When it comes to commercial swimming pools, the service tech is one of many layers of protection in and around the pool, says Katie Crysdale, principal of Lakeview Aquatic Consultants, Ltd., in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. While some larger commercial pools have lifeguards during swim times, most are not trained to thoroughly examine potential dangers, and…
In an industry with little room for error, a pool service technician’s knowledge is crucial to safely transporting hazardous materials. Danny Brodersen, commercial service manager at Millennium Pools in Springfield, Virginia, says this starts with awareness for what is being transported, what it does and its location in the vehicle.“One of the biggest things is…
The spillover edges, waterfalls and other goodies that lend luxury to infinity pools and other exotic builds wouldn’t be possible without powerful and precise hydraulic systems. Those systems — like everything else — require maintenance and service, but they’re complex, expensive and potentially intimidating. When you remove the mystique, however, it doesn’t take much for…
Launched in February, the Polaris Quattro Sport from Zodiac Pool Systems of Carlsbad, California, is poised to reform the way people clean pools. With 40 years’ experience making pressure-side pool cleaners, Polaris has put that considerable experience into building this advanced cleaner. Mike McDowell, director of marketing for automatic pool cleaners at Zodiac, says the…
Derrick ToddCPO, owner AquaNut Pool CareGreenville, South Carolina Facebook: @AquanutPoolCareGreenvilleTwitter: @AquanutpoolcareInstagram: @AquanutpoolcareYouTube: AquanutPoolCareAquanutPoolCare.com residential/commercial, service, repair, renovation, retailemployees: 9 accounts: 140-180 As far as jobsite safety goes, we have a list of protocols or rules we follow. As a result of following our safety protocols, we don’t have many injuries to speak of. For instance,…
When Tony Lawrence, owner of TLC Pools in La Mesa, California, gets a call from potential customers, he says it’s typically because they have a pool algae problem and have tried everything with no results. “They normally call me at their wits’ end,” Lawrence says. “They can hardly believe it when I say, ‘Trust me,…
For homeowners, pools are the ultimate backyard retreat. For the men and women who build and service them, however, the job runs the risk of injury. A well-planned safety policy can help prevent that. If you have employees, one of the first things you should give them is a comprehensive safety manual designed to protect…
A pool fence would have saved Joshua and Christian DeMello. In January 2010, the 13-month-old twins drowned when they escaped from their grandparents’ house and fell into an unsecured pool. There were no alarms or fences. Their mother found them in the pool. “Today, I believe in multiple layers of prevention,” says their father, Paul…
One of the challenges of running a pool or spa is the cost of heating the water, which is why more pool dealers are hearing requests from customers for energy-efficient heaters. Pentair now offers a solution: The ETi 400, a pool heater with a direct fire titanium heat exchanger that provides long-lasting, thermal and energy-efficient…
Further, we are FINALLY talking about portable vacuums. I’m not sure there’s a topic or product I see discussed more on industry forums. We did our best to round up what’s available, and cover the pros and cons of each. Another story I’ve wanted to do for awhile is about cultivating and maintaining relationships with…
When a customer’s pool isn’t holding water, they probably want to know if you can fix it. There are a couple of options for connecting your customer with someone who can detect the leak. You could subcontract the job or refer them to a reputable leak detection company. Both are perfectly good choices, but maybe…
Our tech-heavy culture has a tendency to turn nouns into verbs, not the least of which is ‘Google.’ As powerful as Google is, when it comes to customers finding your business listing on the search engine — managed through a free Google My Business account — is not something you want to leave unmonitored. “In…