The Federal Trade Commission has proposed an a...

By Marcelle Dibrell If it weren’t for cyanuric acid, you probably wouldn’t have a job. Residential pool service that relies on once-weekly visits would not be possible without the introduction of cyanuric acid. That’s because in the absence of cyanuric acid, the sun’s ultraviolet rays break down chlorine at an alarming rate.Added to water, chlorine exists in two forms: hypochlorous

In its third quarter, Aptus Capital Advisors increased its shares of POOL by more than 50 percent, at a value the company estimates is $5.2 million. Several other hedge funds also modified their holdings of POOL last year. Vanguard Group Inc. has increased its holdings to 4.4 million shares with an associated value of more the $1.8 billion. Massachusetts Financial Services Company raised its

A misadventure on a Seattle, Washington, hot tub boat ended in a 911 call. The incident occurred in January when a group of friends rented a Lake Union Hot Tub Boat to cruise the lake. According to the friends, the trip was chaotic. It began with an electrical burning smell, then smoke, and eventually an explosion. “Just a boom,” said Scott Smith. “A ball of fire went through the

The U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI are leading a criminal investigation into a swimming pool contractor who took payments for pool builds that he never completed. Charles Workman, owner of MN Crete Pools in Prior Lake, Minnesota, is accused of engaging “in deceptive and fraudulent practices in marketing and selling inground pool construction and equipment that he and his company have not

In our last issue of Service Industry News we featured Dan Duker’s appearance on Mike Rowe’s hit show, Dirty Jobs. Duker, a second-generation pool professional, is the owner of Vinyl Pools LLC in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has all the qualities that Rowe looks for when he’s trying to find dirty jobs. First, and foremost, Duker is a family man, running the family business. But beyond that,

Welcome to the latest edition of our popular “Can You Top This?” column, featuring the newest entry in the Service Industry News “Horror File. ” This issue’s entry comes to us from Dan Duker, of Vinyl Pools LLC in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dan was featured on a popular TV show called Dirty Jobs, staring Mike Rowe — the man floating in the pool. “Usually in pools that have