2026 Pool and Spa Opening Services

Pool and Spa Opening Guide – What You Need to Know

Click here to view the full list of our Pool Opening Services – Pricing is subject to change without notice

“Summerizing” In-Ground Pools and Spas

“Summerization” includes the following steps performed by our technicians:

✅ Remove all winterizing plugs to restore proper water flow and circulation.

✅ Re-assemble and inspect the filtration system, ensuring every component is correctly installed and functioning.

✅ Install diving boards and handrails, verifying that equipment is secure and ready for use.

✅ Thoroughly check and start all pool equipment and related systems, including pumps, filters, heaters, and automation controls – to confirm reliable operation.

✅ Reinstall any additional equipment or accessories that were removed during winterization, so your pool is fully equipped for the season.

Safety Cover Removal (Optional)

If selected, our “Safety Cover Removal” service includes the following steps:

✅ Carefully detaching and removing the cover to help avoid damage to anchors, straps, or surrounding surfaces.

✅ Lowering all anchors to help prevent tripping hazards and preserve hardware integrity.

✅ Folding the safety cover(s) and placing it into a clearly visible and accessible storage bag.

✅ Winterizing plugs, hardware, and related items will be collected, organized, and placed into a container for easy access next season.

✅ Safety Fence Installation. If you use a removable safety fence (e.g., baby-lock style), we offer reinstallation during your pool opening.

“Safety Cover Removal” is available only when paired with “Summerizing In-Ground Pools and Spas” and is not offered as a standalone option.

Advanced Water Features

Specialized Water Feature Activation & System Start-Up

We recognize that today’s pools and spas often include advanced features that require expert attention during seasonal openings. As part of our opening services, we offer comprehensive set-up and performance testing for a wide range of systems.

From in-floor cleaning systems and automatic water fills to salt chlorinators, solar heating, booster pumps, and decorative water elements like bubblers, fountains, and deck jets, each component is carefully reassembled, reconnected, and tested to ensure proper operation. Our technicians verify water flow, ignition, suction, and calibration as needed, following manufacturer specifications and industry best practices.

Start-Up Chemical Kits (Optional)

A Smart Addition to Your Opening

To ensure a clean, balanced, and trouble-free start to your pool season, we offer Start-Up Chemical Kits as an optional, but highly recommended, addition to your opening service. These kits are specifically formulated to support proper water chemistry during the critical first days of filtration and circulation, helping to prevent early-season issues like algae growth, staining, or cloudy water.

Afterward, it is important to test and balance your water regularly and run your filtration system continuously for 24 to 48 hours after opening (until the water clears), perform routine skimming, brushing and backwash (i.e., between visits) or, as needed, based on pressure readings and flow.

Water Testing and Start-Up Chemicals. Regular water testing and chemical balancing are essential to maintaining a safe, swim-ready pool. Lilly Pools offers free water testing and personalized recommendations at our retail store to support proper pool and spa water care throughout the season.

Vacuum Service (Optional)

Remove Dirt and Debris

If selected, our Pool Opening – Vacuum Service provides manual removal of dirt, leaves, and debris from the pool floor, helping accelerate water clarity and reduce strain on your equipment.

This service is recommended when visible debris is present. Chemical balancing, adding salt, and auxiliary treatments are not included in this service. Pools and spas will be opened without vacuuming unless this option is selected.

Return VAC Treatment Service Options After Pool and Spa Opening

A standard Pool Opening activates your system and removes winterizing components, but it does not guarantee immediate swim-ready conditions. To achieve safe, balanced, and visually clear water, a “Return VAC Treatment Service” may be necessary in the days following your opening. These visits help address lingering debris, chemical imbalance, or circulation issues that may prevent safe swimming.

What the “Return VAC Treatment Service” includes
Our technicians brush all pool surfaces, including walls, steps and tile lines, vacuum debris from the pool floor, inspect circulation and filtration components (backwash if needed), test water chemistry, and make necessary chemical adjustments to meet safe swimming standards.

Recommended Frequency
One Return VAC Treatment Service visit is often sufficient; however, additional Return VAC visits may be required in the days following the pool opening, especially when significant debris, staining, or chemistry issues persist.

Pricing and Billing
Each Return VAC Treatment Service is billed at $120, plus the cost of any chemicals added or delivered. Chemical charges are itemized on the customer service sheet and billed separately.

Customer Responsibilities on Opening Day

Here’s what to expect on Opening Day and how you can prepare to ensure your pool is clean, safe and ready to enjoy.

• Pool and Spa Water Level – Please ensure the water is filled at least halfway up the tile line and/or into the skimmer.
• Stored Equipment Ready – Place baskets, ladders, handrails, and other accessories in plain sight near the pool deck.
• Electrical Power Restored – Turn on breakers and ensure power is available to all pool equipment.
• Access to Electrical Panels – Our technicians may need to power equipment on or off during setup.
• Automation Controls Accessible – If your pool uses automated systems, we may need access to adjust settings.
• Water Supply On – Outdoor spigots must be turned on to prime systems and test water flow.
• Safety Cover Cleared – If cover removal is selected, please ensure the cover is free of standing water and debris.
• Cover and Storage Bags Available – Have safety cover and storage bags accessible if we are removing a safety cover.
• Unlocked Gates and Entryways – Ensure we can reach the pool area without delay.
• Pets Secured Indoors – For safety and efficiency, keep pets away from the pool area during service.
• Start-Up Chemicals – Lilly Pools will not add customer-supplied Start-Up Chemicals to your pool or spa. For safety and industry compliance, it is the customer’s sole responsibility to add customer-supplied start-up chemical kits after the technician has completed the Opening.
• Special Instructions Communicated – Let us know in advance about any unique features, known issues, or preferences via this link to our Contact Us page on our website or call us at 610-273-2449, option 2, customer service.
• To maintain ideal swimming conditions, customers should run their filtration system at least 24 hours per day after opening (until the water clears), perform routine skimming and brushing and backwash between visits, as needed, based on pressure readings and flow. Regular testing and basic maintenance between our visits help ensure faster, more effective results.

2026 Summer Maintenance Program

Weekly or Bi-Weekly Service

Protect Your Investment – Professional Care for a Perfect Pool Season

Lilly Pools understands the need for routine pool maintenance services, which is why we offer both Weekly and Bi-Weekly Services for Inground Pools or Pool/Spa Combos. Routine maintenance helps prevent issues before they become major problems, ensuring your pool stays clean, safe, and operates at its best – week to week or every other week – all season long.

This program provides scheduled weekday visits on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (every two weeks) throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall pool season. Each visit costs $120, plus the cost of any Balancing and Auxiliary Chemicals delivered or added.

During each service, our technicians perform routine cleaning and system checks. Each service typically includes skimming debris from the surface, vacuuming the pool floor, brushing walls, steps, and tile lines, testing and adjusting water chemistry for proper balance, backwashing filters as needed based on pressure readings and flow, and inspecting pumps, filters, heaters, and other equipment to confirm proper operation.

This service is recommended shortly after your Pool Opening and Return Services. To get started, complete and submit the Summer Maintenance Request Form below, or email [email protected], or call 610-273-2449 (Option 2). Summer Maintenance Request Form: https://lillypools.com/summer-maintenance-program/