Prices at the supply house keep climbing, and chlorine isn’t bouncing back to 2016. We dig into the real reasons chemical costs surged 100–160% in just five years—pandemic shocks, the Biolab fire, transportation and regulatory pressures, payroll hikes—and why those forces keep a firm floor under today’s pricing. From tabs and liquid chlorine to cal-hypo and specialty products, we connect the dots between market dynamics and the margins on your route.

Then we get practical. You’ll hear how to stop absorbing chemical costs without alienating good clients: move trichlor tablets out of your monthly rate, bill a 50‑pound bucket upfront, or use a one-time halfway subsidy to transition. We outline when to charge for shock events, how to set a seasonal algaecide or conditioner fee for enzymes and phosphate removers, and how to document usage so problem pools don’t sink your profits. If a timer fails, a party trashes the water, or the system sits in spa mode, you’ll have a clear, fair policy ready to go.

Finally, we walk through the pricing math that calms nerves. A $10 monthly increase across an average route can more than offset one or two cancellations, and small annual bumps are easier for customers to accept than sporadic leaps. We share language for a simple rate letter grounded in facts—chemical inflation, fuel, payroll—and a framework for tracking costs per account so you know when to adjust. The result is a service business that stays profitable, transparent, and sustainable, even when chlorine keeps inching up.

• structural reasons chlorine prices stay elevated
• why bundling tabs and shocks destroys margins
• options to bill tablets upfront or split the first bucket
• when and how to charge for shock and specialty chems
• using a seasonal algaecide or conditioner fee
• the math and mindset for small annual price increases
• writing a clear, honest rate increase letter
• handling pushback and customer churn without panic
• tracking costs per account to spot problem pools
• links to more episodes and coaching resour

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Tired of white dust on your dark pebble finish, shredded filter media, or the stress of a sudden cold snap? We dig into the practical, money-saving tactics that keep pools clear and equipment safe, backed by decades in the field and feedback from real service routes. You’ll hear exactly why pressure washers and cartridge filters don’t mix, plus the simple nozzle upgrade that speeds cleaning without wrecking pleats.

We unpack calcium scale on pebble interiors with a plan you can actually use: manage the LSI slightly on the corrosive side to limit scale formation, lean on the Orenda app to get the math right, and use a sequestrant like EasyCare Butech for added protection during new-surface break-in. When deposits set hard, we explain why acid washes disappoint and why professional media blasting is the dependable reset—along with realistic costs so clients aren’t blindsided.

Cold weather throws another curveball. Freeze protect typically kicks on around 37 degrees and can run pumps for days without harm, but power outages are the real danger. We share a simple emergency checklist—from opening drain plugs to pulling salt cells—and why a standby generator is the best insurance in deep freezes. We also spotlight a patent-pending cartridge assembly for the Bottom Feeder and Shrimp vacs that captures 20-micron debris, transforming fine-dirt cleanups. To cap it off, we clarify how to get the most from suction-side cleaners: leave them in, let variable speed schedules do the work, and avoid hose memory by storing lines straight during parties.

• why pressure washers damage cartridge filters and safer nozzle options
• how LSI management reduces scale on dark pebble finishes
• when to use sequestrants and when blasting is the only fix
• realistic costs and cadence for bead blasting pebble interiors
• how freeze protect works and what to do during power outages
• a cartridge add-on that lets portable vacs capture fine dirt
• best practices for leaving suction cleaners in and scheduling run time

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The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
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Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

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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

Clear water starts with the right filter, not a monster pump. We dive into the real drivers of pool clarity and ease of maintenance, showing why filter sizing determines circulation, energy use, and how often you clean. If you’ve battled cloudy water, sluggish skimmers, or a cleaner that crawls, the culprit may be a filter that’s too small for your pool and conditions.

We break down how different filters behave under load. Large cartridge filters spread debris across big surface area, keeping PSI stable and flow strong for months. DE and sand deliver great clarity but show faster performance drop-offs as dirt builds, making the pressure gauge your best early warning. You’ll learn clean PSI baselines, the 10 PSI rule for action, and when a quick backwash can restore flow. We also map practical sizing: for around 15,000 gallons, a 300 to 400 square foot cartridge, a 60 square foot DE, or a 300 to 400 pound sand filter is a smart starting point.

Pump horsepower isn’t the hero for every filter. Sand filters often perform worse with oversized pumps, while large cartridges can take advantage of higher flow without choking. We share field stories, from a 15,000-gallon pool that ran beautifully for years on modest pumps thanks to a 420 square foot cartridge, to the chronic struggles of above‑ground kits saddled with tiny 25 to 50 square foot filters. The message is simple: size the filter generously for your gallonage and lifestyle, track your clean PSI, and prioritize circulation as much as filtration. Your reward is clearer water, less maintenance, and a system that’s far more forgiving during storms, parties, and heavy pollen weeks.

• why circulation matters as much as filtration
• how undersized filters choke flow and raise PSI
• cartridge vs sand vs DE behavior under load
• reading clean PSI and spotting 10 PSI rise
• when to backwash and when to clean
• recommended sizes for 15k and larger pools
• why sand dislikes oversized pumps
• tandem cartridges and large-pool strategies
• above‑ground kit pitfalls and upgrades

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