A Seasonal Strategy Guide

As winter melts away and pool season approaches, pool service professionals across the country are gearing up for one of their busiest and most critical times of the year. For regions where swimming pools hibernate through harsh winters, the spring opening season can make or break a business's annual success. It's during these crucial few months that pool pros must execute flawlessly to set themselves—and their clients—up for a successful swimming season.

If you're a pool service professional in a seasonal market, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential strategies, techniques, and preparations needed to master your spring opening procedures and maximize your seasonal success.

The Foundation: Choosing the Right Pool Cover Makes All the Difference

Before you even arrive at a pool opening, the groundwork for success was laid the previous fall with the type of cover installed. Understanding the different cover options and their implications can dramatically impact your opening efficiency.

When I first started in the industry, there was two types of covers. There was a solid cover and there was a mesh cover. And the mesh cover was great because when you lowered the water level down, the rainwater over the winter would fill the pool back up. So normally when you got there in the spring to open up the pool, you have this nice full pool. You just take off the cover. However, the problem is that the water is black because the cover lets through the sunlight and it also lets through the water.

— Stephen, Talking Pools Podcast

The evolution of pool covers has created better options for both pool owners and service professionals. Traditional mesh covers allowed water penetration but also permitted sunlight, resulting in algae-filled, black water by spring. Solid covers blocked sunlight but required cover pumps to manage rainwater and snow accumulation, creating potential structural issues.

The game-changer? Super mesh or pro mesh covers. These advanced covers combine the best of both worlds—they allow water penetration while blocking sunlight due to their tightly woven construction. While they cost a few thousand dollars more than standard covers, they can save significant time and effort during spring openings by providing clear, full pools.

Strategic Workforce Planning: The Three-Person Opening Advantage

Efficient pool openings require strategic planning, especially regarding workforce deployment. Many pool companies default to two-person teams, but there's a compelling case for adding a third team member.

What we did at the beginning is we normally would go out with two guys. What I found out is by adding a third guy to the mix with a second truck, you can get so much more done in one day.

— Stephen, Talking Pools Podcast

The three-person, two-truck system offers several advantages:

• Faster cover removal and folding
• Ability to split up and handle multiple aspects simultaneously
• Reduced physical strain on individual team members
• Increased daily pool completion rates

The key to maximizing this approach lies in preparation and scheduling. Teams should pack everything needed for a full day—lunch, coffee, water, and all equipment—because they won't be returning to base for 12+ hours during peak opening season.

Master the Art of Cover Removal and Storage

Proper cover handling separates amateur operations from professional services. The technique used for removal and storage directly impacts both current efficiency and future installations.

The accordion folding method is essential for proper cover removal. Start by removing all anchors from one side, then systematically fold the cover onto itself while gradually pulling it back. This prevents damage to both the cover and the pool area.

A pro tip for cover orientation: attach a colored string (orange or yellow works well) to the deep end middle anchor. This simple marking system ensures anyone on your team can properly reinstall the cover without confusion, preventing costly mistakes.

So you can't tell which, which side is which or which side is sometimes is up and which side is down. So what we used to do is we would tie like an orange piece of string or like a yellow piece of string to the deep end middle anchor. So now anybody who came, like it wouldn't know if it was me or if it was one of my guys or anybody on my team, they would know that like, yo, this is the deep end.

— Stephen, Talking Pools Podcast

For cover storage, elevation is crucial. Store covers on shelves, in wheelbarrows, or on any surface that keeps them off the ground. This prevents rodents, snakes, and other creatures from making homes in the folded covers, which can cause damage and create unpleasant surprises during closing season.

Efficient Water Management and Cleaning Strategies

When you arrive at a pool opening, the water condition can vary dramatically. However, most pools will require significant cleaning, and your approach to this process can make or break your timeline.

The key principle: avoid vacuuming through the pool's filtration system whenever possible during initial cleaning. Black, debris-filled water will require multiple backwashes, consuming valuable time and potentially damaging equipment.

Instead, invest in an external pump system with a 110V plug. This allows you to vacuum debris directly to waste through the main drain line, bypassing the filtration system entirely. This approach requires pre-planning and pre-filling the pool, but it dramatically reduces cleaning time and equipment strain.

The cleaning sequence should follow this order:

• Remove all winterizing plugs and equipment
• Verify antifreeze effectiveness
• Pre-fill the pool if using external vacuum system
• Remove major debris
• Shock and balance the water
• Install ladders, anchors, and accessories

Essential Parts Inventory and Testing Equipment

Nothing derails an efficient opening schedule like missing a basic part. Successful seasonal operations maintain strategic inventory of commonly needed items.

I can't tell you how extremely important it is to when you're opening and closing pools to like hold stock of some of these parts, like inch and a half plugs. And, you know, all different things like that where, you know, the plugs for the pumps.

— Stephen, Talking Pools Podcast

Essential inventory should include:

• Various sized drain plugs (1.5", 0.25", etc.)
• Flow sensors for heaters
• High limit sensors
• Basic pump and filter components
• Common gaskets and O-rings

Equally important is ensuring your testing equipment is ready for the season. Fresh reagents, calibrated meters, and properly functioning test kits are non-negotiable. Old or expired testing materials can lead to inaccurate readings and potential water quality issues that reflect poorly on your service.

The Business Reality of Seasonal Success

For pool service companies in seasonal markets, the spring opening period represents a critical revenue opportunity. The compressed timeframe means efficiency and quality must be maximized simultaneously.

But let's be realistic here. Like, you know, the 100 days of summer that you have in the Northeast is, you know, the time of the year where if you own a pool company in that area, that's where you're going to make your money.

— Stephen, Talking Pools Podcast

This reality drives the importance of systematic approaches, proper preparation, and efficient execution. Every pool opening is an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and secure ongoing relationships, whether for weekly service contracts or future opening/closing arrangements.

The seasonal nature also means that reputation and word-of-mouth referrals carry extra weight. A botched opening can impact not just that client relationship, but potentially several others in a tight-knit community.

Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Seasonal Success

Mastering the pool opening process requires a combination of strategic planning, proper equipment, systematic execution, and attention to detail. From cover selection and removal techniques to workforce deployment and parts inventory management, each element contributes to overall operational success.

The key takeaways for pool professionals preparing for opening season are clear: invest in the right covers for clients, deploy sufficient workforce strategically, maintain proper parts inventory, ensure testing equipment is fresh and accurate, and always prioritize efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Remember, in seasonal markets, you're not just opening pools—you're setting the foundation for an entire swimming season's success. The extra effort invested in perfecting your opening procedures will pay dividends throughout the summer months and help ensure clients return year after year.

As the pool industry continues to evolve, these fundamental principles remain constant. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the seasonal pool service market, implementing these strategies will help you navigate the critical opening season with confidence and success.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Seasonal Opening Overview
• 05:30 Pool Cover Types and Selection Strategy
• 12:15 Workforce Planning and Team Configuration
• 18:45 Cover Removal and Storage Techniques
• 25:20 Water Management and Cleaning Procedures
• 32:10 Essential Parts Inventory and Testing Equipment
• 38:50 Business Considerations for Seasonal Markets