Pool Opening & Closing Services

Seasonal Pool Care in Southern California

Even in Southern California's mild climate, many pool owners choose to close their pools during the cooler months when swimming isn't appealing. Proper closing protects your equipment, prevents algae growth, and saves you money on chemicals and energy during the off-season. When warm weather returns, professional opening service gets your pool swim-ready quickly and safely.

While some Alhambra homeowners keep their pools open year-round with reduced service, others prefer to shut down completely from November through March. This makes sense if you never swim in winter or if you want to minimize maintenance costs. However, closing a pool incorrectly can lead to equipment damage, algae blooms, and expensive repairs when you try to reopen.

We've been providing seasonal pool services in Alhambra since 2024, and we understand the specific needs of Southern California pools. Our opening and closing procedures protect your investment and ensure your pool is ready whenever you want to use it. We handle all the technical details so you don't have to worry about whether you're doing it right.

Pool Closing Service

Closing your pool properly prevents problems during the months when it sits unused. Here's what we do when we close your pool for the season:

• Deep Cleaning: We thoroughly clean your pool including vacuuming, brushing walls, emptying baskets, and removing all debris. Starting with a clean pool prevents organic material from decomposing and creating problems during closure.
• Water Chemistry Balancing: We test and adjust pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness to ideal levels. We then shock the pool with high doses of chlorine to kill any bacteria or algae present.
• Algaecide Treatment: We add winterizing algaecide that prevents algae growth during the months your pool sits idle. This is essential even in California's mild winters.
• Equipment Shutdown: We properly shut down and drain your pump, filter, heater, and other equipment to prevent freeze damage and corrosion during the off-season.
• Plumbing Protection: We blow out plumbing lines and add pool antifreeze where necessary to prevent any residual water from causing damage. Even though hard freezes are rare in Alhambra, this protects against unexpected cold snaps.
• Cover Installation: If you have a pool cover, we'll install it properly to keep debris out and prevent sunlight from reaching the water. A good cover makes spring opening much easier.
• Accessory Removal: We remove ladders, diving boards, skimmer baskets, and other accessories that could be damaged over winter. We store them safely for reinstallation when you reopen.

Proper closing takes 2 to 4 hours depending on your pool size and equipment complexity. After we're done, your pool will be protected and ready to sit unused until spring. If you decide later that you want to reopen earlier than planned, just call us. We can also combine closing service with equipment repairs if you want to fix any issues before the season ends.

Pool Opening Service

When swimming season approaches, we'll reopen your pool and get it swim-ready. Here's what our opening service includes:

We start by removing and cleaning your pool cover if you have one. Covers accumulate dirt, leaves, and standing water over winter that needs to be cleared away carefully so it doesn't fall into your pool. We'll clean, dry, and store your cover properly for next season.

Next, we reinstall all equipment and accessories that were removed during closing. This includes reconnecting your pump, filter, heater, ladders, and other components. We check all o-rings, gaskets, and seals to make sure everything is in good condition before we restart the system.

We thoroughly clean the pool, removing any debris or algae that accumulated over winter despite the cover and chemicals. We vacuum the entire pool, brush all surfaces, and empty all baskets. Even properly closed pools often have some cleanup needed after months of sitting idle.

We test and balance your water chemistry, adding necessary chemicals to bring everything back to safe swimming levels. We shock the pool, adjust pH and alkalinity, and ensure chlorine levels are appropriate. We also run the filtration system to circulate chemicals and clear any cloudiness. Depending on your pool's condition, it may be swim-ready immediately or may need a day or two for water clarity to fully return. If your pool needs more intensive work like algae treatment or filter cleaning, we'll let you know and handle those services as well.

Alternative: Year-Round Service

Not sure if closing your pool is the right choice? Many Alhambra homeowners opt to keep their pools open year-round with reduced winter service. This means less frequent visits and lower chemical usage during cooler months, but your pool remains functional if you want an occasional swim on a warm winter day.

Year-round service prevents the hassle and expense of closing and reopening. It also means your equipment keeps running, which is often better for longevity than repeated shutdown and startup cycles. Your pool is always ready when you want to use it, whether that's for a January pool party or just to enjoy looking at clean, clear water in your backyard.

We offer flexible winter service schedules. Instead of weekly visits, we might come every other week or even monthly depending on your needs and weather conditions. You get the benefits of professional care without paying for full summer-level service when you're not using the pool much. Many customers start with seasonal closing their first year, then switch to year-round service once they realize how convenient it is. Check out our weekly pool cleaning service to learn more about year-round options.

When to Schedule Opening and Closing

In the Alhambra area, most pool owners who close seasonally do so in late October or November when water temperature drops below comfortable swimming levels. This is ideal timing because it prevents wasting money on chemicals and service during months when the pool sits unused.

Spring opening typically happens in March or April when weather warms up and you're ready to start swimming again. It's best to schedule opening service 2 to 3 weeks before you actually want to swim. This gives us time to address any issues that developed over winter and ensures your pool is in perfect condition when you're ready to use it.

Call us early to schedule your opening or closing. Spring is our busiest season, and appointment availability can fill up quickly. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get your preferred service date.

Frequently Asked Questions