Here to Spray
Many are opting for spray parks over swimming pools
Layers of Safety
Frank Disher, owner of Poolwerx Keller in North Richland Hills, Texas, observed a “throwing up of hands” among pool service professionals throughout his career when it came to the topic of drowning prevention. He attributes that to a frustration within the industry because, regardless of a pool company’s preventative measures, it could still be held…
A Glacial Pace
Despite that there have been many pool industry positives to come out of the past couple of years, the pool building permit process has seen its share of issues. “The pandemic has had significant negative impacts to permitting projects,” says Jeffrey Anderson, managing member at Mayan Pools & Sports Construction in Atlanta. Mayan Pools builds…
End-Capping the Pool Experience
Picture yourself stopping at the grocery on the way home from work. You need bread and milk. You walk into the store and head over to the bakery section. On the shelf, in the place of the usual bread you buy, is a new brand with bright, colorful packaging. Something about the design appeals to…
Building Commercial Pools
Watters Aquatech builds commercial projects in the hotel, motel, apartment and condo sectors. We have been building pools and spas in this space for over 30 years, and typically build four to six each year. Our projects range from very simple to quite complex. Expanding into commercial projects not only helped fill gaps during slow…
Tax Shock
Tax season can be one of the most ominous times of the year for business owners. Even the most organized tax filers can be caught off guard when the proverbial smoke clears and they’re left with large and looming payouts. Pool companies looking to decrease their tax burden can start planning and adjusting now to…
Streamlining Customer Service
Responding quickly to homeowners about their pool service could be the difference between retaining customers or losing their business. “If you know consumers, they like the quick reaction times,” says Chris Cavanaugh, owner of Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio in Kentucky, “and if you get to them quick, typically you will land a sale or…
Preserving the Fleet
Many companies have entire fleets of Hammerheads, Riptides or other battery-powered pool vacuums. These receive heavy use and can rack up damages. The cost for these vacuums can be in the thousands, and replacement parts are several hundred dollars. Making these units last as long as possible is paramount for a growing company. At MPS,…
High-tech Heat
Since its modest 1947 beginnings in founder Al Whittell’s Southern California garage, Raypak has manufactured all manner of heating products, including high-efficiency residential and commercial swimming pool heaters. Now headquartered in Oxnard, California, the company has been a subsidiary of Rheem Manufacturing since 1985. Last December, Raypak introduced the AVIA pool heater, which the company…
A Floating Laboratory
The overall concept of the Sutro Smart Monitor water system for pools and spas is quite simple: The monitor automatically tests the water three times a day and gives exact instructions on how homeowners should treat the pool. Customers purchase the Sutro, drop it into their pool and get readings on an app. Ravi Kurani,…
A Career on the Move
Lenny Maffei, one of Poolcorp’s first-ever hires and a major contributor to its staying power, retired March 1. Since Maffei joined the company, it has grown to over 400 branches nationwide. Maffei credits his drive and focus to his faith in God and his family, who have given his hard work a purpose. “I call…
Company Offers Custom First Aid Kits
Being in or around a pool, working or playing on a hot day or even driving to a job site presents unique safety hazards. Top Safety Products offers solutions for those moments where things do not go as planned. Incorporated in 1991 by Gerald Kutsop, Top Safety Products Company, Inc., assembles quality first aid kits,…