If you want to ensure that your swimming pool continues to look like a pool, rather than a pond, regular cleanings and maintenance is necessary. On average, pool maintenance costs $180 per month during the season when the pool is in use. The simplest, most inexpensive pool maintenance tasks include skimming the water and adding chemicals. On the other end of the spectrum, it will cost more to replace broken parts or prepare the pool to open for the year.
Factors That Affect Pool Maintenance Costs
As with anything related to home maintenance, a number of factors can affect your specific costs—which means you may pay more or less than the average pool maintenance costs outlined here. Perhaps the biggest variable is geographic location, which can affect not only labor costs, but also the amount of time in which the pool is open for the season. The longer the season, the more you can expect to pay on an annual basis.
Many factors influence the cost of maintaining a pool. From the pool’s size to the type of pool to the material, understanding these factors is crucial for both potential and current pool owners to anticipate and manage pool maintenance costs effectively.
Pool Type
The type of pool you choose significantly impacts its maintenance costs. Different types of pools, such as in-ground and above-ground pools, present distinct upkeep and associated maintenance expenses. Homeowners can anticipate an average cost range of $60 to $95 per hour for pool maintenance, regardless of the chosen style.
For instance, in-ground pools are typically a more popular choice of pool but can be more expensive to maintain than above-ground pools. They are also often more complex to maintain due to their larger size and permanent installation, requiring higher investment in cleaning chemicals and equipment upkeep. On the other hand, above-ground pools typically have lower maintenance costs due to their more straightforward construction. However, they still require regular care to ensure water quality and structural integrity.
Specialized pools, like indoor pools, can have lower maintenance costs between $25 and $50 per hour while saltwater pools require more distinctive maintenance requirements, costing between $25 and $45 per hour to maintain.
Understanding these maintenance distinctions is essential for accurately estimating and managing the long-term maintenance expenses of your chosen pool type.
Pool Size
If you’re considering purchasing a pool, you’ll want to know how the size of your pool will impact your maintenance costs. For instance, larger pools typically entail higher maintenance costs than smaller pools due to the increased demand for resources, chemicals and efforts needed to uphold water quality, structural integrity and overall pool enjoyment.
With more water to treat, larger pools command more chemicals, contributing to your pools’ upkeep costs. Moreover, larger pools’ high water volume raises the water evaporation rate and dilution due to rain, requiring more frequent water replacement and specific chemical adjustments to maintain ideal water conditions. Larger pools also require more powerful filters, causing higher electricity bill costs. Therefore, if you have a larger pool, it’s important to be mindful that you’ll need to invest more in chemicals and equipment than someone with a smaller pool.
Pool Material
Whether you opt for the durability of concrete (between $450 and $1,200 per year), the smoothness of fiberglass (between $300 and $550 per year), the affordability of vinyl or even the uniqueness of natural stone or tile, your decision determines the extent of upkeep your pool needs. Each material offers distinct characteristics that determine maintenance requirements, leading to multiple advantages and potential challenges that inevitably impact the cost of maintaining a pool.
How Much Do Pool Cleanings Cost
Pool cleanings are the most frequent step homeowners have to take in properly maintaining pools. Certain steps that should be completed daily include skimming the pool and testing the chemical balance using a simple test strip. You can supplement your efforts by hiring a professional pool cleaning service to perform more cleanings on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. If there are no additional repairs or maintenance required, the cost for pool cleanings may be as little as $50 per month.
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How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost
Your swimming pool is an investment and you can see to its longevity with regular maintenance. In addition to cleaning the pool, a professional hired to help with pool maintenance should check filters and pumps, empty traps and baskets, brush the pool walls and vacuum. The average cost for pool comprehensive maintenance is $150 to $200. The cost of pool maintenance is roughly the same whether you hire the service once a month, bi-weely or weekly—so the benefit to more regular maintenance is that the pool will always seem clean.
Frequent maintenance also allows professionals to identify any potential problems, such as clogs or broken pumps. This can help you avoid more costly repairs that could be necessary if the issue goes unresolved for a long period of time.
How Much Do Pool Repairs Cost
Although hopefully not a regular occurrence, occasional repairs are to be expected for pool owners. Depending on the issue, the pool repair may cost as little as $10 or as much as $20,000. The average cost for pool repair is $900. If you are purchasing a home with an existing pool, have it thoroughly inspected in advance to avoid an unexpectedly costly project.
Some common pool repairs and their costs include:
- Fixing a leak: It’s challenging to supply a straight answer on the cost to fix a leak because it really depends on the specifics of the situation. On the low side, it could cost just $10 to purchase a leak repair kit and do the job yourself. On the high side, it could cost $3,500 for a professional job that calls for draining the pool, repairing the leak and refilling the water.
- Replace pool filter: Pool filters cost between $150 and $1,000. If you are paying a professional to replace the pool filter, you can expect to spend anywhere between $1,500 and $2,000.
- Repair or replace pump motor: It costs between $50 and $300 to repair a pump motor; costs increase to $250 to $650 if the motor needs to be replaced. The cost may also be affected if the pool plumbing systems needs repairs.
- Repair pool drain: The primary expense with repairing pool drains is the labor. For that reason, it is often best to replace a faulty drain than try to repair it. The average cost for these repairs ranged from $400 to $700.
- Repair cracked pool beam: It costs an average of $75 per linear foot to fix a cracked pool beam. As a significant repair, you will need a skilled professional to complete the job, which involves retiling the pool floor.
Tips to Save Money on Swimming Pool Maintenance Costs
Saving money on swimming pool maintenance costs requires a combination of smart practices, efficient equipment usage and regular upkeep. Here are some tips to help you reduce your pool maintenance expenses:
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning the pool is one of the most important things you can do to maintain its health and prevent problems. Skimming debris off the water’s surface, cleaning out skimmer baskets and vacuuming the pool regularly will reduce strain on your filtration system and promote efficient water circulation.
Maintain Proper Water Chemistry
Regularly testing and balancing your pool’s water chemistry is crucial to keeping your pool clean, clear and safe for swimmers. It helps keep the water comfortable, prevents odor and bacteria growth and ensures that metals like copper or iron don’t build up in the pipes. It also ensures you’re not wasting money on unnecessary chemical corrections due to imbalances.
Use Pool Covers
You can save money and water by investing in a pool cover. Pool covers help minimize water evaporation, which reduces the need for frequent water refilling and chemical adjustments. A cover also prevents debris from falling into the pool, reducing cleaning efforts.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Equipment
Your pool equipment is an investment. It’s a big part of what keeps your pool clean, clear and safe for you and your family. You can help keep it working at its best by regularly maintaining it. Clean filters, backwash as needed and inspect for leaks. This will help keep the equipment running efficiently and avoid expensive maintenance in the future.
DIY Pool Maintenance
If you are the type of person who likes to do things yourself, then you may want to consider learning how to perform basic pool maintenance tasks yourself. These tasks include cleaning skimmer baskets, backwashing the filter and cleaning the pool walls. You can save money on hiring professional services by doing these tasks yourself.
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