Questions and answers
Everything people ask us
Sullivan’s Pool Service charges a fixed monthly price for weekly residential pool service, set only by pool size: $275 for a small pool, $300 for medium and $325 for large, with routine balancing chemicals included. We cover Northwest Hills, South Austin, West Lake Hills and more in and around Austin, plus Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock. To get a quote, call or text us, or send the quote form with the property address and the pool’s dimensions, and we confirm the size tier before service starts.
About the company
What areas of Austin does Sullivan’s Pool Service cover?
In and around Austin: Northwest Hills, South Austin, West Lake Hills, Tarrytown, Great Hills, River Place, Crestview, East Austin, North Austin, West Campus, Hyde Park, Downtown Austin and St. Johns. Beyond Austin: Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock. Each has its own service-area page naming the neighborhoods inside it.
How much does pool service cost in Austin?
Weekly residential service is a fixed monthly price set by pool size: $275 a month for a small pool, $300 a month for a medium pool and $325 a month for a large pool. That is the final customer price. It covers the weekly visit, cleaning, water testing and balancing, the routine chemicals and a note after every visit, and it does not move with the season. A filter clean is a published $150 a cleaning. Repairs, equipment replacement and green pool recovery are quoted after we have seen the pool.
How is my pool’s size tier decided?
By the water surface area: small is under 400 square feet, medium 400 to 600, and large over 600. A pool within 30 square feet above a boundary is quoted at the lower tier, and we confirm the tier before service starts.
Do you service commercial pools and apartment complexes?
Yes. We service apartment, HOA, hotel, condominium and student-housing pools. Commercial service is quoted for the property, with responsibilities and the proposed schedule agreed in the scope.
What should I prepare when changing pool-service providers?
Keep copies of equipment manuals, recent work and current readings, and describe the access arrangement. Confirm included tasks and separately quoted work with the new provider. Check cancellation and notice terms in your current agreement; those terms should not be assumed from a general service page.
Is Sullivan’s Pool Service the same company as Sullivan’s Landscaping?
They are sister companies. Ask about the scope and scheduling of each service when you contact us.
Weekly pool cleaning and maintenance
How often does a pool need to be serviced in Austin?
Sullivan’s recurring service is weekly throughout the year. That is the visit schedule, not the water-testing schedule: CDC recommends checking chlorine and pH at least twice daily and more often during heavy use. Discuss additional care with us when the water, equipment or use changes.
Do I need to be home for pool service?
No. We need agreed gate access and pets secured away from the work area. Tell us about a locked gate, access code or key arrangement before the visit.
What happens if my pool turns green between visits?
Tell us right away, with any recent test results, and keep swimmers out until the water tests right. We find out why it turned, then quote the recovery for your approval before any work begins.
Pool equipment repair and replacement
What information helps with a pool pump repair quote?
Send the pump’s make and model, a photo of its label, the symptom or displayed error, and any available repair history. Note when the problem happens and whether anything recently changed. Do not open electrical equipment or a pressurized filter to collect this information.
Should I repair or replace my pool pump?
Compare the diagnosed repair with a compatible replacement, including parts availability, warranty terms and operating costs for your actual schedule. There is no age or price-percentage rule that settles every case. Pump selection needs the required flow and total dynamic head; horsepower or neighborhood elevation alone is not enough.
Why is my pool pump losing prime?
Pentair’s guidance lists suction leaks, low water and blockages among the causes. Check that the water is at the skimmer and the pump basket is clear, then call us to find the actual fault. Switch the pump off rather than run it dry, and never bypass its safety controls.
Pool water testing and chemical balancing
What causes calcium scale on pool tile in Austin?
Pool water builds up dissolved solids over time, mineral salts and treatment chemicals, as EPA’s pool guidance notes, and fill water can add more. Scale assessment also needs the actual water readings and surface condition. Austin Water publishes supply-quality reports, but soil beneath a property does not measure the water at its tap. Test the pool and its fill source rather than diagnosing from a ZIP code.
How should I manage cyanuric acid in my pool?
Read the chlorine product label and measure cyanuric acid when deciding treatment. CDC notes that chlorine disinfection takes longer when cyanuric acid is present and recommends at least 2 ppm free chlorine for pools using it. CDC recommends against cyanuric acid and stabilized chlorine in hot tubs. Do not treat a high reading as a DIY instruction to drain.
Why does my chlorine disappear so fast in summer?
CDC identifies sunlight and material introduced by swimmers among the things that reduce chlorine concentration. Test chlorine and pH routinely, following the test manufacturer’s directions, rather than assuming a cause from heat, smell or color. Contact us about repeated low readings so the water and equipment can be assessed together.
Pool filter cleaning
How do I know when my pool filter needs cleaning?
Compare the pressure with the recorded clean baseline at the same pump speed and follow your filter’s manual. Pentair’s Clean & Clear Plus guide calls for cleaning at approximately 10 psi above the original pressure or a significant flow reduction. That model-specific instruction is not a replacement for the manual on a different filter.
What is the difference between a cartridge, DE and sand filter?
The filtering material and service procedure differ. Cartridges use pleated elements; DE filters use a coating of diatomaceous earth; sand filters use a media bed. Cleaning and recharge procedures depend on the model. Identify the filter by its label, not the tank’s shape, and leave opening a pressurized system to qualified service.
Can a dirty filter make a pool cloudy?
It can. A clogged filter is one cause of cloudy water, alongside low chlorine and poor circulation, so we check the filter pressure and the water readings together to find which it is. Clear water alone does not prove it is safe to swim.
Spa and hot tub service
How often should a hot tub be drained?
Follow the tub manufacturer’s replacement schedule and assess water condition and use. A generic gallons-per-bather formula is not an instruction for every household tub. Persistent water problems need assessment; do not keep adding chemicals or drain shared pool equipment without the appropriate procedure.
What water checks does a hot tub need?
CDC recommends pH of 7.0–7.8 and at least 3 ppm chlorine for hot tubs, with routine testing at least twice daily and more during heavy use. If using bromine, CDC’s hot-tub guidance gives 4–8 ppm. Follow product and equipment instructions, and keep the water at or below 104°F.
Saltwater pool service
Does a saltwater pool still need chlorine and pH testing?
Yes. A salt chlorine generator produces chlorine from dissolved salt, so the pool still needs disinfectant and pH testing, water balancing and equipment maintenance. For residential pools CDC recommends free chlorine of at least 1 ppm, or at least 2 ppm when cyanuric acid is used, and pH of 7.0–7.8.
Does weekly service cost more for a saltwater pool?
No. Weekly residential service is priced by pool size alone, with routine balancing chemicals included, so a salt pool is on the same tier as any pool its size. Salt cell repairs and new equipment are priced separately and quoted before work starts.
What should I send about a salt system before a repair quote?
Send the salt system’s make and model and what it is doing, including any displayed error. Do not open electrical equipment yourself.
Green pool recovery
How long does it take to clear a green pool?
The estimate depends on the tested water, equipment condition and work required. We do not use a fixed number of days or a change in color as a safety promise. Treatment progress and the conditions for returning to swimming need to be assessed separately.
Is it safe to swim in a green pool?
No. Keep everyone out until the water tests right, not just until it looks clear. CDC says to “make sure you can see the drain at the bottom of the deep end” and warns that “cloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal.” For home pools CDC recommends free chlorine of at least 1 ppm, or 2 ppm with cyanuric acid, and pH of 7.0–7.8.
Is it cheaper to drain a green pool or treat it?
Sullivan’s Pool Service compares treatment with water replacement for the actual pool. PHTA puts the ideal cyanuric acid range at 30–50 ppm, says it should not exceed 100 ppm, and lists partially draining and refilling to reduce it. In Austin, pool water may go to a storm drain only if it has no algae, no chlorine or other pool chemicals and a pH of 6.0 to 10.5, so green water cannot.
Can I drain or refill my pool during Austin water restrictions?
Check before you drain. Austin Water’s Drought Contingency Plan lists “no adding of water to swimming pool, pond, fountain or spa” under Emergency Stage 5, and the stage in force changes, so check Austin Water’s current drought response first. Sullivan’s Pool Service assesses treatment and water-replacement options before any draining work, so a pool is not emptied that cannot be refilled.
Why is my pool still cloudy after shocking?
Cloudy water after a shock can come from filtration or circulation that is not keeping up, pH outside its range, or dead algae still suspended in the water. Run the filter, check its pressure, and retest chlorine and pH against CDC’s ranges for home pools. Sullivan’s Pool Service in Austin tests the water and the equipment together to find which it is.
Why did my pool turn green overnight?
Green water means the disinfectant fell too low to hold back algae. Testing chlorine and pH and checking that the pump and filter ran shows why it fell. Keep swimmers out until the water tests right, and call us to assess it and quote the recovery.
Pool equipment upgrades and automation
Do variable-speed pool pumps save money?
They can help cut energy costs, ENERGY STAR says, and their slower filtration rates put less strain on filters and plumbing. An individual savings estimate needs the old and proposed power use, operating hours and electricity tariff. The selected pump must meet the system’s flow and head requirements; lower speed is not suitable for every operating mode.
Is a salt pool different from a chlorine pool?
A salt chlorine generator produces chlorine from dissolved salt. The pool still needs disinfectant and pH testing, water balancing and equipment maintenance. Sullivan’s sizes and installs salt chlorine generators for the installed pool.
Questions about specific neighborhoods
Do you service pools in Northwest Hills, Austin?
Yes — Northwest Hills is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 1,727 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78731: 1,080 residential and 647 commercial, and 438 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in South Austin?
Yes — South Austin is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 1,690 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78704: 1,421 residential and 269 commercial, and 841 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in West Lake Hills?
Yes — West Lake Hills is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 1,480 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78746 (the City of Austin parts of the ZIP only): 982 residential and 498 commercial, and 275 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in Tarrytown, Austin?
Yes — Tarrytown is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 1,414 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78703: 1,098 residential and 316 commercial, and 488 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in Great Hills, Austin?
Yes — Great Hills is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 1,148 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78759: 476 residential and 672 commercial, and 170 with a permit dated 2020 or later. Commercial pools here are quoted per property.
Do you service pools in River Place, Austin?
Yes — River Place is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 965 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78730: 582 residential and 383 commercial, and 169 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in Crestview, Austin?
Yes — Crestview is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 817 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78757: 684 residential and 133 commercial, and 506 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in East Austin?
Yes — East Austin is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 475 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78702: 403 residential and 72 commercial, and 330 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in North Austin?
Yes — North Austin is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 339 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78758: 99 residential and 240 commercial, and 53 with a permit dated 2020 or later. Commercial pools here are quoted per property.
Do you service pools in West Campus, Austin?
Yes — West Campus is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 187 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78705: 61 residential and 126 commercial, and 51 with a permit dated 2020 or later. Commercial pools here are quoted per property.
Do you service pools in Hyde Park, Austin?
Yes — Hyde Park is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 170 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78751: 130 residential and 40 commercial, and 95 with a permit dated 2020 or later.
Do you service pools in Downtown Austin?
Yes — Downtown Austin is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 145 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78701: 11 residential and 134 commercial, and 27 with a permit dated 2020 or later. Commercial pools here are quoted per property.
Do you service pools in St. Johns, Austin?
Yes — St. Johns is one of the areas we cover. City of Austin permit records show 98 properties with a pool permit in ZIP 78752: 38 residential and 60 commercial, and 32 with a permit dated 2020 or later. Commercial pools here are quoted per property.
Questions about the metro cities
Do you service pools in Bee Cave, TX?
Yes. Bee Cave, in Travis County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Do you service pools in Cedar Park, TX?
Yes. Cedar Park, in Williamson County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Bee Cave, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Do you service pools in Georgetown, TX?
Yes. Georgetown, in Williamson County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Do you service pools in Leander, TX?
Yes. Leander, in Williamson County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville and Round Rock, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Do you service pools in Pflugerville, TX?
Yes. Pflugerville, in Travis County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander and Round Rock, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Do you service pools in Round Rock, TX?
Yes. Round Rock, in Williamson County, is one of the metro cities we cover outside Austin, alongside Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander and Pflugerville, with the same weekly service, the same fixed monthly price by pool size and a written note after every visit.
Still not answered?
Call and ask. We would rather spend five minutes on the phone than have you guess.