Weekly Recurring Pool Service
Purpose
Define the standard weekly pool-service route stop. Consistent execution across techs and across the season is what generates the "I never have to think about the pool anymore" customer experience that drives multi-year contracts. Skipping a step compounds - a missed brushing turns into algae two weeks later, missed chemistry turns into cloudy water by Friday.
Scope
Applies to:
- Residential in-ground pools on weekly service contracts
- Above-ground residential pools on weekly contracts
- Pools using chlorine, salt, or supplemental UV/ozone sanitization
Excludes commercial pools (separate cadence + chemistry SOP), pool-opening + closing services, and remediation work (algae bloom, post-storm cleanup).
Responsibilities
- Route technician runs the protocol in 20 - 35 minutes per stop
- Route supervisor spot-checks one stop per week per tech for quality control
- Customer receives a service slip after every visit (paper or email)
Procedure
- Visual inspection on approach. Photograph the pool from a consistent angle for the customer-file timeline. Note water clarity, debris, equipment-area condition.
- Empty the skimmer + pump baskets. Hose them off. Note any unusual debris (excess leaves = customer needs tree trim; visible algae fragments = next-week flag).
- Brush the pool. Walls + steps + waterline. 5 - 10 minutes for a standard residential pool. Brushing IS the cheapest preventive against algae and waterline staining.
- Net surface + bottom debris. A leaf rake handles both. Don't vacuum-only - netting first prevents fine debris clouding during vacuuming.
- Vacuum the floor. Either manual vacuum or robot. If using the pool's own pump, switch to "WASTE" or "DRAIN" if the customer's water level allows; otherwise back-wash after vacuuming.
- Test chemistry. Use a reliable kit (Taylor K-2006 or equivalent). Record on the service slip:
- Free chlorine (target 1 - 3 ppm)
- pH (target 7.4 - 7.6)
- Total alkalinity (target 80 - 120 ppm)
- Calcium hardness (monthly, not weekly)
- Cyanuric acid (monthly, not weekly)
- Salt (salt pools only)
- Dose chemicals. Calculate per pool volume and the test results. Acid first (lower pH) before adding chlorine - high-pH water reduces chlorine effectiveness immediately.
- Check the equipment. Pump primed, no leaks, filter pressure within 5 psi of clean baseline, heater (if present) shows no error codes.
- Service slip. Leave a printed slip OR email-document. Include: chemistry readings, chemicals added, anything flagged.
- Customer follow-up text (optional but high-impact). One-line acknowledgment with the chemistry numbers - keeps the customer informed without demanding their time.
Acceptance Criteria
- Pool visibly cleaner than at start (no surface debris, brushed waterline)
- Chemistry within target ranges for chlorine + pH + alkalinity
- Equipment area dry, baskets empty
- Service slip delivered to customer (paper or email)
- Photos taken for the customer file
The customer who can't tell you exactly what you did each week is the customer most likely to cancel when their neighbor's pool service quotes lower. Send the chemistry numbers via text every week - it costs nothing, reinforces the service value, and converts cancellations to "actually, I love that I always know my chemistry" testimonials.
References
- NSPF / PHTA Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Manual
- Taylor Technologies K-2006 instructions
- Manuall internal: Cloudy Pool Water - Diagnostic Tree, Pool Opening Service, Pool Algae Treatment