Breakpoint Commercial Pool Systems

Current Issue At the Shop By Bethany Branscum September 3, 2025

Breakpoint Commercial Pool Systems

Leading with experience and diligence in a high-stakes industry

A family tradition gave Steve Easland an early start in the pool industry.

“It began when I was a kid, 12 or 13,” Easland says. “I would want to go out and ride my bike with my buddies on the weekends, but my dad said, ‘No, we’ve got to clean the pool first.’ ”

That early experience laid the groundwork for his career. Years later, while bartending and looking for a new path, Easland bought a small residential pool route. “I bought about 14 pools for a few thousand dollars and bought a little trailer and put it on the back of my Land Cruiser,” Easland says. “I serviced pools for a number of years and built that company up.”

But residential service wasn’t scratching the itch for Easland. “That got to be somewhat boring for me and not very financially rewarding,” he says. A connection through a friend led him to his first commercial pool job at a homeowners association in the mid-1980s. “I had no clue what I was doing with regard to commercial pools,” he says. “But I worked seven days a week there, and I cut my teeth on that pool.”

Built for commercial complexity

Today, Breakpoint Commercial Pool Systems in Riverside, California, employs nearly 50 people, operating with a full management and administrative team and a dedicated training facility. The company focuses exclusively on commercial pool service — an intentional choice. Easland says the constant stimulation of commercial pool work suits him perfectly.

“It’s so much more challenging,” Easland says. “Even now, I learn new things almost daily.”

Easland credits the rise of mobile phones in the early 2000s with changing how the industry functions. Before cellphones, pool pros had to go home to check messages and return calls. “But when cellphones came around, it was wonderful because I didn’t have to go to find a pay phone or ask to borrow someone’s phone to get back to clients,” he recalls. “But it also extended the work hours much more, so it really was the impetus that got me to begin to hire other people as I expanded.”

While technology made communication faster, the demands of commercial pool service go far beyond quick responses. The complexity of these pools — from strict code compliance to rigorous safety standards — requires deep expertise and a commitment to protecting public health.

Safety first, always

Safety and liability are central to Breakpoint’s mission, shaped by real-world tragedies Easland has heard about. He recounts one story shared by a property manager, where poor water clarity in a spa led to the death of a 2-year-old girl. Because the water was so murky, no one realized she was beneath the surface until it was too late. “That story brought tears to my eyes, and I tell it to each and every person we hire,” he says.

In another case, a young boy nearly drowned and was left paralyzed, requiring $22 million in lifelong care. While the incident wasn’t necessarily the fault of a pool service company, Easland says it underscores the immense financial liability that could result if negligence were at play. “You might have good insurance, but I don’t know that you have $22 million,” he adds.

These examples fuel Breakpoint’s commitment to safety, reflected in its robust training programs and protocols — from chemical storage and equipment handling to controller use and PPE.

Service tech Mike Fonseca says Breakpoint’s approach to safety is comprehensive and empowering.

“From the proper application of chemicals in a safe and controlled manner, knowing how and when to close any body of water that doesn’t meet Breakpoint’s sanitation standards, to the extensive inventory of replacement equipment, expertise and PPE — it all makes me feel confident that Breakpoint’s priority is to ensure any community we serve is safe, and that I’m safe while performing my duties as a technician,” Fonseca says.

That emphasis on safety is echoed throughout the team, including by service tech Kyle Chubbs, who says the company’s protocols guide his daily routine.

“Safety isn’t just a slogan here — it’s part of everything we do,” Chubbs says. “On a typical day I run through a checklist before I even start unloading chemicals or checking equipment. Knowing that management supports us in taking the time to do things right makes it easier to slow down and avoid shortcuts that could be dangerous.”

Training, culture and long-term relationships

Breakpoint’s training facility isn’t just a perk — it’s a necessity. New hires are onboarded quickly and thoroughly, especially when Breakpoint brings on large multipool accounts. “We might be getting 10 pools all at once, so we train new hires up within 10 days and get them out in the field with a company-owned vehicle,” Easland says.

For Chubbs, one standout lesson from training was chemical safety.

“At first it sounded basic, but in the field it’s easy to get busy and skip a step,” Chubbs explains. “Taking a moment to put on gloves and goggles and double-check labels has kept me and my coworkers safe, and it shows our clients we take our work seriously.”

Fonseca agrees, pointing to the depth of knowledge Breakpoint requires from its team.

“What really stuck with me was the professional understanding of water chemistry — not just from a textbook, but from hands-on experience under supervision,” Fonseca says.

Easland believes this investment in training also supports employee retention. “They need to know they have support,” he says. “They can call multiple people in the company — all the way up to me.”

Maintaining strong relationships with property managers is another key to Breakpoint’s growth. “With homeowner associations, it is word of mouth,” Easland says. “Our reputation is everything. You can’t advertise your way in — it takes years.”

Raising the bar in commercial service

Easland sees one recurring issue in the commercial service world: residential techs jumping into commercial work unprepared. “They may not be fully trained in wiring and plumbing and filtration, and they bring the residential mentality into commercial pools,” he says. “They’re not doing anyone any favors.”

He urges serious investment in education, whether self-taught or by hiring experts. With the high stakes of commercial service, Easland says professionalism means knowing the job’s value and risks. That responsibility, he says, should be reflected in pricing.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Easland advises. “Once you know these things and are a professional, then you need to charge for the increased liability.”

That sense of professionalism is shared throughout the company.

“Integrity means doing what I say I’m going to do,” Chubbs says. “If I tell a property manager I’ll be there at 8 a.m. or that I’ll follow up on a filter issue, I make sure it happens. Being upfront builds trust — they know they can rely on us.”

Fonseca adds that integrity is about holding the line on safety, even when it’s tough.

“I’m the first line of defense against unsafe swimming or working conditions,” Fonseca says. “I believe in doing the right thing and being transparent with both clients and my team. That’s how we uphold the standards Breakpoint is known for.”

For others hoping to find success in the commercial space, Easland is clear about the commitment required: “You better be in it for the long haul. You better be well capitalized, have good insurance and have good training facilities. Because that’s what it takes.”