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mikeamatulliSkimmer Verified Partner

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

1 day 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

5 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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5 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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6 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

471

6 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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7 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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13 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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16 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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16 days 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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19 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

12 topics

News, trends & training

76 topics

Life on the road

38 topics

The Skimmer knowledge pool

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

POP-UP events

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Growing your business

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.

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

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Pool Man MikeSpecialist

Life on the road

Repair / Service hourly Rate

513

6 days ago

BBG Pool ServicesGeneral Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Pool Gallons on new customers

492

19 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

753

24 days ago

Adam at Gregg's Pool WorksNew Member

Ideas & inspiration for business owners

What is everyone doing to manage inventory?

Hey fellow pool pros!I was curious what everyone out there is doing to manage their inventory? Does anyone have any good solutions or systems that work for them that they would be able to share? Thanks!

1243

2 months 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?

130316

2 months 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?

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2 months 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!

150

3 months 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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3 months 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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3 months 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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4 months ago

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