Commercial Pool Equipment: Basics to Get Started

Published on December 30, 2021

When you’re first getting started, finding the basic commercial pool equipment you need can be a challenge. After all, there's endless vast amounts of equipment options.

Whether you’re just getting started, or you’re looking to find new commercial pool equipment recommendations, this article will help.

Although, depending on the services you’ll offer (e.g. cleaning, repair, installation, etc.), the equipment you’ll need will vary.

And so, for the purposes of simplicity in this article, we’ll focus specifically on pool cleaning equipment.

In this article, you’ll discover all of the basic commercial pool equipment you need to get started. Plus, we’ll unpack some of the top products recommended by industry professionals.

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1. Essential Pool Cleaning Supplies

While the various essential pool cleaning supplies will vary from business-to-business, there are a few standard essentials every pool cleaning business should have.

Poles, Hoses, and Vacuum Heads

No matter if you’re a residential or commercial pool cleaning business, poles, hoses, and vacuum heads are a must for cleaning pool bottoms.

Take a look at a few of the top products:

Commercial Pool Poles

Attach vacuum heads to commercial pool poles to fully clean and reach the bottom of the pool.

Hoses

Commonly used for various machines and tools, commercial pool hoses are an essential piece of commercial pool equipment for any pool cleaning business.

Vacuum Heads

Between the persistent dirt, algae, and debris that inevitably inhabits pool bottoms, vacuum heads are your number one tool for scraping and cleaning.

Skimmers, Rakes, and Brushes

Skimmers, rakes, and brushes are essential pieces of pool cleaning equipment for clearing out various dirt and debris.

Here’s a look inside some of the top commercial pool equipment products on the market:

Skimmers and Rakes

When clearing leaves, debris, and various other objects out of the pool, skimmers and rakes are useful attachments to add to your telescopic pole.

Brushes

If you’ve ever wondered how some pool cleaning businesses get pool sparkling clean and clear, the answer likely lies within quality brushes.

Although, since different brushes have specific purposes for various tasks, you’ll need a variety of quality brushes to clean around the pool and deck.

2. Water Test Kits

In general, there are three types of water test kits: liquid testing, strip tests, and digital pool testing.

Liquid testing takes a small water sample from the pool and tests using a dropper bottle. Typically, liquid testers are quick and easy. Plus, it’s considered fairly accurate.

Strip tests are simple, yet sometimes imprecise. Plus, it can be tainted, doesn’t work past the expiration date, and moisture can contaminate it.

Similar to a liquid testing kit, a digital testing kit uses reagents. Although, unlike a liquid testing kit, a digital testing kit does all of the legwork for you with an automatic reading.

However, liquid testing kits are more expensive, require periodic recalibrating, and deliver the most accurate and price results.

Take a look at some of the most recommended water test kits available:

3. Pool Cleaning Chemicals

Based on your client’s needs and the service being rendered, the chemicals you need will widely vary.

Depending on your budget, the service, and client preferences, the right chemical brands and types you need may be different from other businesses.

Here’s a brief list of basic chemicals almost any pool cleaning business needs:

  • Shock
  • Algaecide
  • Balancers
  • Water testers
  • Stain remover
  • Clarifiers enzymes
  • Chlorine alternatives
  • Chlorine and bromine

4. Company Uniforms

Providing company uniforms to your team provides several benefits to both your business and team:

  • Trust
  • Safety
  • Marketing
  • Recognition
  • Professionalism

On a surface level, the right uniforms build a certain level of trust, brand recognition, and professionalism with your clients.

Plus, uniforms also serve as another form of marketing your business. Which means, your client’s neighbors will know which pool cleaning company is providing such excellent services!

However, on a deeper level, uniforms serve as a form of safety for your team. In turn, this mitigates liability for the business as well.

For example, waterproof and slip-resistant shoes are the safest and driest option for pool cleaning.

Take a look at a few basic items to consider including in your company uniform:

  • Company shirt (e.g. t-shirt, polo, button-downs etc.)
  • Uniform pants for all techs (e.g. shorts, khakis, etc.)
  • Eye protection (e.g. company baseball cap, sun visors, etc.)
  • Safety shoes (e.g. waterproof work boots - for men and women)

Keep in mind, you don’t have to overextend your budget to provide safe, professional uniforms for your team.

When you’re first getting started, simple company t-shirts and baseball caps with your logo on it will suffice.

Then, you can incorporate additional items into your company uniform later on when the budget allows.

5. Pool Service Truck

At first, buying a pool service truck might seem like an unnecessary big upfront expense.

However, a pool service truck with a wrap on it will go a long way in marketing your business into a recognizable brand.

In fact, leads are three times more likely to choose a pool cleaning business they recognize.

Which means, a branded pool service truck automatically helps you win clients in the neighborhoods you already service.

Here are a few simple items to include in an effective truck wrap that’ll help you win clients:

  • Logo
  • Website
  • Phone number
  • Company name
  • CTA (i.e. Call-to-Action)
    • E.g. Call Now, Try Us Risk-Free, Get a Free Estimate, Get Started for FREE, Let’s Sparkle Your Pool, Join Your Friends and Neighbors, etc.

Plus, designated pool service trucks provide the best protection for the commercial pool equipment and chemicals you’ve invested in.

The Best Pool Service Trucks

Here’s a look inside some of top recommended and widely purchased trucks from field service business owners:

Depending on your budget and pool business needs, any one of these trucks might be an ideal fit for your business.

Weigh your budget and business needs to decide whether a new or used truck is best for your business.

However, if you decide to purchase a used truck, be sure it wasn’t previously used for another business.

Since work trucks are heavily used and abused, it’s important you choose a more reliable work truck that’s only been gently used.

As always, whether you purchase new or used trucks, check to see if there are extended warranty plans to add further protection.

Also, don’t forget to set up your business auto insurance! Keep in mind, many personal auto insurance policies won’t cover vehicles used for business purposes.

6. Computer, Smartphone, and/or Tablet

Though, you might not automatically consider electronic devices as a part of essential commercial pool equipment, it is a necessity in running successful day-to-day operations.

In order for your team to stay connected, view the most recent route updates, and easily manage client accounts and notes, a computer, smartphone, and/or tablet is essential.

Also, remember, your team especially needs electronic devices to fully take advantage of your pool service software.

For most businesses, a smartphone with their pool service app serves as an efficient way to keep the team connected with:

  • Team tracking
  • Instant estimates
  • Viewable client notes
  • Asset and chemical tracking
  • Remote client account access

Plus, you might even be able to get a discount when buying your team’s smartphones in bulk.

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Remind them of maintenance tips (i.e. putting a cover on the outdoor faucet before the winter)​
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7. The #1 Pool Service Software

You might not consider software to be an essential piece of commercial pool equipment.

However, the best pool service software has the power to take your business success to newfound heights.

With the #1 pool service software, the potential is endless:

  • Bulk invoicing
  • Custom forms
  • Asset and chemical tracking
  • Remote client account access
  • Automatically optimized routes
  • Same-day automated payments
  • Instant estimates from anywhere

With Service Autopilot, there’s no limit to the opportunities and success you can achieve.

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Manage your clients and employees all in one system

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Choose the Right Commercial Pool Equipment for Your Business

With an endless array of pool equipment at your disposal, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

However, using this article you know everything you need to get started in pool cleaning:

  • Commercial pool equipment basics
  • The top products recommended by professionals
  • Next level commercial pool equipment sure to spark business growth

Finally, you now have everything you need to choose the right commercial pool equipment for your business today!


Related: How to Start a Pool Cleaning Business


Originally published Dec 30, 2021

Alyssa Sanders

Alyssa is the Team Lead of Creative Marketing at Xplor Field Services. Alyssa is an expert in field service industry trends, roadblocks, and solutions. When she’s not writing or creating engaging content, you can find her watching a new sci-fi series or shoving her nose into a good book.
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