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
1717 episodes
One Mistake Could Sink You — Are You Covered?
Accidents happen — and when they do, general liability insurance can save your business and give your customers peace of mind. In this episode, I explain what general liability really covers, how it protects you personally, and ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1718
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20:28
Tiny but Mighty: Meet the Shrimp Cleaner from the Makers of the Bottom Feeder!
I’m back with Glen Heffernan for part two of our deep dive into the future of pool cleaning. We cover the brand-new Shrimp cleaner, talk product safety, and look at smart design updates like the new handle, the mystery of the thrust ring, and h...
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Season 9
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Episode 1717
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19:02
Sucking Up the Future: The Bottom Feeder’s Next Big Moves with Glen Heffernan
In this episode, I sit down with Glen Heffernan, the creator of The Bottom Feeder, to dive deep into how this incredible pool vacuum keeps evolving. We talk about the fascinating history behind it and break down all the latest features — from t...
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Season 9
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Episode 1716
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20:03
The pH Paradox: Why 8.0 Might Be Just Fine
Everyone talks about aiming for that perfect 7.4 pH—but what if a pH of 8.0 isn’t actually too high? In this episode, I break down how LSI (Langelier Saturation Index) changes the conversation. We’ll look at how water balance isn't just ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1715
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20:31
What Lies Beneath: The Truth About Pool Surfaces
In this episode, I'm diving into the world of pool surface types—plaster, pebble, quartz, fiberglass, and vinyl. I break down the real-world pros and cons of each, from durability and aesthetics to maintenance needs and cost over ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1714
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20:48
Too Acidic to Swim – Fixing Low pH Fast
In this episode, I’m tackling very low pH in swimming pools—what causes it, how it affects your swimmers, pool surfaces, and equipment, and most importantly, how to fix and prevent it. Whether it's rain, overuse of acid, or just i...
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Season 9
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Episode 1713
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19:48
Grip. Lock. Extend. Meet Gen 2 Primate Pole!
In this episode, I’m excited to introduce the 2nd Generation Primate Pool Tools carbon fiber poles. I’ll walk you through what’s new, what’s been improved, and why these American-made tools are worth a serious look — especially if you’re in the...
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Season 9
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Episode 1712
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18:36
Powder or Pour? Cal Hypo vs. Liquid Chlorine
Today I’m putting two heavyweights head-to-head: Calcium Hypochlorite vs. Liquid Chlorine. Both can sanitize your pool, but their differences might surprise you — from shelf life and dosing to calcium hardness and cloudiness. I’ll share when I ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1711
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20:45
Chlorine Smackdown: Tablets vs. Liquid
In this episode, I’m diving into the age-old battle of Liquid Chlorine vs. Trichlor tablets. I’ll break down the pros and cons of each, what they add to your pool, and why one might be slowly sabotaging your water balance. If you’re relying on ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1710
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20:50
Brush, Net, Repeat: The Essentials You Can’t Skip
If you’re just starting out on your pool route—or even just curious what it takes to clean a pool right—this episode is for you. I break down the basic tools I’d never leave home without: the brush, the net, the pole, the vacuum head, an...
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Season 9
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Episode 1709
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22:08
The Little Pump That Couldn’t
Let’s be honest—some of the equipment we run into on route looks like it’s been holding on since the '80s. In this episode, I’m talking all about undersized and outdated pool equipment—how to work around it, when to push for an upgrade, ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1708
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20:29
Cal Hypo Caution: Tablets With a Twist
In this episode, I dive into the surprising downsides of Cal Hypo tablets—a pool chemical that seems like a powerhouse at first glance, but can quietly cause some big headaches. I’ll walk you through how Cal Hypo adds calcium to your poo...
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Season 9
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Episode 1707
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17:49
Why I Walked Away from Commercial Service
Let’s get honest—are commercial pool accounts really worth the effort? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on commercial service from a small business perspective. I’ll talk about the pros, the major pitfalls, and why I’ve chos...
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Season 9
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Episode 1706
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23:22
It’s About Time: Mastering Intermatic Timers
In this episode, I'm cracking open one of the most iconic tools in the pool service world—the Intermatic mechanical timer. Whether you’re staring at a stuck dial, trippers that won’t trip, or a silent motor, I’ll walk you through how the...
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Season 9
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Episode 1705
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20:19
Bob Lowry’s Battle of the Algaecides
Ever wonder whether adding borates at 50 ppm is really better than using a mineral system or an algaecide for algae prevention? I asked Bob Lowry—and his answer was clear, science-based, and surprisingly strong. We unpack the pros and con...
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Season 9
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Episode 1704
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30:19
Start-Up Screwups with Bob Lowry
In this follow-up chat with Bob Lowry, we shift gears from methods to mistakes. From plaster damage and scaling to cloudy water and chlorine crashes, Bob walks me through the most common problems that happen during a new pool start-up—and how t...
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Season 9
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Episode 1703
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14:34
Bob's Blueprint for New Pool Startups
In part one of our deep dive, Bob Lowry shares the latest techniques for starting up new plaster pools. From traditional approaches to cutting-edge best practices, we break down how to give every new pool the cleanest start possible.
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Season 9
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Episode 1702
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17:42
Bob Lowry’s Chlorine Smackdown
In this Best of Bob Lowry, I sat down with the legendary Bob Lowry to uncover the truth behind which chlorine type packs the biggest punch. Spoiler alert: it’s not what most pool pros think! We compare Cal-Hypo, Trichlor, Dichlor, Liquid Chlori...
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Season 9
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Episode 1701
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15:35
Flakes, Fails & Frustration: Real Salt System Issues
Saltwater pools may sound like the low-maintenance dream, but in this episode, I talk about the real-world problems I see every week with saltwater chlorine generators (SWGs). From customers who refuse to replace failing cells to ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1700
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20:28
Summer Savior: Terry Arko Talks Borates
Tired of chasing pH, battling algae, and burning through chlorine in the summer? In this episode, I talk with Terry Arko of HASA about one of the most underused tools in pool water chemistry: borates. Terry explains how borates can stabi...
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Season 9
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Episode 1699
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25:21
Water Wars: The Real Story About Pools and Drought with Terry Arko
In this episode, I sit down with Terry Arko from HASA to talk about the hot topic on everyone’s mind—droughts and water usage. Are pools really water wasters? Terry breaks down the real numbers and explains why a well-maintained pool mig...
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Season 9
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Episode 1697
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19:58
YouTube Q&A Volume #23 – Sunken Treasure, Boric Acid & PoolRx & More
In this episode, I’m answering your YouTube questions! From the popular Sunken Treasure Tablet Holder to how and why I add boric acid to pools, and even a few clarifications around PoolRx—we're covering a wide rang...
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Season 9
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Episode 1696
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18:14
Shock Therapy: When Your Pool Actually Needs It
Is shocking your pool every week really necessary—or just chlorine overkill? In this episode, I break down when you actually need to shock your pool, how to tell if it’s time, and why doing it too often can backfire. I’ll share what co...
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Season 9
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Episode 1695
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20:07
The Gross Truth: Scum and Foam Demystified
Ever walked up to a pool or spa and thought, “What is that gross film on the water—and why is it foaming like a bubble bath?” In this episode, I’m diving into the sticky truth behind scum lines and foam. I’ll break down what causes the...
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Season 9
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Episode 1694
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17:01
Safety First (No, Really): Pool Pro Essentials
Let’s be honest—how many of us actually wear all the safety gear we should out on the pool route? In this episode, I’m opening up about the safety tools I used to ignore, the gear I swear by now, and the lessons I’ve learned (some the ...
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Season 9
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Episode 1693
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18:17
