The Pool Deck by Skimmer

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Chlorine KingSkimmer Verified Partner

In this video I recorded a typical day for me to show you what it’s like running a pool business. Estimates, service calls, incoming and outgoing calls and some tips and tricks along the way. I’d love to hear what other types of “day in the life” videos you’d like to see.Spoiler alert: Skimmer really helped during one of the calls to defend us as a company! Enjoy!

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16 hours ago

nikiacostaTeam Skimmer

Skimmer training, tips & tricks

Skimmer Quick Tip: Adjust your start times!

The start time in the route dash and app has always had a default of 8am, which is not always ideal for many of you who might like to beat the heat or have a better idea of what your schedule might look like in the future. You can now update your company start time, which will reflect on the route dash and in the app! Here’s how:

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2 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

News, trends & training

🎉The Pool Deck is officially ONE year old today 🎉

One year ago, we launched this community to give pool service entrepreneurs and pros a trusted and safe space to ask questions, swap advice, get inspired, and celebrate each other’s wins!! We also teamed up with industry experts to bring real-world tips and tools to help grow your business and sharpen your skills. And it’s a WOW when we look at what we’ve created together so far:1,700+ posts packed with industry knowledge, business know-how, and Skimmer tips 114,000+ page views from owners and pros finding the content they need to level up 37,000+ visitors and 1,500+ members contributing to this growing and dynamic knowledge hub Together, we are building something truly special! To kick off year 2, we’re rolling out a fresh new look and throwing a month-long birthday bash, including contests (with some cool prizes!), shoutouts to our top contributors, a hands-on workshop, a brand-new group launch...and more surprises! PRIZE PACK VALUE IS OVER $1,000!!!As part of our celebrations, we’d

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2 days ago

Garrett_BrevikGeneral Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

pool pro chem costs

Hey Skimmer Community,I’m in Beaumont, California, planning a career change by purchasing a pool route next year. I’m researching costs and profit potential, leaning toward a service-plus-chemicals pricing model, and exploring products like PoolRx, BlueRay XL, and Orenda enzymes. As a newbie, I need help understanding wholesale chemical pricing (since many distributors only sell to established pros) and how to integrate these specialty products effectively. Your insights would mean the world!Here’s what I’m curious about:• Wholesale Pricing: How do you find typical wholesale prices for chemicals like liquid chlorine, Cal hypo tablets, pH balancers, or algaecides? Are there beginner-friendly suppliers in Beaumont/Southern California or online options for new pros getting licensed? What’s a ballpark monthly chemical cost for a 10,000–15,000-gallon residential pool?• Service+Chem Billing: How do you bill for the service-plus-chemicals model? Do you itemize service and chemicals separate

3 days ago

Fred SchweerSkimmer Verified Partner

News, trends & training

The science of mineral technology in pool maintenance

We all know the constant battle of the invisible enemy in our clients' pools: microalgae. Even in crystal-clear water, these microscopic organisms silently consume chlorine, creating maintenance challenges that affect our bottom line and customer satisfaction.Understanding the mineral mechanismThe science is straightforward but powerful. When properly implemented, mineral systems work through three key mechanisms:Disruption of cellular processes - Copper, silver, and zinc ions interfere with essential functions in algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms Reduced chlorine dependency - With minerals handling much of the sanitation, chlorine levels can be maintained at just 0.5-1.0ppm Extended protection - Properly chelated minerals provide continuous protection between service visitsMany of us have discovered through experience that the chelation process makes all the difference. This specialized bonding creates a protective barrier around the minerals, preventing precipitation and stai

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3 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

What's your summer sanity saver?

Summer’s almost officially here, and we know it comes with its own brand of chaos—scorching heat, last-minute customer requests, team juggling, and trying to keep your sanity intact—it’s a lot to manage!That’s why we’re calling on our members to share their best tips, tricks, and sanity-saving hacks for surviving the summer crunch! Whether it’s something that keeps your schedule flowing, your team on point, or just how you stay cool in the chaos—drop it in the thread below, or share a video post for more chances to win!🎉 Every post = 1 entry🎥 Video post = 3 entries We’ll be doing a random draw on June 20 — and trust us, you’ll want in on this prize pack PRIZE PACK VALUE IS OVER $900!!!3 lucky winners will each receive this high-value prize pack:Skimmer swag bundle – Skimmer buff, shirt, stickers, lip balm, & water bottle 60-minute strategy session with @Michelle Kavanaugh (Value: $250) – Build a personalized plan for growth, boost efficiency, or tackle your biggest business cha

3 days ago

PoolBrite KonaNew Member

Life on the road

Aloha From Kona

Aloha from all of us. Looking forward to learning more about the tricks of the trade from all of you.Just got started on the pool deck to see what it's all about and to expand our interactions with skimmer. Skimmer has been an excellent addition to our company and we love the customer service as well. Looking forward to being in touch and meeting more of you as our colleagues

3 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

Skimmer training, tips & tricks

Keep the birthday vibes going—show us your Skimmer hacks!

Skimmer already does a lot to help you run your pool business smoothly, but like all software, there are always some clever hacks that help users do even more! So, let’s keep the birthday party vibes 🥳 rolling with another contest: Share your favorite Skimmer hack to help others save time, streamline their workflows, or whatever you’ve figured out so that our user community can have a better day overall because you showed them something new! Share your go-to hack to help members do even more with Skimmer and WIN!Drop your Skimmer hack in the comments below, and the post with the most likes by Friday, June 20 👍 wins this prize pack (VALUED AT OVER $600): PoolRx prize bundle – Keep pools crystal-clear and algae-free (with way less chemicals!) Yeti Panga® 50L waterproof duffel – To keep your gear 100% dry for whereever your work and life adventures may take you The Pool Deck swag pack – premium branded gear to help you stay (and look) cool Need inspiration? Check out this am

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4 days ago

Skimmer SupportSkimmer Support Hero

Tutoriales de Skimmer App

El Horario – Mapa - Skimmer Help Center

Ve este video para instrucciones detalladas.Niveles: Escalar y Dominar el Mercado Last updated May 28, 2025.

4 days ago

Skimmer SupportSkimmer Support Hero

Tutoriales de Skimmer App

Facturactión de Skimmer – Configuraciones de Facturación

Ve este video para instrucciones detalladas.Niveles: Todos Last updated May 28, 2025.

4 days ago

Industry news, training & life on the road

Get started in the community! Check out the latest industry news & training, plus share your stories from the road.

Getting started in the community

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The Skimmer knowledge pool

Ask questions, share your knowledge & learn new tips & tricks to become a Skimmer super user.

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Tap into the community network to buy and sell routes and share information & best practices to help you grow as a business owner and leader.

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Buying & selling routes & equipment

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Garrett_BrevikGeneral Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

pool pro chem costs

3 days ago

JoeRookie Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Marketing by Pool Monopoly

Considering using Pool Monopoly. Does anyone here use them? What’s been your experience?

113015

14 days ago

Blue Refuge Pool ServicesRookie Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

When to hire my first tech?

Hey everyone! I'm new to the pool business. I purchased my first route here in the Atlanta area back in January. I currently have 36 clients. I really want to expand my business.I have a couple of questions:1. When should I start looking to hire a technician?Do I try and double my existing route before I hire?2. How much should you pay a technician, part time and full time?

751

18 days ago

nikiacostaTeam Skimmer

News, trends & training

What would you like to know about Poolside Tech (The Attendant) Automation?

I’ll soon be joined by @DavidJones of Poolside Tech for an upcoming episode of the Between Two Stops podcast. Poolside Tech is an award-winning smart automation system for pool equipment made with both owners and servicers in mind. What would you like to know about Poolside Tech? Share your questions below and we’ll tackle them!

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26 days ago

kris2024Conversation Starter

News, trends & training

Fun AI-Written Song About Pool Service Woes

Hey everyone, I thought I’d help you all start your week on a fun note with a funny song I produced using ChatGPT and Suno. It’s all about our pet peeves and woes going out there servicing people’s pools. Here’s the link to the song you can listen to and the lyrics below. Enjoy!Low pH and High HopesVerse 1I pull up to your place, ready to get my clean onBut the gate is locked, your dog’s barking, and I’m already wornPool toys scattered everywhere like a soggy carnival showIt’s my daily mission, but sometimes I’d rather just goChorus (1st time, unchanged)I’m your pool cleaner warrior, waging a chlorine crusadeYou leave me baskets of debris, while I’m splashing in the shadeFloaties, doggy bombs, and covers weighed down with leavesI soldier on with a grin—though it sure ain’t always a breezeVerse 2The water’s looking low, I can hear that pump complainpH is on vacation, and the algae’s blooming againYou fiddled with the settings just to see what they doNow I’m spending extra hours, trying

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1 month ago

Lauren BroomSkimmer Verified Partner

News, trends & training

Upcoming Virtual CPO Courses

Hey guys, if you need virtual Certified Pool Operator CPO courses for you or your employees, let me know or go to class schedule here and register through the website!! We offer Spanish Virtual CPO too! Virtual CPO Classes

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1 month ago

code3pools_opsConversation Starter

Life on the road

Above Ground Skimmer with Electrical Cord

Hey everyone! I recently came across an above ground skimmer and had a question about it. In the picture, there’s something that looks like a light or sensor at the bottom front of the skimmer. Also, in the top left corner of the skimmer, there’s a circular component that has an electrical cord connected to it from the outside. Does anyone know what this setup is for? Is it some kind of integrated light, heater, or sensor? Just trying to figure out what I’m looking at before I dig in further. Thanks in advance!

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1 month ago

Pool Man MikeSpecialist

Life on the road

green 2 clean pricing structure

Since it’s getting to be that season again I was curious how yall processed your green 2 cleans. Some green 2 cleans turn over quicker than others and some can be really stubborn. When I first started in this business I used to lose money on just about every green 2 clean I would get. Then I started charging so much for them that I would make money on them but I’d be so expensive I’d rarely ever get them. They are a nice gateway to get new service clients. Most of the time we can get the water turned over and get the dead algae pump vaced within a week. So I have thought about providing my quote so that it covers the chemicals and labor for up to 5 days. If the water is still not clear after that then it will be additional costs. Pump vac is always billed separately as a labor component. This only applies to the heavy green pools that you cannot see the bottom of the shallow end or even the steps. Looking for your guys input on how you structure your pricing for these level 3 type gree

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1 month ago

TravisTeam Skimmer

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Storm Clean Up Fee?

Given the storms that are making their way across parts of the country, curious how you all deal with clean ups. Do you charge extra for post storm clean up? If so, how much?

1003

2 months ago

greatatlanticpoolsNew Member

Buying & selling routes & equipment

Route For Sale - Volusia County, FL

If you are looking to expand, we have 62 accounts in Volusia County, FL for sale. Established route. We use Skimmer for billing and to optimize the route. All accounts are current. Please contact us for details.

370

2 months ago

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