E-254 Pool Nation Podcast - Pool Chemistry Myths Destroyed—Stop Sabotaging Your Pools!

The Summer Heat is On: What Pool Pros Are Facing This Season

Summer has arrived with a vengeance, and pool professionals across the nation are feeling the burn—literally. As temperatures soar into the triple digits and humidity levels climb, this year's pool season is presenting unique challenges that even seasoned veterans didn't see coming. The hosts of Pool Nation Podcast are experiencing firsthand what many in the industry are reporting: this isn't your typical summer.

This year we hit 115s already and it's hot. And this year it's not just dry heat, but we're getting a lot of humidity. So it's tough on the soul, man. You have to have some real driving fire to, you know, or you have to be a crazy kind of person to want to do what we do.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

The extreme weather conditions aren't just making work uncomfortable—they're fundamentally changing how pools behave. Higher temperatures and increased humidity create the perfect storm for algae growth, chemical imbalances, and maintenance challenges that can catch even experienced pool professionals off guard.

The New Algae Reality: Yellow Mustard Algae Takes Center Stage

One of the most concerning trends emerging this season is the increased prevalence and resistance of yellow mustard algae. Pool professionals are reporting that this particular strain seems more aggressive and harder to eliminate than in previous years, creating headaches for service routes across the country.

This year we're seeing a lot of yellow mustard algae. It's more prevalent than it has been in the past. And it's important that we're cognizant of that and we understand it and that we come up with the right battle plan.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

The implications go beyond just the visual appearance of affected pools. When algae problems aren't addressed quickly and effectively, they cascade into bigger issues that require more time, more chemicals, and more frustrated customers. The key is recognizing these emerging patterns early and adjusting treatment protocols accordingly.

The Hidden Cost of Summer: When Chemical Bills Skyrocket

As any pool professional will tell you, summer brings two guarantees: longer days and higher chemical costs. But this year, the financial impact seems to be hitting particularly hard. The combination of increased chemical usage due to higher temperatures and the need to combat more resistant algae strains is creating a perfect storm for service companies' bottom lines.

One thing I dread about summer, not only about heat, as a business owner, I dread my chemical costs and the rise of chemical costs. And your distribution bills start to really skyrocket when it comes down to chemical usage, simply because you use more chlorine.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

The financial pressure becomes even more acute when problems aren't caught early. A small algae bloom that could be handled with standard treatment can quickly escalate into a major remediation project requiring significantly more chemicals and labor time. This is where proper water chemistry knowledge and proactive maintenance strategies become not just technical skills, but business survival tools.

Pool Chemistry Myths: It's Time to Separate Fact from Fiction

Despite decades of scientific research and technological advances in pool chemistry, persistent myths continue to plague the industry. These misconceptions aren't just harmless old wives' tales—they're actively sabotaging pools and costing professionals time, money, and credibility with customers.

The most dangerous myths often sound logical on the surface, which is why they've persisted for so long. They typically fall into several categories:

• Chemical interaction myths that lead to ineffective treatment protocols
• Equipment operation myths that waste energy and reduce effectiveness
• Water balance myths that create more problems than they solve
• Algae treatment myths that allow problems to worsen

Understanding why these myths persist is the first step in overcoming them. Often, they're based on incomplete information or outdated practices that may have had some validity under different circumstances but don't apply to modern pool systems and chemistry.

The Business Side: Building Systems for Summer Success

While technical knowledge is crucial, the business side of pool service becomes even more critical during challenging summer conditions. Companies that thrive during difficult seasons are those that have built robust systems for managing increased chemical costs, maintaining service quality despite extreme conditions, and communicating effectively with customers about seasonal challenges.

If we allow an algae outbreak or if we're not on top of it and we don't nip these problems in the butt at the beginning, then, you know, it's going to take, guess what, more and more chemicals in order to fix it. And it becomes very expensive for you and for your client.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

The most successful pool service companies are those that treat summer challenges as business problems to be solved systematically, rather than just technical hurdles to overcome. This means developing preventive maintenance protocols, educating customers about seasonal changes, and building cost structures that can absorb increased chemical usage without destroying profitability.

Looking Forward: Professional Development and Industry Education

The pool industry continues to evolve, with new challenges emerging each season. The response from industry leaders like the Pool Nation team has been to double down on education and professional development. Upcoming events like the Pool Nation Conference and various boot camps represent more than just learning opportunities—they're essential for staying ahead of industry changes.

The focus on both technical skills and business development reflects the reality that successful pool professionals need to master both sides of the equation. Understanding water chemistry is crucial, but so is knowing how to price services appropriately, manage cash flow during high-cost seasons, and build teams that can maintain quality service under challenging conditions.

Practical Strategies for Immediate Implementation

While comprehensive training and education are important long-term investments, pool professionals need actionable strategies they can implement immediately to handle current challenges. Here are key areas to focus on:

• Enhanced monitoring protocols: Increase testing frequency during extreme weather conditions and look specifically for early signs of yellow mustard algae
• Chemical inventory management: Plan for increased chemical usage and negotiate with suppliers for better pricing on volume purchases
• Customer communication: Proactively educate customers about seasonal challenges and the need for more intensive treatment during summer months
• Route optimization: Adjust service schedules to account for longer treatment times and additional visits that may be needed
• Team training: Ensure all staff members can recognize and properly treat emerging algae problems before they become major issues

The key is to approach these challenges systematically rather than reactively. Pool professionals who take proactive steps to address known summer challenges will find themselves better positioned to maintain service quality and profitability even during the most demanding conditions.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Summer Heat Challenges
• 05:30 Yellow Mustard Algae Prevalence
• 12:15 Rising Chemical Costs and Business Impact
• 18:45 Pool Chemistry Myths Discussion
• 25:30 Upcoming Pool Nation Events and Education
• 35:20 Business Development and Conference Planning