When you’re considering the purchase of a swimming pool, make sure you take into consideration the costs on ongoing maintenance. These costs can be as high as $400 a month or as low as $100 a month, depending on your pool and how much work you want to put into maintenance.
How do the costs break down?
==> Heating, Pumps and Electricity
Running the pool actively, keeping it heated and keeping the water circulating takes a lot of electricity. You can expect to spend between $50 to $75 a month on electricity when you’re actively using the pool.
Naturally, in the winter months when the pool isn’t in use, this won’t be much of a factor.
==> pH Tests, Chlorine & Other Chemicals
Contrary to what you might expect, these chemicals are quite affordable.
Generally it’ll cost you between $20 a month and $30 a month for all the chemicals you’d need to keep your pool in great condition.
==> Weekly Servicing
You can learn all you need to learn about pool chemistry and how to keep your pool in good condition on the internet.
Still, a lot of people prefer to have someone else do their pool’s servicing for that. If that’s you, you can expect to pay about $75 to $90 a week for the servicing. This includes the cost of all the chemicals.
==> Replastering
If you have an in-ground vinyl pool, you’ll need to get your pool replastered about every 10 to 15 years. This can easily run you $10,000 or more.
Other types of pools may need replastering every 20 to 30 years as well. This is a big expense that definitely needs to be factored in.
==> Replacing Pumps & Heaters
You can expect to spend about $2,000 over the course of 10 years to replace pumps and heaters.
If you maintain a good chlorine level and the right pH levels, your pumps will last longer. If you aren’t maintaining your pool properly, the water’s chlorine and acidity will corrode the pumps faster.
==> The Totals
In total, you can get your costs down to as low as $100 a month if you’re willing to take the time to learn about pool chemistry. If you learn everything you need to know about pool maintenance yourself, you can save a lot of money.
On the other hand, if you want to hire someone else to do it, you’re going to need to spend about $300 to $400 a month.
In addition to the total costs of maintaining your pool, you should also set aside about $100 a month towards a pool maintenance fund. Set this money aside, so that when equipment inevitably needs to be replaced, you’ll be ready.