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Rudy does something different this week: he takes the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) out of the pool industry echo chamber and walks it through the lens of academics, civil engineers, groundwater chemists, and industrial water experts who don’t care about plaster warranties, brand marketing, or trade show politics.

If you’ve ever argued about “which LSI is right” in a Facebook group, this one is for you.

Episode Overview

Rudy kicks off with a news analogy:
How the same event looks completely different on U.S. news versus international coverage. Same facts, different framing.

He uses that setup to shift how we look at LSI:

• We already know the pool industry story about LSI: PHTA charts, app calculators, Orenda talks, trade folklore.
• But this episode asks:
  “What does the scientific community think about LSI when they’re not talking to pool people at all?”

Rudy dives into how universities and researchers actually use and define LSI in research on:

• Groundwater
• Drinking water stability
• Industrial cooling systems
• Desalination plants
• Boiler operations
• Cement leaching
• Environmental engineering

Key Concepts Covered

1. LSI as the Outside World Sees It

• Academics consistently define LSI = pH − pHs, where pHs is the calculated saturation pH, not something you measure with a test kit.
• pHs is derived from:
  • Calcium hardness
  • Carbonate alkalinity
  • Ionic strength (modeled via TDS / activity coefficients)
  • Temperature
• LSI is treated as a thermodynamic index:
  • It shows which direction water wants to move with respect to calcium carbonate.
  • It does not tell you how fast scale forms, how thick it gets, or how quickly surfaces dissolve.

2. What Negative, Zero, and Positive LSI Actually Mean (Academically)

• Negative LSI
  • Water is under-saturated in calcium carbonate.
  • It is capable of dissolving calcium carbonate if given the chance.
  • Researchers call it “aggressive” or “decalcifying” water—but they do not say it guarantees corrosion.
• LSI ≈ 0
  • Theoretical equilibrium with calcium carbonate.
  • In the real world, systems almost never sit at perfect equilibrium because of flow, aeration, dosing, and turbulence.
• Positive LSI
  • Water is supersaturat

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This week, Steve flies solo again — but with good news: Wayne is on the mend and expected back very soon. Until then, Steve brings a full toolbox of stories, lessons, and a deep dive into one of the most-requested topics from pool pros: leak detection as a service.

🔥 Segment 1 — Cautionary Tales From the Field

Steve opens with some brutally honest stories from the last month on his route:

• Losing a couple clients — why it happened, what could’ve prevented it, and why sometimes letting a low-margin client go is actually a win.
• The dangers of overpromising on scheduling (the 8–12 weeks of missed Mondays story).
• Why setting expectations — and saying no when you must — is better than apologizing for 12 weeks straight.
• How daylight savings, shorter days, and rushed afternoons can wreck your rhythm if you don’t adjust.

Includes a quick detour into Tales From the Crypt, because of course it does.

🔥 Segment 2 — The Test Kit Incident (AKA: The Accidental Heist)

Steve recounts a hysterical-but-humbling event:

• One of his techs “borrowed” a client’s commercial test kit to refill reagents…
• … forgot it in the truck for DAYS…
• … which triggered a full internal investigation at a massive resort with security footage, engineer meetings, and finger-pointing.

The takeaway:
Communication prevents chaos.
Even innocent mistakes look guilty on camera. Steve made it right, replaced the kit, and lived to fight another day.

🔥 Segment 3 — The Insurance Interlude (with Pat from California Pool Association)

Pat joins Steve to tackle a question EVERY pool pro needs to know:

“If my client is renting out their pool on Airbnb or Swimpley… does that affect MY liability?”

Key takeaways:

• Yes, they should absolutely tell you. It changes the risk profile dramatically.
• Some general liability policies do differentiate between residential/commercial use.
• Airbnb pools are statistically higher risk — more strangers, more alcohol, more incidents.
• If someone is hosting swim lessons, renting the house, or renting just the pool, call your insurance agent.
• Injuries, even small ones (like a teenager scraping their leg) can trigger six-figure claims.
• Acid washes, resurfacing issues, and sharp plaster? Document. Sign waivers. Photograph everything.

Talking Pools listeners get $100 off CPA general liability insurance — mention the podcast when you contact them.

🔥 Segment 4 — Tools, Training & Showing Up Prepared

Steve explains why you should never:

• Show up without channel

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On this Talking Pools episode, host Natalie Hood, Director of Education and Network Development for The Grit Game, sits down with Jodi O’Grady, Director of Commercial Sales for API Water and long-time industry chemist, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in pool care: specialty chemicals.

Chlorine gets all the attention, but oxidizers, enzymes, and flocculants quietly decide whether your water is comfortable, clear, and compliant—or a cloudy, smelly headache full of disinfection byproducts and complaints. Jodi draws on decades with Taylor Water Technologies and her work on PHTA’s Technical Advisory Council to bust myths, explain the science in plain language, and show how specialty products can support (not replace) chlorine to keep pools safer and easier to manage.

If you’ve ever wondered whether non-chlorine shock actually does anything, if enzymes are all “basically the same,” or what Flock It Friday is really about, this episode connects the dots.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Chlorine’s job vs. specialty chemicals’ job

• Why chlorine (or bromine/PHMB) is irreplaceable as a sanitizer and must be EPA-registered to be counted as such.
• The difference between sanitizing (killing pathogens like Pseudomonas and brain-eating amoeba in properly chlorinated water) and oxidizing (burning off non-living contaminants).
• Why “chlorine can be replaced by specialty chemicals” is a myth—and how crypto is a different beast entirely.

Non-chlorine oxidizers: the quiet workhorse

Real-world impact of high chlorine levels

Enzymes: not “all the same”

Myth-busting with real stories

Flock It Friday and how flocculants actually work

Clarity as a safety standard, not a luxury

The payoff for pros and operators

Guest Info – Jodi O’Grady, API Water

• Director of Commercial Sales, API Water
• Nearly 30 years in the pool industry, starting with Taylor Water Technologies (a Fluidra brand)
• Chemistry degree and long-time volunteer with PHTA, currently Vice Chair of the Technical Advisory Council, with prior work on the Recreational Water and Air Quality Committee.

Jodi is available for follow-up questions and industry conversations via LinkedIn and direct contact (details provided in the episode outro).

Host Info – Natalie Hood

Director of Education and Network Development, The Grit Game, and regular host on the Talking Pools Podcast, focused on education, professional development, and giving pool pros real-world tools they can use on deck tomorrow.

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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Imagine Rudy, Allen Schnaak, Andrea The Pool Girl, and Frank Disher from The Deep End Podcast sitting around a table — the kind of table where coffee gets cold because the conversation gets that good. What starts as a friendly discussion about natural pools quickly spirals into a wild, brain-stretching rollercoaster of biology, engineering, and the eternal question: what exactly is growing in that water, and should we be scared of it?

Natural Pools vs. Traditional Chemistry:

Allen kicks things off like a Zen garden architect explaining why concrete is overrated. He breaks down how natural swimming pools rely on their own carefully engineered ecosystems — less like treating water with a chemistry set and more like teaming up with Mother Nature without letting her go feral. No chlorine tablets, no shock, no weekly “did my test strips lie to me?” panic. Instead, these pools operate as balanced biological systems designed to support themselves.

Biofilm: The Good, the Bad, and the Slimy

Then the conversation shifts — as it always does — to slime. Rudy can’t not talk about biofilm, and Allen’s ready for it. They dig into how natural pools intentionally cultivate biofilms as part of the filtration system. We're talking gravel beds with insane surface area, where microbial communities set up shop and get to work trapping nutrients and particulates. Think of it as a microscopic city of tiny workers… that you hope are the friendly kind.

But What About the Big Bad Wolf: Cryptosporidium?

Of course Rudy drops the hard-hitting question every health inspector has tattooed on their soul: “What about crypto?”

Allen stays calm. He explains that a single crypto oocyst isn’t going to ruin your day — the problem is w

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On this Mondays Down Under episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Shane in Auckland and Lee on the chilly NSW coast are joined by Jamie from Aquatec, a family business that’s been making swimming pool liners since the late 1970s. They dive into how vinyl liners have evolved from “one blue fits all” to highly engineered, custom-fit solutions for everything from tired old concrete pools to wild freeform designs with benches, bar stools, and beach entries.

Jamie shares the story of taking over the business from his father and sister, partnering with an Australian manufacturer to bring in cutting-edge 3D measuring technology, and how a smart pivot into refurbishments kept them thriving when new builds slowed down. The trio also tackle a listener question from Debbie in Florida about liquid chlorine and vinyl, unpack myths around chlorine damage, talk calcium hardness in liner pools, and swap some unforgettable insurance stories—kangaroos, cows, and pole-vaulting kids included.

If you’ve ever hesitated to recommend vinyl, or wondered how long a liner really lasts when it’s properly maintained and balanced, this episode is your masterclass.

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In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz emphasizes the critical role of calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) in pool chemistry. He explains how these factors influence the effectiveness of chlorine, algaecides, and other pool chemicals, highlighting the importance of maintaining the right balance for optimal pool performance.


Takeaways

Calcium hardness and TDS are crucial for pool chemistry.
They influence how effectively chlorine works.
Proper levels allow other chemicals to perform optimally.
Incorrect levels lead to inefficiencies in pool products.
Understanding these factors is key to pool maintenance.
They dictate the performance of algaecides and enzymes.
Maintaining balance is essential for stain and scale prevention.
Every chemical added must work against the existing conditions.
The right environment enhances overall pool health.
Pool chemistry is interconnected and requires careful management.


"They dictate how fast chlorine works."
"Calcium hardness and TDS are stage players."
"Get the calcium and TDS environment right."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pool Chemistry and Community Engagement
00:15 Phosphates and Their Impact on Pool Chemistry
00:39 Preview of the Langelier Saturation Index Discussion

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Pool Pros text questions here

The conversation explores the complexities of insurance claims, particularly in unusual circumstances involving property damage due to weather events. The speaker shares a vivid account of a claim involving a fallen tree that caused significant damage to a pool area, illustrating the challenges faced by both homeowners and insurance adjusters in assessing and managing such incidents.


Takeaways

The role of insurance adjusters in property damage claims.
Unusual incidents can complicate insurance claims.
Weather events can lead to significant property damage.
Visual descriptions help convey the extent of damage.
Homeowners often hire multiple experts for claims.
The impact of a fallen tree on property can be severe.
Adjusters must navigate complex situations during assessments.
Clear communication is key in insurance claims.
Understanding the damage is crucial for claims processing.
The emotional toll on homeowners during claims is significant.


Sound bites

"The whole thing was just mangled."
"It looked like the Kool-Aid man had come through."
"This is pretty, this is pretty f up."


Chapters

00:00 Weather Challenges and Pool Maintenance
00:06 Building Relationships with Insurance Providers

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In this conversation, Natalie discusses the essential tools and preparations needed for accurate pool measurements with Carl Cullers or the Grit Game. They emphasize the importance of having the right equipment, such as measuring forms, tapes, and documentation tools, to ensure a successful measurement process. Additionally, the speaker highlights the necessity of taking pictures to document the pool's condition, especially if there are any irregularities.

takeaways

• You want to get to the job.
• Make sure you have a measuring form.
• Having a pencil and an eraser is important.
• You might have to bring an inner tube.
• You might have to get in the pool to measure.
• Always take pictures of the pool.
• Everyone has a smartphone now.
• Take pictures if there's anything out of the ordinary.
• Two stakes for A-B long screws or nails.
• A steel tape, 100 foot cloth tape is essential.

Sound Bites

• "You want to get to the job."
• "Everyone has a smartphone now."
• "Always take pictures of the pool."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Safety Covers

00:00
Measuring for Safety Covers: The Do's

00:45
Measuring for Safety Covers: The Don'ts

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