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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into Andrea’s personal experience with anxiety and how it led her to believe she was on the verge of being fired. The conversation touches on the mental and emotional challenges of working in pool service, highlighting how stress and miscommunication can create unnecessary worry.

The episode also explores a unique pool maintenance tip from Andrea’s boss involving an unconventional method to handle water bugs. His approach involved raising the Total Alkalinity to an extremely high level as part of the remedy, sparking an interesting discussion on whether this technique could be effective. Both Andrea and Paulette reflect on the unexpected strategies that sometimes arise in pool care and how these situations offer learning moments.

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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter, Lee, and Shane dive into the complexities of swimming pool heaters, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. They start by discussing the benefits of modern heaters, including efficiency, performance, and the convenience they offer for extending the swimming season. The hosts highlight how newer models have become more environmentally friendly with improved energy consumption and faster heating times, making them an attractive option for pool owners.

However, they also delve into the challenges—particularly maintenance and cost. Shane brings up the high initial investment and ongoing upkeep, such as the need for regular servicing to prevent breakdowns. Lee talks about the challenges of troubleshooting faulty heaters and how expensive repairs can become, especially when dealing with older models or complex systems.

The "ugly" side of the discussion centers around customer expectations versus reality. Peter shares stories of clients demanding unrealistic heating times or not understanding the limitations of their equipment, leading to dissatisfaction. The trio also talks about problems like poor installation and issues that arise from improper sizing of heaters, which can lead to inefficiencies and costly fixes down the line.

In conclusion, the hosts emphasize the importance of educating clients on the proper use and care of pool heaters, ensuring they understand the balance between convenience and the necessary upkeep.

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In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses important updates in the pool industry, including Fluidra's acquisition and the PHTA's support for the Swim Act. He delves into the impact of sulfate levels in pool water, explaining how they can damage pool equipment and structures. Rudy emphasizes the importance of monitoring sulfate levels and provides insights on testing methods. The conversation then shifts to the complexities of sales tax for pool service companies, highlighting the need for compliance with state regulations and the importance of separating service and chemical charges on invoices.

takeaways

• Fluidra's acquisition aims to enhance its product portfolio.
• The PHTA supports the Swim Act for water safety education.
• High sulfate levels can damage pool structures and equipment.
• Routine testing for sulfates is essential for pool maintenance.
• Sulfate levels should be kept below 300 parts per million.
• Sales tax requirements vary by state for pool services.
• Consult local authorities for sales tax regulations.
• Tangible goods sold in pool services are generally taxable.
• Separate charges for labor and chemicals on invoices to comply with tax laws.
• Understanding sales tax practices can streamline business operations.

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In this episode, Wayne and Steve dive deep into the intricacies of securing and managing pool service contracts with government agencies. Steve begins by sharing his experience navigating the often complex and bureaucratic processes involved in bidding for contracts at the municipal and federal levels. He outlines the steps required to win these lucrative contracts, from preparing detailed proposals and complying with strict regulations to navigating the public bidding process and understanding the unique expectations of government clients.

Wayne chimes in to discuss the importance of establishing trust and a strong working relationship with these clients, pointing out that government contracts can provide stability and long-term revenue but often come with more stringent oversight. The duo also delves into the challenges of meeting the strict standards set for public swimming pools, including health codes, environmental regulations, and ADA compliance.

Steve provides insight into the financial aspects, explaining how government contracts can vary from small local deals to six-figure agreements for large facilities. He talks about the meticulous attention to detail required for billing, record-keeping, and maintenance schedules. The conversation also touches on how these contracts can differ from those with corporate or residential clients, highlighting the extra level of patience and professionalism needed to handle the additional scrutiny from government agencies.

Throughout the discussion, Wayne and Steve emphasize the importance of building a reputation for reliability and quality in order to secure repeat business and navigate the intricacies of working with public entities. The episode concludes with tips for small pool service companies looking to break into the government contract market, covering strategies for compliance, bid preparation, and relationship management.

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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette recount their week spent out in the field, tackling various challenges while servicing pools. The episode is full of stories about the highs and lows of the job, from funny moments to technical problems they encountered. They discuss the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, and problem-solving in the day-to-day operations of pool service. Their candid experiences give listeners a real sense of what it’s like to be on the front lines of pool maintenance, with plenty of insights on how to handle tricky situations with customers and equipment alike. It's a lively and relatable conversation that captures both the professionalism and humor involved in the pool service industry.

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In this Talking Pools Podcast episode, Peter, Lee, and Shane explore the advantages of employing virtual receptionists, emphasizing the importance of matching accents to the region served. They discuss how having an Australian virtual receptionist for Australian companies, and a New Zealand accent for New Zealand-based firms, can improve customer relations and trust. The trio explains that businesses in both countries have been overwhelmed with spam calls from individuals using American accents, creating a preference for virtual assistants who sound local. They underline that authenticity and familiarity are key in maintaining strong communication with clients and avoiding the negative connotations associated with spam. This episode serves as a guide for businesses looking to enhance client interactions through culturally aligned customer service solutions.

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In this episode, Rudy dives into two key topics: the rising issue of Concrete Cancer (also known as Alkali-Silica Reactivity or ASR) in swimming pools and how to create an effective blog for your pool service business that not only attracts readers but keeps them coming back for more.

Key Topics:

1. Concrete Cancer & ASR in Swimming Pools (00:00 - 14:27)
   • What is Concrete Cancer/ASR?
     Concrete cancer refers to the deterioration of concrete due to corrosion of the rebar, common in swimming pools. Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) is another form of concrete damage, resulting from a reaction between alkali in the cement and silica in aggregates, leading to cracking and structural damage.
   • How does it occur?
     Water and pool chemicals penetrate concrete, corroding the rebar and causing expansion, which cracks and weakens the structure. ASR forms a gel that swells, adding more pressure to the concrete. These issues are especially problematic in saltwater pools and certain geographic areas like Central Texas, where construction practices have led to widespread ASR damage.
   • How to Prevent Concrete Cancer/ASR?
     Use low-alkali cement, non-reactive aggregates, and supplementary cementitious materials (e.g., fly ash). Proper waterproofing and construction practices are also crucial to prevent these issues. Early detection and remediation are vital for extending the life of the pool.
   • Remediation Steps:
     Rudy outlines practical solutions for pool service technicians, including crack injection, surface treatments, and epoxy coatings to prevent further damage.
2. Creating a Blog That Keeps Customers Coming Back (14:27 - end)
   • Why Blogging is Essential for Your Pool Business:
     A well-constructed

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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne and Steve explore the concept of "local summers" or "False Fall," where locals close their pools on Labor Day regardless of the temperature. Steve discusses the intricacies of securing contracts with corporate properties and governmental agencies, even quoting a client hundreds of thousands of dollars for six-figure pool service contracts, a process that took him two days to complete. He notes that 90% of residential pool service companies operate on handshakes rather than contracts. Wayne questions whether contracts or handshakes are easier to manage, leading to a discussion about the differing dynamics between working with corporations versus residential clients and the challenges of handling contracted and uncontracted accounts.

Steve also shares a story about people not reading instructions, highlighted by the no-call/no-show attendees for his CPO classes who claimed they "didn't get the memo." He recounts a humorous incident where a customer turned her pool "Smurf blue" and blamed him for the mishap. Wayne adds his perspective, sharing experiences from his 31 years with a test kit company, emphasizing that even though the instructions were written at a third-grade level, many people still struggled to follow them correctly. This episode dives into the nuances of business relationships, client interactions, and the challenges pool professionals face when customers don’t follow instructions.

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