Pool Cleaning: What’s Involved
The actual pool cleaning services performed vary from company to company but generally include the following:
- Clear debris with net and skimmer
- Water analysis readout
- Monitor proper function of pool equipment
- Backwash filter as needed
Cost: $75 to $150 per month based on weekly cleanings or $100 to $150 per month based on a once-per-month cleaning.
Monthly Pool Maintenance Cost Vs Diy
Only after understanding the true cost of DIY pool maintenance can you make an informed decision. If you would rather have the professionals take care of the job, its best to go with a trusted company like Pool Operation Management. Our extensive residential and commercial maintenance services include pool opening and closing, inspections, weekly service, and so much more.
If you want to do it yourself, we still have you covered. Our award-winning CPO certification courses offer all the information and training you need to properly take care of a pool. Our two-day courses offer a wealth of information and training in everything from pool chemicals, to energy conservation to surface water removal. We even sell pool equipment, chemicals, and more! To get in touch with the pool experts, contact us today.
*This information is obtained from the Certified Pool and Spa Operator Handbook. This information may not be applicable to your pool based on your pool type and location. One should reference all applicable regulations and standards for your facility.
Replacing Liners Or Resurfacing Concrete
Your original pool construction will only last so long before it needs replacing. The type of pool you choose will determine how long it lasts and how much the replacement costs.
If you pick a concrete/gunite pool, it will require acid washing every three to five years and resurfacing/retiling every 10 to 15 years .
A pool with a vinyl liner will require replacement of the liner every five to 12 years .
Fiberglass pools are estimated to last 20 to 30 years with no liner replacement or resurfacing requirements. Some sources say you may need to refinish the gel coat after 10 years .
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Financial Benefits Of A Pool
Even though a swimming pool can be costly, it also can be beneficial. With a proper business license, you can teach swimming lessons in your backyard and earn some extra revenue during the summer months. Owning a swimming pool also increases the value of your home. Depending on where you live, your homes value can increase between 5% and 15% from owning an in-ground swimming pool.
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Saltwater Pool
It might cost more to build a saltwater pool instead of a chlorine pool, but the maintenance and cleaning costs are lower. Below is a comparison of chlorine vs. saltwater pool maintenance costs:
- Saltwater pools: $70-$100 per year
- Chlorine pools: $300-$800 per year
Chlorine pools use chlorine to keep the water crystal clear and sanitary, and costs $300-$800 in chemicals each year. That cost is priced into pool cleaning services. Meanwhile, the chemical cost for saltwater pools is just $70-$100 annually.
With chlorine pools, the chlorine must be added, tested and balanced frequently to maintain correct levels. And weekly water checks are recommended.
Saltwater pools use chlorine to keep the water clean and clear, too but the chlorine is made by a chlorine generator instead of being added in the form of tablets. The chlorine generator passes a small electric charge through the pool water, separating water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Instead of adding chlorine to the pool water, you add salt, which reacts with the hydrogen to make hypochlorous acid, the disinfection agent of chlorine. Technicians also don’t have to do water testing and balancing as often.
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Is A Pool Service Worth It
While you can make cleaning easier by using a pool cover, swimming pool maintenance is more than just buying a few test kits and hoping for the best. Professional pool maintenance goes above and beyond sweeping and leaf removal. It also includes ensuring the chemicals stay balanced and that basic care is performed on an ongoing basis and a professional can take care of all of this for you.
A professional pool company can give you advice on water levels, pH levels, how to best care for your pool pump and pool heater, and recommend maintenance for your pool filter system. Consider hiring a pool company to clean and maintain your swimming pool if any of the following apply to you:
- You don’t know how to use pool chemicals safely.
- Your swimming pool is severely dirty or damaged.
- You don’t know how to spot small pool repairs that could become expensive down the line.
- You plan to sell your home and want your pool to maintain its beauty to attract buyers.
- You don’t have the time to commit to weekly, bi-weekly or monthly pool cleanings.
Take the worry out of pool maintenance, get the help you need and spend your time enjoying your pool instead.
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.
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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. Lets look at some of the reasons why you should employ a pool professional for maintenance.
How To Hire A Pro To Maintain Your Pool
When searching for a pool maintenance company near you, always ensure they’re qualified and experienced, hold any relevant certifications and are properly insured. Reading customer reviews goes a long way toward finding the right fit for your pool maintenance needs.
It’s also always a good idea to chat with professional pool service companies to walk through your specifications and needs to help them give you a clear cost estimate. They can help you consider the best service plan for your existing pool or help you estimate costs for a new pool you’re putting in.
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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.
Monthly Pool Maintenance Cost
Monthly pool maintenance costs $30 to $95 for basic care or $80 to $150 for a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning service. Basic maintenance includes testing water chemistry, checking filters, settings, and equipment. While a fiberglass pool needs little maintenance, the chemicals required to keep water pH levels right in a concrete pool can be triple those costs.
Monthly Pool Maintenance Cost
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In Addition To The Weekly Elements Listed Above Youll
How much does a pool service cost. More complex repairs, such as a cracked beam, require a professional and can cost $6,000 or more. Swimming pool repair costs are typically between $10 and $20,000. They also only last around three to seven years before they need to be replaced.
Pool acid washing, required for the most stubborn pool stains, costs $200 to $300 in addition to the cost of a drain and clean. Use this post to help determine a budget for any upcoming pool services you may need in the future. Get a free quote on building a new pool, remodeling an existing one, or servicing your pool now.
Factors affecting pool cleaning service cost. Monthly pool cleaning price range: The average yearly pool maintenance cost is $1,850 for annual service.
The average pool maintenance service cost ranges between $90 and $270 for three summer months or $60 to $90 per hour. Homeowners spend an average of $50 on weekly pool cleaning during summer or $180 for monthly pool service plans. The cost to open or close a pool ranges from $300 to $500 on average.
From these few varying costs hopefully you can determine about how much your pool will continue to cost you. Get a free pool estimate. How much does pool maintenance cost?
One reason why everybody doesnt use salt water is that it costs more upfront. How much does pool service cost? The annual cost to own a pool is $3,000 to $5,000, which includes maintenance, repairs, electricity, and water.
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.
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How To Save On Pool Maintenance Costs*
If you’re worried about the cost of pool maintenance or you think you’re spending too much, here are some ways you could save money:
- Pool cover
- Change your cleaning schedule
Pool cover
Water evaporates in a swimming pool. An 8m x 4m pool can lose up to 160 litres per day and this water has to be replaced, along with the chemicals that keep the water clean.
A pool cover can reduce the amount of evaporation substantially and will also prevent leaves and debris from getting into the pool. A pool cover costs around :
- $150-$700 for a solar blanket with bubbles
- $900-$1700 for a thermal pool cover
- $1500-$3900 for mesh covers for leaves and debris
- $3900-$12,000 for rigid or slatted pool covers
Any type of pool cover will be better than no pool cover. A solar blanket or thermal pool cover will help to keep the water warmer, which will reduce heating costs. Mesh covers may not keep the water warmer, but they will trap leaves and other debris. A rigid or slatted pool cover is quite expensive and may not be suitable for every pool.
Solar heating
Solar heating can save you money. A solar heater costs around $3800 to buy, which is generally cheaper than an electric heater.
Since solar heating costs only $100 to $200 per year, it’s far less costly than having electric heating or gas heating. Even at $200 per year, the cost will only be under $17 per month if it runs all year.
Saltwater pool
Pumps and filters
Lower the temperature
Change your cleaning schedule
Algae Is Unlikely But Possible In Certain Areas
The liner itself is fairly nonporous, so you’re unlikely to get algae on the pool walls and floor.
However, watch out for the little corners, seams, and in the nooks and crannies of the plastic pool stairs where there’s poor water circulation. Algae can develop there and never be seen….little creepy.
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Financial Costs Of Owning A Swimming Pool
Besides the upfront cost to purchase and install a pool, there are a lot of monthly costs associated with pool ownership that most people dont think about. There are electricity costs associated with heating the pool, chemical expenses, maintenance and more. It is important to be aware of monthly costs associated with owning a pool before you decide to buy. If you do not properly maintain your pool, the costs to repair broken fixtures will be greater than the monthly maintenance costs.
Weekly Pool Service Cost
The average cost of weekly pool maintenance is $20 to $50, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done each week. The $300 to $650 cost to open and close the pool each year should be included in more expensive weekly service contracts. Weekly maintenance is recommended so you can keep a close eye on your waters pH levels at all times and catch any malfunctioning equipment quickly.
Recommended weekly pool maintenance chemicals are sanitizers, oxidizers, water pH balancers, and specialty chemicals that help avoid stains and algae buildup. You can also add a Sun Sorb sponge to the pool after every pool event to soak up lotions and oils in the water.
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Hiring Pool Guy Vs A Professional Swimming Pool Cleaner
Pool guys charge about 1.7 times more than it costs to clean your pool yourself. However, be careful who you hirewhile a professional maintenance service might send out someone who barely knows how to clean a pool, you can pay more for someone with many years of experience and who can recognize small issues before they become expensive ones. When comparing pool cleaning services near you, be sure to look for positive customer reviews.
How Much Does It Cost To Acid Wash A Pool
It costs $175-$255 to acid wash a pool. Acid washing removes stains caused by algae and hard water. It’s a big job and requires draining the water, then scrubbing the sides and bottom with muriatic acid.
If you take care of your pool properly, you’ll need acid washing only once every five to seven years. But keep in mind acid washing is only for plaster or Pebble Tec pools, not pools with vinyl liners.
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Cost To Replace Pool Filter
Replacing a pool filter may cost less than a new installation, ranging between $150 and $1,500, depending on the type of filter and replacement being made. You may only need to replace certain parts of the system, such as the filtration gasket, which will cost a lot less than a full replacement. You may also want to upgrade the filter system to a better or newer system, which can be more expensive. It is critical to keep your pool filter running efficiently to keep your pool in a pristine condition at all times and minimize any problems that could arise.
Swimming Pool Acid Wash Cost
Acid washing is the process of using a very strong acid, known as Muriatic Acid, to remove pool stains due to chlorine, algae, minerals, and dirt, costing between $350 and $550, depending on the size of your pool. During the process, the acid washes a thin layer of plaster off the surface of the pool, exposing a fresh, clean layer underneath. If you keep up with the maintenance of your pool, chances are you will only need to acid wash your pool every five to eight years. Acid washing is the strongest form of pool wash using harsh chemicals. If done too frequently, it can be harmful.
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How Much Do Pool Parts Cost*
Pool equipment you need can include filters, pumps, heaters, LED lights and more. Good quality pool parts can last a long time, but they may occasionally need replacing and the cost can be high for certain parts.
Replacing filters is cheap and can be done yourself, but installing a new pump or heater can be expensive and needs to be installed by a professional. Average pool part costs can be:
- A pool pump can cost up to $1000
- A solar pump can cost $500
- LED lights cost around $320
- Heater costs can be high if they need to be replaced. Including installation, a gas heater can cost around $3000, a solar heater costs around $3800 and an electric heater can cost $4500-$6000.
These costs will be infrequent, but should be considered as some of your pool maintenance costs especially if you live in a home with a swimming pool for 10 to 20 years, as some parts will need to be replaced after that amount of time.
How To Keep Pool Maintenance Costs Low
One of the benefits of buying from the experts at Gibson Family Pools is that weve got lots of simple tips to help you keep your pool maintenance costs to a minimum. Simple things like getting a good pool cover will minimise evaporation, and reduce the amount of debris in the pool, so youll need fewer cleaning sessions.
Installing a new pool means youve got choices over things like the energy source for heating solar energy is a no-brainer both for your pocket and the planet. You can also choose some of our innovative materials, like fibreglass which copes perfectly with the rigours of the weather, so your long term costs can be kept low.
Get in touch
Our friendly team are waiting to answer your questions, so whether you want to find out more about pool maintenance costs, or arrange your free quote you can call us on , pop in to see us at 193 Lake Road Port Macquarie NSW 2444 or fill out our contact form.
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