Chemicals in the Skimmer, Insurance Gaps & the Pool Guy Who “Feels” the Water

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This week on Thursdays with Wayne and Steve, Wayne climbs back onto his favorite soapbox: your skimmer is not a chemical-dispensing system. The guys break down the risks of feeding acid, calcium chloride, chlorine tablets, and other products through the skimmer—and discuss the limited situations where manufacturer directions may call for it.

Steve also speaks with Pat from the California Pool Association about liability coverage for residential, commercial, and high-end aquatic facilities. They examine diving boards, slides, expensive equipment, property-damage extensions, revenue audits, and why landing a massive commercial account may require another conversation with your insurance agent.

Then, a pool inspection involving five plaster defects exposes a much larger problem: calcium hardness at 750 ppm, corrected alkalinity at 60 ppm, and a service professional who had not tested calcium in more than a year. It is a reminder that clear water, loyal customers, and weekly visits do not prove a pool is being properly managed.

Wayne and Steve also discuss:

Why chlorine tablets should never be placed in a skimmerSafer ways to introduce powdered chemicalsUsing skimmer socks for cyanuric acidLiability exclusions involving diving boards and slidesCoverage for property you are actively working onInsurance considerations when pursuing large commercial accountsWhy a complete water analysis matters during every inspectionThe importance of periodically testing calcium hardness, CYA, and TDSEducating clients before assumptions become expensive problemsDefining a clear scope of work for commercial facilitiesWhy great pool service also requires communication and hospitality

The bottom line: follow proper chemical procedures, know exactly what your insurance covers, test before reaching conclusions, and never assume the person who has maintained a pool for years has maintained it correctly.

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