Pool opening & closing checklists that scale

Season transitions are the two most-dangerous weeks of a pool service year. In April, one bad opening can turn a happy 5-year customer into an angry review. In October, one skipped step can freeze-crack a line and kick off a 6-month warranty dispute.

Here's the tech-facing checklist that keeps 40+ accounts/week moving during transitions.

SPRING OPENING (April/May)

Before you arrive

• Confirm the customer has already removed the cover (if applicable)
• Confirm any freeze damage they've noticed

On-site — 60 to 90 minutes per pool

1. Remove cover, clean + fold + store
2. Reinstall skimmer basket, return jets, ladder, handrails
3. Reconnect chlorinator + salt cell
4. Prime pump, verify no leaks at fittings after 5 minutes running
5. Verify filter pressure gauge working, backwash if needed
6. Test water: pH, TA, CYA, calcium hardness, chlorine
7. Add shock (10 ppm free chlorine target)
8. Add stabilizer if CYA under 30 ppm
9. Balance pH to 7.4-7.6 with muriatic acid or soda ash
10. Photo: pump running, water clear, all equipment reinstalled
11. Note any equipment concerns for follow-up quote (motor bearings noisy, DE filter grid degraded, heater not firing, etc.)

Back at the truck

• Mark job complete in Service Pro Suite
• Auto-invoice fires with itemized chemicals
• Any equipment concerns get logged as separate Estimates for follow-up

FALL CLOSING (October/November)

Before you arrive

• Confirm the customer has already lowered water 6-8 inches below the skimmer (or plan to do it on-site)

On-site — 90 to 120 minutes per pool

1. Lower water 6" below skimmer + 2" below returns
2. Backwash filter completely, DE filter: rinse grids, sand: drain
3. Blow out all lines with a shop vac or pool blower (this is the one step nobody can skip — this is what prevents freeze cracks)
4. Add pool antifreeze to skimmer + return lines to catch residual
5. Plug returns + skimmer with expansion plugs
6. Winterize the salt cell (remove + store indoors)
7. Winterize heater per manufacturer procedure (drain, blow out)
8. Add closing chemicals: pH neutral, shock to 5-10 ppm, algaecide, metal sequestrant if needed
9. Install cover, secure
10. Photo: cover on, all equipment stored + labeled
11. Log: which plugs installed where (skimmer count, return count), heater state, salt cell serial + where stored

Back at the truck

• Cover job Complete → auto-invoice
• Set the property's next spring opening date on the recurring schedule
• Store closing photos on the property record — freeze-damage disputes in January get resolved by pulling the closing photos.

Why this matters

• Skipped blow-out: cracked line = $600-2,400 repair, disputed
• Missed heater winterize: cracked heat exchanger = $1,800-3,500
• No closing photo: no defense against dispute

In Service Pro Suite

Set opening + closing as service presets with sub-tasks the tech checks off in the mobile app. No sub-task = no job completion allowed. Force the checklist to be followed. Techs will grumble the first week. By week three they'll thank you for having their back on the season transitions.