Pool Maintenance Cost

Swimming Pool Care



Pool maintenance cost is the the first thing on most pool owners minds. The proper swimming pool care and maintenance tips will help keep your costs down to a minimum.

Above ground and inground pool maintenance is and will always be a part of owning a residential pool. In hotter areas of the country you will see an increase in chemical use no matter how well you take care of the pool.

You may want to hire a professional pool service but with the right information you can probably do it yourself. As with anything else in life a weekly service can come in handy and is very nice to have if your busy and need to simplify your life.

Above Ground & Inground Pool Maintenance

Giving you an exact number or dollar amount is like asking how many rocks there are in the world. It depends on many factors:

  • Kind of water testing kit

  • Chemical use

  • Length of time you run the pump motor

  • Evaportation

  • Foreign matter in the pool

  • Hot weather

  • Filtering system

  • Broken/lost parts and equipment

  • Additives

  • Type of pool (concrete or fiberglass)

  • Type of heating

  • Length of pool season

  • Your utility providers' rates

    • Obviously this will be different in each part of the country.

    Weekly Pool Maintenance

    Normally my weekly pool maintenace would include:

  • Checking and/or removing debris from the pump filter basket

  • Checking and/or removing debris from the skimmer(s)

  • Chemical readings

  • Add water if needed

  • Backwash if needed

  • Check and remove debris from pool cleaner

  • Brush the steps, sides, and bottom of the pool

  • Check the chlorine tablets

  • Listen for any strange noises from the plumbing, pump motor and filter (straining, whining, grinding, gurgurling, etc...)

  • Add any needed chemicals

    • This is the same for salt water pool maintenance. Doing the above steps twice per week should take around 30 minutes.

    Average Pool Maintenance Cost

    On average a residential pool owner spends between $50 - $150 monthly on pool maintenance cost . The good news is if you do it yourself you can save a little bit here and there.

    A good water testing kit will ensure your chemicals are balanced correctly.

    According to the National Association of Realtors inground swimming pools can add an average of 7.7% to the value of a home. In the southwest part of the U.S. a pool can add 11% but in places like the midwest only 6%.

    To break this down even further lets take the worst case scenario. In Arizona where temperatures can reach 115 degrees you'll probably spend about $1.25 per day on chlorine tablets for a total of $37.50. About $15 - $25 per month on pool chlorine and muriatic acid. You're now up to $62.50. Then add any algaecides, Sodium Bicarbonate (for pool pH and total alkalinity) and water use (evaporation) and you could be near $80 per month.

    We haven't even touched on broken parts, DE filters, and electricity usage.

    Or for about $100 - $120 per month for your pool maintenance cost you could have someone come in and clean your pool for you. It's completely up to you.

    Things To Consider

    Think about pool maintenance cost when buying a house and:

  • The age of the pool

    • If it's 10 - 12 years old you might be headed for some repairs. Better get the pool inspected first.

  • Your time

    • Many pool owners spend a couple hours a week skimming, scooping, taking chemicals readings, backwashing, brushing etc... Ask yourself if you're prepared for this responsibility.

  • Will you use it?

    • And how often? If only once or twice per month maybe it would be better to check out your public swimming pools. If once or twice per week or more than look into owning a pool.

  • Can you afford it?

    • If you're in a hot area then your chemical use will go up. If a cooler climate your heating might go up.

    Unless you're in the business of buying and selling homes with swimming pools a pool in the most strictest of senses is not an asset.

    But if you plan on staying in your house for a long time and plan on using your pool then your weekly pool maintenance cost will not matter as much.

    It's probably money well spent.

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