On the Backyard Family Fun podcast from Pride Pools, Spas, and Leisure Products, producer Dee Daniels talks with Marshall Smith at the Claxton, Georgia location about keeping pool water healthy in the fall and off-season.

They stress the ongoing importance of circulation and filtration while noting cooler temperatures allow owners to reduce run time and energy use. Marshall explains how water temperature, bather load, and rain (often more acidic, especially during hurricane season) can shift pH and alkalinity, making periodic checks important without micromanaging.

Sanitizer demand like chlorine typically drops as water cools, and algae growth diminishes once water temperature is below about 70°F, though heated pools should follow a summer-style regimen.

They discuss why fewer Southern owners “close” pools now, debris management tools (including leaf net covers), and recommend bringing water in for Pride Pools’ 13-point analysis, with testing frequency easing from about every six weeks to every eight to ten weeks.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Backyard Family Fun

01:21 Fall Pool Care Overview

04:07 pH and Alkalinity Shifts

05:40 Rain and Regional Factors

09:18 Chlorine and Cooler Temps

11:15 Water Testing and Analysis

13:36 Algae Myths in Fall

15:21 To Cover or Not

19:17 Debris Tools and Leaf Nets

21:24 Proactive Fall Checklist

23:21 Testing Frequency Schedule

25:34 Wrap Up and Next Episodes

26:26 Final Thanks and Contact Info

LEARN MORE WITH THESE SHOW LINKS:

TAP HERE for the Pride Pools Main Page

TAP HERE to see both Pride Pools Locations

TAP HERE to enter the Pride Pools POOL DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to enter Pride Pools SPA DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA PRODUCTS

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA SERVICES

EMAIL QUESTIONS and COMMENTS to info@pridepools.com

PRIDE POOLS on FACEBOOK

PRIDE POOLS on X

PRIDE POOLS on INSTAGRAM

PRIDE POOLS on YOUTUBE

On Backyard Family Fun from Pride Pools, Spas, and Leisure Products in Claxton and Savannah, Georgia, Dee Daniels talks with Alex Smith about managing the fall “leaf war” in pools. Alex stresses keeping the pump running so the skimmer can remove debris before it sinks, recommending a 12-hours-on/12-hours-off schedule in fall and winter.

They cover tools to remove leaves, pine straw, acorns, and pine cones, including battery-operated and garden-hose Venturi leaf eaters, automatic cleaners (corded and cordless robotic models that can clean floors and walls), pressure-side cleaners with booster pumps, and manual leaf rake nets, plus the option to use Pride Pools’ maintenance service. Alex explains that leaving organic debris in the pool can stain surfaces and disrupt water chemistry by lowering sanitizer levels, leading to algae and green water, and notes higher chlorine levels can be acceptable when pH and other parameters are balanced.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Backyard Family Fun

00:50 Fall Leaf War Begins

01:38 Run the Pump to Skim

02:33 Leaf Eater Vacuums

04:47 Automatic Cleaner Magic

06:13 Old School Leaf Rake

06:52 Let Pros Handle It

08:30 Leaves Ruin Water Chemistry

11:55 Storms Heat and Algae

16:35 Circulation and VS Pumps

20:36 New Owner Cleaning Toolbox

22:55 Choosing the Right Cleaner

27:30 Buy Local Warranties Support

29:01 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us

29:24 Final Thanks and Subscribe

LEARN MORE WITH THESE SHOW LINKS:

TAP HERE for the Pride Pools Main Page

TAP HERE to see both Pride Pools Locations

TAP HERE to enter the Pride Pools POOL DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to enter Pride Pools SPA DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA PRODUCTS

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA SERVICES

EMAIL QUESTIONS and COMMENTS to info@pridepools.com

PRIDE POOLS on FACEBOOK

PRIDE POOLS on X

PRIDE POOLS on INSTAGRAM

PRIDE POOLS on YOUTUBE

Season 4 of the Backyard Family Fun Podcast is here—and we’re kicking things off with one of our favorite backyard topics: hot tubs!

Dee is back with Marshall Smith from Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure Products at the Claxton location for a fun conversation about getting your spa ready for the cooler months ahead. With fall just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about turning the hot tub back into part of your family’s backyard routine.

Marshall shares why September through November can be such a sweet spot for hot tub shopping, what to look for when choosing a new spa, and how new technology from Bullfrog Spas is changing the hot tub experience.

Already have a hot tub? They’ve got you covered there, too. Dee and Marshall walk through what to check if your spa has been sitting idle through the summer—including filters, water chemistry, equipment, covers, and energy efficiency. They also talk about maintaining a baseline water temperature, using a thermal blanket, and why that hot tub cover may be more important than you think!

And, of course, they talk about one of the best parts of hot tub ownership: relaxation. From winding down after a long day to creating a bedtime routine, Marshall shares how hot tub time has become part of his own “sleep mode” routine.

It’s a celebratory start to a brand-new season of Backyard Family Fun, and there’s plenty more to come!

In this episode, Dee and Marshall talk about:

• Why fall is prime time for hot tub season
• What makes Bullfrog Spas an industry innovator
• When to shop for a new hot tub—and how in-stock models may offer added savings
• How to bring a hot tub back online after sitting idle for the summer
• Why fresh water should always be tested
• How bather load affects hot tub maintenance
• When it may be time to replace your hot tub cover
• How a good cover can improve energy efficiency
• Choosing a new cover color to give your backyard a little facelift
• Maintaining a baseline temperature between 95–98 degrees
• Using hot tub technology and apps to control your spa remotely
• What thermal or solar blankets can do for heat retention
• Creating a relaxing hot tub routine before bedtime
• Why hot tub time can be the perfect way to transition into “sleep mode”

Have a hot tub question for Dee and Marshall?

We want to hear it! Send your questions to Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure Products, stop by one of their locations, or connect with the team through the links below. Your question could be featured in a future episode of Backyard Family Fun!

Here’s to Season 4—and plenty more backyard family fun ahead!

LEARN MORE WITH THESE SHOW LINKS:

TAP HERE for the Pride Pools Main Page

TAP HERE to see both Pride Pools Locations

TAP HERE to enter the Pride Pools POOL DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to enter Pride Pools SPA DESIGN CENTER

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA PRODUCTS

TAP HERE to learn more about POOL & SPA SERVICES

EMAIL QUESTIONS and COMMENTS to info@pridepools.com

PRIDE POOLS on FACEBOOK

PRIDE POOLS on X

PRIDE POOLS on INSTAGRAM

PRIDE POOLS on YOUTUBE