Summer Pool Survival Guide with Terry Arko
Summer doesn’t “start” on a date for pool pros, it starts the moment the water warms and your easy week turns into a sprint. Terry Arco from HASA joins me to unpack what really changes when pools transition from spring to summer, and why the industry can feel like feast or famine depending on weather, bather load, and how prepared you are before the rush hits. We get specific about summer pool care: how rising water temperature shifts LSI, why calcium becomes more likely to precipitate and form scale, and why algae goes from dormant spores to rapid growth. That chemistry shift is exactly why chlorine demand climbs so fast, and why a “coasting” route can suddenly require tighter testing, faster adjustments, and fewer missed visits. We also talk practical prevention: proactive shock treatments while pools are quieter, checking cyanuric acid (CYA) early, and getting ahead of phosphates, borates, and total dissolved solids (TDS) so you’re not stacking fixes later. Then we zoom out to the real-world pressures pool service professionals face, including budgeting for 2x to 3x chemical use and navigating rising costs tied to fuel, transport, and labor. We also cover drought restrictions that can limit draining, which makes early-season drain and dilute decisions even more important. Finally, we get into pool tech safety: hydration that actually works (electrolytes, not just water), cooling strategies, and how to avoid the fatigue that can lead to dangerous mistakes on deck. If you want a smoother, safer, more profitable summer, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a pool pro friend, and leave a review with your best preseason checklist tip. We talk with Terry Arco from HASA about the spring to summer shift that makes pools change fast and forces pool pros to move from cruising to full speed. We break down what warm water does to balance, algae risk, and your workload, plus how to protect your body when heat becomes the biggest hazard on the route. • seasonal weather swings that disrupt the old summer calendar • warmer water driving LSI changes and increasing scale potential • algae waking up as temperatures rise and chlorine demand spiking • proactive shock treatments before heavy pool use starts • managing CYA early and avoiding mid-summer drain surprises • checking phosphates, borates, and TDS to reduce troubleshooting later • budgeting for higher chemical spend and ongoing price increases • drought restrictions affecting draining and dilution strategies • hydration with electrolytes and practical heat-safety routines Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new) Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/support) Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits