Can a Swimming Pool Service Itself?

Welcome to Week 1 of my new series:

Building the Self-Maintaining Pool.

I've been servicing swimming pools in Arizona for nearly 20 years, and during that time I've asked myself the same question hundreds of times:

Why does a swimming pool still require so much manual labor?

When I first got into the pool business, many of the pools I serviced were older pools in Scottsdale. Some had aging equipment, inefficient plumbing, and systems that hadn't changed much in decades. Over the years I worked my way north and eventually built my business in the Peoria and Vistancia areas, where many pools are newer and equipped with more advanced technology.

What surprised me was that regardless of whether a pool was built in the 1980s or last year, the weekly service routine remained remarkably similar.

The equipment became more efficient. Variable-speed pumps appeared. Automation systems improved. Salt systems became common.

Yet the pool still needed a human being to show up every week.

That got me thinking.

Could we design a backyard pool that truly takes care of itself?

Not just automate a few things.

Not just add a robot cleaner.

Could we build a pool that eliminates most or even all of the weekly maintenance tasks that pool owners and pool service companies deal with today?

That's the goal of this series.

Over the next year, I'll be exploring every aspect of pool maintenance and asking a simple question:

Can technology eliminate this task?

To understand the challenge, let's look at what a typical pool technician actually does during a weekly visit.

Most homeowners only see us for a few minutes. But behind the scenes, every stop involves a long list of tasks.

The work starts before we even arrive.

We organize the route, load chemicals, stock parts, inspect equipment, and make sure the truck has everything needed for the day.

Then we drive to the property.

Once we arrive, we unload equipment and begin the service process.

A typical visit may include:

• Opening the gate and accessing the backyard

• Inspecting the pool and equipment

• Emptying skimmer baskets

• Emptying pump baskets

• Emptying inline leaf canisters

• Removing leaves and debris with a leaf rake

• Brushing walls and steps

• Brushing tile lines

• Checking for algae growth

• Inspecting water level

• Testing chlorine levels

• Testing pH

• Testing alkalinity

• Testing stabilizer when needed

• Adding chlorine

• Adding acid

• Adding specialty chemicals

• Checking salt systems

• Checking automation systems

• Inspecting pumps and filters

• Looking for leaks or equipment failures

• Recording service notes

• Communicating with customers

And then we move on to the next pool and repeat the process.

After thousands of service visits, I've come to realize that most of these tasks fall into just a few categories:

1. Removing debris

2. Cleaning surfaces

3. Maintaining water chemistry

4. Monitoring equipment

5. Diagnosing problems

If technology can solve those five categories, then maybe a pool really can service itself.

Today, pieces of that future already exist.

Robotic cleaners can vacuum pools.

Solar-powered skimmers can collect floating debris.

Water sensors can monitor chemistry.

Automated systems can add chlorine and acid.

Artificial intelligence can monitor equipment performance.

But no one has yet combined all of these technologies into a complete residential system.

That's what I want to explore.

Over the next 52 weeks, I'll examine the technologies that already exist, the technologies that are still missing, and what I believe the ultimate self-maintaining pool might look like.

Will we ever completely eliminate pool service?

I don't know.

But after nearly 20 years in the industry, I think it's time we ask the question.

Join me next week as we break down exactly why pools require weekly service and which maintenance tasks are the easiest—and hardest—to automate.