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Talking Pools Podcast

Rudy Stankowitz

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.


Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact. 


Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day.  And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities. 


Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster.  That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.


If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird. 

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  • S5 · E1095
    October 16 · 41 min

    Fear of Facebook, Part 1: 14 PSI Says Enough Is Enough. Lincoln Reflecting Pool Failure Analysis

    Ask a question here On this Floc It Friday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz sits down with Shawn Davis and Dan Chiles, two former admins of 14 PSI Industry Lounge, for a candid conversation about toxic Facebook groups—and the responsibility that comes with helping shape their culture. But first, breaking news on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Washington Post reports that a contractor-commissioned inspection identified at least EIGHTY-FIVE failures in the pool’s new blue coating following its fourteen-point-seven-million-dollar renovation. In their October fourteenth investigation, reporters Meg Kelly, Klara Auerbach, and Amy Brittain describe buckling along eight of ten interior expansion joints, nearly forty blistered areas, and peeling in nearly two dozen locations. According to the inspection, contributing factors included materials unable to accommodate joint movement, possible application errors, and insufficient curing time. Photographs showed crews applying coating shortly before — and after — refilling began, despite a seventy-two-hour curing requirement. While President Trump and administration officials have repeatedly blamed vandals, The Post reports that this inspection did not identify vandalism as a cause of the coating failures. A separate Park Service assessment identified four locations where vandalism was considered possible. The Interior Department says the contractor is obligated to repair the pool, and the company has said repairs would be covered under warranty. The inspection’s central recommendations: Follow curing requirements and test coating products before application. The dark side of Facebook groups and an effort to correct course You came to ask about a pool repair. Somehow, you’re defending your intelligence, your business, and three generations of your family against a guy whose profile picture is a cartoon shark. Welcome to the comment section. Shawn and Dan acknowledge their own roles in an atmosphere that sometimes rewarded tearing people down. They discuss moving toward more education, better advice, and a community where pool professionals can contribute without preparing for a digital barroom brawl. The conversation gets uncomfortable, funny, and refreshingly direct. There’s still plenty of profanity. The question is whether we can keep the personality while putting down the virtual barstools. In this episode: When roasting shuts down learning: Why knowledgeable professionals stop posting and valuable experience stays hidden in private messages. Community versus combat: The friendships and professional support the group has fostered alongside its rough reputation. Taking responsibility: Recognizing harmful behavior, discussing apologies, and acknowledging moderation decisions that went too far—or didn’t go far enough. Generational differences: How language, expectations, and humor collide online. Lost in translation: Why the sarcasm you hear in your head can land very differently on someone else’s screen. Correcting dangerous advice: Bringing qualified voices into a discussion without making someone afraid to learn. The hardest three words: Why “I was wrong” might do more for the industry than banning every F-bomb. Doing versus teaching: Whether being skilled at pool work automatically makes someone qualified to teach it. The takeaway: Pool professionals should be able to ask questions, challenge advice, and admit mistakes without becoming the afternoon’s entertainment. Education works better when people are willing to participate. Tune in next Friday for part two and the conclusion of Fear of Facebook. It’s time to leave the barroom brawl and dive deep into education. Also featured A reminder from our mental health episode: the people answering calls and taking care of everyone else sometimes need support themselves. If you missed that conversation, go back and listen. You are allowed to have help. Music credits 🎵 “How Life Goes” — Wendy Lucas Used with permission. Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your music with Talking Pools. Listen to “How Life Goes” on Spotify. 🎵 “Kings and Queens of the Game” — Rick Stone of Lion Heart Pools AI music credit to Rick Stone. Thank you for contributing music celebrating the pool professionals who keep this industry moving. Sponsor appreciation Thank you to PoolBrain, Service Industry News, BlueRay XL, AquaStar, and Jack’s Magic, featured in this episode. We also recognize our 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award sponsors: Title Sponsors BlueRay XL and United Chemical; Gold Sponsor LaMotte; Silver Sponsor Revved Up Apparel; and Supporting Sponsor AquaComfort Water Group. Content note: Explicit language and discussion of online bullying, PTSD, grief, and mental health. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1094
    October 15 · 58 min

    Popped Pools, Leaking Profits & the Commercial Account From Hell

    Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Steve & Wayne Hosts: Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich Insurance Interlude Guest: Pat Grignon That commercial pool account looks impressive on your client list—but is it making you money, or slowly eating your business alive? Steve and Wayne dig into the realities of commercial pool service: unpredictable chemical demand, marathon equipment-room visits, failing valves, and bids that leave customers wondering why you charge so much. Steve explains why pricing a hotel pool like a backyard account can turn a big opportunity into a very expensive mistake. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon joins Steve to discuss pool pop-ups, chemical spills, acid-wash damage, and what happens when a claim exceeds the coverage available. Steve also shares a balancing-tank disaster from earlier in his career—a story involving a missed valve, a flooded equipment room, and one deeply uncomfortable meeting. Then it’s back to leak detection, a historic hotel’s relentless equipment problems, and the business skill that keeps showing up in every conversation: communicating before a frustrated customer starts shopping for your replacement. In this episode: Commercial bidding: Accounting for labor, travel around large properties, chemical use, and the residential work you could complete in the same time. Facebook’s useful side: How answering a stranger’s questions helped Steve build one of his biggest client relationships. Insurance limits: Pat discusses coverage examples, sublimits, and potential exposure when repair costs exceed available insurance. Leak-detection training: Why buying a hydrophone doesn’t automatically make you a leak detector—and how confirmed leaks can become training opportunities. A hotel equipment nightmare: Elevated water, equipment far below, substantial pressure, hot water, and recurring valve failures. Owning service mistakes: How Steve handled missed visits, algae, and the cost of making things right. Mentoring without stopping production: Supporting students and technicians while giving employees room to do their jobs. Route efficiency: How repeated trips to the truck quietly steal time from your day. The guys also discuss Leslie’s store-closure news as understood at recording and give a shout-out to the standout pool projects featured in AQUA. The takeaway: A busy route doesn’t guarantee a profitable business. Price the actual work, understand your coverage, train your people, and keep your customers informed. Questions for Steve and Wayne? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and direct your message to either host. Your question could become part of a future episode. Contains explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1093
    October 14 · 58 min

    Stop Blaming the Pool Guy! Plaster Myths & Industry BS with Greg Beard — Part 2

    Ask a question here The plaster looks like hell, and somehow the guy holding the net is already the prime suspect. Case closed? Natalie Hood and Greg Beard have a few follow-up questions. On this Wednesday Mythbusting Session of the Talking Pools Podcast, Natalie welcomes Greg back for part two of their conversation about plaster problems, hands-on mentorship, and an industry that occasionally treats collaboration like somebody suggested sharing a toothbrush. With more than 35 years of pool experience, Greg shares his perspective on what can happen before a pool is filled, why documentation matters, and how helping another professional solve a problem can accomplish more than another social media pissing contest. In this episode: Plaster problems before the fill: Greg discusses water-to-cement ratios, application practices, and the work of John Temple. Water chemistry and the blame game: Looking beyond an automatic verdict against the service professional. Acid-wash timing: Natalie challenges the idea that washing new plaster sooner always produces a better finish. Mentorship that sticks: Teaching someone to troubleshoot instead of handing them an answer—or encouraging another expensive round of parts roulette. Knowing your worth: Building the knowledge and confidence to answer a homeowner’s questions. Community over turf wars: Sharing experience, supporting newcomers, and learning from other businesses. The business behind the route: Long-term customer relationships, the work Greg’s wife contributes, and his own struggle to find balance. Somewhere along the way, there’s a stubborn pool-light cord, a boating challenge, and a pizza discussion that takes an unnecessary but thoroughly on-brand detour through the bathroom. Also in this episode: A clip from our mental health conversation and a welcome to Tru in the Loop with Truman, the newest Tuesday show on Talking Pools. If you missed Truman’s debut, go back and give it a listen. Sponsor appreciation Thank you to PoolBrain, Revved Up Apparel, and H2Flow Controls, featured in this episode. We also recognize the sponsors of the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Awards: BlueRay XL and United Chemical as Title Sponsors, LaMotte as Gold Sponsor, Revved Up Apparel as Silver Sponsor, and AquaComfort Water Group as Supporting Sponsor. Music credit “How Life Goes” by Wendy Lucas. Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your music with Talking Pools. 🎵 Listen to “How Life Goes” on Spotify. Listener note: Contains adult language and a mental health excerpt referencing PTSD and grief. Keep challenging the myths, keep learning, and keep sharing what you know. Spotify music credit verified. Spotify Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1092
    October 13 · 29 min

    Tru in the Loop Premiere: Stop Eating Repair Costs, Charge Your Worth & Hire with Purpose

    Ask a question here Meet Truman, “Pool Boy Tru,” the newest voice on the Talking Pools Podcast. An Air Force veteran, former basketball coach, and Tampa-area pool business owner, Tru grew from a purchased route of 17 pools to 60 pools and an employee in two years. Now he’s bringing his lessons, questions, and industry connections to Tru in the Loop. For his first episode, Tru welcomes Mike the Mechanic, owner of Swimming Pool Mechanics, the mentor who sold him his original route. They talk troubleshooting, expensive mistakes, and why understanding how equipment works beats memorizing fixes. Tru also shares a painful early lesson: paying for a $120 repair before having an honest conversation with the customer—and getting fired the following week anyway. In this episode: The “I touched it, so I broke it” trap: Why assuming responsibility before investigating can cost you money. Repairs versus weekly maintenance: Why Mike shifted his business toward equipment work to create more flexibility for family. Protecting pumps: Low water levels, leaks, and valve positions that can lead to costly equipment damage. Finding suction-side air leaks: Mike explains his approach to narrowing down problems around pump lids, fittings, and valves. Understanding the system: Learning what the water and equipment are doing so you can diagnose the actual problem. Raising rates without panic: Tru runs the numbers on a 12% increase—and shows how a smaller route can still produce more revenue. Hiring with purpose: Part one of a four-part business series starts with defining your company’s core values before adding employees. The rate-increase example A route of 50 pools at $150 per month produces $7,500 in monthly revenue. Raise the rate to $168 and retain 48 pools, and monthly revenue becomes $8,064—an additional $564 per month, or $6,768 per year, while servicing two fewer pools. Business tip of the week: Know your core values before you hire Drawing from Traction, Tru explains how to identify the traits that already define your business and use them to guide hiring and customer service. His company’s five core values: Service first Uncompromising integrity Detail obsessed Growth mindset Ownership mentality Your homework: Identify three to five values that reflect how you actually operate. Bring them back next week for the next installment. Episode chapters 00:00 — Meet Pool Boy Tru, his journey, and the $120 repair lesson 08:51 — Why Mike chose repairs over a maintenance route 09:45 — Expensive mistakes and protecting pool pumps 12:08 — Troubleshooting suction-side air leaks 16:26 — Understand the system; don’t just memorize fixes 18:46 — Connecting with Mike 19:54 — PoolBrain sponsor message 20:06 — Mail Time: raising rates and defining core values Connect with the guest Find Mike on Instagram: @swimmingpoolmechanics_fl Join the conversation Follow Tru on Instagram and leave your questions or comments for a future Mail Time segment. Sponsor This episode is brought to you in part by PoolBrain, helping pool professionals run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable service businesses. Stay in the loop. Stay blessed. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1091
    October 11 · 47 min

    Forgot the Hose? Water Damage, Floating Pools & the Chlorine Merry-Go-Round

    Ask a question here A hose left running. A pool that drains overnight. A concrete shell pushed out of the ground. Water has plenty of ways to turn an ordinary service visit into somebody’s very expensive problem. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee, Shane, and Nick share firsthand stories about water damage, forgotten taps, unexpected siphoning, and pools affected by groundwater pressure. Lee’s hidden dishwasher leak kicks off a conversation about the damage you don’t see until it’s already done—and the reminders that might keep a simple top-up from becoming a disaster. Then the crew tackles the chlorine question: Are you choosing what the pool needs, or just using what’s in the truck? They compare liquid chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, and stabilized chlorine, discussing how water-test results, surface materials, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid influence their choices. In this episode: Forgotten hoses, overflowing pools, and practical reminders to shut off the tap. Unexpected siphoning, balance-tank failures, and disappearing pool water. Groundwater pressure, heavy rain, and stories of pools lifting out of the ground. The strengths and limitations of different chlorine products. Chemical application mistakes that can damage liners, finishes, and surrounding surfaces. Chemical storage, handling, and the importance of following product instructions. Lee’s “chlorine merry-go-round”: letting the water test guide the product choice. Why green-pool cleanups need testing before treatment—and at every return visit. A moment for mental health This episode also includes a clip from our October 9 discussion about mental health in the pool industry. Pool professionals share experiences with trauma, grief, and the emotional weight of continuing to show up for everyone else. If that conversation hits close to home, remember: you are allowed to have help. Content note: The mental health segment includes discussion of trauma, grief, emotional distress, and explicit language. Episode chapters 00:00 — PoolBrain sponsor message 00:12 — Mondays Down Under welcomes Lee, Shane, and Nick 01:19 — Hidden leaks and the damage water can cause 04:43 — Tips for remembering to turn off the hose 06:39 — Siphoning and pools that unexpectedly empty 08:59 — Groundwater pressure and pools lifting 17:35 — Mental health episode excerpt 20:36 — Choosing your chlorine 26:08 — Application mistakes and surface damage 31:55 — Vinyl liners and chlorine choices 36:43 — Storage, handling, and the chlorine merry-go-round 41:41 — Green-pool treatment: test before you treat 44:08 — Wrap-up Music credit “How Life Goes” by Wendy Lucas. Used with permission. Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your music with Talking Pools and helping us give this conversation the space it deserves. 🎵 Listen to “How Life Goes” by Wendy Lucas on Spotify. Sponsor: PoolBrain Questions or topic suggestions? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1090
    October 10 · 4 min

    You never know what someone is carrying when they show up to work

    Ask a question here This trailer offers a glimpse into “You Are the Storm—and You Are Allowed to Have Help: Mental Health in the Pool Industry,” released Friday, October 9, 2026, on the Talking Pools Podcast. Join Rudy Stankowitz, Jacobi Truman, Chris Felmer, and Zarah Littlejohn for honest, firsthand conversations about PTSD, grief, bullying, and the struggles that don’t disappear when the workday starts. About checking on your people—and allowing yourself to ask for help, too. 🎧 The full episode is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere great podcasts can be found. 🎵 Music: “How Life Goes” by Wendy Lucas, used with permission. Thank you, Wendy, for helping us give this conversation a voice. Listen on Spotify. Content includes discussions of PTSD, suicide, grief, and bullying. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #MentalHealth #PoolIndustry #PTSDAwareness #StopBullying #YouAreNotAlone #WendyLucas Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1089
    October 9 · 50 min

    You Are the Storm - and You Are Allowed to Have Help: Mental Health in the Pool Industry

    Ask a question here Content note: This episode includes discussions of PTSD, suicide, grief, childhood bullying, and strong language. Listen at your own pace and take a break whenever you need one. We spend a hell of a lot of time talking about what goes into the water. Today, we’re talking about the person standing next to it. In this special Floc-It Friday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz opens an honest conversation about mental health and the struggles that don’t disappear when somebody puts on a work shirt. Truman of H2O Pool Cleaning shares his experience living with PTSD after military service, including how an ordinary sound on a pool route can bring the past rushing back. He discusses the routines that help keep him grounded, the people he trusts, and his experience seeking therapy. A deeply personal conversation with Chris Felmer about loss explores grief, humor, and the difficulty of processing the death of someone you love. Zara of C&H Pool Builders in Melbourne, Australia, shares her family’s experience with childhood bullying—and what it means to keep running a business while worrying about your child’s safety. She discusses advocating for her daughter, finding a more supportive school environment, and reaching out to Dolly’s Dream. Rudy also shares his own experience with diagnosed PTSD and asks the industry to make room for honest answers when we ask, “How are you doing?” In this episode PTSD, unexpected triggers, and working alone on a pool route. Friendship, family, pets, and the value of having people you can be vulnerable with. Grief that doesn’t always look the way people expect. The effects of bullying on children, parents, and the wider family. Financial and scheduling obstacles to getting help. Checking on someone without waiting for them to make the first move. Respecting privacy when a coworker shares a mental health struggle. Supporting employees when they cannot safely finish their workday. Why “you are the storm” doesn’t mean you have to be invincible. You don’t owe the whole industry a confession. You deserve someone who can hear an honest answer—and support before you reach a breaking point. Music credit Special thanks to Boston singer-songwriter Wendy Lucas, who gave permission for her song “How Life Goes” to be featured in this episode. Listen to “How Life Goes” on Spotify Follow Wendy Lucas on Spotify TikTok: @wendylucasmusic Support resources United States: Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis support. You can also contact the Lifeline if you’re concerned about someone else. Veterans and their loved ones: Call 988, then press 1, text 838255, or visit the Veterans Crisis Line. Australia—bullying support: Call 13 DOLLY (13 36 55) or visit Dolly’s Dream for confidential bullying support. Immediate danger: In the United States, call 911. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency services. Support services and emergency numbers vary by country; find the resources available where you live and save them in your phone. This episode shares personal experiences and encourages awareness. It does not provide diagnosis or replace professional mental health care. Sponsor acknowledgment For this episode, regular commercial breaks have been set aside. Thank you to PoolBrain, Service Industry News, Jack’s Magic Products, AquaStar Pool Products, and BlueRay XL for helping support Talking Pools. You are the storm. And you are allowed to have help. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1088
    October 8 · 51 min

    Leslie’s Restructuring: What It Could Mean for the Pool Industry

    Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Steve & Wayne Hosts: Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich Insurance Interlude Guest: Pat Grignon, California Pool Association Leslie’s restructuring has the pool industry talking—and Steve and Wayne have plenty to say. From store closures and price matching to homeowner access and supplier relationships, they explore how changes at a major pool retailer could affect businesses throughout the industry. Wayne shares his perspective from his years at Taylor Technologies, including the enormous orders and private-label partnership that made Leslie’s an important manufacturing customer. Steve discusses his experience buying from local branches and why competition matters to service professionals. The episode also includes a reading of Leslie’s September 30, 2026 press release, presenting the company’s announced restructuring plan and its commitment to continue serving customers. Before that conversation, Steve describes an 80,000-gallon camp pool with severely elevated cyanuric acid and little oversight between service visits. His message: hiring a pool company does not eliminate the facility’s responsibility to train staff and monitor its water. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon joins Steve to discuss vehicle flooding, battery fires, equipment coverage, and the potentially expensive consequences of a pool-chemical spill. In This Episode Why commercial facilities need trained staff between pool-service visits. How chemical costs and service expectations can expose an underpriced contract. Vehicle damage versus coverage for the equipment carried inside. Chemical spills, hazmat cleanup, and pollution coverage. Leslie’s restructuring and the hosts’ concerns about retail access and competition. Wayne’s firsthand experience with Leslie’s and Taylor’s manufacturing partnership. Leslie’s announced financing, debt reduction, and plans to continue operations. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome, weather, and seasonal pool operations 00:25 — An 80,000-gallon camp pool: excessive CYA and gaps in daily oversight 09:13 — Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentor recognition 09:51 — LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch 11:34 — Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code 12:00 — Insurance Interlude: flooding and commercial auto coverage 15:50 — Battery fires, pool-cleaning equipment, and vehicle damage 18:21 — Equipment coverage and chemical-spill liability 28:22 — Leslie’s restructuring: Steve and Wayne’s discussion 33:03 — Homeowner access, local stores, and retail pricing 35:03 — Wayne’s perspective on Leslie’s and Taylor Technologies 39:06 — Competition, consolidation, and possible industry effects 42:31 — PoolBrain 42:45 — Leslie’s breaking-news summary 43:40 — Reading of Leslie’s September 30, 2026 press release 49:03 — Listener feedback and closing remarks Leslie’s Company Announcement In the press release read during this episode, Leslie’s announces a restructuring agreement intended to eliminate approximately 90% of its funded debt and secure $150 million in new capital. The company announces 76 store closures and states that its remaining stores and digital platforms continue operating. The hosts’ discussion includes speculation about additional closures and possible industry outcomes. Those comments should be distinguished from the company announcement read later in the episode. Featured Partners & Resources LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code PoolBrain California Pool Association — featured in the Insurance Interlude with Pat Grignon. Join the Conversation How have changes at Leslie’s or other pool retailers affected your business? Share your experiences, questions, and episode ideas at talkingpools@gmail.com. Explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1087
    October 7 · 32 min

    Answer the Damn Phone: Greg “Beard Man” Beard on Real Mentorship | Part 1

    Ask a question here What does mentorship look like when you’re standing in a customer’s backyard, staring at equipment you can’t figure out, and someone answers your call? Natalie Hood sits down with Greg “Beard Man” Beard, a two-time Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor honoree, to talk about the people who shaped his career—and why he keeps paying that knowledge forward. With more than 35 years in the industry and a pool service business he started in 1990, Greg has plenty of experience to share. But helping someone get through today’s repair is only part of the job. He wants them to understand why something failed, how to investigate it, and what to do the next time it happens. Greg shares how networking, volunteering, and stepping out of the back row helped him become someone other professionals call for guidance. He also discusses respecting a mentor’s time, helping technicians grow their businesses, and why cutting corners eventually catches up with you. In this episode: What a second consecutive Top Ten Mentor recognition means to Greg. The mentors who shaped his approach, including his brother Randy, Alan Smith, Greg Garrett, Bob Lowry, and Rudy Stankowitz. Why industry relationships and training can change the direction of your career. Teaching someone to troubleshoot instead of simply handing them an answer. Recognizing who is ready to learn—and setting expectations for their preparation. Sharing accounts, exchanging referrals, and helping other professionals succeed. Why mentoring remains a two-way street, even after decades in the business. Teaching a beginner versus helping an experienced technician unlearn old habits. The customer’s view of “splash and dash” pool service. Episode Chapters 00:00 — Meet Greg “Beard Man” Beard 01:17 — Recognition, gratitude, and answering the call 03:27 — What the Mentor Championship Belt would mean 05:23 — Recognition and the blind judging process 08:29 — The people who shaped Greg’s career 10:28 — Break and sponsor messages 16:57 — Advice that stayed with him 18:07 — Networking, training, and transferable skills 19:44 — Becoming the person others call 21:43 — Teaching the process behind the answer 24:21 — Respecting time and recognizing a willingness to learn 28:39 — Old habits, cutting corners, and customer expectations Coming next: Natalie and Greg return for Part 2 to tackle pool industry myths. 2026 Mentor Recognition Sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte Company, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort WaterGroup. Episode sponsors include: PoolBrain, Revdup Apparel, and H2Flow Controls. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1086
    October 5 · 53 min

    “I Just Test the Water” Won’t Cut It: Entrapment, Bad Plumbing & Professional Responsibility

    Ask a question here A pool can look immaculate and still have a dangerous suction system. A renovation can deliver a beautiful finish while leaving the same hazardous plumbing underneath. And a bigger pump can create problems that another bag of chemicals will never fix. This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee, Nick, and Shane welcome Spiros from Next Gen Experts for a serious conversation about suction entrapment, hydraulic design, and what pool professionals need to notice beyond the water test. Spiros shares examples from the entrapment cases he encounters, while the hosts describe hazards they’ve discovered in the field—including an exposed potty skimmer at a rental property and a commercial spa where a manager changed a valve position, creating a dangerous suction arrangement. The discussion explores AS 1926.3, suction-cover ratings, installation problems, and why renovating a pool requires looking beyond its appearance. It also tackles an uncomfortable question: when something doesn’t look right, are you asking for help—or carrying on? Then the conversation turns to the businesses behind the service routes. Training, qualifications, career pathways, and giving capable employees room to lead all matter. So does building a business that can function when its owner takes a holiday. In this episode: Entrapment hazards in new, renovated, and modified pools. Recognizing potty skimmers, damaged suction covers, and hazardous valve arrangements. Why suction-cover ratings need to be considered as part of the complete hydraulic system. Installation mistakes that can undermine otherwise compliant equipment. Why pool and spa service deserves recognition as skilled technical work. Developing employees through training and meaningful career opportunities. Succession planning, delegation, and reducing a business’s dependence on its owner. Oversized pumps, restrictive pipework, and unnecessary elbows. Equipment positioning, installation manuals, and opportunities to improve efficiency. Episode chapters 00:00 — PoolBrain sponsor message 00:19 — Welcome to Mondays Down Under 01:11 — Introducing Spiros and the entrapment discussion 02:46 — 2026 Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor Recognition 05:50 — Entrapment cases and professional responsibility 09:35 — A commercial spa’s dangerous valve arrangement 12:20 — Discovering a potty skimmer at a rental property 15:02 — Recognizing suction hazards 16:53 — Suction-cover ratings and hydraulic compatibility 22:22 — Broken fittings and installation problems 25:31 — Standards, technical skills, and technician training 27:24 — Earning respect for the profession 29:52 — Staff development and building career pathways 33:29 — Succession planning and empowering employees 37:00 — Pump sizing and pipework restrictions 39:29 — Better plumbing, less friction, and sustainability 42:12 — Equipment positioning and emerging technology 46:08 — Retrofitting pumps to older plumbing 48:18 — Standards, resources, and continued learning 50:54 — Listener questions and closing Featured sponsor: PoolBrain Questions or topic suggestions? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and request Mondays Down Under. Share this episode with the technician, renovator, or business owner who needs to hear it. The Pool Shop Coach an online store offering industry-specific business mentoring, coaching, and training programs Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    • Transcript
  • S5 · E1086
    October 2 · 27 min

    Pool Pros Deserve Better: Industry Politics, Product Claims & Corporate Bullshit

    Ask a question here WARNING: INTENTIONALLY ABRASIVE If you want to know what pool professionals need, ask the person in the fucking truck. This week on Floc-It Fridays, Rudy Stankowitz takes on the gossip, gatekeeping, and behind-the-scenes politics that make an already demanding trade harder than it needs to be. From manufacturers’ reps badmouthing pool professionals to private calls about who should appear on a podcast or receive mentor recognition, Rudy shares the experiences that have changed how he views industry support—and what he expects from the people claiming to provide it. He also revisits the pool professionals who helped test the alum method for reducing cyanuric acid, the pushback he encountered, and why evidence should matter whether a claim comes from an independent service tech or a company with an enormous marketing budget. Good reps earn trust. Good companies stand behind their products. And good ideas deserve serious testing. Supporting pool professionals means listening when they ask difficult questions, challenge a protocol, or find a better way to do the work. In this episode: Why a rep trashing another pool pro should raise a red flag. Field-driven innovation and resistance to ideas that could change product use. Alum, cyanuric acid reduction, and the role of participating pool professionals. Holding corporate claims and independent research to consistent standards. Rudy’s account of pressure surrounding podcast guests and mentor recognition. Recognition for Kelli Clancy and colleagues who helped build education and community for women in pools. The responsibility to document observations, acknowledge limitations, and correct mistakes. What meaningful support for service techs, builders, plaster crews, and renovation contractors looks like. “A nice label is not data. A familiar name is not data.” An outspoken episode about trust, accountability, mentorship, and giving the people doing the work the credit—and voice—they deserve. Explicit language. Featured sponsors: PoolBrain, Service Industry News, AquaStar Pool Products, and BlueRay XL. 2026 Pool Industry Mentor Recognition sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort Water Group. God bless the pool pros. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1085
    October 1 · 57 min

    Pool Pros Need More Regulation - and Fewer Facebook Assholes

    Ask a question here A truck, a pole, and a Facebook opinion: is that enough to call yourself a pool professional? This Thursday on Talking Pools, Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich tackle a question guaranteed to get somebody typing in all caps: Does the pool industry need more regulation? Steve makes the case for continuing education, stronger professional standards, and a system that makes more sense than a patchwork of requirements and inconsistent enforcement. Then they turn to the professionals who answer legitimate questions with “hire a professional.” Congratulations, buddy. You found a room full of people trying to learn and contributed absolutely nothing. The conversation also gets into the business problems that hit closer to home: customers who wait weeks to report cloudy water, return visits that eat your profits, and the uncomfortable question of what to charge when a specialist does the work but cannot find the problem. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon of California Pool Association joins Steve to discuss flood coverage, coastal storm damage, and the questions worth asking before water comes through your front door. In this episode: Regulation versus red tape: Steve and Wayne discuss licensing, enforcement, and whether ongoing education should be part of being a pool professional. CPO classes and real-world obstacles: Math anxiety, distracted students, an internet outage, and Wayne’s medical emergency midway through a two-day class. Your technician isn’t psychic: Why customers need to report problems between service visits—and how to explain that without starting a fight. The return-visit money trap: Steve explains his preference for charging per visit and setting expectations for additional work. Facebook’s professional hecklers: Asking for help should lead to useful answers. Apparently, some people missed that meeting. Stay in your lane—and build partnerships: Steve makes the case for working with leak detection specialists rather than adding every possible service to your business. The expensive mystery leak: A complicated infinity pool, a customer reporting a $6,000 monthly water expense, and testing that fails to identify a leak. Getting paid without screwing the customer: Paying specialists fairly, documenting their work, and protecting your reputation when the outcome is inconclusive. Flood insurance questions: Pat and Steve discuss separate coverage, risk-based pricing, and what an emergency declaration means for coverage. Episode chapters 00:00 — Is the pool industry overregulated? 03:29 — Continuing education, licensing, and enforcement 09:41 — An internet outage derails an online class 12:38 — Insurance Interlude: flood coverage with Pat Grignon 26:11 — Wayne’s medical emergency during a CPO course 28:57 — Math anxiety and keeping students engaged 31:00 — Customer communication and return visits 37:50 — Pool closing advice and regional differences 39:07 — Facebook groups and professional courtesy 43:00 — Specialist partnerships and the mystery leak 47:29 — What do you charge when no leak is found? 52:13 — Listener questions and closing storm discussion Have a question, an opinion, or a situation we should tackle? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Explicit language. Strong opinions. Bring something more useful than “hire a professional.” Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1084
    September 30 · 51 min

    A Floating Liner, a Family Business, and the Advice Chris Cavanaugh Wishes He Took Sooner

    Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Mythbusting Wednesday with Natalie Hood What do you do when heavy rain turns a vinyl liner into a waterbed? Chris Cavanaugh has a clear first instruction: do not drain the pool. In this episode, Natalie talks with the 2026 Talking Pools TOP TEN Mentor about floating liners, groundwater, salt systems on steel-wall pools, and the mistakes that can turn a repairable problem into an expensive one. Chris is a third-generation pool professional and president of Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio in western Kentucky. He shares how his family grew the business into a three-location operation—and how that growth made mentoring new managers and service techs essential. Natalie also asks about Chris’s first mentor: his mother. She taught him water chemistry, the work behind running a business, and one lesson every seasonal business owner needs to hear: plan for winter while the money is coming in. In this episode: Why Chris now sends interested employees to industry shows and asks them to bring back three ideas. What to consider before putting a salt system on a steel-wall vinyl-liner pool, especially one with an automatic cover. How groundwater can lift a liner and leave wrinkles when it recedes. Why Chris says to call a professional before lowering the water in a pool with a floating liner. What manufacturers could learn from the people installing and servicing their equipment. Chris’s advice to anyone coming into the industry? Try its different sides. Retail, service, sales, and installation each offer a path. Learn enough to find yours, then help somebody else find theirs. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1084
    September 27 · 44 min

    “Chlorine-Free” With a Chlorinator? SPASA Takes on Pool Sanitizer Claims

    Ask a question here What does freshwater mean when a pool system has a chlorinating cell? On Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury, Nick and Shane welcome Ben Makepeace, SPASA’s policy manager, to unpack SPASA’s new guide to swimming pool and spa sanitisation marketing claims. Ben explains why the industry developed the voluntary guide and how pool retailers, service technicians and builders can use it to question product labels, compare systems and ask suppliers for evidence behind their claims. The conversation gets into “chlorine-free” and “mineral” marketing, the difference between oxidation and sanitisation, and why training matters when a professional has to explain a system to a customer. They also discuss SPASA’s wider work on standards, contracts and industry advocacy across Australia and New Zealand. Resources: SPASA guides and resources · SPASA membership · Questions for the show: talkingpools@gmail.com SPASA Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1083
    September 25 · 41 min

    One-Star Tribunal: Pool Pros vs. People Who Shouldn’t Have Wi-Fi

    Ask a question here A one-star review can damage a reputation built over decades. Rudy breaks down how pool pros can respond without turning a bad review into a public cage match: cool off, check the service records, own genuine mistakes, correct false claims with facts, and know when to stop replying. Then court is in session for the One-Star Tribunal. On the docket: a contractor blamed for a Category 5 hurricane, a complaint aimed at the wrong pool company, a review campaign over $139.99, a store faulted for closing at its posted time, and a technician who reportedly serviced the wrong pool. The verdicts are ridiculous; the standard is simple: everybody brings receipts, including the pool company. Got a one- or two-star review that deserves a hearing? Send the public review, a timeline, supporting records, and what you did to resolve it to talkingpools@gmail.com. Remove customer addresses, gate codes, payment details, and other private information before sending. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1082
    September 24 · 38 min

    When Water Goes Where it Shouldn't

    Ask a question here A storm strips sand from Steve’s Long Beach neighborhood, tears up the boardwalk, and forces nearby residents to evacuate. That leads Steve and Wayne into a pool professional’s nightmare: a hose left running at a hillside pool, followed by evacuations and damage below the property. They discuss the risks of draining pools, what hydrostatic relief valves do, and why suspected structural problems call for an engineer. Steve also gets into the business side of service: setting clear expectations for missed visits and vacations, covering a route while you’re away, and explaining to clients how long a pool takes to heat. The episode closes on a serious note with a reported child drowning in a neighbor’s pool and a reminder to pay attention to barriers, supervision, and swim lessons. Also in this episode: hurricane stories, phosphate treatments, filter valve frustrations, CPO instructor opportunities, and congratulations to Natalie Hood on launching Natalie Hood & Associates. Have a question or a topic for Steve and Wayne? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1081
    September 23 · 55 min

    Ancient Pool Warrior: John Poma on Mentorship, Machinery and Alum

    Ask a question here Natalie Hood continues her conversations with the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentors with John Poma—the “Ancient Pool Warrior” and a two-time Top Ten honoree. John shares how a summer job pouring precast main drains became a decades-long career spanning commercial pool construction, service, plumbing, equipment installation and heavy machinery. He explains why the best field professionals must sometimes become their own engineers, how mentorship has evolved from guarded trade secrets to open knowledge-sharing, and why mistakes should be fixed—not used to assign blame. Then it’s time to bust some myths. John explains why excavating a commercial pool involves far more than “digging a hole,” why bigger equipment is not always more efficient and how aluminum sulfate can reduce cyanuric acid without replacing most of the pool water. He also discusses alum’s ability to remove phosphates, clear green pools and lift certain copper stains—as well as what alum cannot do. John’s advice to the next generation is simple: learn from experienced professionals, attend industry classes, understand flow rates, protect your body and read the damn manual inside the equipment box. In This Episode John’s unexpected entry into the swimming pool industry More than four decades of friendship and mentorship Building jigs and solving problems in the field Why asking “why” helped shape John’s career Creating a workplace where mistakes are corrected without finger-pointing The skill and situational awareness required to operate heavy equipment Why the biggest excavator is not always the best machine Commercial-pool excavation tolerances and costly layout errors Using aluminum sulfate to reduce cyanuric acid What alum can—and cannot—remove from pool water The long-term physical cost of ignoring proper safety equipment Why commercial flow rates and equipment installation details matter John’s ancient pool battle gear: alum and a pool brush Featured Guest John Poma Commercial pool construction professional, field researcher, owner of a small pool service company, foreman with Executive Pools and two-time Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentor. Mentor Award Sponsors Title Sponsors: BlueRay XL and United Chemical Gold Sponsor: LaMotte Silver Sponsor: Rev’d Up Apparel Supporting Sponsor: Aqua Comfort Water Group Hosted by Natalie Hood on the Talking Pools Podcast. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1080
    September 20 · 44 min

    Workplace Safety: It’s Not a Problem Until It’s a Problem

    Ask a question here Workplace health and safety is not optional—especially when your team handles hazardous pool chemicals, works outdoors in extreme heat and enters unfamiliar equipment rooms every day. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury is joined by Shane Sneddon and Nick Day to discuss the safety practices every pool and spa business should have in place. From PPE, chemical segregation and spill containment to SDS registers, vehicle storage, staff induction and mental well-being, the crew examines the risks businesses often overlook until an accident or near miss exposes them. Nick explains how workplace safety became a non-negotiable part of his growing operation, while Shane discusses developing formal policies and procedures for his New Zealand service business. The conversation also covers toolbox meetings, heat exposure, wildlife hazards, confined spaces, first-aid supplies and the importance of documenting employee training. You do not need to create an entire safety system overnight—but you do need to start. Build one policy at a time, review it regularly and make safe practices part of how your company operates every day. In This Episode Cleaning a 600-gram commercial salt cell safely Employer responsibilities and employee accountability Making safety part of weekly toolbox meetings PPE for chemical handling and outdoor pool work Heat stress, hydration, sun protection and wildlife hazards Creating and maintaining an SDS register Separating incompatible pool chemicals Bunding liquids and containing chemical spills Securing chemicals inside service vehicles Spill kits, first-aid kits and expiration-date inspections Confined spaces and equipment-room hazards Safe-work procedures and employee induction Documenting training, inspections and safety meetings Protecting employees’ mental well-being Why safety policies must evolve with the business The takeaway is simple: workplace safety is rarely considered urgent until something goes wrong. Start with the tasks your team performs most often, document the proper procedure and build from there. This episode is brought to you in part by PoolBrain, giving pool professionals the tools to operate smarter, more efficiently and more profitably. Learn more at PoolBrain.com. Have a question or topic suggestion for the show? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and mark it for Mondays Down Under. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1079
    September 18 · 25 min

    Cancel Me: Gen X, Cancel Culture and Knowing When to Shut the F*** Up

    Ask a question here This episode is intentionally and unapologetically Gen X, slightly abrasive and definitely not safe for the easily rattled. Beneath the profanity and sarcasm is a serious discussion about accountability, professional communication and knowing the difference between telling an uncomfortable truth and simply acting like an asshole. Rudy takes on cancel culture, trigger warnings, political correctness and the challenge of communicating like an actual human being in a customer-facing industry. Pool professionals should never be afraid to correct dangerous work, challenge technical bullshit or tell a customer an uncomfortable truth. Facts do not stop existing because somebody dislikes the delivery. At the same time, “that’s just how I am” is not a free pass to say whatever launches out of your mouth while wearing the company logo. This episode explores the increasingly narrow space between sanitized corporate nonsense and uncontrolled verbal chaos. Rudy discusses context, intent, accountability, social media outrage, abusive customers, generational differences and why being offended does not automatically make someone correct. The answer is not silence. It is judgment. Say what you mean. Know why you are saying it. Read the room. Stand behind the facts. Correct yourself when warranted. Refuse dishonest outrage. And occasionally, learn when to shut the fuck up. Also featured: an update on the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor awards and the championship belt. Listener advisory: Explicit language, blunt opinions and enough 1980s Gen X references to make your Trapper Keeper nervous. In This Episode Cancel culture versus legitimate accountability Why intent matters but does not erase impact The difference between discomfort, offense and actual trauma Protecting technical truth without becoming an inconsiderate jackass How social media eliminated the boundary between personal and professional speech Responding to complaints without performing a corporate hostage video Setting boundaries with abusive customers Leading younger employees without dismissing or indulging every complaint Why communication is another tool on the service truck Maintaining humor, honesty and personality while protecting your business Sponsored in part by PoolBrain, Service Industry News, Jack’s Magic, AquaStar Pool Products and BlueRay XL. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • S5 · E1078
    September 16 · 50 min

    Jeff Hampe: Mentorship, Mosaic Mastery and Pool-Tile Myths

    Ask a question here Natalie Hood continues her conversations with the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentors by sitting down with Jeff Hampe, a longtime pool professional known for his all-tile pools, artistic glass mosaics and uncompromising attention to detail. Jeff shares how he progressed from repairing hot tubs in New Jersey to cleaning pools, repairing equipment, performing leak detection and eventually becoming a licensed pool contractor and sought-after mosaic specialist. He also discusses the craftsmen who mentored him, why he freely passes that knowledge forward and the satisfaction of watching someone build a better life through a skilled trade. The conversation then shifts into Mythbusting Wednesday territory. Jeff explains why a tile labeled “pool rated” may still be the wrong choice, what he prefers for submerged applications and why translucent glass tile can become an expensive failure. He and Natalie also tackle waterproofing, calcification, efflorescence, thermal expansion, delamination and the limitations of cementitious installation products. Jeff closes with his growing interest in fully tiled fiberglass pools, why field experience remains essential and what would come packaged with the official Jeff Hampe action figure. In This Episode Jeff’s journey from hot-tub repair to high-end mosaic and all-tile pools How Jimmy Reed and Danilo Bonazza influenced his craft Why Jeff considers attention to detail a professional advantage Turning a landscaper into a highly skilled, well-paid tile installer How mentorship spreads when students begin teaching others Why “pool rated” does not automatically mean suitable for every pool Jeff’s preferred tile thickness and construction for submerged applications The risks associated with translucent glass tile How UV exposure and different expansion rates contribute to delamination Why waterproofing alone does not eliminate calcification or efflorescence The role of epoxy installation products in all-tile pools What visible deposits along grout lines may reveal beneath the tile Why hands-on jobsite experience cannot be replaced by classroom instruction Learning from installation failures without lowering professional standards The industry’s reliance on traditional distribution Why Jeff believes fiberglass deserves greater consideration Crumbled Italian sausage, jet skis and the Jeff Hampe action figure Featured Guest Jeff Hampe 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor Sponsored By REVDUP Apparel, H2Flow Controls and PoolBrain. The technical opinions expressed during this episode reflect the guest’s professional experience and installation practices. Product selection and installation requirements should always be verified for the specific application. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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Showing 21–40 of 79 episodes