Leaves don’t just make a mess, they steal your time, stress your body, and starve your margins. We break down a clean, repeatable system to handle heavy debris pools without burning out: what to avoid, what to automate, and where to invest so your route stays profitable even when the wind goes wild.

We start with selection strategy—why a mature business doesn’t need every account—and how saying no to chronic leaf traps can raise your average hourly return. Then we dig into gear that does real work between visits. The Pool Skim turns a return line into a secondary skimmer with a debris bag, pulling leaves off the surface before they clog the basket. Pair that with a reliable solar surface skimmer like the BETTA to keep the top clear all week. Together they stabilize flow, protect pumps, and reduce chlorine burn, making water balance easier and saving you emergency trips.

Next, we get tactical about the source: tree trimming. It’s not glamorous and trimming day can be messy, but the payoff is dramatic. We share the exact client framing that works—reduced equipment risk, fewer algae blooms, and more consistent clarity—and when to recommend it. From there, we set firm time caps per stop and outline how to price for debris-heavy service tiers. If a client wants pristine results after a storm, we show you how to quote it confidently and stick the landing without resenting the account.

Finally, we dive into tools that transform post-wind cleanups. Strong poles like Skimlite or Primate and large-mouth rakes like Purity Pool’s Red Baron or Gator handle bulk removal.

• choosing which pools to keep as you grow
• pool skim as a secondary skimmer on return lines
• solar surface skimmers for daily debris control
• tradeoffs in cost, looks, and reliability
• client education on tree trimming and equipment risk
• time limits, pricing tiers, and boundaries
• windstorm prep with strong poles and large leaf rakes
• cordless and cart-based vacuum systems compared
• ROI, route efficiency, and reducing strain
• links to m

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Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
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Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits

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$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road

Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Saying yes to every pool is the fastest way to burn out your route and your margins. We break down a practical bidding system for weekly service, green pool cleanups, acid washes, and installs that protects your time, sets clear expectations, and helps you win the right work at the right price.

We start with the mindset shift: only bid work you’re ready to start. From there, we walk through a thorough site assessment that treats each pool like a home inspection—surface condition, equipment health, tree cover, access, and debris patterns all factor into time-on-site. You’ll hear why a strict no‑touch rule during bids prevents costly blame games, plus how to read client fit by talking through expectations before you ever pick up a pole.

Next, we get into pricing mechanics. Set a realistic baseline for an easy pool and scale up for gallons, complexity, and seasonal load. Ditch the “it evens out across my route” myth—each account must carry its true cost. We share a simple script for correcting an underbid without losing the client: own the mistake, explain the time gap, and offer a clear path forward. For green pools, we recommend tiered severity and a built‑in cushion to cover surprise revisits and chemical demand. For repairs and installs, use flat fees with adders for tight pads and re-plumbing so you get paid for both the job and the opportunity cost.

By the end, you’ll have the tools to bid with confidence, avoid troublesome accounts, and charge prices that reflect your expertise. If you’re landing every quote, you’re likely underpriced; aim to win fewer, better jobs that pay fairly and keep your schedule sane.

• committing to jobs you actually want
• assessing surfaces, equipment, debris, and access
• meeting clients and gauging fit
• no‑touch policy during bids to avoid liability
• building a baseline rate and scaling by time
• raising underbids with direct, honest language
• pricing green pools with a 20 percent cushion
• flat‑fee installs with adders for complexity
• focusing on opportunity cost and

Send us a text

Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!

HASA
https://bit.ly/HASA

The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/

Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy

Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

Support the show

Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/

UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Pool Guy Coaching Group

Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.

Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)

$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching

Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits

[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]

$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road

Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Dust lines, cloudy steps, and second passes with a manual vac eat time and profit. We tackled the root problem—fine debris slipping through bags—and put the Bottom Feeder Cartridge Assembly Kit 2.0 to the test. The result is a portable vacuum that captures down to about 20 microns without losing thrust, letting us collect leaves and silt in one run while keeping maneuverability in tight spaces like spas and benches.

We break down why micron bags hit a wall as they load with dust, forcing water to bypass and spit from the bottom, and how a pleated cartridge changes the physics. The kit’s reverse-flow, fully sealed canister uses a Unicel C9405 element to lock debris in the core, so nothing escapes when you lift it from the pool or move to a spa. Its compact size keeps the cleaner balanced and easy to handle, yet it still holds around a pound of dirt—enough to handle multiple dusty pools before a rinse. For heavy leaf jobs, the threaded halo lets you swap from cartridge to bag in seconds, so you can adapt on the fly.

Expect no noticeable power drop compared to a bag; the Bottom Feeder and Shrimp keep full pull, and the five-inch throat on the Shrimp pairs especially well with the cartridge on top. When you add up fewer repeat visits, no manual vac setups, and longer intervals between cleanings, the ROI is clear—and the water clarity your clients see is even clearer.

• fine dirt limitations of micron bags
• cartridge filtration down to ~20 microns
• Unicel C9405 compact specs and build
• reverse-flow sealed canister design
• capacity around one pound of dirt
• when to use bag versus cartridge
• maintenance tips and storage basins
• thrust, balance, and power retention
• price point, savings, and ROI
• how to buy and available discount

Use code DVB100 to save $100 on the Bottom Feeder or Shrimp at thebottomfeeder.com.

Send us a text

Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!

HASA
https://bit.ly/HASA

The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/

Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy

Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

Support the show

Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/

UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Pool Guy Coaching Group

Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.

Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)

$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching

Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits

[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]

$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road

Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits