Faq About Pool Service
1. What is the easiest type of pool to maintain?
A fiberglass pool would be easiest to maintain because the gelcoat on the fiberglass surface prevents algae and similar buildup.
2. How much does a pool increase your electricity bill?
You need electricity to run your pools pump and filter. You might pay up to $300 more per year on your electric bill if you get a swimming pool.
3. How much does a pool increase your water bill?
Youll need several thousand gallons of water to fill your pool for the first time, and that excess water will probably add somewhere from $60 to $120 to your water bill. After that, you should only have to add more water when opening the pool in spring or if evaporation affects the water level, so the pool shouldnt affect future water bills too much.
What Is Usually Included In A Monthly Pool Maintenance Contract
If youre thinking of hiring an experienced pool maintenance company to look after your pool, its important to understand exactly what you are getting for your money.
Generally, the best reliable pool cleaners in the Florida area and beyond will service your pool on a weekly basis. Something to note is that bigger pools with additional water features require more visits.
The routine tasks that your average pool technician will tackle include:
- Managing the water level
- Removing debris such as foliage
- Emptying the skimmer baskets
- Ensuring filters are running to maximum efficiency
- Vacuuming pool surface
- Checking the PH level of water
- Pool chemical balancing
- Adding the correct amount of chlorine to prevent algae and bacteria build up
- Reset and adjusting time clocks
- Backwash filter maintenance which helps to dislodge and remove any dirt or debris that may have become trapped
So as you can see an expert maintenance team will thoroughly service your pool to a very high standard and keep your pool working as safely and efficiently as possible.
Ok, so whats the cost? Lets find out.
Gunite Shotcrete Or Concrete Pool Cost
A gunite pool costs between $29,000 and $60,000 with most paying around $50,960 on average for a 14 by 28 pool. The long-term 10-year cost of ownership to maintain a concrete pool averages $27,500 which is the highest of any pool material.
- You have more options regarding creative shapes for your pool.
- Typically require more chemicals and electricity to keep them swimmable.
- It may need an acid wash every four years to remove any mold or algae.
- The method used to remove the algae will also weaken the structural integrity of the concrete. This will also hasten the need for it to be resurfaced.
- Gunite pools need to completely be replastered every 10 to 15 years, which costs around $10,000.
- Gunite is the name of the process to apply concrete to a form that will create your pool shapeits created by spraying the concrete and sand mix over a metal shape made of rebar.
You May Like: How To Clean Pool Waterline Tile
How To Maintain A Pool
With pool ownership comes great responsibility mainly cleaning and performing certain maintenance tasks. Here are a few swimming pool maintenance tips to keep in mind:
- Keep an eye on your pool’s chemistry and water levels. This includes chlorine levels, calcium hardness and pH levels.
- Shock your pool once a week if you have a chlorine pool. You should also shock it when you open it for the season, after a lot of people have been it and after heavy rain or hot weather.
- If you can swing it, get your pool cleaned weekly. If not, think about scheduling bi-weekly or monthly service so a professional can skim it, clean the pool tiles, vacuum the pool and more.
- Invest in a pool cover. This will help keep debris out and help your pool maintain its heat.
For more helpful information, read our easy pool maintenance guide.
Chemical Costs For Fiberglass Pool
Most people use chlorine tablets, powder, or liquid to sanitize their pool water. The cost can vary depending on the type of pool, and fiberglass pools require the least amount of chemicals to stay in balance. In fact, fiberglass pools use 70% less chemicals than concrete pools.
This is due to the smooth, non porous surface which is referred to as the gelcoat. Without having places to hide, algae cant take over your swimming pool, and its very unlikely that it will become a problem. You can expect to spend about $175 on chemicals for your fiberglass pool each year.
What about saltwater systems in fiberglass pools? If you would prefer to run a saltwater system in your swimming pool, a fiberglass pool would work perfectly. The salt does not damage or corrode the interior of the pool, making it safe to use without any risks of degrading the pools surface or damaging the area around it.
The cost to maintain a saltwater pool will vary depending on the size of your pool and the environment around your pool. Expect to spend a minimum of $15 for every bag of salt on top of any specialty maintenance work that you need to have done on your generator and other equipment.
Want to compare saltwater pools to chlorine pools? See our full guide here.
Recommended Reading: Does Target Carry Pool Supplies
Benefits Of Hiring A Swimming Pool Maintenance Pro
Save time
In South Africa a typical pool will require 30 60 minutes of cleaning each week, depending on the level of debris in the pool. Another time saver is that a pool professional will have a stock of chemicals on-hand, which means no more trips to the store or hunting online for the right chemical for your pool.
Save on repairs
Maintenance is in all situations cheaper than repair. It can be difficult to quantify the savings without a breakdown, but if you have ever experienced equipment failure that was linked to an improper water balance you will appreciate this: many companies will void warranties if they find corrosion due to improper water balance. From equipment replacement to liner changes, what you can potentially damage is most likely painful and expensive. Employing a pool professional will safeguard your pool from accidents and prolong the life of your pool.
Save on chemicals
You will no longer have to spend on chlorine, acid, algaecide, and other chemicals your swimming pool maintenance Pro will manage that as part of their monthly contract.
What Is The Average Cost Of An Inground Pool In Florida
According to Reef Tropical, the pool cost in Florida averages between $35,000 and $60,000 for a basic inground concrete pool without any add-ons. With custom features, you could be looking at $80,000 to $200,000 or more. Also, going for a larger-than-average pool with a connected spa can start your pool prices at around $95,000. For a more elaborate pool with a tile surface and an attached spa, the cost for an inground pool would start at about $220,000.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is Salt Water Pool
Inground Swimming Pool Maintenance Costs: Chemicals Electricity And More
Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Pool Maintenance | Cost and Pricing
Before getting your swimming pool, you might be asking questions like, How much does a pool raise your electric bill? What does it cost to get a pool cleaning service? How much will I pay for chemicals?
These are totally valid questions, and youre a smart shopper for asking them.
Its not enough to know that your pool is going to cost you money every year. You deserve to know how much youre going to have to pay to keep your pool in good shape, and thats why we decided to write this article.
At River Pools, we specialize in manufacturing and servicing fiberglass pools throughout North America, and we know all about the maintenance costs and requirements for all types of inground pools, be it concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl liner. In this article, well explain the maintenance costs for each type of inground pool, hopefully giving you a true sense of what to expect ahead.
Lets start by looking at some of the factors that can affect the cost of your pools maintenance.
The Average Annual Cost Of Pool Maintenance
According to conservative estimates at Money.com, the average spent on swimming pool maintenance is about $1,000 a year, with much of the money going towards appliances like filters.
What Ive observed, however, is that this doesnt take into account buying new parts, such as replacing pool vacuums or pumps, which could easily increase the price tag to $2,500 or over.
You May Like: Can Vdara Use Aria Pool
Fiberglass Pool Maintenance Cost
Fiberglass pools have the lowest maintenance costs compared to the other types of pools, ranging from $350 to $550 per year. They are very easy to maintain and do not require acid washes, replastering, yearly cleaning, or liner replacement. Their smooth, nonporous surfaces make their water chemistry very manageable and inhibit algae growth, requiring up to 70% fewer chemicals than a concrete pool to maintain. Fiberglass pools can maintain water in them all year-round and only require an annual check on the pumps and pipes during the cold temperatures. Regular pool maintenance such as cleaning out the skimmer, brushing, vacuuming, and chemical balancing is required for fiberglass pools. Additionally, maintenance will include resurfacing the gel coat interior every so often, depending on the quality of the fiberglass. Many fiberglass pool owners opt for their own maintenance because the process is very simple and not very time-consuming.
How Much Does Green Pool Upkeep Cost
To bring a green pool back to life, expect to spend $300 to $500 on the initial cleaning and $100 to $150 per month for upkeep costs. Prices depend on the size and type of the pool, and if it’s saltwater.
A “natural green pool” costs $15 to $80 per month to upkeep depending on whether your eco-friendly pool is a saltwater pool or a natural pool. Plants in the water act as water cleansers and the pump is not pressurized. You can pay a local kid $15 to empty your leaf skimmer each time and pay a gardener $40/hour to prune your plants.
No testing, chemical adding, or adjustment is required. The leaf skimmer should be emptied as needed, depending on how much natural debris drops into your pool each week, and plants should be pruned and cut back in season.
You May Like: How To Increase Stabilizer In Pool
Additional Costs For Extra Maintenance
Winterizing costs not only involves installing a cover, but also shocking the water, lowering the water levels, cleaning the area, backwashing the filter, clearing water lines, and opening or closing the cover.
Reassembling filtering systems, retesting, and refilling can cost upwards of $250. Above-ground units tend to be easier and less expensive to clean. Saltwater maintenance requires buying salt , a salt cell, and extra chemicals like zinc for the chlorination process.
If youre thinking about a saltwater pool, saltwater chlorination systems are pricey, but could save you money on a yearly basis because you spend less on chlorine. Read our saltwater pool maintenance guide and our comparison of saltwater and chlorine pools for more information.
Finally, extras like diving boards can cost hundreds of dollars, up to $1,000 depending on function, as can LED lights when priced by the bulb.
Major Expenses Of Maintaining A Pool
Ive found that you can break down swimming pool maintenance tasks according to three phases: daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance.
Daily maintenance involves skimming the debris since this improves circulation and reduces the need for extra cleaning chemicals, as well as maintaining the proper pool water levels.
Evaporation gets rid of water every day. If you also have a small leak, you will have to refill that loss constantly. Generally, you want to refill one inch per hour. Buying a pool cover can help with both issues.
Weekly maintenance, as explained on the CDC website, involves vacuuming the pool floor for small debris, backwashing the filter, brushing the walls and floors to get rid of algae, and maintaining the proper chemical balance.
The pH level of a pool should range between 7.2 7.6 for chlorine to work. Ive found that maintaining these levels, and testing your water chemistry frequently will help prevent bacterial infections that do result from algae buildup. Muriatic acid can help with this issue.
The pools filtering system runs 24 hours a day to prevent algae development. In addition to shocking with chlorine , maintenance also involves testing for calcium hardness, total alkalinity, and bromine levels , oxidizer, and stabilizer.
Monthly maintenance involves cleaning various pool parts, lubricating fillings, searching for leaks or cracks, chemically cleaning the filter, and testing water quality.
Don’t Miss: Iron In Pool Water Removal
Swimming Pool Maintenance By Material
Maintenance is a crucial component to pool ownership, ranging anywhere between $300 and $1,200. The cost of pool maintenance varies based on the type of pool material. You can expect to pay less for fiberglass pool maintenance compared to a concrete pool. The chart below highlights the three types of inground swimming pool materials with their respective maintenance costs, followed by a subsection explaining the type of maintenance involved and factors affecting the cost.
| Pool Material |
|---|
| $450 – $1,200 |
Cost Of Automatic Pool Cleaner
You can expect to pay around $600 for an automatic pool cleaner. These cleaners are easy to use and operate and can save you time cleaning the pool manually. Automatic cleaners can be set in the pool and turned on for hours without having to monitor them. They do the same job as a manual vacuum, cleaning the debris and dirt from the bottom and sides of the pool.
Recommended Reading: How To Replace Pool Tiles
Is It Worth Hiring A Pool Company In Floridaa Complete Price Breakdown
- Sublime Pools Blog
This summer both COVID-19 closures and concerns for health and safety have kept more families at home in Florida.
With beaches and public pools less available than ever before, more and more people are enjoying the benefits of pools in their backyard.
According to an article by Reuters, one pool suppliers sales have skyrocketed during July 2020, with a 50% increase over the same period in 2019.
So if you are one of the many deciding to invest in a swimming pool or a seasoned owner, you might be wondering whether you can tackle the maintenance yourself or if its essential to get a professional pool company to take care of things for you.
Ok, so lets dive right in and discover whether or not you might be able to save money yourself by maintaining your own Florida pool.
Professional Vs Diy Pool Maintenance
Watch out: Keeping your pool water pristine is a demanding, arduous task that can eat away at your pleasure of owning a pool. Pool maintenance is a time-intensive process that must be done on the regular. Its possible to DIY your pool maintenance, but its not recommended unless youve developed the required expertise.
If you arent vigilant about your maintenance the condition of your pool and the quality of your water will suffer. And if you let your pool go even a little, youll spend big bucks getting it back in shape especially if you dont know what youre doing.
Literally, if you skip just one day of pool maintenance your blue pool could turn green, explains Bean. Then youll spend hundreds, even a thousand dollars trying to get your pool blue again. Hiring someone who maintains pools for a living will take a lot of work off of your hands. And because they know what theyre doing, they can keep costs low.
Along with knowledge, pool pros service a lot of pools, so theyre able to purchase their supplies and chemicals at a bulk rate that individual homeowners just cant get.
How much youll pay for the services of a pool pro depends on how much you have them do and how often you have them come. Basic plans primarily cover maintaining the pH balance of your pool on a weekly basis, while deluxe plans tackle almost all of the maintenance, including skimming, brushing, and systems maintenance.
Header Image Source:
Recommended Reading: How Do You Build An Inground Swimming Pool
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 weeklyso 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.
Benefits Of Hiring A Pool Cleaning Service
| Pros | |
|---|---|
| Gets the work done in less time than DIY | Paying someone to do work most homeowners can do themselves |
| Saves money long term on repairs & remodeling | Risk of leaving your investment in the hands of an inexperienced or unprofessional company |
| Reduces dangers due to improper chemical management & equipment malfunction | Delays in service due to high demand & weather |
Many people welcome a swimming pool despite the associated routine maintenance costs. With regular cleaning and maintenance, it is a great recreational feature that will provide years of enjoyment.
Hire a Pool Maintenance Pro Today
Recommended Reading: How To Convert Chlorine Pool To Saltwater Pool Cost
