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If you thought pool care was boring, you clearly haven’t heard Sarah break it down. This week she dives headfirst into the bubbling, backwashing, beautifully chaotic world of pool chemistry — with zero filters and a full cup of caffeine. It’s educational, hilarious, slightly unhinged, and 100% Sarah.

She’s here to make sure you understand what’s really happening in that pool water — why your readings are off, why “shock” isn’t a personality type, and why that weird smell isn’t chlorine, it’s your own bad decisions dissolving in the deep end.

In this episode, Sarah covers:

• Why every pool pro needs to stop treating “chlorine” and “shock” like they’re two different life forms.
• The real deal behind oxidation, sanitation, and why ORP is the pool’s version of a mood ring.
• Test kit interferences that’ll make you question your career choices.
• How pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer all play together (and what happens when they don’t).
• The customer who swore their pool “cleaned itself” — and how that went.
• Her completely rational rage against people who eyeball chemical doses “by vibe.”

Top Sarah-isms from this episode:

• “If your pool smells like a YMCA locker room, congratulations — you’ve just invented chloramines!”
• “It’s called a test kit, not a guess kit. Stop pretending you’re psychic.”
• “ORP doesn’t measure how much you care, but it definitely shows when you don’t.”
• “Shock is chlorine. Chlorine is shock. It’s not algebra, it’s pool school — and apparently, I’m the principal now.”
• “If I had a dollar for every time someone said ‘it looks clear so it’s clean,’ I’d retire and buy a pool with a lifeguard who never argues with me.”

Why you’ll love it:
This episode is like sitting in chemistry class if your teacher had road rage and a sense of humor. Sarah explains the science in plain English — then yells about it until you’ll never forget it again. Equal parts entertainment and education, it’s a masterclass in chlorine and chaos.

Episode Highlights:
🧪 Real-world pool chemistry decoded without the boring parts
💬 Rants, real talk, and rogue logic from the trenches
😂 Laugh-out-loud moments you’ll quote all week
💧 Takeaways that’ll make you sound like the smartest person at the pool store

Connect & Support:
💬 Share your favorite “Sarah-isms” in the Talking Pools Facebook Group
🌐 Grab more pool wisdom at CPOClass.com

📲 Follow @TalkingPoolsPodcast on Instagram & TikTok for clips and chaos

Closing Line:
“This has been Sarah reminding you — if your test results make no sense, it’s not the pool’s fault. Be good. Be safe. And for chlorine’s sake, use your damn meter!”

Support the show

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

• Facebook
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• Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text us a pool question!

Andrea kicks off the episode venting about her latest headache — a string of finicky customers inside a gated community who think pool service comes with mind-reading included. From access codes that don’t work to residents insisting their “pool smells too clean,” Andrea’s got stories that’ll make any tech feel seen. Paulette chimes in with her trademark humor and hard-earned wisdom, grounding the chaos with her calm-but-deadly insights on customer communication and setting boundaries.

But the episode doesn’t stay in the HOA drama zone for long — it quickly pivots into an impromptu chemistry deep dive. When one customer complains about chlorine levels “being too high because it smells,” Andrea and Paulette use the opportunity to unpack the truth behind chlorine chemistry, how Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) actually works, and why the “chlorine smell” myth refuses to die.

They break down:

• What ORP means in plain English (and why it’s a better measure of sanitation than free chlorine alone)
• How environmental factors like pH, sunlight, and CYA influence oxidation potential
• Common test kit interferences that can make readings go haywire — from residual monopersulfate (MPS) to copper and even dirty sample cells
• Why color-matching tests in the field are not the chemistry gospel some pool owners think they are

Andrea’s frustration turns into a mini chemistry class, with Paulette walking through troubleshooting steps that balance humor and hard science. The result? A perfect blend of real-world technician talk and science-backed pool wisdom that every service pro and water chemistry nerd will love.

Key Takeaways:

• Gated communities = gated logic (sometimes). Access and attitude are both part of the job.
• Chlorine smell ≠ too much chlorine — it’s usually chloramines, a sign of not enough free chlorine.
• ORP gives you a snapshot of water’s true oxidizing potential, not just the chlorine ppm number.
• Test interference can ruin your data faster than a leaf in a sample cell. Know your kit, rinse your vials, and don’t trust a color block alone.
• Customer education starts with confidence in your own chemistry knowledge.

Closing Moment:
Andrea ends the episode with a sigh and a laugh — “Maybe I’ll just put up my own gate next time.” Paulette replies, “As long as it keeps the chloramines out.”

Episode Length: ~42 minutes
Perfect For: Pool techs who love a mix of field stories and chemistry truth bombs — and anyone who’s ever been buzzed in by a gate code that didn’t work.

Hashtags:
#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolPros #WaterChemistry #ORP #ChlorineMyths #PoolServiceLife #AndreaAndPaulette #CPOClass #PoolTechTalk

Support the show

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

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text us a pool question!

In this episode, Lee and Shane discuss the growing popularity of mineral pools in Australia, addressing a listener's inquiry about the benefits and drawbacks of mineral pools, particularly in hot climates. Steve pops in with Peter Lagaz of Bufferzone to talk PSS for a stint. Then back to minerals. They explore the differences between mineral and saltwater pools, the importance of maintaining proper pool chemistry, and the various manufacturers and products available in the market. The conversation also addresses specific concerns related to vinyl pools, including the management of chlorine levels to prevent damage. The episode concludes with a promise to delve deeper into vinyl liners in future discussions.

takeaways

• Mineral pools are gaining popularity in Australia.
• Minerals can enhance the swimming experience and are beneficial for the skin.
• Chlorination methods vary, and understanding them is crucial for pool maintenance.
• Different manufacturers offer various mineral blends for pools.
• Vinyl pools require careful management of chlorine to avoid damage.
• Maintaining low levels of calcium can help preserve vinyl liners.
• Regular testing of pool chemistry is essential for optimal maintenance.
• Mineral pools can be converted from saltwater pools easily.
• Customer satisfaction is high with mineral pool experiences.
• Future discussions will focus on vinyl liners and their maintenance.

Sound Bites

• "If you can afford it, by all means do it."
• "Mineral pools are more and more popular."
• "You can put magnesium in any pool."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Weather Update

02:34
Listener Inquiry: Mineral Pools and Their Benefits

05:08
Understanding Mineral Pools: Types and Popularity

11:17
Chlorination Methods and Their Impact on Vinyl Pools

14:10
Addressing Vinyl Pool Maintenance and Chemical Balance

16:42
Exploring the Effects of Chlorine on Vinyl Liners

19:15
The Role of Magnesium in Pool Water

22:26
Conclusion and Future Topics

24:57
Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Support the show

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

• Facebook
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• Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com