Cartridge Filter Archives - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

Backwashing Pool Filter Weekly is NOT a Thing!

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 4, 2020
Post category:Equipment Pool Service Tips

[responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"] Backwash Pool Filter. Filters are designed to have water run through them in a certain direction. To clean two of the three types…

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.

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This week, Andrea takes listeners on a rapid-fire tour through some of the most misunderstood topics in pool service, water chemistry, equipment operation, and aquatic safety. From saltwater chlorine generation and pH rise to phosphates, storm cleanup pricing, cavitation, combined chlorine, and why nobody should ever trust the phrase ”pee is sterile,” this episode blends practical field experience with real-world pool science.

Among the topics discussed:

Why salt chlorine generators produce chlorine gas—not sodium hypochlorite—and what that means for water chemistry.
The real reason pH tends to rise in saltwater pools.
Why algae is not always the fault of the service technician.
Equipment failures, power outages, circulation issues, and other overlooked causes of algae outbreaks.
The surprising amount of urine, sunscreen, body oils, and other contaminants introduced by swimmers.
How bather waste contributes to chlorine demand and combined chlorine formation.
Why commercial and residential pool operators should pay attention to damaged drain covers and entrapment hazards.
The importance of maintaining visibility to the main drain and avoiding cloudy water conditions.
A realistic discussion on phosphates, when they matter, and when they may not.
Hurricane preparation strategies, customer communication, and establishing storm cleanup pricing.
Water hammer, cavitation, and the costly damage they can cause to circulation equipment.
How improper chemistry corrections can lead to scaling, cloudy water, and calcium precipitation.
Why Sarah argues the filter is more like the kidneys than the heart of a swimming pool system.
Cold-water benefits, reduced algae pressure, and seasonal chemical considerations.
Heat stroke recognition, prevention, and emergency response.
Why weekly oxidation remains an important tool for managing combined chlorine.
Air relief valves, trapped air, and equipment safety.
Water circulation patterns, dead spots, and their impact on water quality.
The differences between sanitizers, oxidizers, and disinfectants—and why chlorine and bromine serve multiple roles in aquatic environments.
Understanding total alkalinity, carbonate alkalinity, and cyanuric acid corrections in everyday pool operations.

Key Takeaway

One of the recurring themes throughout this episode is that successful pool operation is rarely about a single chemical, piece of equipment, or magic solution. Safe, clear water depends on understanding how circulation, filtration, sanitation, hydraulics, maintenance practices, and human behavior all interact. Whether discussing algae prevention, storm recovery, equipment protection, or swimmer hygiene, the message remains the same: understanding the science makes better pool professionals.

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Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere podcasts are heard.

#TalkingPools #PoolService #PoolChemistry #SwimmingPool #PoolProfessional #WaterQuality #PoolIndustry #CPO #Aquatics #PoolTech

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com