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BBG Pool ServicesGeneral Member

News, trends & training

Pool Chemicals

Hi Folks - getting ready to launch my new pool service here in Nokomis, Florida - September 1, 2025 - crossing over from 38 years of the lawn & Landscape maintenance industry - learning the pool chemicals is the most difficult aspect - what podcasts can I watch to gather information about this - or where can I gain knowledge of the chemical situation to maintain good balance in pools and troubleshoot water problems - just completed my CPO course last weekend which helped, but still a long way to go….

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1 day ago

BBG Pool ServicesGeneral Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Pool Gallons on new customers

Hi Everyone - is there a pool app out there that can give you the gallon capacity of a current pool when looking to take on a new customer (maybe just an address to punch in to get the figure) - I understand how to calculate from the CPO course I just completed, but thought there may be a quicker way to get the figure - I’m sure alot of these pool owners don’t even know their gallon capacity or they think they do and the figure is incorrect - Just trying to save time and be accurate….. Thank you all in advance - hope you’re having a good work summer - brutally warm down here in SW Florida right now - take care and invest in some “poweraid” when it’s on sale…. Cheers from the rookie “Big Steve - BBG Pool Services”

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1 day 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

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2 days ago

sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Should you use Automated Payout Syncing with QuickBooks? YES!!! Here's why and how...

Thank you, Skimmer! Automated Payout Syncing with QuickBooks is a game changer! Skimmer's new payout syncing update automatically syncs with QuickBooks, creating both an invoice and payment record AND creating a bank deposit that reconciles with the payout. The reconciliation is 98% done for you! So, how do you set it up?Set up the QuickBooks integrations settings as shown below or in the video above.Payout syncing setup in Skimmer Choose 'undeposited funds' for payment deposit account in QuickBooks for the Skimmer Payouts Choose ‘banking/credit card merchant fees’ expense account in QuickBooks for the skimmer payout feesHere’s why: 💳 Online Payment Processing Skimmer uses Stripe for processing online credit/debit card payments Stripe takes a fee for processing credit cards, debit cards, and ACH online The new payout syncing feature helps reconcile the difference between invoice amount and actual deposit Example: Customer pays $100 - $2 processing fee = you receive $98 🏦 Quick

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2 days ago

alexTeam Skimmer

Skimmer + LaMotte Spin Touch Integration is Here!

You can now connect your LaMotte Spin Touch device* directly to Skimmer to sync water test results into the app instantly. This integration* makes it easier for techs to capture fast, accurate testing results on the job, and for admins to see exactly where those numbers came from in the service record. It’s all about streamlining your workflow and cutting down the time spent on manual entry. Watch the video below to see how you can easily set it up and use it: What does this integration mean for your team:You can auto-import test results in seconds during a stop, which means less time tapping and more time working. Test results come straight from the device into Skimmer, no misreads or bad data. Each reading is marked to show whether it came from a device or was entered manually, allowing you to maintain accuracy in your reporting and preserve data integrity. You can override a reading if needed, and Skimmer will note the change in the service record.*The LaMotte integration is include

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4 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

News, trends & training

🎉 Giveaway Time! Win a LaMotte® Spin Touch® 3581 🎉

To celebrate our brand-new integration with LaMotte® Spin Touch®, we’re giving away TWO FREE Mobile WaterLink® Spin Touch® Model 3581 devices to two lucky pros! 💧 Why it matters: Skimmer now syncs automatically with LaMotte® Spin Touch® models (3580, 3581, and 3582). This means your techs can test water and have verified results pull straight into the Skimmer app via Bluetooth with no typing required. No typos. No missed readings. Just fast, accurate results logged instantly. 🧪 What you get with Skimmer + Spin Touch®:Save time: Auto-import test results in seconds Eliminate errors: Say goodbye to manual entry Trust your data: Every reading is accurate and tagged in the service record 🚨 How to enter 🚨Just click here to enter before September 14, 2025. We’ll draw two winners on September 15, 2025, and ship the Spin Touch® device to the winning pros.

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4 days ago

mikeamatulliSkimmer Verified Partner

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Is Your Brand As Strong As You Think?

Becoming a well-known brand is key in business, and even more important if you want Google to know who you are and recommend you on the first page. In this 8min training I wanted to share exactly how you can audit your own brand name. If you take a look you’ll learn the following:how strong your brand really is what a strong brand looks like in Google’s eyes how to take the first few actionable steps to building your brand online

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6 days ago

Coach LeslieSkimmer Verified Partner

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

PART 6: EMPOWER EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY DON'T FOLLOW THROUGH

Thank you for your posts and comments on how to hold employees accountable! Here is our final (6th) tip on employee accountability during your busy season… 6. I EMPOWER TEAM MEMBERS WHEN THEY DON’T FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR WORD. Powerful and effective leaders are coaches at heart. Our job as leaders is to maintain clarity and remain impartial in our beliefs and judgments regarding successes and failures. My team’s game is win or lose. My game as a leader is to develop the people I lead into being high performers. I can’t afford to get stuck in the ups and downs. I’m putting my team in a classroom every time they don’t win. Before I communicate with them, I remind myself, “I’m committed to coaching and empowering this person.” Which is vastly different than the typical approach of “I’m committed to making this person wrong.” As a coach, I am committed to not being disappointed when my team doesn’t achieve their results. Instead, I’m committed to them, growing and developing from the ga

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10 days ago

Pool Man MikeSpecialist

Life on the road

Repair / Service hourly Rate

Hey everyone! I’m curious to hear from the California companies primarily NorCal. What your hourly rate is for repairs? We charge $125.00 / hr but I’ve been thinking about raising it. I have a friend that owns a pool company out in San Jose and he said his labor rate is $100/hr. That seems too low to me and honestly even $125.00 /hr seems a little low. I was thinking of raising it in the fall. Just wanted to check in with others out around my area and see what you’re getting. thank you in advance. mike,

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12 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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12 days ago

alexTeam Skimmer

Your input matters! Help us shape the future of Skimmer.

At Skimmer, we're always looking for ways to serve you better, and your opinion counts!Help us shape the future of Skimmer by completing this brief survey, and be entered to win one of two $250 Amazon gift cards!This survey will help us understand what tools outside of Skimmer you're using today, your satisfaction with them, and what you wish you could offload to automation. The insights you provide will directly influence our 2025/2026 roadmap.The survey will remain open until Aug 15, 2025, and winners will be drawn on Aug 27, 2025!

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12 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

On demand access: The Future of Pool Service

Hear about the biggest shifts happening in 2025 and beyond! In this webinar replay, you’ll hear from three of the brightest minds in the industry as they bring their perspective and real-world experience about the biggest shifts currently taking place and what that means for the future. You’ll hear insights about what they’re seeing in the industry and how owner/operators can stay ahead. Watch this lively and impactful discussion, including audience Q&A on topics like:What the private equity buying spree means for independents and franchises How businesses are tackling labor shortages and keeping great talent The lasting impact of supply chain disruptions Where AI, robotics, and automation are making a real difference (and where they’re just hype)This is your chance to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies you can use to set your business up for continued success: As a bonus, here is your link to download Casey Graham’s price increase email template.

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18 days ago

RHollyRookie Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

What is weekly maintenance?

Recently we’ve been having some discussions about clients and their expectations. Some of our clients seem to think it is our job to deliver a perfect pool all week long. That is definitely our goal, but...is it reasonable?For weekly maintenance, it is our job is show up once a week, and with our expertise measure chems, balance water and if no lightning present net, brush and vacuum your pool. Inspect the equipment and leave your backyard secure. That’s pretty much it for your average week. Obviously notify is there is an equipment issue, etc.Once we’re done, if nothing significant changes in that pool in the next 167 hours until we return, the pool will still likely be crystal clear the following week. However, if the client hosts a huge pool party or just has 5-10 kids in it every dayor there are heavy rains or your lawn service puts a bunch of grass in the pool…you get the point. We cannot anticipate every eventuality and we can’t add so much shock or tabs on their service day to a

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21 days ago

Derek FranchinoRookie Member

Life on the road

Staying safe in this heat. Thanks Pool Deck!

Summer is always the toughest stretch for pool service professionals like me.Here in the middle of the season, the heat is relentless — day after day in the Southwest Florida sun, moving from stop to stop, making sure every pool is safe, clean, and balanced for my customers.That’s why winning a Yeti cooler from The Skimmer Pool Deck’s first birthday sweepstakes couldn’t have come at a better time. I wanted to write about it because while it’s always important to focus on your customers’ pool safety at all times, it’s equally important to focus on your own safety, especially this time of year.Staying hydrated and keeping my core temperature regulated isn’t optional in this business; it’s survival. Heat exhaustion is a real danger when you’re in and out of service stops and on the road all day. Having ice-cold water and electrolytes close at hand in the Yeti makes a big difference: I’m not constantly stopping at convenience stores, and the drinks actually stay cold all the way through my

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21 days ago

Coach LeslieSkimmer Verified Partner

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

PART 5: COACH TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE

We are continuing our conversation around employee accountability during your busy season… Here is our 5th tip:5. COACH TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.When we think of holding others accountable, we assume it means babysitting them — knowing they don’t want to do something, and that they will resist. Having all my attention on the results does not achieve the results. What causes the results is my willingness to BE the vision as one of the leaders in the business. And if, as a team, we said we would do 10 things and only did three, I’m still committed as a leader, even though we missed the mark. When my team doesn’t hit the bulls-eye, I ask myself, “Who am I being as a leader that led us to miss the mark?” and then to coach my team members from the perspective of, “Who are my team members being that led them to miss the mark?”Feel free to answer any or all of the questions below...3 Questions for you:What is an accountability conversation that you had recently with one of your team mem

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25 days ago

Coach LeslieSkimmer Verified Partner

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Part 3: Recognize That Many Employees Want to Avoid Accountability

A high number of pool and spa and service-industry leaders and owners that I’m coaching right now have shared how they are struggling with holding their employees accountable during their busy season. They hold back from having tough conversations because their employees are already stressed out and working at maximum capacity. They fear that their employees will simply quit if they give them feedback and hold them accountable to a higher standard of performance.As a result, many leaders avoid hard accountability conversations, and instead, opt to do the work themselves. However, this will only result in resentment and ultimately burn out.Engaging in accountability conversations is both a science AND an art.Which leads us to step 3 in engaging hard conversations… 3. RECOGNIZE THAT MANY EMPLOYEES (AND OURSELVES, AT TIMES) WANT TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY. We avoid accountability because we are afraid of failing; of looking bad; of being judged by others. We’re afraid of being punished if th

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25 days ago

JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team

Life on the road

The Pool Deck mobile app hack

I often get asked if there’s a mobile app for The Pool Deck for easy access in the field.So I want to remind all of our members that you can add a mobile shortcut to your screen, and the community is fully responsive, so it’s easy to navigate on your phone. Tap the “app” icon for instant on-the-go accessClick here for instructions for both iPhone and Android devices. I hope this means you visit more frequently to get more value out of our growing knowledge hub!!

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25 days ago

mypoolandspasGeneral Member

Buying & selling routes & equipment

Selling Pool Route in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Orangevale and Natomas

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28 days ago

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