or weekly emergencies. We sit down with Fred Schweer, VP of Sales at PoolRX, to unpack how a chelated mineral system—copper, silver, and zinc—eliminates algae and frees up ch...
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Season 9
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Episode 1830
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21:07
Bob Lowry on Surface Cautions Every Pool Pro Should Know
Pools don’t fail just from age or weather; they fail when chemistry, circulation, and surface type don’t match. We dig into the real-world differences between vinyl, fiberglass, plaster, and pebble finishes, showing how each material changes yo...
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Season 9
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Episode 1829
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19:58
Commercial vs Residential: Bob Lowry Explains the Big Differences
The calm of a backyard pool and the chaos of a hotel deck look similar from the waterline—but they run on different rules. We pull back the curtain on why commercial water turns volatile under heavy bather load, how chlorine gets consumed faste...
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Season 9
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Episode 1828
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22:10
Bob Lowry’s Start-Up Science for Every Pool Surface
Fresh plaster only gets one chance to cure right, and most problems start before the first cannonball. We dive straight into the real-world startup decisions that determine whether your pool finishes smooth and stain‑free or inherits permanent ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1827
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27:44
The Low pH Danger Zone: Bob Lowry Breaks It Down
Ever wonder why a pool can look fine one week and show stains, rough plaster, or a failing heater the next? The culprit is often low pH—water that turns aggressive, dissolves metals, and etches surfaces long before the damage is obvious. We wal...
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Season 9
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Episode 1826
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19:34
Bob Lowry’s Borate Blueprint for a Better Pool
Algae pressure, drifting pH, and vanishing chlorine can make pool care feel like a tug of war. We sat down with renowned chemist and educator Bob Lowry to map out a cleaner, calmer path: use borates the right way, match your CYA to your chlorin...
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Season 9
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Episode 1825
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22:06
