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
1782 episodes
Play
Testing Smarter, Not Harder: Weekly Pool Care
I’m diving into the essentials of pool care—what I personally test for each and every week to keep a pool sparkling and safe. From chlorine to pH, alkalinity to calcium hardness, I’ll share not only what to check but also why ...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1783
•
22:36
Play
The Pool Bug Survival Guide with Terry Arko
Let’s face it — no one wants to swim with bugs. In this episode, I talk with Terry Arko from HASA about one of the most common (and annoying) pool problems: bugs in your pool. From backswimmers to water boatmen, we cover what they...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1782
•
21:57
Play
Phosphates Demystified: A Conversation with Terry Arko
In this episode, I’m joined again by Terry Arko from HASA to tackle a big topic in pool chemistry — phosphates. We talk about what phosphates are, how they get into your pool, and whether they’re really the enemy everyone says the...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1781
•
19:20
Play
Resistant Algae and the Science Behind It with Terry Arko
In this episode, I sit down with Terry Arko from HASA to dive deep into one of the toughest pool problems out there — chlorine-resistant algae, including the dreaded black algae that laughs at your shock treatments. We talk...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1780
•
20:40
Play
Don’t Blow It: Pool Filter Survival Guide
I’ve seen it all when it comes to pool filters—from the catastrophic blowouts that send water blasting across the yard, to the minor little drips and leaks that slowly waste water and drive you crazy. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the ...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1779
•
22:02
Play
Filter Smarter, Not Harder: Pool Clarity Made Easy
In this episode, I’m talking about how to filter your pool smarter, not harder. I’ll cover when and why you should replace filter elements, how long you really need to run your pool for proper circulation, and the big benefits of adding a Water...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1778
•
19:39
Play
Sand, Cartridge, or DE? Let’s Filter It Out
Today I’m diving into the world of pool filters and breaking down the three main types every pool owner should know: sand, cartridge, and DE filters. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each, share what works best for different pool setu...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1777
•
21:07
Play
1776 and the Pool Industry Revolution
In this episode, I’m exploring the revolutions that have shaken up the pool industry over the years. From breakthroughs in pool design and construction to next-level filtration, eco-friendly chemicals, and smart automation, these changes have t...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1776
•
20:31
Play
Diving Into Dollars and Cents
Running a pool service is more than cleaning and balancing water—it’s running a business. In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of proper accounting. I’ll share how separating business and personal finances saved me a major headache a...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1775
•
21:31
Play
Chemical Chaos: When Pool Fixes Backfire
In this episode, I dive into what happens when chemical usage in pools goes wrong. From overdosing chlorine that strips liners to shortcuts with chlorine that leave stains, I’ll share real stories and practical advice on avoiding these mistakes...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1774
•
20:18
Play
Safe & Sound: Protect Yourself and Your Customers
I’ve learned the hard way that rushing through a pool service job can be risky—for me and my customers. In this episode, I’m talking about simple safety habits that protect everyone: checking gates, watching out for pool toys, and never sacrifi...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1773
•
20:59
Play
Fast Tracks: Speeding Up Your Pool Route
I’m always looking for ways to make my pool route more efficient without cutting corners, and in this episode, I’m sharing my favorite tips to save time and energy. From tightening up your route to keeping spare parts on hand, these tricks will...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1772
•
19:01
Play
The Weather-Proof Pool Route: How I Handle Harsh Conditions
Running a pool service in normal conditions is one thing, but throw in extreme weather—whether it’s desert heat, heavy rains, or freezing winters—and the challenges multiply fast. In this episode, I share how I’ve learned to adapt service routi...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1771
•
18:32
Play
The Worst-Engineered Pool Products Ever Made
Not every product in the pool industry hits the mark. In this episode, I call out some of the worst-engineered pool products I’ve run across over the years. From the awkwardly placed Pentair drain plug that turns a simple job into...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1770
•
21:14
Play
Engineering Excellence in the Pool Industry
In this episode, I highlight some of the best-engineered products in the swimming pool industry—the tools and equipment that really get it right. From the PoolSkim that takes a simple idea and makes it incredibly effective, to the Pen...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1769
•
21:01
Play
Portable Vac Wars: Which Pool Vacuum Reigns Supreme?
In this episode, I dive into a head-to-head comparison of two powerhouse portable pool vacuums: the WaterTech Precision V10 and the VacDaddy. Both promise to make pool pros’ lives easier, but they take very different approaches — ...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1768
•
20:33
Play
Do You Really Need to Vacuum That Pool?
In this episode, I break down one of the most common questions pool pros face on the route: When should you vacuum a pool — and when is a skim or partial vacuum enough? I’ll share how to quickly assess debris levels, save time by choos...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1767
•
18:28
Play
When Walking Away Means Winning
In this episode, I share why learning to say “no” can be one of the most powerful tools in your pool service business. Whether it’s an account that drains your energy, a customer who constantly asks for extra work without paying for it, or clea...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1766
•
18:34
Play
DIY Pool Care Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)
Today I break down the most common mistakes I see homeowners make when they try to take care of their own pool. From dumping in way too much chlorine to ignoring their filters or trusting test strips over a good kit, these errors can cost more ...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1765
•
18:39
Play
Bob Lowry Meets Ben’s Best Guess Chart: Pool Chemistry Unlocked
In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most important—and misunderstood—relationships in pool chemistry: free chlorine (FC) and cyanuric acid (CYA). Using Ben’s Best Guess Chart as a foundation, and layering in insights from Bob Lowry, I’ll ...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1764
•
20:36
Play
Doubling Income: The Pool Scaling Playbook
In this episode, I’ll walk you through the systems, tools, and strategies that helped you expand, and I’ll also talk about scaling outside the business — investing in real estate, side hustles, and other ways to create long-term financial stabi...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1763
•
18:34
Play
Out of Business? What Happened to Sutro
I just found out the Sutro Smart Water Monitor has been discontinued, and I want to dive into why this once-promising pool tech didn’t quite make it. In this episode, I’ll share what Sutro set out to do, where it went wrong, and what lessons we...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1762
•
23:20
Play
Myth vs. Math: The Economics of Pool Ownership
Today, I’m tackling another set of myths: A pool doesn’t add value to your house. Or how about, It’s cheaper to do it yourself. And of course, Owning a pool is just too expensive to maintain. I’ll share the real numbe...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1761
•
20:55
Play
Pool Owner Misconceptions — Debunked
On this episode, I’m diving into some of the most common myths that pool owners believe. You’ve probably heard these before: If the pool looks clear, it must be safe to swim in. Or maybe you’ve been told, You can’t add too much chl...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1760
•
19:19
Play
Keep It Running: Prevent Pool Equipment Breakdowns
In this episode, I talk about the most common pool equipment failures I’ve seen over the years—pumps that burn out, filters that leak, heaters that just won’t fire up. I’ll share real stories from the field and explain what caused the breakdown...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 1759
•
21:16