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In this episode, Rudy delves into the intricacies of total alkalinity in pool chemistry, explaining its critical role in maintaining pH levels and overall water balance. He discusses the impact of carbon dioxide and borates on pool chemistry, emphasizing the importance of understanding these elements for effective pool maintenance. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by pool service professionals and the need for consistent testing and adjustments to ensure optimal water quality.

takeaways

• Total alkalinity is crucial for stabilizing pH levels in pools.
• High alkalinity can lead to pH drift, making management difficult.
• Carbon dioxide plays a significant role in pH changes in pool water.
• Borates act as a secondary buffer, stabilizing pH against rises.
• Maintaining a balance between alkalinity and borates is essential for water chemistry.
• Regular testing of total alkalinity is important for pool maintenance.
• Understanding the relationship between alkalinity and pH is key to effective pool care.
• The use of borates can enhance chlorine efficiency in pools.
• Pool professionals must adapt to changing chemical dynamics in water.
• A well-balanced pool system leads to predictable water behavior.

Sound Bites

• "Alkalinity is the heart's pacemaker."
• "You're the one keeping families safe."
• "Until next time, be good, be safe."

Chapters

00:00
Understanding Total Alkalinity in Pool Chemistry

04:30
The Impact of Alkalinity on pH Levels

11:15
The Role of Carbon Dioxide and Borates

20:18
Maintaining Balance in Pool Water Chemistry

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text us a pool question!

🔑 Episode Highlights:

• Wayne’s Health Update & Podcast Direction Wayne shares a personal health update and how it’s shaping the future of the show.
• Celebrating Mentorship: Rich Gallo Named Mentor of the Year A heartfelt tribute to Rich Gallo’s impact on the pool service industry and his dedication to mentoring others.
• Business Wisdom from Rich Gallo Rich opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and the importance of staying grounded.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work A candid discussion on how collaboration and trust fuel business success.
• Sponsorships & Product Shoutouts Highlighting key products and sponsors that support the show and the pool service community.
• Navigating the Pool Industry Insights into insurance, safety, and the unique challenges of managing commercial pool accounts.
• Understanding Bids & Pricing Tips on how to approach bidding and pricing strategies in a competitive market.
• The Role of Distributors Exploring how distributors influence the pool business ecosystem.
• Final Thoughts & Community Engagement A call to action for listeners to stay connected and support each other in the industry.

🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:

• [Product recommendations and sponsors]
• [Insurance and safety guidelines for pool businesses]
• [Mentorship programs in the pool industry]

💬 Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Connect with us on social or send us a message!

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

• Facebook
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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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In this powerful conclusion to the two-part episode Clear Water Can Still Kill, Natalie Hood and Dewey Case pull back the curtain on the myths that continue to plague both residential and commercial pool operations. From chlorine “smell” misconceptions to Airbnb water safety, they challenge everything we think we know about clean, safe, and healthy pool water.

Dewey explains why clear doesn’t always mean clean—and why that faint haze, that “smells clean” comment, or that once-a-week test schedule could spell serious trouble. Natalie takes it a step further, sharing real-world stories of visiting family pools that reeked of combined chlorine, and why that chemical sting is the ultimate red flag for poor air and water management.

Together, they break down:

• Why public spas can be a microbiological minefield (and why Dewey won’t get in them)
• The shocking truth about short-term pool rentals and backyard “pool sharing” apps
• Why HOAs testing once a week isn’t just lazy—it’s dangerous
• The right testing frequency for both homeowners and pool pros
• Why water testing at the pool store days later is absolutely not okay
• How education and continuing certification separate the pros from the pretenders
• And why a commercial pool isn’t just a “big backyard pool”—it’s a Ferrari compared to a Ford

Dewey and Natalie wrap with a reality check: certification is just your driver’s license. The real work is what comes after—continuous education, field experience, and doing the job right even when no one’s watching.

Key Quote:

Next Week:
Natalie returns with The Grit Game’s Jared Medeiros and JD “Positive Vibes” Director to tackle one of the toughest topics in pool care: leak detection. You won’t want to miss this one!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Podcasts • Amazon Music • Stitcher
#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolSafety #MythBusting #PublicHealth #CMAHC #GritGame #PoolPros

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Welcome back to the Talking Pools Podcast — We're opening up the vault and this one snuck out! The real-life challenges and strategies shaping the pool industry. I’m Rudy, here with the always insightful Andrea, and today we’re tackling a topic that every pool pro eventually has to face: how to handle price increases without losing your cool or your margins.

This episode isn’t about confrontation — it’s about confidence and strategy.
Rudy and Andrea open up about their own experiences dealing with chemical price hikes and share smart, professional ways to push back when suppliers raise costs. They unpack the importance of comparing distributor pricing, shopping competitors, and making informed, data-driven decisions to protect your bottom line.

The conversation reminds listeners that questioning a price increase or exploring new supplier options doesn’t make you disloyal — it makes you a smart business owner. It’s not a personal attack on your rep or distributor. It’s simply how responsible professionals keep their companies healthy and profitable.

So tune in as we break down the right way to say “no” to a price hike, when to explore your options, and how to do it with respect, tact, and professionalism.
Because in this business, just like we say — it’s not personal, it’s just good business.

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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Lee’s back on home turf (and grand-dad duty) and Shane’s in the chair from New Zealand for a lively episode that starts with a wild Guy Fawkes blackout story and lands on a pressing industry issue: two major distributors have exited the NZ market, leaving pros scrambling for parts, warranties, and sensible logistics.

In this episode

• Cold open: A powder-monkey grandad, one huge bang, and parts of Melbourne go dark 😳
• NZ shake-up: Two big distributors stop supplying nationwide—what that means for warranties, spare parts, and service timelines.
• Reality check on freight: When a book of stickers costs $20 to ship, what will a pump or salt cell run?
• What to tell customers: Bulk email blast or handle it case-by-case? Lee explains why targeted, honest comms win.
• Owning the problem: Why suppliers should proactively notify recalls/faults (shout-out to Fluidra for doing it right).
• When brands fold: Lessons from the Poolrite era—who actually carries the warranty, and how pros protected clients (and their own reputations).
• Smart playbook:
  • Vet suppliers for staying power, not just long warranties.
  • Consider buying groups to consolidate freight.
  • Explore becoming a local warranty station to turn pain into pipeline.

Key takeaways

• Don’t panic-email your whole book—inform affected clients individually with options and realistic timelines.
• Push suppliers to own known issues and send parts proactively; it saves everyone’s face.
• Strength in numbers: coordinate orders and freight with nearby companies.
• A long warranty is meaningless if the brand won’t be around to honor it.

Got a topic, tip, or rant?
Email: talkingpools@gmail.com
— Rudy will route it to the right crew.

Happy Monday, and stay safe out there!

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What starts as a casual “round two” turns into one of the most important — and hilarious — conversations pool pros need to hear. Rudy and Andrea dive deep into DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for pool service trucks, and what every tech should know before hitting the road loaded with chemicals in this #WaybackWeekend thing we've been doing. Spoiler: if you’re hauling 100-pound buckets or 100-gallon tanks, you might be breaking the law — and not in the cool Judas Priest way Andrea sings about.

Rudy breaks down the federal regulations (yep, this isn’t just Florida) including:

• The 440-pound chlorine and acid limit per vehicle
• Why your bucket can’t weigh more than 66 pounds
• The “8-gallon max” rule for liquid containers
• SDS sheet requirements (and why they belong in a binder, not on a tablet)
• Placard rules, shipping papers, and the $10,000 fines waiting for violators

Andrea confesses what’s really on her truck (“way over the limit”), and the two compare real-world setups with what’s actually legal. They talk about EPA pullovers for unlabeled jugs, illegal chemical transfers on-site, and even the torque wrench you’re supposed to carry for chlorine jugs — which Rudy swears a DOT officer once actually checked.

The episode blends serious education with their trademark chaos — green beans, Texas Roadhouse rolls, and Andrea’s eternal battle between hunger and compliance.

Key Takea

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Hey, Pool Pros! Welcome back to another exciting episode of Talking Pools Podcast with your hosts, Kelli and Dan. Today, we dive into the world of pool adventures, business updates, and industry innovations. Dan kicks things off, sharing his recent hectic schedule with office remodeling, travel plans, and preparations for upcoming events like the Pool and Spa show in Atlantic City. Joining him on this whirlwind journey is Kelli, who reveals her own busy off-season, enjoying a slower pace and relishing the breathing room before the upcoming pool season madness.

As the dynamic duo navigates through their off-season experiences, they touch upon fascinating topics such as high-end pool designs, cutting-edge control systems, and even beta-testing new pool products. Get ready for insights into Kelli's expertise with the latest control system she's been testing, providing a glimpse into the potential future of pool technology. It's a fun and informative episode that not only captures the essence of the pool industry's bustling off-season but also hints at the exciting advancements shaping the future of pool maintenance and enjoyment. Tune in for laughter, knowledge, and the latest updates on Talking Pools!

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text us a pool question!

In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz dives deep into the essential aspects of pool water chemistry, focusing primarily on pH. He emphasizes the importance of understanding pH as the core of water chemistry, explaining how it influences chlorine effectiveness, the role of alkalinity, and the buffering systems that stabilize pH levels. Rudy discusses the impact of electrolysis, CO2 behavior, and the Langelier Saturation Index on pH management. He also highlights the challenges of accurate measurement and the biological influences on pH. The episode concludes with practical takeaways for pool professionals to master pH control and maintain balanced water.

takeaways

• pH is the most influential factor in pool water stability.
• Understanding pH requires knowledge of its dynamic nature.
• Alkalinity acts as a buffer to stabilize pH.
• Cyanuric acid and borates play crucial roles in pH management.
• Electrolysis in saltwater pools consistently raises pH levels.
• CO2 behavior is central to controlling pH fluctuations.
• The Langelier Saturation Index is heavily influenced by pH.
• Accurate measurement of pH is essential for effective pool management.
• Biological factors can cause local pH variations in pools.
• Maintaining balanced water reduces the need for constant chemical adjustments.

Sound Bites

• "Your job is to conduct, not to fight."
• "Balanced water is calm water."
• "pH is the heartbeat of the pool."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Flock It Friday and Industry Talent

01:43
Back to Basics: Understanding Water Chemistry

02:53
The Importance of pH in Pool Water

08:01
Understanding pH Measurement and Its Implications

09:20
The Carbonate System and Its Role in pH Stability

17:47
The Role of Cyanuric Acid and Borates in pH Management

23:48
The Interplay of pH, Chlorine, and Water Chemistry

28:33
Electrolysis and Its Impact on pH Levels

30:36
Equilibrium and the Dynamics of CO2 in Water

31:56
Biological Influences on pH and Algae Management

39:54
Advanced Oxidation Processes and pH Dynamics

40:49
The Langelier Saturation Index and Its Relationship with pH

41:50
Understanding pH and Water Chemistry

45:20
The Role of Carbon Dioxide in pH Control

49:11
The Impact of pH on Scaling and LSI

50:05
Total Dissolved Solids and pH Readings

51:42
Buffer Systems: Bicarbonate, Cyanuric Acid, and Borate

54:06
Turbulence and Gas Transfer Dynamics

55:08
Salt Systems and pH Drift

56:13
Biological Influences on pH

58:12
Radical Reactions and pH

59:23
The Relationship Between pH and Metals

01:03:11
Practical pH Management Strategies

01:07:02
Mastering pH Control in Pool Chemistry

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com