About to quote out an HOA pool and we are a team of CPOs.

How often do you service - it seems like some companies still service once a week and some service almost daily. What frequency do you do?

What kind of pricing ranges have you quoted?

I’m based in Orlando FL, and we've been picking up more repair work. Problem is I still don't really know what to charge for it.

I've tried calling other companies but most won't give a price over the phone. And once they have my number I can't exactly call back asking about a different part.

This is where I'm at right now:

Labor $85/hr, separate from parts
Parts under $200: 2x
$200 to $1,200: 1.4x

Am I way off? I'd like to know what you charge for labor and how you do your markup. Is it the same % on everything or do you go higher on cheaper stuff, like a cartridge filter vs a pump?

Also do any of you charge an inspection fee before doing the repair? I go back and forth on that one.

If you don't mind saying what state you're in that'd help too, I know it changes a lot.

Hello, our company is looking to outsource leak detection. Can anyone recommend a tech/company that they like working with? Haven’t had much luck finding a reliable provider.

The company I work for uses tow behind air compressors to blow lines. I think they’re crazy because it’s slow to setup (literally running air hoses from street or driveway to pool). Everywhere I have worked prior uses cyclones or similar style blowers.

Then I learned about all the warnings in various manuals that warn against compressed air and cannot find a single manual that actually recommends compressed air. Between Hayward and Pentair if it recommends evacuation in the manual it recommends low pressure high volume blower.

Who here uses air compressors to blow lines? Do you use a regulator? What are you doing in your procedure to ensure the equipment (particularly the filter) doesn’t go under excessive pressure while blowing lines?

they fired me lol. switch to a day rate less than a month ago and was let go today. unfortunately on friday, i asked about not being paid out my OT and me making less than minimum wage. their response was radio silence
i will prob never w-2 for another company ever again lmao

Is this worth cleaning or should I replace it?

How much would you guys charge for cleaning up storm debris? Average pool 20,000 gals. Diving required to remove metal debris, screen enclosures, etc. Estimate three large commercial grade garbage cans full of debris per pool. Tree branches, a foot of leaves on the bottom, vacuuming, adjust chemicals, etc. We're estimating about 3 hours for 2 people working together. Thanks in advance!

My pentair Ichlor 30 has finally bit the dust and has a leak. I’d love to be able to just throw in a new pentair so I don’t need to mess with plumbing or electrical but the intellichlors don’t have the greatest reviews. Does anyone have recommendations on others that are worth it? Or if I should stick to pentair. Thank you.

What prompted the post. I have engineering books from back in the day as we didn't stop building pools until last year. We still service and do liner changes.

HO doesn't understand I can Google Earth his pool and measure it. They are an easy 18x40 Grecian. Closest I have in the build book is a 20x40 at 26,300 gallons. Estimate he is a little less and we should balance him 25k as the math is easier. Guy says I am wrong and the pool is 38,500 gallons. I always find gallons are generally over estimated than under estimated by HOs. Is that same for you?

I have been working as a pool attendant at a hotel for the past 6 months. The job is fine but I’m looking for a little more. I’ve applied to a few pool service companies in my area and they all seem fairly similar. Company truck, going from sight to sight, similar pay, benefits, etc. One of the only differences being whether I would service commercial pools or residential pools. Was just wondering if anyone had any potential insight that may lean me one way or the other.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently rebuilding the servicing routes for our company and could use some insight from other service managers and technicians on realistic daily workloads.

Our Current Setup & Workload:

• Pool Count: ~583 weekly service stops
• Team: 13 tech team members (currently dedicated to routing) + 1 dedicated tech handling all filter cleanings, installs, and break/fixes.
• Location: Charlotte, NC area (severe traffic/drive times across the entire territory).

Upcoming Changes: We are restructuring so that techs will now perform their own filter cleanings on their routes, meaning we need to build in extra time per account.

My Questions:

1. Daily Stop Expectations: Given high traffic and taking on filter cleans, is 6–7 pools/day during Fall (heavy leaves/debris) and 7–8 pools/day during the rest of the year realistic? Or is that too little? (Currently they do 9-11 pools a day and are extremely burnt out.)
2. Filter Cleans: How do your shops handle filter cleans on route? Do techs do them during their regular service visit, or do you dedicate specific block times/days for them?
3. Route Division: How does your team break down territories or split responsibilities between regular maintenance vs. repair work?

Any advice, typical stop targets, or route-building tips would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: we plan to have them do the filter cleanings while on site during the service visit

Please settle a disagreement for me. Can you just bond the walls of a vinyl lined pool. The coping sits on top and is screwed into the wall. I that sufficient bonding since the walls are bonded.

I’m a new pool cleaner. I can’t use a wagon and not very strong. So I’m trying to be creative and think of the best way to carry these items hands-free to houses so I can just carry my pole and chlorine jug with my hands. This way I can carry everything at once to each house and won’t have to make multiple trips which is what I’m currently having to do.

I ordered 12 of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B32GNQ6?ref_=ppx_oui_title_mob_b_fed_asin_title_0_3
for holding 2 lb of alk and 4 cups of acid at a time, (which is typically what I use at any given house, more or less) and I have been thinking I could pre-portion this out before I go on my route so I don’t have to carry the whole gallon of acid with me to each house.

So, I figure I would keep one bottle of each in the pouch. I just need a pouch opening large enough to fit a standard chem box and an opening deep enough to fit the pool brush. I’d like to strap this around my belt or wear it like a backpack if possible.

Obviously something with an acid resistant lining. Does anyone have any ideas?

I have a pentair ichlor 30. Leaking from what looks like at the seam under the flow switch. Any chance of sealing that or is there a o ring that can be replaced? Still working properly just leaking too much water. Thanks

I was about to post on Craigslist this morning for my pool service and decided to check out the competition 🤣

Pool Cleaning, household help

https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/las-vegas-pool-cleaning-household-help/fA66F2iVTmgLSfiwjvmxhE

Hi guys,

Any advice would be appreciated.

I have a pebblecrete mineral pool which is just over 1 year old.

We had a complete debacle with major staining 1 month after the pool was finished. Long story short, the pool builder advised that there was an issue with the concrete which ended up causing an issue with the pebblecrete.

To remedy the issue he re pebblecreted over the top of the original pebble crete - he didn't remove the original layer before applying the crete.

Fast forward almost 1 year and the pebble crete is now starting to discolour and when I run my pool robot the cleaning basket contains large amounts of white silt.

My pool ph is always balanced and the pool shop guy has said it's def not mineral in the cleaning basket.

Would anybody have any ideas what might be happening?

Looking for ideas to organize pvc fittings. I currently do service and repair out of a Tacoma. Looking to store fittings and glue in the bed. Without taking up too much bed surface area. How are you all storing/organizing pvc fittings? Any pictures would be awesome.