Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

Pool Surface Types: There are a number of pool surface types you can chose from. Standard white plaster, Colored plaster, Quartz, Pebble Tec and Wet Edge. Plaster is pretty common and is a surface type made with cement and white marble aggregate. The problem with white plaster is that any stain becomes very evident and in many cases and the color is effected by the pool chemistry. You can also go with a color plaster and this can make your pool really stand out and look great. The problem with the colored plaster is the Mottling or pattern discoloration is very apparent and visible over time. But it is still the most affordable pool surface type on the market. Quartz is a surface type that consists of a combination of a quartz aggregate and polymer-modified-cement making is more durable then standard plaster and giving it a longer lifespan. You can also get Quartz in a variety of colors and he finish holds up well against chemicals and is more stain resistant. It is a hard surface type...

 Is swimming pool service a good business in 2024? The answer is YES! for many reasons. Scott Roberts from National Pool Route Sales discusses some of these reasons for you in our podcast interview. With close to 11 million pools across the nation, there are plenty of clients. So, how do you get started in the business? You can get a truck, open an account at Leslie's Pool Supplies, and receive wholesale pricing. Or open an account at PoolCorp, the parent company of SCP and Superior Pool Products, and get your equipment and chemicals at wholesale pricing. Then, you can solicit accounts to service. This is a hard way to get started, but it is doable if you start part-time and build up a route while working at another job. Over time, you can build up a good business. You can also work for a pool company and learn the trade for a year or two. This is also a suitable method; you can learn a lot that will help you later when you are alone.  You can also purchase a full or partial p...

I am a big fan of uniforms for your pool service business. It makes you look more professional, and having multiple employees can make the customer feel more comfortable when an unknown employee enters their property. They are wearing your shirts, so they should be okay.    These jersey uniforms from REVEDUP Apparel are the perfect uniform for pool service. The fully sublimated jersey is made of UPF50+ with MaxDri Moisture Management – Content: 100% polyester and thoroughly cleaned, which refers to fusing a design into the fabric using heat and ink. The process is called sublimation, a digital printing technology that uses heat and pressure to turn a solid into a gas without going through the liquid phase.   In other words, this is not a silk screen; the print is part of the material in the jersey itself. This means these shirts will be durable and very long-lasting. I also found the material to be hot and breathable simultaneously, and these jerseys are very comfortable ...

One aspect of pool care that is often overlooked is the pool filter. This is one of the most critical factors in your pool care and one of the main problems with water quality. If the filter is dirty or running poorly, water quality will suffer. You will be adding chemicals, running the pool for long hours, and still wonder why the water is cloudy. The pool filter also looks intimidating to the new owner, and many don’t feel comfortable cleaning and maintaining it. One of the first things I do when I get a new service account is to inspect and clean the pool filter. About 80% of all problems you will encounter with your pool care are filter-related. So, the filter may be the issue if your pool has constant cloudy water and algae or the chemicals do not hold weekly. Interestingly, many pool builders skimp on the filter size when they install a pool. It can’t cost them more than $200-$300 more in the pool price to install a full-size filter. What I mean by full size is that if your pool ...

About Beatbot Beatbot is a technology brand dedicated to the global robotization of swimming pool environments. Founded in 2022 by industry experts with over ten years of experience in leading home robotics companies, the company is increasing, with offices in multiple countries and a strong team of over 80 R&D members. Pioneering core technologies like brushless water pumps, AUV spatial locomotion, sonar laser SLAM, and space mapping navigation algorithms, Beatbot has secured numerous patents and pioneered industry-first innovations. We hold over 132 patents (granted and under application), including 50 patents for inventions. The brand aims to lead the world in intelligent, all-in-one pool care robotics, inheriting the legacy of top-tier home robotics companies. A commitment to product excellence drives it. Beatbot's mission is to redefine pool care, address industry challenges, enhance performance, and deliver hassle-free pool care experiences.   https://beatbot.com/   ...

With chlorine prices reaching an all-time high with inflated prices of 20% to even over 100%, you will only lose money in your pool service business if you take action now. Price increases are a great way to offset these costs, and over 64% of businesses of all types across the US have raised prices for their customers. Another way you can save on chlorine is by adding an enhancer to every pool on your route. There 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, which 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 on your pool route.  Phosphate and Enzymes: This one-two punch can be highly effective in allowing the chlorine to work in the pool on the things it intended and not be “used up” by phosphates and non-liv...

 I like to use what Bob Lowry teaches, "Target Chemistry," and his recommended target numbers are here. Not a range but a specific number to shoot for. Sanitizer 3.0 ppm After the Alkalinity & pH are brought into range, the following adjustment is the Sanitizer. Liquid Chlorine or Bleach is the most common and least expensive of the available sanitizers. The acceptable range is 1.5 - 3 ppm, though 4 - 5 ppm is good. A commercial spa should be maintained at much higher levels - 5 - 6 ppm. Bob Lowry has the Target at 3.0 ppm, so always aim for that for your residential pool. A residential pool should be maintained at 3.0 ppm. Higher levels ( 4 - 5 ppm) should be established before a large party or heat spell. Try not to allow the groups to drop below three ppm, as this will prevent the need to shock or take other corrective action after the party. ALKALINITY 90 ppm There are a number of factors that contribute to the "balance of the water." The most important are ...

The best way to save money is to cut into your monthly electricity bill and that is exactly what a VS pump does. Your standard pump runs at 3450 RPM (Rotations Per Minute) about 1800-2000 watts. A VS Pump can be set to different RPMs and at every lower RPM, the total wattage used is lowered. So just lowering the VS Pump down to 2100 RPM, cuts the watts down to 685 watts. At 2100 RPM the water will appear to flow just as strongly as a standard pump running at 3450 RPM. Cut it down even lower to 1200 RPM, and you are down to 165 watts. So instead of having twenty 100-watt light bulbs running you only have a little over one light bulb running each hour. This is the reason your electric bill can be cut almost in half by simply installing a VS Pump. If your pool equipment pad runs off of 115V (120V) then the best VS pump for you will be one that matches your old 1 hp pump. Let me unpack this for you a bit more. VS pumps feature Dual Voltage which means that the pump will automatically recog...