The last thing any pool owner wants is to have an algae outbreak during summer. Well-maintained pools should be free from algae; however, there are some things that can turn a maintained pool into a green menace at the height of swim season. Summer storms Rainstorms are notorious for bringing nitrogen into the atmosphere, which…
We’re bringing the magazine straight to your phone or tablet When I tell people I write and edit magazines, they want to know, “Which one?” Of course, the guy changing my oil, a Starbucks barista or the majority of people I come in contact with outside work will likely never see a trade magazine…
I was the general manager of a trades company for many years. Salespeople would come by the office on a regular basis. Each would make their sales presentation, usually taking a significant amount of my time. At the conclusion of their presentation they would leave, often without asking for the sale. More than a few…
By Lawrence Scofield Fiberglass pools have vastly improved over the past decade. There is rarely a problem with today’s shells. “If it’s installed correctly, you should never have a problem,” says Jason Hughes, vice president of River Pools and Spas in Tappahannock, Virginia. To prevent fiberglass problems, focus on proper installation techniques. “The backfill material…
Vehicles that transport workers and chemicals to and from job sites aren’t often front of mind when buying insurance for a pool service, building or retail company. Every business needs general-liability insurance, but it is more important to have the correct insurance coverage. “We find most pool-related accounts do not have proper coverage,” says Jeannette…
If there were a way to turn $1 into $38, would you do it? Bet you would! In its 2015 National Client E-mail Report, the Direct Marketing Association reported an average $38 return for every dollar spent on email marketing. That sounds great — but there are rules of engagement to put the email marketing…
Let’s face it: Nobody is going to buy a $10,000 hot tub, a $20,000 swim spa or a $50,000 in-ground pool before checking out your company’s reputation online. Having high-quality reviews on a variety of sites can make the difference in a prospect buying from you or your competition. Why Reviews Are Important Reviews build…
Scott Petty, the global product manager for pumps and above-ground equipment at Hayward Pool Products, has many analogies for the benefits of variable-speed pumps. “It’s like going from standard definition to HDTV,” Petty says. “Once you’ve seen the benefits, it’s hard to imagine going back.” Or, “Single speed is like having a car that only…
By Lawrence Scofield For pool owners, recruiting, training and staffing lifeguards can be labor intensive and costly. As budgets shrink, companies have emerged to help lower costs associated with providing lifeguards. When American Pool Houston takes over lifeguard-management responsibilities at a pool that was previously self-run, says its president, Brooks Wedeking, pool owners often say…
Rebar, or reinforced steel poles, are a vital structural element of a pool. They are used to support the concrete, which would move and break if set against soil alone. Pool construction crews must place each steel bar and drop of concrete with precision to avoid future structural problems. The tendency is to lay rebar…
It’s an old topic but it needs to be revisited — again. Has your service department adopted flat-rate pricing yet? If not, it’s time to seriously consider the conversion. Most contractors have very strong opinions about flat-rate pricing, one way or the other. However, the reality is this: If you have actually sat down and…
People these days expect control of their homes on the go, says David Goldman, director of product marketing at California-based pool equipment manufacturer Zodiac Pool Systems, and Polaris’ newest robotic cleaner, the 9650iQ Sport, allows them to do just that. Using the iAquaLink app anywhere in the world, users can program, control and access all…