Good Pool Tech - Bad Pool Tech

The Good Tech vs. Bad Tech Dilemma: What Every Pool Owner Should Know

Picture this: You've invested thousands of dollars in a beautiful backyard pool, hired a service company to maintain it, and yet you find yourself constantly wondering if your technician actually showed up or did the work they claimed. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Wayne from the Talking Pools Podcast recently tackled this frustrating issue in an episode that breaks down exactly what separates the professionals from the pretenders in the pool service industry.

Drawing inspiration from the classic "Good Boy, Bad Boy" feature in Highlights Magazine, Wayne created a comprehensive comparison that every pool owner should understand. Whether you're a pool professional looking to elevate your service or a homeowner wanting to know what quality service looks like, this breakdown will help you identify the red flags and green flags in pool maintenance.

The Foundation: Punctuality and Basic Professionalism

The most fundamental difference between good and bad pool technicians starts before they even touch your water. It's all about showing up and showing respect for your property.

The good techie always arrives on time if he's scheduled to go to a pool at 7:30 in the morning. He's there within a couple minutes either way. Bad techie is always late or doesn't show up. 9 times out of 10, it doesn't show up.

— Wayne, Talking Pools Podcast

But punctuality is just the beginning. A quality technician understands that they're entering your personal space and treats it accordingly. This means simple courtesies like:

• Closing gates behind them (especially important if you have pets)
• Respecting your property and belongings
• Being mindful of noise levels and timing
• Cleaning up after themselves

These might seem like basic expectations, but you'd be surprised how many service calls are lost due to technicians who simply don't care about these fundamentals. A bad technician views your property as just another stop on their route, while a good one understands they're maintaining your significant investment.

The Science: Proper Water Testing and Chemical Management

Here's where the real expertise separates the wheat from the chaff. Water chemistry isn't guesswork – it's science, and it requires proper testing every single visit.

Remember how I've always preached over the years and in all my classes that you use four of your five senses to evaluate the condition of a pool or spot. Techie doesn't care, he just goes right up to the pool and starts doing whatever he wants to do or she wants to do. A good tech will go up to the pool and take a minute or two and evaluate the situation.

— Wayne, Talking Pools Podcast

A professional technician will:

• Use their eyes to visually inspect the water and pool surfaces
• Listen for unusual equipment sounds
• Smell for chemical odors or other issues
• Touch surfaces to identify stains or algae growth
• Test for sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and TDS

The testing equipment itself tells a story. Good technicians maintain clean, organized test kits with fresh reagents and up-to-date test strips. Bad technicians? Their kits are often disasters – expired chemicals scattered around, dirty bottles, and outdated supplies that can't possibly give accurate readings.

Perhaps most importantly, good technicians never make assumptions. They don't automatically add acid before testing or claim the water is fine just because it looks blue. Every pool is different, and every visit requires fresh analysis.

Equipment Care: Beyond the Water

Pool maintenance extends far beyond water chemistry. The equipment that keeps your pool running deserves attention too, and this is where many technicians fall short.

A thorough technician will:

• Check and clean skimmer baskets
• Inspect pump areas and equipment rooms
• Monitor filter pressure and backwash when necessary
• Fill chlorinators or brominators appropriately
• Look for leaks, cracks, or other equipment issues
• Ensure all systems are running efficiently

You never put a tablet in a skimmer never never never never never never never never never. It's a skimmer it's not a chemical delivery system.

— Wayne, Talking Pools Podcast

This passionate emphasis on proper chemical delivery highlights a critical point: shortcuts in pool service often create bigger problems down the road. Tablets in skimmers can damage equipment and create uneven chemical distribution, but lazy technicians use this method because it's quick and easy.

Good technicians also show environmental consciousness and basic humanity – they'll rescue creatures that have fallen into pools rather than ignoring them or leaving them to die. It's a small detail that speaks to overall character and professionalism.

Communication: Keeping You Informed

One of the biggest complaints pool owners have about their service companies is lack of communication. Did the technician even show up? What did they do? What's the status of my pool?

Professional technicians address this by:

• Leaving detailed service notes or checklists
• Taking photos of their work when appropriate
• Communicating any issues or concerns
• Providing water test results
• Explaining any treatments or repairs needed

This communication serves multiple purposes. It builds trust with customers, provides documentation of work performed, and helps prevent the dreaded "he said, she said" situations when customers question whether service was actually provided.

Bad techie doesn't leave any kind of notes whatsoever which leaves the customer... scratching their head going did he even stop by was she there I know let me go check my cameras

— Wayne, Talking Pools Podcast

In today's world of security cameras and smart home technology, technicians who cut corners or lie about their service are more likely to get caught than ever before. Good technicians welcome this transparency because they have nothing to hide.

The Long Game: Building Customer Relationships

The pool service industry is built on relationships and trust. Pool owners are investing in ongoing service, often for years or even decades. Understanding this long-term relationship dynamic is crucial.

Good technicians recognize that every customer is different. Some are hands-off and just want their pool to work. Others are DIY enthusiasts who might interfere with treatments or ask endless questions. Some are demanding, while others are completely trusting. A professional learns to work with all personality types and builds trust over time.

Bad technicians, on the other hand, often have a transactional mindset. They're focused on getting through their route quickly, maximizing the number of stops per day, and collecting payment. This approach leads to:

• High customer turnover
• Negative reviews and reputation damage
• Constant need to find new customers
• Reduced profitability due to acquisition costs

The irony is that taking shortcuts to save time often creates more work in the long run. Equipment failures from poor maintenance, customer complaints, and lost accounts all require time and effort to address.

Red Flags: What Pool Owners Should Watch For

As a pool owner, knowing what to look for can help you identify whether you're getting quality service:

Warning Signs of Poor Service:

• Inconsistent arrival times or no-shows
• No communication about service performed
• Tablets in skimmers
• Dirty or disorganized equipment
• Claims of testing without visible testing equipment
• Automatic chemical additions without testing
• Ignored equipment issues
• Gates left open or property damage

Signs of Quality Service:

• Consistent, punctual arrival
• Visible testing procedures
• Detailed service notes or reports
• Clean, organized equipment and chemicals
• Proactive communication about issues
• Respect for your property
• Proper chemical delivery methods
• Equipment maintenance and monitoring

The Bottom Line: You Get What You Pay For

The pool service industry, like many service industries, has its share of both dedicated professionals and corner-cutters. The difference often comes down to pride in workmanship and understanding that pool maintenance is about more than just making water look blue.

It's the good techies that take pride in what they do. It's the bad techies that are just doing it for the buck which is unfortunate

— Wayne, Talking Pools Podcast

For pool owners, this means doing your homework when selecting a service company. Don't just shop on price – consider reputation, communication practices, and what's included in the service. Ask potential providers about their testing procedures, equipment maintenance policies, and communication methods.

For pool professionals, this episode serves as a reminder that excellence in service isn't just about chemistry knowledge – it's about professionalism, communication, and treating every customer's pool as if it were your own.

The pool service industry depends on trust and expertise. By understanding what separates good technicians from bad ones, both pool owners and service professionals can work together to maintain these backyard investments properly. After all, a well-maintained pool brings joy for years, while a poorly maintained one becomes an expensive headache.

Whether you're hiring a service company or working to improve your own service standards, remember that the fundamentals matter: show up on time, test the water, maintain the equipment, communicate clearly, and treat every customer's property with respect. It's not complicated, but it does require commitment to doing things the right way, every single time.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction - Good Tech vs Bad Tech Concept
• 05:00 Punctuality and Basic Professionalism
• 10:00 Water Testing and Chemistry Management
• 18:00 Equipment Maintenance and Inspection
• 25:00 Customer Communication and Documentation
• 32:00 Building Long-term Customer Relationships
• 38:00 Red Flags and Quality Indicators