Although swimming pools are fantastic add-ons, they are high maintenance. As a pool owner, you ought to maintain crystal clear pool water. And this is only possible if you use the best pool maintenance techniques. Undoubtedly keeping a pool in good shape can be costly. So, how much does pool maintenance cost? Pool professionals report that pool maintenance costs roughly $110 to $350. Of course, these costs are likely to be higher for bigger pools.
Factors affecting the pool maintenance cost
There is a broad spectrum of factors that affect the pool maintenance cost. Some include:
Maintenance Frequency
The more you service your pool, the more likely you will spend on maintenance. Typically, you’ll spend around $100 to $150 every month for weekly /biweekly pool maintenance.
Maintenance type
Needless to say, the type of pool maintenance also influences the costs. For example, fixing a pool leak is more expensive than a regular pool cleaning procedure.
Pool Size, Type, and Material
Larger pools incorporate a higher maintenance cost. This is because it takes more time and effort to clean a bigger pool. Also, saltwater pool systems often need more maintenance since they are more susceptible to corrosion. The material used to build the pool also affects the pool maintenance cost. For instance, concrete pools are more vulnerable to algae; thus, they are costly to maintain.
Labor
Different pool service experts charge differently. On average, pool service experts charge $75 to $100 per hour. Labor costs vary depending on the location, type and size of your pool.
Types of pool maintenance costs
Pool opening
In colder areas, you need to close your pool during winter. Therefore, before summer, you’ll need to open the pool. Pool opening costs approximately $150 to $300. The cost varies based on the location and size of the pool.
Pool winterization
Closing the pool for winter costs approximately $150 to $300. Pool winterization often involves cleaning the pool and all its accompanying equipment.
Pool heater maintenance
Pool heaters are generally high maintenance. So, if you want this equipment to work effectively, it would be best to take good care of them. Hire a service expert to inspect your pool heater from time to time. It usually costs approximately $100 to $200 to maintain a pool heater.
Cleaning pool filters
Pool service experts usually charge about $60 to $65 when cleaning your pool filter. The more the filter gets dirty, the more you’ll have to spend on cleaning the pool.
Drain cleaning
More often than not, pool drains are prone to clogging. So, you have to clean them frequently. Cleaning pool drains costs approximately $60 to $125. The price depends on the number of drains in your pool.
Acid wash
At times, you may have to acid wash the pool. This is usually to get rid of all the stubborn stains and algae in the pool. The quantity of muriatic acid needed often depends on the size of your pool. A gallon of muriatic acid costs approximately $8. So, once you know the size of your pool, you’ll determine the total amount you need to acid wash the pool.
Balancing water chemistry
All pool owners need to keep their pool water chemistry balanced at all times. So, you’ll often have to buy a pool test kit at $15 to check the pool chemistry. At times, you may have to hire a pool service expert to help you maintain accurate water chemistry.
Shocking the Pool
Conducting a pool shock from time to time is essential. It costs about $25 to $50 to conduct a pool shock. The price usually depends on the size and condition of your pool.
Is it necessary to get professional pool maintenance?
A good percentage of pool owners love conducting DIY pool maintenance procedures to save money. However, it is always advisable to employ a professional pool service expert to care for your pool. A pool service professional ensures that your pool is in good condition at all times. Let’s look at some of the reasons why you should employ a pool professional for maintenance.
Water quality
The only way to maintain crystal clear water at all times is to hire a pool professional. A reliable pool expert uses the right chemicals and equipment to make sure you have quality pool water.
Preventing water loss
If you live in warmer areas, do your best to reduce the pool evaporation rate. A reliable pool contractor will always help you to reduce the rate of evaporation. The water level in the pool should not drop below normal. Otherwise, this would pose a danger to swimmers.
Safety
Typically, your pool water should be safe for use at all times. If you don’t have background knowledge of pool maintenance, it can be hard to maintain safety in the pool. Therefore, consider hiring a pool maintenance expert.
Aesthetics
Employing a pool service professional enables you to retain the aesthetics of your pool for an extended period. In turn, this makes the pool area look more inviting. Here, you can sit and relax with your loved ones.
DIY pool maintenance
As mentioned earlier, most pool owners love conducting DIY maintenance projects. Although this may be cheaper, you are better off hiring a professional. Pool experts can identify any issues with your swimming pool. Also, do not forget that pool maintenance consumes a lot of time and effort. So, you may not have time to maintain the pool if you have a busy schedule.
How to save money on pool maintenance cost
Fortunately, there are many ways you can cut down your pool maintenance costs. Some of them include:
- Using a pool cover: One of the best ways to reduce pool maintenance cost is by using a pool cover. A good pool cover prevents dirt and debris from getting into the pool. Subsequently, it prevents the filter from overworking.
- Operate the pool pump for 8 hours a day: Although some people prefer running the pool pump for 24 hours. But this may not be practical. Remember, you want to save on energy. Therefore, always leave your pool pump for six to eight hours a day. Besides, doing this will prevent your filter from overworking. Another smart pool equipment upgrade to save you money is upgrading to a variable speed pump.
Maintaining a pool costs approximately $110 to $350 per month. Luckily, you can minimize these costs by incorporating various techniques.
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