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Your One-Star Review Is on Trial. So Is Your Response.

Post author:Rudy
Post published: September 25, 2026
Post category:Pool News

Your One-Star Review Is on Trial. So Is Your Response. By Rudy Stankowitz You can keep a customer’s pool clear for three years, answer Sunday texts, and rescue the water…

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

Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Wayne & Steve

Wayne Ivusich is flying solo, and he’s brought a list. Welcome to “Pissed-Off Wayne Thursdays,” where questionable pool service habits earn a finger wag and a reminder that saving a few minutes can create expensive problems.

From chlorine tablets in skimmers to backwashing on autopilot, Wayne tackles shortcuts he sees across the industry. He explains why testing only chlorine and pH leaves part of the picture missing, discusses water balance, and encourages technicians to think about the long-term effects of their service decisions.

Then, Steve Sherwood joins Pat Grignon of the California Pool Association for an Insurance Interlude about a deceptively simple task: filling a pool. A discussion of an overflow incident involving a damaged retaining wall turns into a conversation about liability, subcontractors, documentation, and why “the homeowner said they’d turn it off” can become a very expensive sentence.

In This Episode

Skimmer shortcuts: Wayne discusses chemical dosing practices and potential equipment damage.
Chemical additions: Why compatibility, application instructions, and dosing sequence deserve attention.
Backwashing habits: Using pressure readings and manufacturer guidance to make maintenance decisions.
Testing beyond chlorine and pH: Alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, temperature, and total dissolved solids.
Additional troubleshooting tests: Phosphates, copper, iron, and manganese.
Pool overflow liability: How a running hose can lead to property damage and disputes over responsibility.
Documentation that matters: Service records, photos, customer texts, and subcontractor insurance.
Managing pool fills: Hose timers, flow meters, and estimating fill time.

Episode Chapters

00:01 — Wayne goes solo: Welcome to Pet Peeve Thursdays
Chemical dosing, skimmer habits, backwashing, water testing, and water balance.

22:11 — Sponsor messages

24:20 — Insurance Interlude: When filling a pool becomes a nightmare
Steve and Pat discuss overflow damage, responsibility, insurance, and practical precautions.

38:00 — Closing thoughts and listener questions

Featured Voices

Wayne Ivusich — Thursday co-host and water chemistry educator
Steve Sherwood — Thursday co-host
Pat Grignon — Vice President, California Pool Association

Support Our Partners

LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch:https://www.waterlinkspintouch.com
Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code:https://www.cmahc.org
PoolBrain:https://www.poolbrain.com

Questions or episode suggestions? Email talkingpools@gmail.com.

Listener note: Contains explicit language. Follow product labels and equipment manufacturer instructions for chemical application and maintenance. Insurance coverage and liability depend on the policy and circumstances.

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com