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

Producer Dee Daniels is in the Pride Pools’ Savannah location to talk with Alex Smith about the company’s 51st year and how pool-industry technology has advanced across retail, service, and new construction.

Alex highlights automation now being standard for features like spillover spas, LED color lights, and controls via phone, plus cordless automatic cleaners and service tools that email customers before-and-after photos with invoices. He explains Pride Pools tests new products in-house before recommending them, prioritizing customer service over “latest and greatest” hype.

They discuss why brick-and-mortar matters: many pool and spa purchases require detailed guidance on sizing, power, fuel types, and accessories, and in-person help reduces mistakes and returns common with online shopping. Pride Pools serves customers through both Savannah and Claxton locations, supporting rural counties and buy-local community benefits.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Pride Pools

00:23 51 Years of Growth

01:32 Smart Pool Technology

04:15 Service Made Simple

05:20 Testing New Products

07:44 Why Brick and Mortar

09:54 Online Ordering Pitfalls

13:34 Choosing the Right Cleaner

15:41 Finding Your Perfect Spa

20:39 Savannah and Claxton Locations

23:38 Showrooms and Spa Fit

25:53 51 Years of Trust

26:03 Final Thanks and Wrap

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

The Backyard Family Fun Podcast from Pride Pools, Spas, and Leisure Products is back with host Dee Daniels talking with Xander Smith, third-generation member of the Pride Pools family and retail specialist, about what makes the showroom experience so unique and how the latest backyard products are making pool ownership easier than ever.

Xander shares how growing up in the family business gave him firsthand experience with everything from pool construction to testing the newest products before they ever reach customers. He explains why Pride Pools focuses on carrying products they've personally used, how their certified repair center keeps robotic pool cleaners running, and why building lasting relationships with customers has been just as important as selling great products for more than 50 years.

The conversation also explores the rapid evolution of pool and spa technology, including robotic cleaners, computer-analyzed water testing, swim spas, Bullfrog's interchangeable JetPak® system, and app-connected pellet grills. Xander offers practical advice on monthly water testing, choosing the right backyard products, and why stopping by the showroom can help homeowners discover solutions they never knew existed.

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

Producer Dee Daniels is having some fun in the sun at Pride Pools’ Savannah location with Alex Smith to discuss summer poolside family fun, highlighting the store’s “fun central” retail displays of unique floats and interactive pool games that encourage competition, exercise, and togetherness.

They note how pool activities can improve family communication and bring everyone together, often alongside grilling. The conversation shifts to wellness benefits of pools, swim spas, and hot tubs, including hydrotherapy and aquatic resistance for rehabilitation, with examples of improved mobility and back relief. They recommend using pools and spas regularly for mental and physical relaxation and better sleep, including alternating between hot spas and cooler pools.

They also cover helpful spa accessories such as towel trees, cover lifters, and lighted or storage steps, plus Bullfrog jetpack therapy options. Listeners are directed to Pride Pools’ Savannah and Claxton locations and pridepools.com.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Summer Pool Fun Intro

00:27 Fun Central Store Finds

01:34 Family Games And Competition

03:25 Pool Time Brings Everyone

04:44 In Store Interactive Games

06:19 Backyard Memories And Safety

08:27 Swim Spa Wellness Benefits

12:14 Nighttime Water Therapy

15:01 Must Have Spa Accessories

19:27 Spa To Pool Relaxation

22:00 Wrap Up And Where To Shop

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

The Backyard Family Fun Podcast from Pride Pools, Spas, and Leisure Products is back with Host Dee Daniels talking with Warren Fair, an in-ground pool specialist at Pride Pools, Spas, and Leisure Products in Savannah, about current pool and backyard trends.

They explain how homeowners are shifting from large, deep pools with diving boards to smaller pools that serve as a centerpiece within a full “backyard oasis” featuring landscaping, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and lighting, with planning for gas and electrical needs early.

Warren highlights growing demand for smart pool automation via phone apps, variable-speed pumps, and robot cleaners to reduce work and energy use, noting operating costs can drop significantly with variable-speed scheduling. They compare vinyl liner, fiberglass, and custom gunite pools, emphasizing faster installation and affordability for liner/fiberglass while still offering features like tanning ledges. Warren also stresses designing adequate decking/concrete space for entertaining.

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Backyard Family Fun

00:49 Summer Pool Trend Talk

02:04 Backyard Oasis Centerpiece

03:31 Plan the Whole Backyard

04:37 Smart Pool Automation

07:11 Pool Types and Pricing

09:23 Tanning Ledges and Resort Vibes

10:14 Energy Efficient Upgrades

12:41 Listener Design Question

15:30 Must Have Decking Space

17:26 Grills and Summer Promo

17:53 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us

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