Talking Pools Podcast
If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.
Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.
Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.
Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.
If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.
Talking Pools Podcast
Arrested Poolside: From Test Strips to Drone Pranks
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Welcome to another exciting episode of Talking Pools Podcast! In this episode, your hosts Rudy and Andrea are diving deep into some burning questions from our listeners about pool maintenance. We'll be tackling the benefits of drop tests versus test strips, discussing the notorious pH bounce phenomenon, and unraveling the mysteries of snow-flaking calcium in pools with salt cells. But first, we couldn't resist sharing a fascinating story that's been making headlines recently. You won't believe what turned New Jersey's pools green this summer! We'll explore an intriguing case involving drones, mysterious green water, and a mischievous prankster. So, grab your floaties and get ready to dive into the world of pool chemistry and poolside mysteries on this episode of Talking Pools!
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[INTRO MUSIC]
Rudy: Welcome, pool enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of Talking Pools Podcast! I'm Rudy.
Andrea: And I'm Andrea. Today, we're diving deep into some intriguing pool-related topics, and we've got an incredible story to share with you later in the episode.
Rudy: That's right, Andrea. We're answering listener questions on some pool maintenance essentials: drop tests versus test strips, the mysterious pH bounce, and snow-flaking calcium in pools with salt cells.
Andrea: But before we get into all that, let's jump into the fascinating story that's been making headlines recently.
[RUSTLING SOUND]
Rudy: Oh, I can't wait to share this one. So, picture this: it's a sunny day in Absecon, New Jersey, and the general manager of the Quality Inn, Sandra Woolstion, is about to open the pool.
Andrea: Sounds like a typical day at the pool, right? But, as Sandra walked out that morning, she noticed something unusual.
Rudy: Yep, the pool was covered in what she described as "blue stuff," and it was turning the water green.
Andrea: Now, if you're in the pool business, you know what that means. It's time to drain the pool, wash it down, and refill it.
Rudy: And that's exactly what they did. A few hours later, the pool was ready for swimmers. But, here's where it gets interesting.
Andrea: Later that day, when Sandra returned with supplies for the next morning's breakfast service, she witnessed something unbelievable. The pool turned neon yellow before her eyes!
Rudy: Imagine her shock! She immediately checked the security cameras, but there was no sign of anyone near the pool, no cars, no pedestrians, nothing.
Andrea: So, Sandra did what anyone would do in that situation. She called Jason Kiamos, a detective at the Galloway Township Police Department.
Rudy: And you won't believe his response. Sandra said, "It has to be a drone."
Andrea: "You might be onto something," he replied. And that's when the drone hunt began.
Rudy: The Galloway police, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, the New Jersey State Police, and the Absecon Police Department, teamed up to track the drone.
Andrea: And guess where it led them? To a nearby business called Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling.
Rudy: There, they arrested the owner, Patrick J. Spina IV, who has since been charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief and harassment.
Andrea: Detective Kiamos explained that Mr. Spina was operating the drone remotely, and he was using it to drop packets of Sea Dye into neighborhood pools.
Rudy: Sea Dye? What's that?
Andrea: Well, it's a chemical typically used in water rescues, and it turns water colors ranging from bright yellow to fluorescent green.
Rudy: So, he was literally turning pools into shades of neon?
Andrea: That's right. And as Mr. Spina was taken into custody, Detective Kiamos texted Sandra: "Sandra, we made the arrest."
Rudy: Finally, after a summer of pool pranks, Sandra could breathe a sigh of relief.
Andrea: But the big question is, why would someone do this? What was Mr. Spina's motive?
Rudy: According to Detective Kiamos, all indications point to him simply "pranking people."
Andrea: Talk about a summer of frustration for the residents of Absecon and neighboring Galloway Township!
Rudy: Absolutely. It was like a real-life poolside mystery. And for Sandra, it meant draining and refilling the pool multiple times a week, costing her a small fortune.
Andrea: Not to mention the damage to her newly redone pool. Those yellow splotches will require refinishing.
Rudy: It sounds like a pool owner's worst nightmare!
Andrea: But, thankfully, it's all over now. Mr. Spina is in custody, and the pools can go back to their crystal-clear state.
Rudy: So, there you have it, our poolside mystery of the summer. But now, let's get back to our listeners' questions.
Andrea: That's right! We've got some great pool maintenance topics to discuss today. Stay tuned for more after this short break.
[AD BREAK]
Rudy: And we're back! So, Andrea, let's dive right into our first listener question. "What are the benefits of drop tests over test strips?"
Andrea: Ah, great question! Drop tests and test strips are two popular methods for testing pool water chemistry. We'll break down the pros and cons of each and help our listeners make an informed choice.
Rudy: And later, we'll tackle the mysterious phenomenon known as pH bounce. Why does it happen, and how can pool owners prevent it?
Andrea: Plus, we'll unravel the mysteries of snow-flaking calcium in pools with salt cells. It's a common issue, but not everyone knows how to address it effectively.
Rudy: So, stick around, pool enthusiasts! We've got a lot to cover today, and we're here to answer your burning questions. It's all coming up on this episode of Talking Pools Podcast!
[OUTRO MUSIC]
Andrea: Thanks for joining us, and remember to stay pool-savvy!
Rudy: Until next time, happy swimming!
