Pool Chasers Podcast · Greg & Justin, Swimming Pool

Becoming a Pentair Heater & Automation Expert by Reading & Warranty Repairs with Matthew Horowitz of Poolponics

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips

Matt says Pentair warranty gave him exposure, education, and fearlessness about frying parts.

The episode starts with a blunt point about doing the work right and not half-assing it. Matt Horowitz says he wants to know every product in a pool and understand why something is failing, not just get in and get out. From there, the conversation turns into the kind of trade talk that makes sense to people who spend their days around equipment pads, service calls, and warranty jobs. Matt explains how he handles Pentair warranty work and why he does not expect extra points or credit when he is not the one making the purchase. He says he is fine taking care of the customer for free on a warranty call if it helps the relationship later. That is not treated like a side note. It is part of how he thinks about the business. The hosts push on whether that kind of work pays back, and Matt says it often does through future service and builder relationships. He also notes that if a company or person keeps handling work in a way he does not respect, he may decide not to keep working with them. The conversation then shifts into continuing education. Matt says he stays close to Pentair reps and mentors like Tish Dibble and Jason Hall. He describes calling them often to learn what is new, what has changed, and how updates affect real-world installs and repairs. The point is clear: the products may not always be brand-new, but the software and updates keep changing. IntelliCenter comes up as a good example of a platform that keeps evolving. Matt wants to know what the update does and why it matters in the field. The episode also touches on the difference between honest work and shady work, especially when builders or service people use warranty or certification rules the wrong way. Matt points out that bad behavior can show up in any business, even when the product and process are supposed to be straightforward. The hosts keep the tone casual, with beer banter and jokes, but the practical thread never really drops. Matt comes across as someone who cares about doing the job correctly, not just getting through the visit. The value of the conversation is in that mix of product knowledge, field judgment, and business discipline. It is less about theory than about what happens when equipment is down or an automation system needs attention. The episode also shows how much of this trade runs on relationships and reputation. Doing the right thing on one job can lead to the next one. Knowing the gear well enough to explain it clearly is part of the job. So is knowing when to charge, when to waive a fee, and when to walk away from a bad pattern. By the end, the conversation lands on a simple point: if you want to be the person people trust with the equipment, you have to know the equipment and care about the outcome.

As heard by us

Warranty work, product knowledge, and reputation become the real business model.

Matt Horowitz turns a service conversation into something practical by stressing the basics: know every product in the pool, understand why a pump is not working or leaking, and stay current on product updates.

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Why you'd press play

You want the practical side of Pentair heater and automation work, not the brochure version.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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