Death of a Tadpole

When Property Managers Become Pool Equipment's Worst Enemy

In the world of pool maintenance, there are algae blooms, equipment failures, and challenging water chemistry – and then there are property managers who think they know better than the professionals. This week's episode of Talking Pools delivered a perfect storm of industry news and real-world frustrations that every pool professional can relate to.

From major chemical facility incidents affecting the entire industry to the daily battles with well-meaning but destructive property managers, this episode highlighted both the macro and micro challenges facing pool professionals today. Host Andrea's candid discussion about her recent experiences serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry for better communication between pool services and property management companies.

BioLab Conyers Facility: A Major Win for Industry Recovery

The episode opened with significant good news for the pool industry. BioLab's Conyers, Georgia facility – a major supplier of pool chemicals – has successfully completed its emergency response operations following a serious incident in October 2024.

As announced by the Unified Command, the chemicals at the site have been treated and or secured, the site is no longer producing fumes, and the EPA has recorded 72 hours of no air quality exceedances in the community.

— BioLab Press Release, Talking Pools Podcast

This development represents a crucial milestone for pool professionals who depend on consistent chemical supplies. The incident had raised concerns about potential shortages and supply chain disruptions during peak season. BioLab's comprehensive response included:

• A 24/7 call center that has fielded over 7,500 calls
• An in-person community assistance center helping approximately 300 community members
• Debris collection services completing more than 100 removal requests
• Appointment of a dedicated community liaison

The company's commitment to community support and transparent communication sets a positive example for how industry leaders should handle crisis situations. For pool professionals, this means a return to normal chemical supply chains and continued access to essential maintenance products.

The Property Manager Problem: When Help Becomes Hindrance

While industry news provided relief, Andrea's field experiences highlighted a growing frustration among pool professionals: property managers who overstep their boundaries. Her recent encounters with one particular property management company illustrate a pattern that's becoming all too common.

Somebody had come in between my visits because obviously I know how to put the fucking pump lid back on correctly. So they had emptied the pump basket and then they put the lid on so that when you went to tighten it, the handles that stick out were hitting the riser PVC... And so it wasn't sealed.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

This scenario represents more than just an inconvenience – it's a potential equipment disaster. When pump lids aren't properly secured, pumps run dry, which can lead to:

• Motor burnout and expensive replacements
• Loss of prime requiring time-consuming repriming
• Potential warranty voiding due to improper operation
• Safety hazards from overheating equipment

What makes this situation particularly frustrating is the pattern of interference. As Andrea discovered, the same property manager repeated similar mistakes at multiple locations, suggesting a systemic problem rather than isolated incidents.

The Anatomy of Equipment Interference

Andrea's experiences reveal several common ways property managers inadvertently sabotage pool maintenance efforts:

Improper Pump Basket Handling: While emptying pump baskets might seem helpful, improper reassembly can cause immediate equipment failure. Pump lids require precise alignment and proper sealing to maintain suction and prevent air leaks.

Filter Tampering: Opening filter systems without proper knowledge of reassembly procedures creates dangerous situations. As Andrea mentioned, improperly reassembled filters can "blow up in your face" – a serious safety hazard.

Neglecting Core Responsibilities: While focusing on equipment they shouldn't touch, property managers often ignore their actual responsibilities, like maintaining proper water levels.

The water in the pool was about three or four inches below the skimmer. So why are you not, why are you over there messing with pumps when this pool needs water?

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

This misplaced priorities problem compounds equipment issues. Low water levels can cause pumps to lose prime or run dry, while skimmer efficiency drops dramatically when water levels fall below optimal ranges.

Communication Breakdown: The Root of the Problem

At its core, the property manager interference issue stems from communication failures and unclear role definitions. Property managers often feel pressure to demonstrate value to their clients, leading them to take on tasks outside their expertise.

The situation becomes more complex when property managers supervise multiple properties serviced by the same pool professional. This can create a dynamic where the property manager feels entitled to oversee the pool technician's work, despite lacking the technical knowledge to do so effectively.

Establishing Clear Boundaries

Pool professionals need to establish clear protocols with property management companies:

• Define which tasks are within the property manager's scope (water level monitoring, gate access, basic cleaning)
• Explicitly prohibit equipment manipulation (pumps, filters, chemical feeders)
• Create emergency contact procedures for urgent issues
• Document equipment conditions with time-stamped photos

Professional Standards and the Model Aquatic Health Code

The episode also highlighted the ongoing efforts to establish industry standards through the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAC). This CDC-backed initiative provides science-based guidance for aquatic facilities and represents the only comprehensive national pool code addressing current aquatic issues.

For pool professionals dealing with property manager interference, the MAC provides valuable backing for professional standards and proper procedures. Having nationally recognized guidelines helps establish credibility when explaining why certain tasks require professional expertise.

Wildlife Encounters and Seasonal Challenges

Beyond equipment issues, the episode touched on seasonal challenges like dealing with wildlife in pools. Andrea's encounter with tadpoles highlights the delicate balance pool professionals must maintain between effective service and environmental considerations.

The tadpole had legs. So it was in its stage... I made Andy do it. It's like, bro, can you please? Because I can't kill these things. I, you know, they're too big at this point and someone's going to have to do it because obviously they can't be in there.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

These situations require both practical solutions and emotional resilience. Pool professionals must handle everything from basic maintenance to unexpected challenges while maintaining professional standards and customer satisfaction.

Moving Forward: Building Better Relationships

The key to resolving property manager conflicts lies in proactive communication and education. Pool professionals should:

Document Everything: Take before and after photos of equipment, especially in properties with active management. This provides protection against false accusations and helps identify when unauthorized work has occurred.

Educate Rather Than Confront: While frustration is understandable, approaching property managers with education rather than confrontation often yields better results. Explain the technical reasons behind procedures and the potential consequences of improper handling.

Involve Decision Makers: When problems persist, escalate to higher management levels. Property management companies have reputations to protect and generally respond well to professional, documented concerns.

Establish Written Protocols: Work with property management companies to create written agreements about roles, responsibilities, and emergency procedures.

Conclusion: Professional Standards in an Imperfect World

This episode of Talking Pools perfectly captured the dual nature of working in the pool industry – celebrating major wins like the BioLab facility recovery while dealing with daily frustrations from well-meaning interference. Andrea's experiences serve as both cautionary tales and learning opportunities for the broader pool professional community.

The property manager problem isn't going away, but it can be managed through better communication, clear boundaries, and professional documentation. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, establishing these professional standards becomes increasingly important for maintaining service quality and equipment safety.

For pool professionals facing similar challenges, remember that persistence, documentation, and professional communication are your best tools. The goal isn't to eliminate property manager involvement but to channel it into appropriate areas while protecting the technical work that requires professional expertise.

The industry's recovery from supply chain disruptions like the BioLab incident shows that collaborative problem-solving works. Applying those same principles to property management relationships can transform frustrating situations into productive partnerships.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and BioLab Update
• 05:30 Monday Recap with Helper
• 12:15 Property Manager Equipment Interference
• 18:45 Multiple Equipment Failures
• 22:30 Water Level Management Issues
• 26:00 Documentation and Professional Standards