Rudy, Author at Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

How to Get Rid of Black Algae

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 14, 2019
Post category:Algae

A Few Things That Work We have found Black Algae in some pretty interesting places. Here, Ashley takes us through several different methods that work on eliminating it. 2018 was…

Why is sand coming back into my pool?

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 7, 2019
Post category:Equipment

When All Things Point To The Laterals ?‍♂️ Check Before You Dig It is true that a broken lateral, or several, could be the reason you are seeing sand on…

Keeping the Pool When the Home Sells

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 2, 2019
Post category:Marketing

Oh, Crap!? You are chugging along, knocking out pools on your route, and are having a good day. As you approach one of your favorite pools to take care of…

Lowering Total Alkalinity Without Affecting pH

Post author:Rudy
Post published:March 10, 2019
Post category:Lowering pH

[responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"] Can the Acid Slug Lower Total Alkalinity Without Affecting pH? The ability to control whether you lower Total Alkalinity or pH by…

Certificación CPO en español

Post author:Rudy
Post published:March 4, 2019
Post category:CPO Certification Class

Certificación CPO en español En Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, creemos que aprender sobre piscinas no tiene por qué ser aburrido. Enseñamos los cursos de certificación CPO® (Operador de Piscina…

Don’t Undercut the Market ✂

Post author:Rudy
Post published:March 3, 2019
Post category:Marketing

Value-Based Pricing A service priced below market value is often perceived as a low quality service This is Dick. Dick wanted to own his own business and decided he would…

Pool Tools the Pros Use

Post author:Rudy
Post published:February 19, 2019
Post category:Equipment Product Review

Whether you are brand new to the service industry or just looking to maintain your existing pools, buying the equipment needed to keep a swimming pool in good condition can…

Copper Stains in Swimming Pools

Post author:Rudy
Post published:January 13, 2019
Post category:Staining

Blue, Green, Black, Gray, and Purple! Photo credit: CDC, 1964, Puerto Rican public health weighing out a measure of copper sulfate. They would then apply this waterway to control…

Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 17, 2018
Post category:Chemical Safety

Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools: The Role of Circulation and Safety Interlocks Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools can lead to serious health concerns and need…

Raise Pool Service Prices

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 11, 2018
Post category:Marketing

Raise Pool Service Prices: A Practical Guide for Pool Service Professionals To successfully raise pool service prices, professionals should communicate transparently with their clients about the reasons for the changes.…

Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.

Ask a question here

WARNING:Intentionally Abrasive Language – Every service business wants to be the company everyone recommends—the local expert called after three other contractors have replaced the wrong parts, collected their checks, and left the customer with the same damn problem.

But authority doesn’t come from putting “premier,” “elite,” or “superior” on the side of a truck. It comes from becoming exceptionally good at solving difficult problems, teaching people what you know, documenting your results, and earning a reputation that reaches the customer before you do.

In this episode, Rudy explains how pool professionals and other service-business owners can become the recognized expert in their county—and why anyone who earns that position should charge at least 10% more than the interchangeable competition.

In This Episode

Why calling yourself an expert doesn’t make you one
How to attach your name to a specific, difficult problem
Why teaching customers increases your value
The difference between generic content and useful local expertise
How informed opinions make professionals memorable
Turning difficult jobs into compelling case studies
Why detailed testimonials beat meaningless five-star reviews
Building referral relationships with inspectors, agents, managers, and tradespeople
Becoming the person local media calls for an explanation
Using Google reviews to demonstrate authority
Why experienced professionals should charge more
How to state your price without apologizing or negotiating against yourself
Why premium pricing requires premium communication and reliability
The importance of continuing to learn after becoming the recognized expert

The Bottom Line

Advertising tells people you exist. Expertise convinces them you understand the problem. Reputation makes them trust you to solve it.

Own a difficult problem. Teach what you know. Develop an informed point of view. Document your results. Answer the phone. Show up when promised. Fix the problem correctly.

Eventually, your name becomes shorthand for the solution—and when that happens, charge like you fucking mean it.

The cheapest contractor charges for the visit. The expert charges for the answer.

Featured Sponsors and Industry Partners

BlueRay XL
United Chemical
LaMotte Company
Revved Up Apparel
AquaComfort Water Group
Service Industry News
Jack’s Magic Products
AquaStar Pool Products

Connect With Talking Pools

Follow the Talking Pools Podcast for blunt industry commentary, technical education, business advice, and the occasional uncomfortable truth every pool professional needs to hear.

Support the show

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com