Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

 The PORTAVAC by Advantage Manufacturing is a self-contained portable filtration system that can be used for a great many swimming pool applications including green pool clean-ups, onetime clean-ups, dirt evacuation, portable pad for non-functioning equipment, and more. The best way to describe it to you is that the PORTAVAC is like having your pool equipment on a dolly that you can move around. This means that you do not need to rely on the pool equipment at your house, resort, or on your pool route. Simply connect your manual vacuum hose and vacuum out a pool directly from the PORTAVAC Here are some specs on the PORTAVAC directly from the manufacturer: 1.5 HP self-priming pump with oversized trap 150 sq. Ft. cartridge filter 35' of 12 gauge insulated cord Heavy-duty tubed tires Rugged 0.090 wall steel Powder-coated finish On/Off switch with GFI The PORTAVAC uses a 150 sq ft cartridge filter so it traps dirt and debris down to about 10 or 15 microns. This means that the PORTAVAC w

PoolRx+ is a simple way to keep your pool algae-free all season long. It is also effective in cleaning a green pool and a side benefit of the product is that you will use less chlorine in the pool all season long.  PoolRx is a Mineral Technology that does two very simple things when used in your pool or spa; it eliminates all algae and will allow you to use less chlorine during the pool season. The active ingredient is Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate and silver (chelated).   What Chelated means is that the metals in the PoolRx have been bonded to form two coordinated bonds similar to what Metal Sequestering Agents do. This means that the Metal ions will remain in the PoolRx unit with no metal ions being introduced into the pool or spa water. This prevents any metal staining on the pool surface   Make sure that you choose the right size PoolRx+ unit so that the treatment will be effective. You can place it either in your skimmer or pump basket. When you first insert the unit run your pool

 One way to break into the swimming pool industry is to purchase a pool route. But there are a lot of misconceptions about purchasing a pool route. I did a series of podcasts last year with Scott Roberts which touches on a lot of these aspects in more detail. Buying a pool route is not like buying a business such as a fast-food restaurant or market per se and you are buying the income the route generates and not a physical business. I spend a week with Scott Roberts of National Pool Route Sales (NPRS) and he goes deep into what buying or selling a pool route is all about.  The Ins and Outs of Purchasing a Pool Route with Scott Roberts of NPRS (Episode 655) https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8752413 What Exactly is a Pool Route and What am I buying? With Scott Roberts of NPRS (Episode 656) https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8752675 How Do I Get Trained When I Buy a Pool Route? With Scott Roberts of NPRS (Episode 657) https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8752775 Is the Pool Industry a Good In

 Scott Roberts from National Pool Route Sales (NPRS) started as a pool service professional and ran a large route in Florida for over 6 years. His background in business also includes owning and running other small businesses before he settled in as a Pool Route Broker. You can reach Scott at his office number or through email.  NPRS: www.poolroutesales.com (561) 708-4744 (My Direct Office - no text available here) Email: Scott@poolroutesales.com Buying a pool route to get started in the industry is not a bad idea, nor is buying a partial route to expand if you have the cash to do it. You will get a jump start on your business and instant income in your pocket. When jumping into any industry you need to be aware of the current events and in the Pool Industry inflation, competition, and fining labor are the big three. The annual inflation rate in the US accelerated to 7% in the last month of 2021, a fresh high since June of 1982, the highest level in almost 50 years. What does this mean

With chlorine prices reaching an all-time high with inflated prices of 20% to even over 100% you will be losing money in your pool service business unless you take action now. Price increases are a great way to offset these costs and over 64% of the business of all types across the US have raised prices on their customers. Another way you can save on chlorine is by adding an enhancer to every pool on your route. There probably is no industry standard when referring to the following products but I like to call them enhancers since they enhance the effectiveness of the chlorine in a pool. I've heard the term chlorine enhancer used and that is a good way to look at these products. Adding one or more of these enhancers will allow you to use less chlorine, thereby lowering your overall chemical cost out on your pool route.  Starbucks was sued a couple of years ago because someone was smart enough to realize that their Iced Caramel Macchiato (Venti) 24 oz drink contained ice which made t

Advantage service carts are perfect for carrying your professional supplies from service stop to service stop. With its rugged wall construction and heavy-duty tubed tires, you will never have to worry about lugging around your unorganized heap of chemicals and supplies again. If you are looking to save time and more importantly save wear and tear on your body, a service cart is a way to go. A nod to T.Dula who created these service carts. The concept is solid and if you are tired of going back and forth to your service truck a service cart is the way to go. Advantage Manufacturing has been making these carts for several years now and I recently got my hands on one to test out. I must say that the service cart is a solid product with lots of great features. You can order online or call them to get a cart custom made for you. The turnaround time for a custom cart is less than a week. For example, if you wanted the test kit holder to fit a Taylor K-2006 kit, you can request that.  SERV

Educating the clients on your pool service route before a major wind event is critical. You must lower their expectations or assumptions that their pool will be cleaned up in one visit. Many clients will assume that since they pay you to maintain and clean their pool you will spend 2 hours at their account to get things cleaned up. That is just an impossible expectation and with a service, agreement spelling out what they should expect in a major wind event you are off the hook. A strategy that I implement is letting the customer know that if they can skim the surface and empty the skimmer basket I will vacuum up the pool bottom, thus speeding up the cleanup. Having a pole and leaf rake at every one of your service accounts is essential. That way the client can pitch in during a major wind event. About 80% of my current clients will skim the pool surface the day after a wind storm. This makes it easy for me to get the pool back in shape with my vacuum system. Speaking of which if you d

Before I settled on the Honda Ridgeline I test drove several trucks. I was very familiar with the Nissan Frontier having driven one for over 15 years. I am the type who likes to drive their trucks into the ground and I achieved that with my Frontier. After the drive the new Ford Ranger, Ford F150, Jeep Gladiator, and Chevy Colorado, the Ridgeline just was a better all-around truck. The Ridgeline is consistently ranked #1 in its class and before I purchased mine I test drove different new and used Ridgeline models. I also researched the best year and trim level to purchase and the 2019 RTL-T was ranked the best Ridgeline year and trim from 2017 to 2022. I rarely buy a new vehicle and suggest you let someone else take the hit on a new truck purchase.  With only 35,000 miles on the truck, I purchased I think the engine was barely breaking in. I also got it $3,000 below Bluebook and since I pay cash for all of my vehicles and write it off on my taxes as a capital expenditure the price tech