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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
The Truth About Pool Circulation and Efficiency
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, Natalie Hood interviews Sean McDermott from H2 Flow to bust common myths about pool water circulation, flow measurement, and system efficiency. They explore how proper understanding and technology can improve water quality, safety, and energy use in pools.
keywords
pool water circulation, flow measurement, VFD, pool system efficiency, water quality, pool safety, flow meters, pool automation, pump protection
key topics
- Myth of continuous circulation with pump running
- Flow rate vs filtration effectiveness
- Importance of accurate flow measurement
- Role of VFDs in energy savings
- Mechanical issues masquerading as chemical problems
guest name
Sean McDermott
Sound Bites
- "Flow measurement is critical for safety"
- "VFDs are widely used in pools now"
- "Reducing pump speed saves energy"
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Pool Water Movement and Misconceptions
00:55
Sean McDermott's Background and Industry Journey
03:35
The Industry Setup and Education in Pool Management
05:57
Myth 1: As long as the pump runs, circulation is proper
08:47
Myth 2: Higher flow always means better filtration
10:09
The importance of accurate flow measurement
11:42
The significance of flow measurement for safety
13:15
Flow meters: Accuracy matters
14:22
VFDs in residential and commercial pools
16:02
Modern VFDs and their ease of use
17:36
Autofill systems and automation benefits
18:56
Durability of outdoor pool systems
20:27
Pump protection and system safety
21:37
Low flow alarms and their role
23:30
Energy efficiency and pump speed reduction
25:01
Adjusting for environmental factors in pool operation
26:47
Water quality issues: Chemical vs mechanical causes
28:04
Mechanical issues masquerading as chemical problems
32:21
Final thoughts and advice from Sean McDermott
Resources
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
