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.
Pool maintenance costs will be significantly less for indoor and saltwater pools. On average, indoor pools cost between $25 and $50 per hour of pool maintenance. Similarly, saltwater pools cost between $25 and $45 per hour of pool maintenance.
There is not a significant difference between the costs to maintain an inground or above ground pool. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $60 and $95 per hour of pool maintenance with either of these styles.
Additional factors that can affect the cost of maintenance include the pool size, how much debris ends up in the pool and the materials used in the pool construction. Specifically, fiberglass pools cost much less (between $300 and $550 per year) than concrete pools (between $450 and $1,200 per year) to maintain.
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.
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 give 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I DIY Pool Maintenance?
Depending on your skill level and the time you are able to commit to pool maintenance, it is possible to DIY the job—to an extent. In most cases, it is still wise to have a professional check the pool once per season. Although performing pool maintenance yourself may save money in the short-term, more costly issues could arise if something is neglected or overlooked.
If you want to DIY pool maintenance, there are upfront costs associated with acquiring the tools you’ll need. This includes purchasing a skimmer, vacuum, chemicals, pH tests and more.
How Can I Save Money on Pool Maintenance?
Whether you DIY or hire a professional to help with pool maintenance, you may be able to save money by using a pool cover that will limit debris from getting into the pool, limiting the amount of time you use the pump to reduce energy costs, buying pool chemicals in bulk and keeping up with pool maintenance. Neglecting pool maintenance will cost more over time.
How Can I Hire a Pool Maintenance Professional?
There is a difference between seasonal pool cleaners and skilled pool maintenance professionals. Depending on your needs, it’s always wise to start by asking friends or neighbors who own pools for references. You can also do an internet search to find professionals in your area. Then, reach out for more specifics on the services they offer and to get a quote. When you’ve narrowed down your list of professionals, check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the person or company is in good standing.
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