Pool Maintenance Costs

Swimming pools can be a welcome retreat and family gathering spot, but they are not the easiest things to maintain. They have to receive the same level of attention as many other parts of the home and require cleaning, water maintenance, and different services such as filter changes. They must also be managed on a seasonal basis in many areas, meaning they are closed up and re-opened with changes in weather.

Pools are built above and, in the ground, and some even use saltwater. There are also indoor and outdoor pools to contend with, but swimming pool maintenance costs are relatively flat and predictable across the board.

The pool service provider is going to test the water, add any necessary chemicals, check the water level, and do an essential skimming and cleaning. They will also offer such options as emptying different catch basins and baskets, scrubbing the sides of the pool, and even doing a vacuum service. This could cost as much as $80 to $150 per visit, and many owners opt for bi-monthly visits. This may not be necessary in most cases, and a single monthly service by an expert is always an option.

Swimming pool maintenance: annual maintenance.

Other considerations and costs

• Remember that one of the most significant costs associated with pool maintenance is the use of electricity to keep pumps, vacuums, heaters, and filters operational. Depending upon region and how long the pool is open each year, it can be from $50 to more than $300 per month.
• If your pool expert discovers any cracks or potential leaks, they can often affect the repair, but this is not an inexpensive matter. It may require lowering the water level, making the repair, restoring water levels, testing and adjusting chemicals, and so on. This can cost around $300 depending on the level of difficulty.

DIY considerations

• As noted, much of your regular pool upkeep can be done on a DIY basis, but it means investing in the gear, which averages well over $1,000, as well as purchasing chemicals (and properly disposing of them) every single season. This is often too much for most owners, and whether it is an above or in-ground pool, it might be wiser to do periodic skimming, cleaning out baskets, and leaving all of the rest to experts.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.