TikTok Creator Honored for Content Featuring Pool Transformations

The public’s keen interest in observing private swimming pools undergo transformations from murky green states into inviting blue water has contributed to a content creator securing a national award. Miles Laflin, widely recognized as The Pool Guy, was awarded the high-quality content creator of the year title at the inaugural UK and Ireland TikTok awards. Laflin, a 34-year-old from Bedfordshire, has amassed 15 million followers on the platform who watch his renovation projects at some of the most opulent residences in the area. However, Laflin noted that it was the dirt and grime that viewers seemed to find most engaging. He stated, “It’s mostly all the sludgy pools – the ones that have been left for 20 years – that people love watching the most.” He elaborated, “People don’t really think what goes into cleaning pools and looking after them -when they see a green pool, they think where the hell do you start.” He added, “Most people think they’ll empty it and refill it with new water, but it’s a lot of water and it can easily be done with chemicals.” Laflin, who has been involved in pool restoration for approximately 15 years, mentioned that viewers appeared to appreciate the rapid turnarounds of the pools, a characteristic that perfectly suited the nature of his short-form videos. His content also provided his audience with a glimpse into the lives of some of his affluent customers as he made their indoor and outdoor pools sparkle. Nevertheless, Laflin affirmed that he was always careful never to film anything other than the actual pool or reference specific locations. He recalled that he first realized the potential for his work to capture interest about four years ago, when he posted a video of an old green pool’s transformation on his personal account. Subsequently, The Pool Guy account was launched, with views “going crazy” within an hour of posting. He discovered his nomination for the TikTok award three weeks before the ceremony on 3 December. He also shared that while he continues to perform necessary maintenance tasks such as plumbing and tiling, he now enjoys the quick transformations in the same way as his followers. News updates for Beds, Herts and Bucks are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.