I was a lifeguard in college. During one annual August shutdown, I was restringing lane ropes while contractors in a lift serviced the event lighting above the 50-meter competition pool. It was hot, they were in a rush to make up time — one technician was new and inexperienced — and they did not stop…
I was vehemently opposed to online training for pool technicians when the pandemic first hit. It didn’t make any sense to me. Over the years, I’d molded the classes I taught in person into something that was my own. Some enjoy that whole “death by PowerPoint” lecture environment, but it’s not my thing — and…
Web maintenance is a necessary, time-consuming task for pool professionals. When balancing other business priorities, website issues can go undetected for weeks. That’s where learning the basics of Google Search Console can help. The Biggest Benefits of Google Search Console Google Search Console provides tools and reports to measure a site’s search traffic and performance….
Working around beautiful pools all day sounds nice in theory, but when a repair or touch-up needs to happen in a customer pool, service pros must plan and prepare. No, we’re not talking about tools and materials here — we’re talking about the logistics of looking and staying professional when you may need to get…
Due to unprecedented pool use, supply-chain issues and a major chlorine manufacturer’s fire, chlorine tablet availability remains limited this year. Stephen Boswell, marketing communication supervisor at CMP in Newnan, Georgia, says that from distributors, pool pros and in online forums, he is seeing increased interest in alternatives to traditional chlorine methods. Some are looking to…
For the past 16 years, I have been in the insurance industry for pool service and repair professionals. I have seen quite a few claims come across my desk, from small to large and even fraud. There are many reasons we all carry so much insurance. Insurance helps consumers recover financially from unexpected events. There…
IPSSA was established in 1988 to promote educational opportunities and provide business resources to all pool professionals. What we have learned over time is that one education package does not fit every pool professional’s needs, given differing time constraints, budgets and knowledge bases. Fortunately, industry education comes in many forms. IPSSA has created several ways…
As part of Hayward’s 2021 Big Bang of New Product introductions, the company is hosting a series of “Driving Innovation” events for SCP customers, including webinars and regional meetings, between Feb 17th – May 31st. Dealers who attend these events qualify for automatic entry to the sweepstakes for a chance to win a Ford F150…
The Independent Pool & Spa Service Association, or IPSSA, recently surveyed its nationwide member base to find out which of its member benefits ranks highest. The answer was overwhelmingly the IPSSA Sick Route Coverage Plan. What is the IPSSA Sick Route Coverage Plan? This is consistently the top-ranked benefit among members. The IPSSA Sick Route…
ControlOMatic’s new NatureChlor is a low-cost system that creates a disinfectant/sanitizer called hypochlorous acid (HOCL) that can be used to help spa retailers and service techs keep their stores and trucks sanitized without the use of toxic chemicals. NatureChlor converts salt, water, vinegar and electricity into an effective, safe and powerful solution that can substitute…
Fluidra, a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, introduces the new Polaris EPIC series of robotic pool cleaners for the 2021 pool season. Engineered for enhanced maneuverability and superior debris collection, the EPIC 8642, EPIC 8640 and EPIC 8520 offer advanced robotic cleaning solutions to suit the needs of customers with…
Thursday Pools hired industry veteran Jonathan Davis as director of customer relations. Davis has more than 17 years of experience in the construction industry, most recently working for Akins Pools & Excavating in northern Indiana, where Davis focused on making customer satisfaction a priority and helped the company grow beyond $1 million in annual sales…