Here's Why Pool Pros Bathe in Public Spas

The Hidden Chemistry Crisis in Pool Testing

Picture this: A customer walks into your pool shop with two soda water bottles filled with pool and spa water, expecting accurate test results. What they don't realize—and what many pool professionals might miss—is that those innocent-looking bottles could be sabotaging their water chemistry readings. This scenario, shared by industry veteran Leigh during a recent episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, highlights a critical issue plaguing the pool industry: the invisible factors that can throw off water testing accuracy.

As pool season kicks into high gear across different hemispheres, professionals are encountering these testing challenges more frequently. From Australia's sweltering 30-degree days to the changeable spring weather patterns affecting North American markets, pool pros are dealing with increased customer traffic and the inevitable water chemistry questions that come with it.

The CO2 Gas Contamination Problem You Never Saw Coming

One of the most eye-opening revelations from the podcast involves a seemingly simple water testing scenario that turned into a teaching moment. Leigh encountered a customer who brought water samples in carbonated drink bottles—a practice that's more common than you might think.

I immediately knew that I was going to have an issue because for those of you who are out there that don't know, carbonated drink bottles hold CO2 gas. So if you flush them out numerous times, then you're going to have a lot less CO2 gas in there. But the CO2 gas likes to eat into the plastic. So it likes to hang around.

— Leigh, Talking Pools Podcast

This insight reveals a critical gap in industry knowledge that even experienced professionals might overlook. The CO2 gas embedded in plastic bottles from carbonated beverages can significantly alter pH readings, leading to inaccurate water chemistry assessments. In Leigh's example, both water samples showed a pH of 6.3—the lowest level the testing equipment could measure—when the actual pool and spa chemistry was likely very different.

The visual cue that tipped off Leigh was subtle but telling: the bottles were slightly sucked in, indicating active CO2 gas still present in the container. This kind of observational skill comes from years of experience and highlights why proper training and knowledge sharing within pool retail teams is essential.

The Art of Teaching Without Undermining

What makes this story even more valuable is how Leigh handled the situation when a department head made an incorrect assumption about the testing process. Rather than correcting the colleague in front of the customer, Leigh demonstrated professional diplomacy.

I never correct or educate in front of customers because that undermines. You want your customers to trust and respect the employees, all of them. So if I've got something to teach them in front of a customer, I'll do so in a roundabout way.

— Leigh, Talking Pools Podcast

This approach preserves team unity while ensuring customers receive accurate information. The technique involves acknowledging the colleague's perspective before introducing alternative considerations, creating a collaborative learning environment rather than a confrontational one.

The follow-up conversation revealed another common knowledge gap: while the department head understood that CO2 gas is used in commercial aquatic facilities to lower pH, he hadn't connected this knowledge to the contamination potential of carbonated drink bottles. These are the kinds of connections that separate experienced professionals from those still developing their expertise.

Seasonal Patterns and Market Dynamics

The podcast also provides fascinating insights into how seasonal patterns affect pool businesses across different regions. Shane, speaking from his North American perspective, noted how the season typically kicks off around Labor Day weekend, while Leigh reported from Australia's opposite seasonal cycle.

We're certainly feeling the increase in clients coming through the door in the pool shop that I'm assisting with or working with at the moment. So, yeah, summer is certainly in the air. But I can't believe it. Like, it's 30 degrees here most days, and the clients are still saying, oh no, it's not warm enough to swim yet.

— Leigh, Talking Pools Podcast

This observation highlights how customer behavior varies by region and climate adaptation. What constitutes "swimming weather" is highly subjective and culturally influenced, affecting when pool maintenance demands peak in different markets.

The discussion also touched on how weather variability impacts business flow. Shane mentioned that while spring started nicely with busy phone lines, school holidays combined with poor weather created temporary slowdowns—a pattern many pool professionals will recognize.

Technology Solutions for Growing Pool Businesses

A significant portion of the conversation focused on Buffer Zone, a software solution designed to streamline pool service operations. Peter, presumably representing the software company, explained how the platform evolved from earlier industry tools to address specific needs in pool service management.

The software addresses a common pain point for growing pool service businesses: the administrative burden of generating invoices and managing customer data. According to Peter, most pool professionals seek out management software when they reach about 30 pools in their service route, though some forward-thinking operators are adopting these tools from the beginning.

I find that people generally come to us when they're at about the 30-pool mark, right? They're at a point there where they're spending ages generating their own invoices at the end of the day or at the end of the week, which, you know, that sucks up valuable time, either more work time or family time.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

The platform offers data migration tools that can extract customer information from existing systems, making the transition less daunting for established businesses. This addresses one of the biggest concerns pool professionals have about switching management systems: the fear of losing years of accumulated customer data and service history.

The Broader Impact on Professional Development

Beyond the technical aspects, this podcast episode highlights the importance of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the pool industry. The CO2 contamination example demonstrates how even experienced professionals can have knowledge gaps that affect service quality.

The episode also showcases the value of cross-training and mentorship. Leigh's role in coaching and mentoring retail staff while working "on the other side of the counter" provides fresh perspectives for both the mentor and the team members. This kind of knowledge exchange helps elevate industry standards and improves customer service across the board.

Furthermore, the discussion about testing equipment variations—such as using Cal-Col salt tests for calcium testing in saltwater pools with photometer systems—reveals the depth of technical knowledge required for accurate water analysis. These details often separate amateur pool maintenance from professional service.

Moving Forward: Key Takeaways for Pool Professionals

The insights shared in this podcast episode offer several actionable lessons for pool industry professionals. First, the importance of proper sample collection cannot be overstated. Providing customers with appropriate sample bottles and educating them on proper collection techniques can significantly improve testing accuracy.

Second, the value of diplomatic education within teams helps maintain professional relationships while ensuring knowledge transfer. Creating an environment where team members can learn from each other without fear of embarrassment encourages continuous improvement.

Finally, the discussion about business management software highlights the importance of planning for growth. Whether a pool service business has 10 customers or 100, having systems in place to manage data, scheduling, and invoicing efficiently can free up time for more valuable activities—like building customer relationships and expanding service offerings.

As the pool industry continues to evolve, these fundamental principles of accurate testing, professional education, and efficient business management remain crucial for success. The shared experiences from this podcast episode remind us that even seasoned professionals can learn new things, and that knowledge sharing benefits everyone—from the newest technician to the most experienced pool pro.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Regional Updates
• 05:30 CO2 Contamination in Water Testing
• 12:15 Professional Education and Team Dynamics
• 18:45 Seasonal Business Patterns
• 25:20 Buffer Zone Software Solutions
• 35:10 Industry Knowledge Gaps and Training