News, trends & training

Credit card fees can take a big bite out of your profits. Now there’s an easier way to manage them. Skimmer Payments now supports surcharging, so you can automatically add a small fee to credit card payments and offset processing costs — all while staying compliant and transparent with your customers.Skimmer handles everything for you: it calculates the surcharge, adds it to invoices clearly, and applies it only where surcharging is legally allowed.Learn how surcharging works and where it’s available: Read the guide   One system, built for pool prosRunning a pool service  business is tough enough without worrying about changing regulations or manual billing steps. Surcharging is another

Hey Pool Deck –The third annual State of Pool Service survey is officially live! This is your chance to share what you see coming in 2026 — from pricing and staffing to AI, chemicals, supplies, and growth opportunities.The 2025 report drew on input from 2000+ pros, 30,000+ Skimmer users, and market research to paint the clearest picture yet of our industry. This year, we want to make it even more relevant, and that starts with your voice.By completing the survey, you’ll be entered to win one of five prizes:1st prize

Show us your best work order and you could win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Skimmer Pro Summit on Wednesday, November 12, at The San Marco Resort in Phoenix, AZ! There are 2 prize packs up for grabs! CONTEST DETAILS: We want to see how you're using Skimmer's Work Order feature to improve your service quality, efficiency, and customer experience.Show us either:Your best active work order in Skimmer                                      ORA detailed new work order you've been planning to try 

Skimmer has launched Jobs, our new end-to-end repair workflow built for pool pros. Jobs makes it easier than ever to manage repairs, installs, and one-time projects—all in one place. With Jobs, pool pros can move seamlessly from quote to paid:Send professional quotes with deposits, photos, and attachments that set clear expectations. Convert approved quotes into jobs instantly, with all line items, fees, and deposits carried over. Schedule work orders directly from the job, track progress across visits, and update line items as scope changes. Generate accurate invoices with deposits automatically applied and totals showing sold, invoiced, and paid.Unlike other repair workflows that require juggling multiple systems, Skimmer ke

We’re hitting the road and hosting an afternoon you won’t want to miss—education, networking, food, and fun at Topgolf locations across the country!🎟️ Free to attend:These events are the perfect chance to sharpen your skills, connect with fellow pool pros, and see how to get the most out of Skimmer.📌 What’s on deck:Feature Presentation: Streamlining Workflows & Driving Tech Accountability—learn how to get more out of Skimmer by leveraging our latest features and proven best practices. Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered by the experts. Exclusive Sneak Peek: Be among the first to see what’s coming on our product roadmap.And of course… we’ll wrap it all up with dinner, drinks, and some swings at the bays. 🍔🍹⛳Come for the training, stay for the fun—and leave with new

GIVEAWAY UPDATE: We’re excited to share the winners of our LaMotte® Spin Touch® giveaway:1. Thomas Clow, Float On Pools & Spas LLC 🏆 Thomas Clow, Float On Pools & Spas LLC2. Ben Majewski, El Dorado Pool Rescue 🏆 Ben Majewski, El Dorado Pool RescueThank you to everyone who entered and celebrated the launch of our new integration. And don’t worry, this won’t be our last giveaway. More chances to win are coming soon!

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

For pool service technicians, proper footwear is crucial for safety, comfort, and durability in wet and often slippery environments. Here’s a breakdown of the best footwear features and specific types to consider:✅ Essential Footwear Features Slip-Resistant Soles Reduces risk of falls on wet surfaces (poolsides, decks, tile, etc.) Waterproof or Quick-Drying Materials Prevents soggy, heavy shoes and avoids skin issues from prolonged moisture. Closed-Toe Protection Protects feet from pool chemicals, equipment, and accidental impacts. Breathability Keeps feet cooler and helps with odor control. Good Arch Support & Cushioning Important for t

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 

There's something reassuring about connecting with women who truly understand your work world of managing the daily pressures and career aspirations with life's demands. That's why we've created this community group for women across all areas of the pool service industry. Join Women Making Waves and post whenever you need advice, inspiration, or just want to share a win! Plus, we'll host virtual meetups and bring in female leaders from various professions to coach, educate, and nurture professional and personal growth—we're all about lifting each other up!  We all have valuable experiences to share and unique perspectives that can help each other succeed.Join now - we're planning our first virtual meetup for this summer and want you to be

What an incredible month celebrating The Pool Deck's first birthday! As we prepare to wrap up the party, we want to remind you to enter our THREE contests to win AWESOME PRIZE PACKS filled with high-value items worth $ +$2,500!!  Scroll down for details; all entries must be submitted by Friday, June 20!  CONTEST #1: Community Feedback Challenge – What's your Pool Deck experience been like? Share your thoughts on what's been helpful, what could be better, and what you'd love to see more of!  This prize pack includes a CPO course taught by ​@Lauren Broom 😎

As part of our birthday celebration, we want to invite Pool Deck members who have never used Skimmer to try a 30-day free trial of our Scaling Up tier. Try our features designed to help pool pros save time, improve technician accountability, and enhance customer communication.  To claim your free trial, simply click the link below: 👉 Start Your 30‑Day Free Trial Now 👈 This exclusive offer is valid from May 21st to June 5th.Got questions or need a tour?

Hey Pool Deck!We’ve just released our first-ever Pool Owner report, and it’s all about what your customers really want. This isn’t guesswork—it’s based on direct input from homeowners across the country who either hire pros or handle pool care themselves. Their answers might surprise you, and they definitely reveal some big opportunities. Here are a few insights that stood out:Despite the higher income bracket of pool owners, price sensitivity impacts how consumers choose pool care solutions.