Go ahead, take a refreshing dip. Better yet, offer your guests the chance to cool off. The water is crystal-clear, free of insects and lawn debris. This scenario brings satisfaction to the average pool owner. However, when it comes to proper pool maintenance, a quick vacuum and the addition of a few chemicals just won’t cut it. Phil and Regina Gomez, owners of The Pool Keepers, know better—and they’re here to help.

The Pool Keepers service vacation homes, rental properties, and private residences anywhere from Rosemary Beach to Destin. Quality is the business’ primary focus, and if exceptional service requires a little extra time and effort, then so be it. Phil and Regina go above and beyond general cleaning; they polish handrails, scrub tile, remove trash, and arrange patio furniture.

“We are the ‘eyes and ears’ of our clients’ pool areas,” says Phil. “If something is in need of repair, we’re on the phone with someone who can fix the problem.” Courteous gestures, such as notifying a client of a faulty pump or a broken umbrella, have earned The Pool Keepers 100-percent customer satisfaction.

Here’s the real kicker: the pool cleaning process involves actual science. “pH balance is essential,” explains Phil. A sparkling pool doesn’t necessarily indicate an optimal water environment. Calcium also plays a critical role in preserving your pool. A lack of calcium will lead to erosion of the plaster, and eventually the concrete. “It’s easy to spot a pool with a calcium deficiency,” Phil quips. “You’ll recognize it from the rough, pock-marked concrete walls.”

The Pool Keepers are certified by the National Swimming Pool Foundation, which means they are licensed to clean commercial as well as residential pools. “State and local health regulations require NSPF certification,” Phil emphasizes. “Many folks don’t realize that a rental property’s communal pool, however small, is considered a commercial pool.” Phil and Regina are also CPOs—that’s Certified Pool and Spa Operators.

Pool maintenance represents a big leap from their previous occupational duties. Phil, a retired accountant, used to travel cross-country for his job. “I’d provide instructional lessons and motivational speeches for fellow accountants,” he explains. “I became somewhat of an expert in QuickBooks; in fact I still get questions from colleagues, family members, friends, and neighbors.” Phil met Regina during a recertification course for his pilot’s license; she was a flight instructor at the time.

In the winter of 2001, the couple found themselves amongst the snowbirds of the Emerald Coast. “We were living in New Hampshire and we wanted to escape the harsh weather,” says Regina. They later began construction on an investment property in south Walton County. It wasn’t long before they felt the urge to relocate. “We met a lot of people during our visits from the Northeast, and through our conversations we quickly realized the demand for an all-inclusive pool service.” Phil and Regina’s strong work ethic allowed them to have the business up and running by April of 2007.

“Two years ago, I would have never thought I’d be doing this,” Phil says with a chuckle. Regina notes, “Dealing with rental properties and a transient client base is always an adventure.” In this line of work, there are bound to be surprises. “We’ve encountered snakes under skimmer covers,” she says, “and unusual items that tenants leave behind.” Phil smiles and says, “Every service call offers something different.”

Saltwater pools are a growing trend in the pool industry. “We have several customers with saltwater pools,” Regina points out. “They involve very expensive systems that require special treatment,” she adds. Food-grade table salt is fed through the system, and a process known as electrolysis breaks the salt down to its components: sodium and chlorine. “The system produces the chlorine for the pool and thus there’s a very narrow margin for the optimum amount of salt.” Although the system is pricey, it can be a valuable investment, especially for private homeowners who are avid swimmers.

When bad weather strikes, The Pool Keepers keep their cool. “We’ll still check on a property,” Phil clarifies, “but we’ll have to double up the next day.” The Pool Keepers are available for weekly cleaning, twice-weekly cleaning, and even daily cleaning, if need be. “Most residential pools, if they’re serviced properly, only require weekly attention.”

Though the work is complex, the business is virtually paperless. “Most everything is communicated via e-mail,” Phil acknowledges. “It’s the best way for our customers to reach us and vice versa.”

Phil and Regina are grateful for their wonderful client base and they value the opportunity to do what they do. Phil concludes, “It’s the greatest job. We get to live and work in paradise!”

For more information call (850) 865-2018, or visit www.thepoolkeepers.com.