The Swimming Pool Store offers a thorough and professional pool opening service for pool owners in Connecticut.  We have more than 50 years of experience in opening swimming pools after a harsh New England winter and provide comprehensive services, including removing and putting away all winter equipment and assembling and installing your pool equipment for the summer.

Opening Your Pool – What’s included:

• Remove and neatly fold winter cover.
• Drain any water bags and deflate any air pillows.
• Remove winterizing plugs.
• Install accessible operational fittings.
• Start pump and filter in “as is” condition.
• Assemble and install pool ladders, rails, and other accessible necessary equipment.
• Set any timers, controllers, or clocks.
• Test-fire the heater or heat pump and check safety circuits.
• Add standard dosage of 12.5% liquid sodium hypochlorite shock and algaecide for up to 30,000 gallons.
• Pools with a capacity of over 30,000 gallons will incur additional chemical fees.
• Make notes on the invoice of any observable issues with the pool, water quality, and/or pool equipment.
• *Please be aware that additional maintenance services may be required for your pool depending on its equipment, plumbing, electrical, and surface/structure. We will note any observable issues with equipment, structure, and water quality and report them on the invoice. We may be unable to determine the efficacy of your equipment once the standard chemical dosage has been added. It is your responsibility to request additional services if needed. We recommend scheduling your opening two weeks in advance of your desired swim date and advise calling early in the year to secure your desired opening date, as our May and June schedule fills up quickly.

Please Note the Following:

Please be aware that additional maintenance services may be required for your pool depending on its equipment, plumbing, electrical, and surface/structure. We will note any observable issues with equipment, structure, and water quality and report them on the invoice. We may be unable to determine the efficacy of your equipment once the standard chemical dosage has been added. It is your responsibility to request additional services if needed. We recommend scheduling your opening two weeks in advance of your desired swim date and advise calling early in the year to secure your desired opening date, as our May and June schedule fills up quickly.

Additional water features, such as separate pumps, waterfalls, etc., may generate an additional charge of up to $50 per feature. These opening prices include all services stated above. Please advise which pool-opening category to use when scheduling your service. Customers may cancel their appointment at any time prior to our arrival. A service charge of $195 will be invoiced to the customer if the opening is canceled after our arrival on the scheduled service date.

Please review the customer responsibilities below to prepare for a smooth pool opening service, including removing debris and water from your cover and raising your water level. We leave your pool area clean and tidy and are always available if you have any questions.

Customer’s Responsibilities Before Your Pool Opening Service:

• Customers must raise the water level to halfway up the skimmer or to the proper operating level prior to our arrival. If the water is not at the proper level, we may be unable to start up and assess the equipment. If a revisit is needed to assess the equipment, an hourly service charge will be added.
• Customers must ensure that all water and debris on the pool’s cover is removed prior to our arrival. The Swimming Pool Store is not responsible for any water or debris that enters the pool during the opening, or for any water quality issues that arise from this occurrence. If The Swimming Pool Store is required to remove any water or debris from the pool cover, an additional charge of $195/hr may apply.
• Customers shall ensure that a reliable and accessible source of electric power is available prior to our arrival. If there is no reliable, visible power source, the opening may be rescheduled.
• If a customer has a specific place they would like their cover, plugs, and water bags, or any other pool equipment to be stored, they must inform The Swimming Pool Store prior to our arrival.
• Any return trip needed due to failure of customers to meet these responsibilities may generate a service charge of $195/hr.
• Customer understands that the opening does not include chemical balancing or vacuuming of the pool.
• If any part or piece of equipment that is essential for running the pool (o-rings, gaskets, plugs, pumps, filters, etc.) is not easily accessible upon our arrival, we may not be able to get the pool running, and any return visit may incur a $195/hr service charge.
• Customer understands that a pool opening does not include the restoration or repair of issues with the pool’s or property’s existing construction, landscaping, plumbing lines, or equipment.
• The Swimming Pool Store will inform the customer if their cover is in a damaged condition, but is not responsible for any damage resulting from covers in need of repair or replacement.
• Appointments may be delayed due to weather conditions or service technician availability.

Billing:

• Customers will receive an invoice for the services usually within 24 hours of completion.
• The customer must submit payment in full upon receiving the invoice.
• After 30 days and for each successive 30-day period, late fees of 1.5% per month will be added to the invoice total.
• Failure to pay the invoice in full within six months will result in submission of invoice to a collections agency or legal action.