Pool Opening Service

Purpose

Define the spring pool-opening protocol - the most billable single service of the season for a residential pool route. A correct opening sets the pool up for a low-callback summer; a sloppy opening generates the "my pool turned green a week after you opened it" calls that consume the rest of May.

Scope

Applies to:

• Residential in-ground pools winterized the prior fall
• Salt-system pools (chlorine + salt cell startup)
• Pools with attached spas (combo opening adds 30 min)

Excludes pools that were NOT winterized (no equipment-startup step needed), and commercial pools (separate scope).

Responsibilities

• Dispatcher confirms opening date 2 weeks ahead; schedules openings before pollen drop in heavy-tree areas
• Lead technician runs the protocol; trainee assists on water-bag removal + cover handling
• Customer is briefed on the 7-day post-opening service schedule + what to expect

Procedure

1. Customer briefing. "I'm going to take 2 - 3 hours today. Plan on chemistry adjustments over the next week - your pool will look swimmable in 5 - 7 days, not today."
2. Remove water bags / cover anchors. Drain water bags away from the pool (not into it). Bag for next-winter storage; flag any torn ones for the customer's replacement quote.
3. Pump water off the cover surface with a cover pump. Don't drag debris-laden water into the pool.
4. Skim debris off the cover with a leaf net before removing.
5. Remove the cover. Two techs minimum on anything larger than 12 x 24'. Lay on a clean tarp, fold dry side in for storage.
6. Reinstall any drain plugs, gauges, baskets, jets, return fittings that were removed for winter.
7. Restore water level to mid-skimmer height. Use a customer's hose; document time + start level so they can credit their water bill if applicable.
8. Lubricate o-rings (pump lid, filter clamp, valve seals). A dried-out o-ring is the #1 leak source after opening.
9. Prime the pump. Fill the pump housing through the lid, check for air leaks at the strainer lid + suction-side connections.
10. Start the system. Watch for leaks during the first 10 minutes - the most common discoveries are pump-seal failures (winter freeze damage) and union cracks.
11. Backwash / clean the filter. A winterized filter has settled debris; backwash sand, hose cartridges, recharge DE.
12. Initial chemistry. Test, then dose to bring within target. Expect a higher-than-normal chlorine demand on first dose - pools sit open to airborne contamination during winter.
13. Schedule the 3-day follow-up visit to re-check chemistry once the system has run continuously.

Acceptance Criteria

• Cover removed, water bags drained + bagged for storage
• All equipment plugs and accessories reinstalled
• Pump primed, system running with no visible leaks
• Filter clean, pressure at baseline
• Chlorine + pH dosed; readings documented on field report
• 3-day follow-up visit scheduled
• Customer signs the field report after a walk-through of equipment + cover storage

References

• APSP/PHTA Standards for residential pool service
• Equipment manufacturer service literature
• Manuall internal: Weekly Recurring Pool Service, Pool Closing Service