How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost?
Swimming pool maintenance costs are highly affected by the type of pool you have and the frequency of its use. The cost of pool maintenance can include checking the pH balance, cleaning, repairing, and even heating your pool. When all of these costs are added together, annual pool maintenance costs average $300 to $1,000. If you are paying to heat your pool, this can be even more, with costs from a few thousands of dollars or more annually. This price is usually 10% of the initial price to purchase and install the pool.
Monthly Pool Maintenance Costs
The cost of monthly pool maintenance averages between $30 and $100. This is highly affected by whether you choose to maintain your pool yourself or hire someone to do it for you. The cost of pool maintenance includes the cost of chemicals to keep it clean, and the cost of materials to ensure the pool’s pH levels are being maintained. The cost of pool maintenance is very dependent on the amount of chemicals the pool requires. If it is used frequently, or is located in an area where there is an abundance of debris, it may require additional charges. Monthly pool maintenance cost is also higher if your pool is heated. A heated pool can cost $300 to $500 or more for monthly maintenance.
How Much Does Pool Service Cost?
Some pool owners either do not have time or do not desire to maintain their pool themselves. In these situations, they choose to find pool cleaning services.
The pool cleaning service cost is determined by the size of the pool, the amount of supplies that the pool cleaner must use, and the cost of labor. When a pool is either very large, or frequently used, it will require more supplies. In these instances, the pool cleaning cost may be slightly higher than the average. The average monthly pool cleaning service cost is $80 to $100. A good estimate is 15% of the original cost of the pool and its installation.
Inground Pool Maintenance Costs
Inground pool maintenance costs are affected by the size of the pool. A typical size pool, maybe 15 x 30 feet, may cost $300 to $500 to maintain annually. This will include the cost to purchase all of the chemicals and equipment necessary to ensure your pool stays clean enough for use. When using a pool service company to perform maintenance on an inground pool, it may cost $400 to $1,000 annually, depending on the services they perform and the amount of chemicals they use.
However, there is an additional risk with inground pools. The earth shifting, or even small tremors, may cause damage to the concrete inside the pool. When the concrete needs to be repaired, it may cost thousands of dollars or more. However, repairing the crack will be significantly less than the price to install the entire pool.
Above Ground Pool Maintenance Cost
The pool maintenance cost for an above ground pool is similar to that of an inground pool. However, above ground pools often require the pool liner to be vacuumed. This requires the purchase of a pool liner vacuum, which costs $300 or more. Aside from this one-time cost, an above ground pool will also cost $300 to $500 monthly. However, this does not include the additional cost for heated pools.
Salt Water Pool Maintenance Costs
While salt water pools do not require the same amount of chemicals that chlorinated pools do, they still require costly maintenance. They require regular testing and acid to balance the salt. Salt water pools can also be more costly to empty. Because the salt water will negatively affect the environment, it requires a truck to remove the water, rather than emptying it into the yard. The cost of acid is approximately $10 for a three-pound bag. However, because salt water can be rougher on filters than chlorinated pools, filters may need to be replaced more often as well. Salt water pools also must regularly have their pH levels checked and require test strips.
Pool Maintenance Contract
When entering into a pool maintenance contract, there are several important factors to consider. It is important to contract with a company that will perform a quality job, whether you are at your place of residence when they clean or not. Because many pool maintenance companies perform maintenance on several pools in the same area, they may do all of these in the same day. It is important to seek out a company that will leave a bill or other form of assurance that they have tended to your pool when they were scheduled. Additionally, it is important to clearly communicate the expectations for cleaning that you have for the company. Even though you may not be at work, any pool owner should ensure that their pool maintenance contract clearly states what actions should be performed.
Swimming Pool Supplies
When pool owners do choose to maintenance their pool themselves, they must purchase swimming pool supplies. These supplies may include skimmers, filters, a pool vacuum, chlorine, pH test strips, shock, and algaecide. Some of these prices will vary, depending on the amount you need for your individual pool, such as those for chemicals. A typical skimmer will cost as little as $5 and will only need to be replaced once it has been worn out. A pool vacuum costs anywhere from $30 to $300 or more, depending on its purpose. Basic vacuums run about $30, leaf vacuums are around $100, and vacuums for pool liners are significantly more expensive. The cost for test strips are usually $5 to $10 for a bottle of 50 strips. The cost of chlorine tablets runs $30 to $40 for a five pound bucket. Shock is approximately $4 to $5 for a one pound bag. Finally, algaecide is $5 to $20 for a one pound container. These costs added together will make up the total swimming pool maintenance costs.
- 737SHARES
