As pool technicians step into a customer’s backyard, they’re often greeted with the unexpected. Whether it’s the surprising, the humorous, or the downright baffling, these professionals are prepared to handle whatever comes their way. Here, we present an array of memorable encounters shared by technicians from across the industry.
Floatation Innovation
Introducing the latest in pool maintenance technology (courtesy of Ryan Cook at C & S Pool Services in Nicholasville, Ky.): the DIY Pool Noodle Chlorinator!
With nothing more than some duct tape, a noodle and a colander, this invention promises to dispense your chlorine tablets in style. Who needs high-tech gadgets when you’ve got a homeowner’s creativity? Results may vary, but one thing’s for sure — it’s definitely a conversation starter.
One for the Horror Files
It’s not broken, it just has…character. Perfect for anyone who enjoys living life on the edge — of a structural collapse. Note the funny-looking, segmented pipe hanger strap.
The significant rust and corrosion on both the pipe and surrounding structures has this area begging for some TLC. Even the duct tape has had enough. “The snake skin sure adds a nice touch though,” says Paul Lyons of H2O Pros in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Quite the Scam Artist
“This was something I hadn’t seen in all my 45 years in this business,” says Jeff Wilson of The Pool Connection in East Windsor, Ontario. “What I saw, quite frankly, was appalling.”
Upon inspection, Wilson saw the steel walls and cement floor of this pool had been painted, giving the illusion it was a concrete pool with a waterproof surface. The sellers had filled it with water, taken pictures of it, and then covered it up and sold the property.
As we all know, this type of pool needs a liner. “Without a liner,” says Wilson, stating a certainty, “it leaks badly.” On the equipment side, the plumbing was in need of repair. There was dry rot on some of the PVC pipe, but more importantly, the pool pump supplied was an aboveground pump and of no use on an inground application.
“It saddened me that I had to tell the customer the pool required $5,500 plus tax in order to make it operational. This included repairs to the cement floor, liner, installation, a used pump and pressure testing the underground plumbing.”
At least the story had a happy ending. “I’m pleased to say the repairs have been completed, and the family is now able to enjoy their pool.”
Talk About a Fowl Situation
Who needs a chicken coop when you’ve got the perfect spot behind the pool equipment? And hey, with the cost of eggs on the rise, some might even consider this a decent tip. But for Erin Ward of Swim Clear Pool Service in Branford, Fla., this is a common occurrence when your customers have free-range chickens. And it’s something he wishes they’d crack down on.
“They shit everywhere, including the customer’s back patio and around the pool — making my job even harder,” says Ward. “It doesn’t stop there. One time, a young chicken fell in the pool, and I found it in the skimmer days later. And the daily feathers create a high chlorine demand.”
But he’s not the only one who maybe wishes the chickens would kick the bucket. “I once spilled some granular CYA in the grass, and the homeowner actually told me not to worry about it. He was hoping the chickens would eat it, and then no longer be a problem.” Ouch.
Wish Me Luck…
Don’t you just love when the pool equipment room could double as a dungeon? Sure, it might just be a spot for pipes and pumps, but this hidden pit feels more like the entrance to an ancient ruin — or maybe just where lost tools and service technicians go, never to return.
“Who volunteers to empty the pump basket?” jokes Todd Clark of Texas Pool Professionals in Rockwall, Texas. “All I can say is there will be no red balloons.”
Clark says it’s not uncommon for pipe rooms in his area to be underground, but this one looked particularly scary — like it was done last minute. “At first, I thought it was a barbecue pit, but I couldn’t find the pool pump anywhere else. I opened this up and voila. There might have been a single lightbulb down there. It was also right behind a fountain, so I hope they have electrical protection in case it floods.”
Albino Amphibian
This pool technician just discovered the rare and elusive albino pool frog — not your typical pool guest. Is it a new species or just the unfortunate result of spending too much time in RV antifreeze?
“As far as I could tell, yes, this was an actual frog,” says Kevin Stempien of X-Pert Pool Service in Exeter, Pa. “It felt like rubber, but I didn’t like the idea of cutting it open. I don’t think anyone is making realistic frog toys that are spitting up their guts.”
The poor guy was found in a skimmer in May, during a pool opening. It’s clear that due to exposure to chemicals and conditions, he croaked.
A Scary Handful
Forget the pool net — this guy might need a full-on eviction notice. Is it a wasp? The king of all hornets? A small flying tank?
“I think it was an Eastern Cicada Killer Hornet,” says Gregory Wilker (Top Dog Pools, Central Florida). “The males apparently do not
have a stinger at all. The females, however, do and although they aren’t generally aggressive, if you disturb them, they have been known to sting humans. Regardless, it’s the thing of nightmares. This was my first time seeing one of these. Be careful out there, folks!”
You Mean the Whole Time?!
Ah, the infamous pool skimmer rust art exhibit. While it gives the pool a certain “industrial chic” panache, it’s not exactly what you want to see when you drain the pool and strip the liner.
“This was a vinyl-liner change we did earlier this year,” says Cory Eagles of Eagles Pool Services in New Brunswick, Canada. “We found the gasket hanging under the old liner — which means it must have been leaking for years.”
Walking On Land
Whether this land crab, located in Hobe Sound, Fla., was sunbathing or crossing over to the great ocean beyond, service technician Andrea Nannini can’t quite remember. Either way, he makes for an interesting poolside guest — dead or alive.
“He was in the basket like that when I found him,” says Nannini. “It happens a lot. And when these land crabs die, they leave horrible stains and smell even worse.”
A Sea of Nostalgia
“Let’s play who’s seen the ugliest pool,” jokes Wayne Rogers. “I’m definitely a contender.”
With their permanent smiles, eye makeup and flower-power manes, these dolphins are here to remind you that the ’90s weren’t all grunge and neon windbreakers.
“I gave the homeowner a bid, but did not end up working on it,” says Rogers. “I probably had nightmares that night.”
The Dog Days of Summer
Service tip: Beware of surprise cannonballs from four-legged lifeguards — rain or shine! This pup, showing off his flawless form, has clearly decided that pool rules are meant to be broken.
At least until Michele Kanarick of Water Girl Pools in Boynton Beach, Fla., was on the job. “This puppy [one of three service dogs at this account] loved the water so much, we had to put up a baby fence to keep him out,” she says.
Mother Nature
Skimmers are known to reveal all sorts of surprises — but finding a spider like this one, complete with a brood of babies, is enough to make anyone jump. Despite the unnerving sight, the mother and her tiny passengers were moved safely onto the nearby grass by Jake Mince of Borden Pools in North Richland Hills, Texas.
“I always snap pictures of critters I encounter as a pool guy,” says Mince. “In this photo, with it being spring, this wasn’t my first spider, and it definitely wasn’t my last.”
Au Naturel
Due to a rat infestation, these pool heaters have become heavily clogged with debris, including leaves and plant material. And while it may be a bit comical considering the excessive amount of foliage, it is a very dangerous situation, explains Dave Pinder of Palmland Pool Solutions out of South Florida.
“Not only do the rats nest inside the heaters, but they also chew on the wires due to additives they put in the plastic coating,” says Pinder. “The customers weren’t happy, but they had no other option — both of these heaters had to be replaced. Unfortunately, it’s a very common problem where I’m servicing pools in western Palm Beach County.”
Fellow service technician Annette Cohen Pallowick of City of Indian Harbour Beach Pool Maintenance can relate. “I also lost a new heater due to rats,” she says. “We did not even notice they were in the area until we took it apart to prepare for winter. I now have traps around the heaters, but that is no guarantee it won’t happen again. We used to have a feral cat colony in a nearby park that helped with control. Then, the coyotes came and ate all the cats.”
Frozen (and Screwed) Over
Behold, the ultimate backyard oasis… or at least, it was supposed to be. This renovation project was left frozen in time and frozen over.
“This was left by a shady Marketplace pool installer that never finished the job, and left a huge mess behind,” says Cory Eagles. His company, Eagles Pool Services of New Brunswick, Canada, was called to clean up the mess.
“The homeowner actually asked us for a quote during Covid. They didn’t want to wait, so they bought the pool elsewhere. That place recommended some guy off Marketplace who said he could probably install it on the side.”
Eagles says the shady installer started in mid-August, and never got it done — but he did have time to tear up the neighbor’s yard and leave a few truck loads of dirt in the backyard, the front yard and on the road. “The town got after them to get the dirt off the road before winter came, as it would interfere with snow removal. So the homeowners and neighbors helped shovel it off the road.”
The customer unfortunately paid this previous installer a lot of money before calling Eagles in November. “We decided to take on the job for the spring, but it cost them about the same amount again. We went in, took the walls down, removed the dirt, dug out the mud, added compacted crushed rock, re-installed the pool, ran proper drainage and such.”
In the end, even the neighbors thanked them. “One of my guys walked back to the truck, and a neighbor was walking her dog. She stopped and said, ‘You guys don’t know how many people you are making happy by doing this right now.'”
When Poolside Becomes Pasture
Service technicians are no strangers to unexpected visitors. But in this case — given the large property is home to some novelty cattle and deer — Brett Jon Stautmeister of Shynebrite Pools in Brazoria County, Texas, says it’s more of a routine occurrence. What happened next, however, was not routine.
“After taking a drink from the pool, this massive longhorn broke a return pipe,” says Stautmeister. “Shortly after, he scratched his neck and also broke a 12-by-12 piece of travertine.” Don’t worry, he was charged right away.
Cicada Cemetery
This enormous cicada invasion left the service technicians at The Pool Guy of Valley, Ala., bugging out. “We service and maintain a large city fountain,” explains owner James Bassett. “When my son dipped it and added chemicals on a Thursday morning, by the following Monday, it was completely overrun with cicadas.”
Apparently, the insects were flying in at night, attracted by the fountain’s LED lights. Over the course of three days, it became infested with around 78 gallons of cicadas, leaving what could only be described as a bug burial ground.
Armed with a bucket and a strong stomach, they started the cleanup by filling three 7-gallon buckets of cicadas from the initial top of the water before draining and cleaning the pit out. After that, they filled up a 16-gallon Shop Vac four times to ultimately finish the job. “It was tons of fun, and smelled wonderful,” jokes Bassett.
Rodent Renovation
Well, here’s one way to keep warm… for the rodent, that is. What was once a functioning pool heater became a cozy, fully furnished rodent retreat.
“The rodent’s nest was discovered upon opening for the season,” says Eric Honeyman of Algae Busters in Tampa, Fla. “The heater housing was completely packed with rodent scat and nesting material, much of which was sourced from the heater’s wiring harness.”
Ultimately, the heater was a total loss. “With the cost to replace the electronic components coupled with labor to clean and repair, the customer opted for a new, higher-efficiency heater,” says Honeyman. “And with it being over 10 years old and obsolete, sourcing all the parts would have been an issue as well.”
Float Frenzy
On the opening day of pool season, service technician Jose Puente of Star Pool Company in Murrieta, Calif., was left to navigate an inflatable jungle, turning a simple job into a bit of an obstacle course.
Never fear — while this quirky cast of floats was already ready for summer, Puente quickly helped the pool to catch up.
Well, Crap…
When you show up to quote a new liner and instead get greeted by a minefield of mess, it’s not a great start.
After dodging cords, debris, and, well… dog business, the verdict was in: “It was a hard no. Find somebody else!” recalls Jeff Wilson (The Pool Connection, Windsor, Ontario).
Sometimes the toughest part of the job isn’t the pool — it’s the poo.
The Sands of Time
“This is the oldest sand filter I’ve ever come across,” says Brandon Britton of B2Services in Indianapolis, Ind. “Originally, I thought it was some type of boiler.”
Before this picture was taken, Britton says air was continually getting into the pool pump, but he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It wasn’t until he cut into the sand filter — which contained over 800 pounds of sand and rock and hadn’t been used in over a decade — and moved it that he was able to discover the metal legs had given out, causing it to fall on the skimmer pipe, cracking it enough for the pump to suck in air, but not to allow any water out.
“I repaired the pipe, and the pump — now a new system filter pump — no longer has any air coming in,” says Britton. Case closed.
This article first appeared in the November 2024 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
