Creating a design concept for a kitchen or remodeling an outdated bathroom requires an understanding of the products and services available to those looking to undertake such a project. The ProSource Podcast breaks down the home remodeling industry and highlights the merchandise and experience that it requires to achieve your vision. Join ProSource Director of Digital Marketing Content Kevin Devine, as he speaks with those who facilitate the ideal project and offer valuable information for h ...
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I mean… we’re flooring people, from an outlet store basically, and it looks to us like just figuring our how to pick the right floor is daunting at best. In your life, you’ll do it less often than you’ll buy cars, and that’s a pretty taxing thing to do. So we’re trying to start from scratch and be as basic and clear as we can about doing this, so you can find what you want, wherever you end up shopping. We’ll have regular episodes, chats between Dan (who owns the company) and me (I’m David – ...
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Host Steve Chiotakis connects you to the people and places of Southern California.
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Forget chasing chlorine headaches and battling algae wars alone. The Talking Pools Podcast is your weekly escape from pool purgatory, where 250+ years of combined pro wisdom explodes into actionable hacks, mind-blowing tips, and secrets so ancient they make Poseidon jealous. Think of it as your weekly poolside braintrust, fueled by eight seasoned pros, each a rockstar in their own aquatic lane. Got a filtration fiasco? Chemical conundrum? Equipment enigma? No problem. We've got a host for th ...
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Steve is hosting solo and plans to discuss the practical tools and tips he has gathered over his two decades in the pool industry. He emphasizes the importance of having the right tools for the job, sharing his personal collection of "cool pool tools" that help him tackle various challeng…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee, Peter, and Shane dive into the highs and lows of managing pool businesses and discuss the importance of employee retention, company culture, and major industry updates. Here's a rundown: Weather, Kids, and Summer Vibes Lee kicks off by sharing Melbourne’s famously unpredictable weath…
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Send us a text In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz blends education and humor as he breaks down the kinetics of chlorine decomposition in outdoor pools. He explains how UV radiation and heat degrade chlorine and dives into sustainable alternatives for pool maintenance, offering practical tips for eco-friendly operations. Key Topics: Chlorine Decomposi…
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Send us a text In this episode of Thursdays with Wayne & Steve, the hosts tackle the tough but necessary topic of firing customers. Wayne and Steve dive into the signs that it’s time to cut ties with a problematic client, exploring how to assess when the drama outweighs the revenue. They break down the common red flags—late payments, unrealistic ex…
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Send us a text Andrea and Paulette are back, and this time, they're schooling us on two things: Andrea's eager-but-clueless helper and, well, let’s just say some tadpoles didn’t make it out alive. Tragic but hilarious. Just when you think it's safe to get back in the water, BAM! You get hit with a Biolab update. You know, the place that had that ma…
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Send us a text In this episode of Mondays Down Under, Peter, Shane, and Lee are joined by Spiros Dassakis, the Chief Policy Officer of SPASA, to dive into important updates regarding pool safety regulations, specifically changes to AS1926.1, which governs pool barriers in Australia. Spiros provides valuable insights into how these changes impact bo…
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Send us a text In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz delves into the intricate world of pool chemistry, focusing on the critical role of cyanuric acid in maintaining chlorine levels. He emphasizes the importance of digital marketing strategies for pool service companies, including SEO and social media engagement. The discussion also covers the deli…
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Send us a text In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Steve and Wayne take listeners on an emotional journey, imagining what the life of a pool guy would look like in a perfect world. From the first few words, you can feel the deep passion they have for the pool industry and the people who make it run. They paint a pi…
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Send us a text In this Talking Pools Podcast episode, Andrea and Paulette dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, where pools were left in chaos, strewn with debris, and demanding far more than a simple skim and brush. Yet, one of the most pressing questions they tackle is: Why are pool service professionals so hesitant to charge extra for the…
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Send us a text In this gripping episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter shares a shocking story that will leave pool professionals both horrified and deeply aware of the dangers that lurk when chemicals are mishandled. He recounts an unforgettable moment when one of his customers mistakenly poured chlorine into an old sulfuric acid barrel. The …
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Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Rudy covers two distinct but equally important topics. The show kicks off with an important news update on the Biolab fire that occurred on September 30, 2024, in Conyers, Georgia. Rudy discusses the impact of the fire, the ongoing investigation by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB), and the legal and environme…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne and Steve dive into the critical topic of water testing for swimming pools. Wayne breaks down which water tests are the most important for maintaining optimal pool health, emphasizing the essential ones like pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. As Wayne discusses these vi…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into the critical topic of cleaning up a pool after a hurricane. They focus on the essential steps pool service professionals must take to ensure the pool is safe, clean, and operational following the aftermath of a major storm. Andrea leads the discussion with a …
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Vanities are an essential part of the bathroom. Their utility with the sink and the storage solutions they provide make them a mainstay in bathroom design. Alison Gibson, interior designer, ProSource member and owner of AMG Interiors, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of vanities within the interior design of bathrooms. They discuss vanit…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter and Lee delve into the topic of new hire training. Peter shares his experience of hiring a young woman who has little to no experience in pool service. He expresses his preference for hiring individuals with minimal prior experience, as it allows him to train them from scratch witho…
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Send us a text Episode Overview: In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz kicks off Friday's show by sharing his personal experience with Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that recently hit Florida, causing widespread damage and flooding. Rudy recounts how the storm tore through his own backyard, damaging his screen enclosure and pool. He provides an up…
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Send us a text In this episode, Wayne and Steve dive into the crucial topic of Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, explaining why it's essential for pool service companies and expert witnesses alike. They begin by highlighting how E&O insurance protects businesses from claims of negligence or inadequate work, covering potential legal costs that cou…
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What- ... whoooooo would put their own flooring in a rented apartment? That seems like a big giveaway to the company already overcharging you. But! Some flooring can go with you, you see. You move, you take the flooring to the new place. Maybe it keeps the overall decor the way you want it, so the old/new place's floor color doesn't have to blow yo…
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We answered a question from our old blog comments section with another blog post, and... here it is! Readable here: https://floorstoyourhome.com/resource-center/20-best-floor/90/whats-the-best-floor-for-a-daycare/ (Sorry, I know I usually write at least a little more, but ... it's a short piece. What am I going to do, put it all in here, in this li…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into Andrea’s personal experience with anxiety and how it led her to believe she was on the verge of being fired. The conversation touches on the mental and emotional challenges of working in pool service, highlighting how stress and miscommunication can create un…
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Many manufacturers market their laminate floor products as install anywhere floors, and laminate flooring certainly is very versatile, but as with any material, it has a few limitations you should be cautious about: moisture, wear & tear and the kind of flooring you might keep underneath it. Let's look into those. (or you can just read it here!) ht…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter, Lee, and Shane dive into the complexities of swimming pool heaters, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. They start by discussing the benefits of modern heaters, including efficiency, performance, and the convenience they offer for extending the swimming season. The hosts high…
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FLOOR SHOPPING - 03j - 5 Reasons Why Laminate Flooring Works Best for families with Young Children
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Usually here, we're talking about a household that is more active than other households, likely one with kids and/or pets. We're also talking about the common living areas. Looking at the major types of flooring available, I'll consider carpet, vinyl flooring, hardwood, laminate flooring and more. By now, if you've actually listened to each of the …
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses important updates in the pool industry, including Fluidra's acquisition and the PHTA's support for the Swim Act. He delves into the impact of sulfate levels in pool water, explaining how they can damage pool equipment and structures. Rudy emphasizes the importanc…
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Bureaucrats, Bids, and Pool Boy Blues: Navigating Government Contracts Without Losing Your Cool
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Send us a text In this episode, Wayne and Steve dive deep into the intricacies of securing and managing pool service contracts with government agencies. Steve begins by sharing his experience navigating the often complex and bureaucratic processes involved in bidding for contracts at the municipal and federal levels. He outlines the steps required …
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When deciding on the best floor for your bedroom, in addition to the decor of the room, it's important to consider its location in the home, the age of the occupant, the kind of maintenance that will be needed, and the amount of traffic that the room will endure (usually high for kids, and low for grown-ups). You can read this piece with your own e…
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The living room floor might have to endure very high foot traffic, so if you’re thinking about replacing the flooring in your living room, there are many factors to consider. Here, I go over carpet, Laminate flooring, Solid hardwood flooring and Vinyl flooring, covering how they stack up against each other for this very specific room. See the artic…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette recount their week spent out in the field, tackling various challenges while servicing pools. The episode is full of stories about the highs and lows of the job, from funny moments to technical problems they encountered. They discuss the importance of teamwork, attenti…
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The kitchen is a high traffic area in which your family probably spends a lot of time, so you'll need to consider each floor's durability, maintenance needs, comfort, and cost. I go through those one by one, and will hopefully leave you ready to explore your best choice to find the style and look you want. The written piece is here: https://floorst…
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The biggest concern with a bathroom floor is water, specifically in two forms: - spills & splashes - steam & humidity I'll cover both here, and tell you which floors stand up best to those assailants, and which are best left out of a good bathroom. Read the piece here: https://floorstoyourhome.com/resource-center/20-best-floor/20/whats-the-best-flo…
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Send us a text In this Talking Pools Podcast episode, Peter, Lee, and Shane explore the advantages of employing virtual receptionists, emphasizing the importance of matching accents to the region served. They discuss how having an Australian virtual receptionist for Australian companies, and a New Zealand accent for New Zealand-based firms, can imp…
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Send us a text In this episode, Rudy dives into two key topics: the rising issue of Concrete Cancer (also known as Alkali-Silica Reactivity or ASR) in swimming pools and how to create an effective blog for your pool service business that not only attracts readers but keeps them coming back for more. Key Topics: Concrete Cancer & ASR in Swimming Poo…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne and Steve explore the concept of "local summers" or "False Fall," where locals close their pools on Labor Day regardless of the temperature. Steve discusses the intricacies of securing contracts with corporate properties and governmental agencies, even quoting a client hundreds of t…
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Send us a text In this mysterious episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea teams up with her mother, Paulette, for a conversation that's bound to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Andrea has kept the subject of this episode completely under wraps—nobody knows what they discuss, and it’s all a well-guarded surprise. Adding to the intrigu…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosts Peter, Shane, and Lee dive into the ongoing debate of "replace it versus fix it" within the pool industry. As new products continue to emerge, they emphasize the importance of checking parts availability and performance before offering them to clients, underscoring how the reputatio…
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Unlike those offered in the previous mini-episode on Best Floors for a Basement, none of these floors would survive any kind of flooding, whether a proper flood, a busted pipe or just a single, colossal spill, and all will require some additional moisture control before being put in. So here are the rest of the main floor types, listed from least t…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, host Rudy Stankowitz covers a wide range of topics that pool professionals won't want to miss. Rudy begins with a viral video involving pool vodka dosing, dissecting the science behind it and whether it holds any merit. He explains the concept of carbon dosing in aquariums, how vodka inte…
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A basement can make up around one third of the floorspace in a home, and the cost of finishing a basement can be half the cost of putting an addition of smaller space on the house. It's strange that unfinished basements would be so common. The problem is not that the cons are insurmountable, just that they are daunting enough to feel insurmountable…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne and Steve dive into the serious and often overlooked issue of electrocutions in swimming pools. They emphasize the importance of proper electrical safety measures in and around pools, explaining that faulty wiring, poor grounding, and outdated electrical systems can create life-thre…
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You can be allergic to your floor. Irritants can either be gathered and held by the floor, or they can be a part of its very make up. In this mini-episode I hope to help you make the best choice of flooring, specifically with allergy prevention in mind. My sources: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) The American Academy of Allergy …
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Having a pet can bring challenges to the household environment. Dogs chew. Cats scratch. Birds are ... you know, they do everything inside. Accidents happen. For a new floor in a home with a pet, several things come into play: where the floor is going to go how much traffic it will encounter how much wear and tear it can be expected to endure the p…
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Send us a text In this lively and unpredictable episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea and Paulette dive into a mix of wild stories, strange occurrences, and practical pool issues. The episode kicks off with Andrea venting about her ongoing battle with a difficult property manager. He constantly complains about a low salt light that, accordin…
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When this question is posed, usually we're talking about a household that is more active than other households, likely one with older kids and/or pets. We're also talking about the common living areas, because in kitchens, bathrooms and similar rooms, the household makeup is less of a factor than are the room's uses and moisture issues. Here's the …
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Send us a text In the episode where Peter, Lee, and Shane discuss watching costs and hidden fees, they likely emphasize the importance of closely monitoring expenses in a pool service business. They might talk about how costs can quickly add up in unexpected ways, such as through hidden fees for parts, equipment, or services, like increased shippin…
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Just where can a hardwood floor go? Or more important, where shouldn't you use solid hardwood? Each kind of flooring has strengths that the others don't, and today Dan and I go over those so that if your salesperson says, "Solid hardwood? In your basement? Sure!" you'll already know better. After this full episode, where we talk floor-by-floor, I'm…
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Send us a text In this episode, Rudy Stanowitz discusses oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and how it is used to gauge the effectiveness of water treatment in swimming pools. He explains that ORP measures the water's ability to oxidize or reduce substances, which directly relates to the pool's ability to keep contaminants at bay. Rudy also explor…
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Basically, yes! Most will, to some degree, and you should plan on it, on the final color. But how much do they change, how long will it take, and how can you tell what you'll end up with? I look into that here. Here's a link to the illustrated piece I'm reading: Must Hardwood Floors Change Color Produced by https://FloorsToYourHome.com/ Created, Ho…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne delves into the common misconception surrounding non-chlorine shock, specifically monopersulfate (MPS). He explains to Steve that the term "non-chlorine shock" is somewhat misleading because MPS is not powerful enough to break the nitrogen-chloride bond, which means it can't effecti…
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Deciding which hardwood you want to look at is a decision you'll make with your eyes, so here I talk about the various hardwood species sorted by hardness. Not all wood is the same; some are denser and more rugged than others, so in case that's a factor you want to consider, I go through some common candidates from softest to hardest. The written &…
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Here we talk about things like color & tone, grain, the look of the finish, textures and edges, so seeing the pictures could be a good help. The piece I'm reading here was initially written to focus on laminate flooring, but the basics apply across the board with all hard surface flooring (so, also waterproof vinyl, hardwoods and so on). Produced b…
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