Rocco Russo is a national trainer for Zodiac Academy, a service provided by Fluidra, which hosts a series of weekly hands-on technical training workshops across North America. Russo and his fellow instructors teach product installation, service, repair and troubleshooting, and when the Carlsbad, California, manufacturer launches new and improved products, they teach pool pros the…
Many years ago, a good friend in the industry told me something I will never forget: “Never abandon what got you to where you are.” That statement can mean lots of things, but when it comes to being successful within the trades industry, the meaning is pretty clear. At some point in building your trades…
One panelist shares her experience doing both Heather Lintonco-owner Swim Carefree, LLCCarrollton, Texas ResidentialPool Cleaning, Repair and MaintenanceRenovations, Remodels and InspectionsEmployees: 9Accounts: 150 We purchased a route in 2010 or 2011. We were brand new into the business and we had one route, but my husband wanted to get out of where he was working…
I can hardly believe that 2020 is upon us. 2019 was an eventful year, to say the least: As many of you know, I welcomed another daughter on October 10. I appreciate all the well-wishes that were sent my way and your graciousness as I care for an infant while running a business. We’ve got…
About a year ago, we wrote about Hayward’s new AquaVac 650, which was set to hit the market in 2019. This summer, we had the opportunity to test it on a pool in Norman, Oklahoma. Before we talk about the performance of the cleaner, let’s talk about the swimming pool. The pool is at a…
Servicing a salt pool? You can now. The newly designed Powerclean Salt Ultra by Georgia-based CMP lets users ditch the acid to clean chlorine generator cell plates. In early 2019, when CMP acquired Saline Generating Systems and some of its employees, the team wanted to work out some kinks in one of the popular SGS…
These pool professionals have a variety of experience, backgrounds and geography Joshua Mattey CPO, CST, owner JPS Pool ServicesNorth Scituate, Rhode Island Residential/CommercialPool Cleaning, Repair and MaintenanceEmployees: 4Accounts: 100 Joshua Mattey had a short-lived culinary career before his future father-in-law encouraged him to join the pool industry. He went to work for an established pool…
If maintaining regular backyard pools is all you know, entering the high-end luxury segment may seem risky. As pools get more complex, margins for error get smaller and the cost of mistakes heads skyward. The good news is, any person or team competent in the fundamentals can learn to service even the most complicated and…
It seems water-testing systems come down to two choices: Time-tested visual methods that rely on the human eye’s ability to discern changes in color, and sophisticated electronic instruments that do all the work for you. When choosing water-testing supplies for your own applications, you’ll have to consider factors like the level of precision you require,…
Regardless of your feelings about Facebook, the social media platform continues to be a player in the marketing world. Many small-business owners feel it’s worthwhile to incorporate Facebook’s advertising features into their marketing strategy, while for others, promotional budgets are best spent elsewhere. James Atlas, principal of Platinum Pool Care in Wheeling, Illinois, is in…
Alan Smith Pools in Southern California began focusing on commercial growth during the 2008 recession. During an economic crisis, not as many residential customers can afford pool installation and upkeep, but that’s not typically the case with commercial pools. For many in the industry, a mix of both residential and commercial clients can aid financial…
Edwards Pool Construction in Andover, Kansas, started using the Orenda Mobile App in spring of 2018 after owner, Steve Edwards, read several posts about it on Facebook. “The Orenda app has greatly enhanced our water chemistry comprehension and simplified teaching ourselves and our service techs water chemistry,” Edwards says. “Our ability to explain to the…