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
LSI: The Key to Pool Chemistry
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this conversation, Paulette and Andrea discuss their recent hiatus due to personal losses and the challenges faced in pool maintenance. They delve into the importance of understanding the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and its role in water chemistry, emphasizing the need for proper water balance to prevent issues like scaling and corrosion. The discussion also covers practical tips for maintaining pools, particularly in relation to salt systems and common misconceptions about water chemistry.
takeaways
- The recent hiatus was due to personal losses.
- Understanding LSI is crucial for pool maintenance.
- Proper water balance enhances disinfection and swimmer comfort.
- Calcium hardness and total hardness are different measurements.
- Salt systems can contribute to scaling issues in pools.
- Regular testing of water chemistry is essential for pool care.
- Cyanuric acid affects total alkalinity calculations.
- Temperature impacts water chemistry and LSI.
- Maintaining a balanced LSI prevents corrosion and scaling.
- Communication with clients about pool care is vital.
Sound Bites
- "We had a lot going on."
- "It was really super sudden."
- "I had no one had taught me it."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Personal Updates
02:40
Dealing with Loss and Challenges
11:44
Understanding LSI and Water Balance
14:40
Importance of Proper Water Chemistry
17:30
Exploring Calcium and Stabilizer Levels
19:31
The Langelier Saturation Index Explained
22:07
Practical Applications of LSI in Pool Maintenance
32:19
Understanding Pool Chemistry and Its Impact
35:05
The Importance of the LSI in Pool Maintenance
38:11
Navigating Alkalinity and Acid Adjustments
41:21
Total Dissolved Solids: Myths and Realities
43:24
Calculating the LSI: Tools and Techniques
46:46
Challenges with Salt Pools and Scaling Issues
54:32
Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com