Back in Our Day, Pool Techs Worked in the Rain — And Didn’t Cry About It

If you've been in the pool service industry for any length of time, you've undoubtedly faced the age-old challenge: what do you do when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate? Rain, wind, and unpredictable weather patterns can turn a routine service route into a logistical nightmare. But as seasoned pool professionals know, it's not about avoiding the tough days—it's about working smarter, not harder.

Embracing Technology: Your Weather Arsenal

Gone are the days when pool techs had to rely on gut instinct and dark clouds to predict the weather. Today's pool professionals have powerful tools at their fingertips that can transform how they approach weather-related challenges.

The weather channel app, if you guys don't have the weather channel app on there on your phones, definitely give it a look and a download. Because what you can do is down at the bottom of the app, it'll pick up like where you are while you're using the app. And it'll show you a map of where you are and it'll show you like the local radar and it'll show you like all these clouds, which way they're moving.

— Steve Sherwood, Talking Pools Podcast

Modern weather apps provide precise, location-based forecasting that can help you make informed decisions about your daily route. These applications offer:

• Real-time radar showing precipitation movement
• Minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts
• Wind speed and direction data
• Temperature and humidity readings

By leveraging this technology, pool professionals can optimize their schedules, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours, and better prepare for challenging pool conditions.

The Wind Factor: More Challenging Than Rain

While rain often gets the blame for difficult pool maintenance days, experienced technicians know that wind presents a far greater challenge. Wind doesn't just bring debris—it fundamentally changes the time and effort required for each service call.

More so than the rain is the wind. When it gets windy, especially here in Southern California, I always knew that when I was going out to service pools that like I had to bake in extra time to do these pools.

— Steve Sherwood, Talking Pools Podcast

Wind impacts pool maintenance in several ways:

• Increases debris accumulation dramatically
• Makes chemical application more difficult and potentially wasteful
• Requires additional brushing and vacuuming time
• Can interfere with automatic cleaning systems

Smart pool professionals account for wind conditions when planning their routes and setting client expectations. This proactive approach helps maintain profitability while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Time Management and Fair Pricing Strategies

One of the most challenging aspects of pool maintenance is managing the significant variation in service time requirements. A pool that normally takes 25 minutes to service can easily require over an hour during challenging weather conditions.

The key is establishing clear policies and communication strategies that protect both your business and maintain positive client relationships. Consider these approaches:

• Document normal service times: Track how long each pool typically takes under ideal conditions
• Set threshold policies: Determine at what point extended service time warrants additional charges
• Communicate proactively: Contact clients when service will significantly exceed normal parameters
• Offer options: Give clients choices between full service at additional cost or modified service at standard rates

I always love if you can being able to push the ball back into your client's court and asking them like, hey, like, are you guys using the pool this week? Like, it's February. There's still some pools like there's still some leaves and stuff in the pool. I can get it more or less clean for you, but it's not going to be perfect.

— Steve Sherwood, Talking Pools Podcast

Client Education: Your First Line of Defense

Perhaps the most valuable investment a pool service professional can make is in client education. By setting proper expectations from the beginning of the relationship, you can prevent misunderstandings and create partnerships rather than service dependencies.

Effective client education should cover:

• The reality of once-weekly service limitations
• When and how to contact you about pool problems
• Basic maintenance tasks they can perform between visits
• Recognition of serious issues requiring immediate attention

I always ask them like a pretty specific set of questions that I want to know from them. Like how interested are they in doing stuff for like testing the water? And like, you know, are they going to be willing to have a net there and net the pool?

— Steve Sherwood, Talking Pools Podcast

This educational approach creates more informed clients who understand the collaborative nature of proper pool maintenance and are more likely to support additional services when needed.

Early Detection: Preventing Small Problems from Becoming Disasters

One of the most costly scenarios in pool maintenance occurs when minor issues go undetected and develop into major problems. Algae blooms, equipment failures, and chemical imbalances can quickly escalate if not addressed promptly.

If the pool is cloudy, I want to know if it's not clear, because that usually means that either the filters stopped working or there's no chlorine in the pool. One of the two. Or if you have algae, please let me know right away.

— Steve Sherwood, Talking Pools Podcast

Establishing clear communication protocols with clients about when to contact you can prevent expensive emergency situations. Train clients to recognize and report:

• Cloudy or discolored water
• Strong chemical odors
• Equipment malfunctions
• Unusual debris or staining
• Any concerns about water quality

When clients catch problems early, you can often resolve them with a quick service call rather than extensive remediation work.

Seasonal Adjustments and Realistic Expectations

Different seasons require different approaches to pool maintenance and client communication. Understanding these seasonal variations helps you set appropriate expectations and pricing structures.

During challenging weather seasons, consider:

• Adjusting service schedules based on local weather patterns
• Offering modified service levels for unused pools
• Providing seasonal maintenance packages
• Communicating clearly about weather-related service limitations

The goal is to maintain pools safely and effectively while managing both your resources and client expectations realistically.

Conclusion: Building Resilience Through Smart Practices

Success in the pool service industry isn't about avoiding difficult conditions—it's about developing systems and relationships that can weather any storm. By leveraging modern technology for weather forecasting, establishing clear communication protocols with clients, and maintaining realistic expectations about service limitations, pool professionals can build sustainable, profitable businesses.

The old-school mentality of "toughing it out" in all conditions has its place, but today's successful pool professionals combine that work ethic with smart business practices. They use weather apps to optimize routes, educate clients about maintenance realities, and create partnerships that benefit everyone involved.

Remember, your expertise extends beyond just cleaning pools—you're providing education, peace of mind, and professional service that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining high standards. By implementing these strategies, you'll not only improve your operational efficiency but also build stronger, more profitable relationships with your clients, regardless of what the weather brings.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:15 Weather Apps and Planning Tools
• 07:30 Rain vs Wind Service Challenges
• 12:45 Time Management and Pricing Decisions
• 18:20 Client Communication and Education
• 25:10 Preventing Algae Problems Through Early Detection