In-ground spas built in conjunction with a swimming pool are beautiful. They share materials and aesthetics with the pool, and they can integrate with the rest of the environment. But there are downfalls: In-ground spas, with their typically straight walls and sometimes rough seating surfaces, may not be very comfortable, and the jets often provide…
For Tyler Rasmussen and Greg Villafana of Brothers Pool Service and Repair in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company’s love affair with Jobber began with an invoice they received as customers. “A long time ago we had somebody put a vinyl decal on our window,” Villafana says. “The guy who put the decal on sent the invoice…
Nothing puts a downer on a day at a public pool more than learning of a fecal incident, requiring everyone to clear out immediately. Formed fecal incidents pose a risk for spreading germs, including moderately chlorine-tolerant giardia. It’s important for pool companies to help facilities with public pools understand local and federal policies for handling…
In the world of social media marketing, LinkedIn may get nothing more than a passing glance from your company. After all, LinkedIn is about finding a job, and you already have one, right? That was the LinkedIn of years past. These days, the platform is a melting pot of professionals sharing content and establishing credibility…
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica is dangerous and could even be life threatening. It is estimated that approximately 2.3 million U.S. workers are exposed to respirable silica dust at work each year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released regulations — designed to better protect workers from respiratory illness — for a new standard…
“Plan, blow holes in the plan, revise the plan, and then execute and adapt to each situation as it presents itself.” That’s the pool building process for Scott Heusser, manager of Idaho Pool Remodeling in Meridian. Preparing your customers for this fluctuating plan and schedule can be difficult. Depending on the design, materials and details,…
How many times have you groaned after receiving a customer survey? Chances are good you probably did. It’s likely even less appealing to send one on your pool company’s behalf. Don’t let it be, says Travis Leonard, CEO of A&G Concrete Pools, Inc., in Fort Pierce, Florida. While slightly time consuming, it’s a game changer…
For the past 29-plus years of working within the trades, I have noticed some pretty profound changes within companies in an effort to become more customer friendly. You will notice one item that is glaringly absent from the list. I have not listed the need, or desire, for top-quality work. The reason is simple: Today’s…
If a pool technician can’t persuade a reluctant customer to replace a feeble pump or a weathered liner, no big deal. Their pool, their choice — onto the next job. But sometimes, a tech is obligated to not take “no” for an answer. Pools that aren’t properly installed or maintained can be death traps, and…
Pool automation is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting trends in the industry — and in most cases, it’s a race to turn pools into spaceships. Many offer complex systems that run macros, control dozens of themes and integrate multiple systems into one control center. Pentair IntelliConnect, on the other hand, is designed to…
A new app created by the National Swimming Pool Foundation and Counsilman-Hunsaker can assist commercial pool operators with staying on track with records and maintenance issues. Called Facility Manager, the app provides the aquatic industry with a digital, web-based application designed to enhance the safety and sustainability of aquatic facilities. Facility Manager is accessible via…
You may have heard that last month I bought PoolPro, along with sister publications SpaRetailer, Spasearchand Poolsearch. I love this industry and the people in it, and I’m so happy this is where I will continue my career. This process has given me a new respect for small-business owners. As I make further strides in…