Dirty Pool Jobs

The Reality Check: Pool Maintenance Isn't Always Pretty

When homeowners imagine pool maintenance, they probably picture someone casually skimming leaves or testing water chemistry in the sunshine. But ask any seasoned pool professional, and they'll tell you a different story—one filled with cramped pump rooms, corroded equipment, and jobs that would make most people run the other way. In a recent episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosts Peter, Lee, and Shane pulled back the curtain on the industry's "dirty jobs" and why sometimes the messiest, most challenging work can be the most rewarding.

From underground pipe repairs that leave you calling your chiropractor to media changes that involve handling years of accumulated grime, these professionals shared their war stories and hard-earned wisdom about tackling the jobs others won't touch.

When Equipment Fails and Bodies Pay the Price

Pool maintenance is physically demanding work, and some jobs are particularly brutal on the body. Peter shared his recent experience with the physical toll of difficult repairs:

I'm feeling a bit beaten up because of some of the drama. Physically beaten up... just a few jobs that, you know, a few media filter changes, which isn't a huge deal. But when you do several in a row, that adds up. Underground pipe repairs, very awkward angles. So let's just say my chiropractor is on fast hold with me at the moment.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

The conversation revealed a common challenge: pools and spas are often installed with little thought to future maintenance access. Equipment gets crammed into tight spaces, and repairs require technicians to work in uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous positions. Peter's upcoming job involves changing a light hand bracket in water too deep to reach from the surface, leading him to consider investing in fishing waders and a personal cold-water acclimatization program.

The lesson here goes beyond individual comfort—it's about sustainable business practices. Physical wear and tear on technicians translates to higher turnover, increased injury risk, and ultimately, higher costs for pool service businesses.

The Economics of Difficult Jobs: Why Some Repairs Are Worth the Pain

One of the most valuable insights from this episode was how experienced professionals view challenging jobs not as problems to avoid, but as opportunities to maximize revenue. Peter's approach to an underground spa jet repair illustrates this perfectly:

When I got contacted by the customer, he asked, do you do this type of job? And he says, oh, thank goodness. Nobody else is willing to do it... first of all, this is an hourly rate plus parts. So we get paid for that. Secondly, it's going to be a green pool recovery because it's been sitting half full of water for a while... His filter element, I can tell you now, is clogged. It's going to need replacing his pool light isn't working. His pool blanket is absent and the roller is broken. I said that's potentially thousands of dollars.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

This strategic thinking transforms a single difficult repair into a comprehensive service opportunity. When other contractors decline challenging work, it creates a premium market for those willing to take it on. The key is properly pricing these jobs to account for the additional difficulty, time, and expertise required.

Peter's approach also included using difficult jobs as training opportunities for his technicians, building their skills while generating revenue. This investment in employee development creates a competitive advantage—having technicians capable of handling any job that comes their way.

Media Changes: The Job Everyone Loves to Hate

Few pool maintenance tasks generate as much dread as filter media changes. The hosts shared their strategies for dealing with these messy, time-consuming jobs, revealing significant differences in approach. Shane described the traditional method and its challenges:

Media changes... They can be quite disgusting to do, depending on the age of the medium. And it's definitely not the most pleasant thing to handle... pop the MPV off, vacuum out as much water as possible using the standpoint and then wipe back out the media and bag it up... check laterals, check all the internals, make sure they're not compromised.

— Shane, Talking Pools Podcast

The conversation highlighted several factors that make media changes particularly challenging: disposal of old media, potential for equipment failure during the process, and the simple fact that handling years of accumulated biological matter is unpleasant work. Many companies avoid these jobs entirely or price them so high that customers look elsewhere.

Peter shared an alternative approach that often proves more economical for customers: comparing the cost of a proper media change (including replacement of internals and valve service) against installing a completely new filter. This strategy often results in higher revenue while providing customers with better long-term value.

The Nightmare Scenarios: Spas and Access Issues

Perhaps nothing generates more horror stories among pool professionals than portable spa repairs, especially when they're installed without consideration for future maintenance access. Lee's frustration was palpable:

The things that we actually hated were spas and I mean portable spas... trying to find a leak in one of those is an absolute bastard of a job. Especially if it's got spray, the foam, expandable foam... They love to put that foam, that expansion foam in... trying to find a leak in that thing is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

— Lee, Talking Pools Podcast

The hosts described numerous scenarios where spas were installed against walls, surrounded by decking, or otherwise made inaccessible for repairs. Peter shared a particularly extreme example of a luxury apartment spa that was essentially sealed behind brickwork with a gas heater installed in violation of safety codes.

These situations create ethical dilemmas for service professionals: how do you quote a job when you can't properly assess the scope of work? The consensus among the hosts was transparency—clearly explaining the limitations and potential costs, even if it means recommending complete replacement rather than repair.

Environmental Challenges and Safety Concerns

The episode also touched on the environmental hazards pool professionals face, particularly in poorly designed equipment areas. Shane described a commercial pool situation that highlighted these dangers:

This goes back to one of our other episodes where it's a confined pump shed. They're using liquid chlorine, liquid acid, no ventilation in there. The fumes that actually corroded down the bolts, which are holding in the MPV. The bolts basically they've been spread.

— Shane, Talking Pools Podcast

This scenario illustrates how poor installation practices create cascading problems: inadequate ventilation leads to corrosive conditions, which damage equipment and create safety hazards for service technicians. The confined space also created physical challenges, requiring the technicians to work hunched over for hours.

These conditions highlight the importance of proper safety protocols and the need to price jobs appropriately when hazardous conditions are present.

Practical Strategies for Success

Throughout their discussion, the hosts revealed several key strategies for successfully handling difficult pool jobs:

• Proper Pricing: Account for the additional time, physical demands, and expertise required for challenging work
• Comprehensive Assessment: Look beyond the immediate problem to identify additional revenue opportunities
• Training Investment: Use difficult jobs as opportunities to develop technician skills
• Risk Management: Include appropriate disclaimers and warranties that account for equipment age and condition
• Alternative Solutions: Sometimes replacement is more economical than repair

The hosts also emphasized the importance of educating customers about proper installation practices, particularly regarding maintenance access. Prevention is always preferable to difficult repairs.

The Bottom Line: Embracing the Challenge

What emerges from this candid discussion is a picture of an industry where success often comes from being willing to tackle the jobs others won't touch. The pool professionals who thrive aren't necessarily those who avoid difficult work—they're the ones who approach challenges strategically, price them appropriately, and find ways to turn problems into profit.

The physical demands, safety concerns, and technical challenges of "dirty pool jobs" are real and shouldn't be underestimated. However, for those willing to invest in proper training, safety equipment, and strategic thinking, these challenging jobs can become a significant competitive advantage.

As Peter noted, when customers can't find anyone else willing to do the work, they're often grateful to find someone who can—and willing to pay premium prices for that expertise. The key is approaching these challenges professionally, safely, and with a clear understanding of the value you're providing.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Physical Toll of Pool Work
• 05:30 Underground Pipe Repairs and Access Challenges
• 12:15 Media Changes - The Job Everyone Avoids
• 18:45 Spa Repair Nightmares and Access Issues
• 25:30 Safety Hazards in Confined Pump Rooms
• 32:00 Strategies for Pricing and Managing Difficult Jobs