Tenants at my client’s commercial account keep disabling the lock on the pool gate so that it remains constantly open. He has discussed this issue with the property management company many times but they refuse to replace the lock or take any other measures to secure the area. He does … Continue reading →
A pool tech was recently called to a job to bid a residential swimming pool heater repair. When he arrived he noticed that the venturi pipe for the spa jets was installed very close to the heater creating a dangerous situation in which carbon monoxide fumes could mix with the … Continue reading →
Every week I receive interesting questions from pool techs concerned about liability for injuries and/or damage at the pool site. These questions and my recommendations have been a regular column in the IPSSAN newsletter for years, and will now also be included weekly in this Blog. As usual, I welcome … Continue reading →
The most important part of a pool tech’s job is maintaining safe and clean water, free of the bacteria and protozoa that can cause illness. Unfortunately, the pool service technician is often the first person blamed when a swimmer gets sick, despite the fact that various sources of contamination could … Continue reading →
My client was considering taking a job to inspect a large commercial pool and forwarded me the insurance requirements provided by the property manager. Imagine his surprise when I told him that general liability policies don’t provide proper coverage for inspections and that he would need to purchase a separate … Continue reading →
I chuckle when I hear a pool service tech at a trade show mention that he doesn’t need general liability insurance because (1) he’s been in the business a long time, (2) he knows his stuff and (3) has never had a claim. I received the following calls this morning … Continue reading →
A claim reported this month is a dramatic reminder that pool chemicals should be properly segregated in the pickup truck bed. A plastic scoop that was used for cal-hypo apparently came into contact with other chemicals in the back of the pool service truck and caught fire. The truck bed … Continue reading →
It’s the question I’m asked most often – The gate at my customer’s pool is broken and the customer refuses to fix it. What do I do?
It is a difficult situation, especially when your customer is a property management company that provides you with a lot of work and … Continue reading →
Our client forwarded this photo showing damage to the pump and plumbing after a fire started at the equipment pad. It appears that the origin was the pump, given the extreme charring. Any ideas regarding the cause of this fire?… Continue reading →
Swimming pool service technicians use chemicals on a daily basis. Sodium hypochlorite and muriatic acid are essential to balancing pool water to provide a safe, bacteria-free swimming environment. Improper use of these chemicals can not only lead to plaster damage, but to bacterial infections as well. It would be surprising, … Continue reading →