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Coming Soon! The New PCTI Video Training Program

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Residential pool care often gets treated like the “informal” side of the industry, even though most pool service pros spend their days in backyards, not at commercial facilities. That gap shows up in training: commercial operators can earn the CPO certification, but residential technicians frequently learn chemistry through trial, error, and scattered advice. In this podcast conversation, we dig into why that is a problem and why Bob Lowry’s approach to pool chemistry training became so influential. His material was built for the backyard professional, with clear explanations and poolside decisions you can actually apply on route, not just theory for the classroom. We also talk about how the Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) evolved after Bob Lowry and Greg Garrett passed away, and how HASA stepped in to keep the education alive. A key part of the story is access: the original training was a longer paid course, but the goal now is broad availability for residential pool service....
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Summer Pool Survival Guide with Terry Arko

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Summer is when pool maintenance stops being predictable and starts moving fast, especially for pool service professionals managing large weekly routes. As water temperature climbs, everything accelerates: sanitizer demand rises, algae prevention gets harder, and balance problems show up quickly between visits. Terry Arco from HASA frames it as a shift from “walking to running,” and it’s a useful mindset for seasonal planning. Weather swings, early heat, and surprise cool spells can scramble the old calendar that once centered on Memorial Day. The best defense is preparation and smarter timing so you are not reacting to problems after they explode on day five or day seven of a service cycle.   Warm water changes water balance in measurable ways, and understanding that helps you prevent surface damage and customer complaints. A key concept is the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI): temperature alone can move LSI, nudging water toward scale-forming conditions as it heats up. Calciu...
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Pool Blaster MAX Li Generation 2: A Cordless Pool Vacuum Built for Convenience Keeping a pool or spa clean can feel like a constant chore, especially when dealing with hoses, cords, and bulky equipment. The new Pool Blaster MAX Li Generation 2 is designed to simplify that process with cordless convenience, improved ergonomics, and upgraded cleaning performance. The next-generation MAX Li builds on the reputation of the original model while adding several practical improvements aimed at making routine pool maintenance easier and more efficient. What’s New in the MAX Li Generation 2? The updated design includes several enhancements that improve both usability and cleaning power: Modernized body design with improved ergonomics Comfortable grooved grip handle for easier handheld operation Improved rear charging port for simpler recharging Enhanced rear exhaust thrust for better cleaning coverage Lightweight cordless operation for easy maneuverability These upgrades are intended to make spo...
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The Most Frustrating Part of Cleaning a Pool Filter

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Pool filter cleaning is one of those pool service tasks that looks simple until you are standing there with a lid that will not reseat, a clamp that will not start, and a customer who wants the system running right now. This episode digs into real-world pool filter problems that rarely show up in manuals, especially on D.E. filters and quad cartridge filters. A big takeaway for pool technicians is that the “mystery” of a lid that will not close is often an O-ring issue, even when the O-ring looks fine. Brand-specific O-rings matter, and having the correct replacement on hand can turn a frustrating call into a smooth, professional repair while protecting your schedule and your reputation.   A practical fix we discuss is lubrication done the right way. Using silicone spray on filter O-rings can help them seat easier and may extend service life, while Magic Lube can provide extra slip when you need that final bit of compression. When the metal clamp and spring barrel nut fight yo...
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Pool Service Retention Strategies That Actually Work

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Customer cancellations are one of the most expensive problems in a pool service business because they hit your monthly revenue, your route density, and your schedule all at once. When a pool service customer cancels, you do not just lose the check, you also create a gap that adds windshield time and makes your pool route less efficient. The episode digs into a surprising truth: many homeowners have a high tolerance for bad pool maintenance. They may ignore mustard algae, a broken pool cleaner, or even missed visits for weeks, especially if they are not using the backyard daily. That “grace period” is a warning and an opportunity, because a pool pro can often fix service issues and rebuild trust before the customer starts collecting bids from another pool company. A major cancellation trigger has nothing to do with your water chemistry or your weekly pool service quality: the customer sells the home. If you cannot connect with the buyer, the account can vanish even when you did everythi...
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The Pool Recovery Playbook

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Cloudy pool water, visible algae, and that dull “off” look are almost never solved by dumping in more chlorine and walking away. A reliable pool water quality fix starts with understanding how circulation, filtration, and sanitizer demand work together. When a pool party spikes bather load, when a homeowner leaves the system in spa mode, or when a new service account has been neglected, the water can turn fast because contaminants rise while flow drops. The key mindset for pool service pros and DIY owners is simple: treat the pool as a system. Clear water depends on moving water through a working filter, then oxidizing and killing what’s in the water, then keeping that process going long enough to finish the job. The first lever to pull is filtration because poor water quality quickly clogs the filter and creates a vicious cycle. With a sand filter or DE filter, rising filter pressure (PSI) often signals restricted flow; you need to know the clean starting PSI so you can spot when the ...
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Smart Pool Owners Are Future Thinking Their Pool Cleaners

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Shopping for an automatic pool cleaner looks simple until you price out the long game. Suction side pool cleaners, pressure side pool cleaners, and robotic pool cleaners all remove dirt, but they behave very differently once you factor in ownership cost, downtime, and repairs. A suction cleaner is usually the most affordable upfront and often the easiest to keep running for years with basic replacement parts. A high-end cordless robotic pool cleaner can feel like the premium choice, but the real question is what it costs per season and what happens when it needs service. Thinking like a pool service pro means valuing reliability, repairability, and the day-to-day reality of how the pool gets used. The biggest blind spot with cordless robotic pool cleaners is service. After a few seasons, problems show up: water intrusion, drive issues, or battery decline. Because lithium-ion batteries must stay water sealed, most designs do not let you swap a battery like a power tool. The battery and ...
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