How Much Does It Cost to Own and Maintain a Swimming Pool?

Pool Maintenance Costs

The national average price to keep your pool in the best condition can range between $109 and $347 per year. See the chart below to find prices for regular cleanings and other maintenance projects.

Average Pool Cleaning Service Prices

Price to Clean an In-Ground vs. Above-Ground Pool

The rate you'll pay a pro to clean an above- or in-ground pool is the same, $75 to $100 per hour. Both need the bottom and sides swept, either manually or by an automatic cleaner.

On average, overall cleaning rates are less for above-ground units, both with or without a deck, because of their smaller size compared to inground pools. Since the interior is easier to access, the job will take less time.

Salt Water Pool Maintenance Costs

Yearly salt and chemical costs range from $70 to $100. Expect to pay an additional $200 to $800 every 3 to 7 years to replace the salt cell. While the price to build a salt water unit is more up front, lower maintenance costs over time can help make up for it.

Corrosion caused by the salt may or may not shorten the life of equipment like seals and heaters. A pro can perform an inspection of your equipment and suggest preventive measures, like placing a zinc disk in your skimmer. The disks absorb the corrosion and cost about $15.

Indoor Pool Maintenance

The average indoor unit uses about $15 worth of chemicals per month. Other than that, not much maintenance is required. Indoor structures do not get dirty, especially if you invest in a pool cover, which range in price from $30 for a woven cover to more than $10,000 for an automatic version. Covers can also help reduce humidity and keep the water warm.

Hiring a Pool Guy vs. a Professional Service

Technicians must be familiar with chemistry, engineering, plumbing, and electrical components to properly service your pool. Due to lower pay and higher turnover rates, many national companies rely on new employees with minimal experience. An established, local expert may offer a more experienced technician. Consider positive online reviews when looking for a reputable pool company near you.

Annual Cost to Upkeep a Pool

Expect to spend between $1,200 and $1,800 per year in basic upkeep. Combined with swimming pool repairs and utilities, homeowners can spend as much as $3,000 to $5,000 per year to keep it in good, working condition.

Weekly Pool Services

For between $100 and $150 per month, a professional will perform weekly or bi-weekly maintenance. Service packages typically include

• checking the water level

• testing water chemistry

• applying chemicals

• emptying skimmers

Frequent services are typically employed by homeowners who don't have time to complete the tasks themselves, since they are necessary to keep the structure clean and safe for use.

Monthly Maintenance Costs

Maintenance by a pro runs between $80 and $150 per month, depending on the services you need. See the chart below for approximate maintenance package prices.

A basic package costs about $80 per month and includes testing water chemistry and checking filters, equipment, and settings. Pros will brush down the surface, empty traps and baskets, and check robotic cleaners for an extra $10 per month. For about $150 per month, a pro will perform all those services as well as vacuum and skim.

You will pay about the same for monthly service as you will for weekly or bi-weekly service. More frequent visits allow pros to spend less overall time on the job, identify minor problems before they become major ones, and offer additional or standalone services. For example, a weekly check may indicate your filter needs cleaning. If your package does not include this service, most pros will perform the service for approximately $75. This can save homeowners money in the long run by preventing much more expensive costs to make repairs to the pool.

Pool Closing or Winterization Costs

The price of closing and winterization typically ranges from $150 to $300. This price includes:

• shocking the water

• lowering the water levels

• cleaning

• backwashing the filter

• closing and storing filter elements

• clearing water lines

• installing the cover

A pro will typically perform the service in two or more visits since the water must be shocked several days prior to closing. For an experienced homeowner, closing is a full day's work.

Opening a Pool

Usually, a professional will open your facility for between $150 and $300. Dirty, green pools may run as much as $300 to $400 to open due to added cleaning and chemical expense. When you should open your pool depends on where you live. Make sure your pool is summer ready with a series of steps, including:

• removing the cover

• reassembling the filter system

• cleaning and testing the water chemistry

• refilling the water

• turning on the pump and other equipment

Cost to Own a Pool Per Year

Repairs, electricity, and water can be $1,800 to $3,200 per year, not including normal maintenance. Including maintenance, homeowners should expect to spend between $3,000 and $5,000 per year to maintain their pool.

How Much Does It Cost Per Month in Electricity?

Homeowners pay as much as $300 per year in electricity to operate their pump. Exact pricing depends on the type you have. Newer structures have variable-speed pumps that operate at reduced horsepower (hp) to lessen energy consumption and operating costs. Older ones may still have single-speed pumps that run intermittently at a high horsepower, which uses more energy and costs more to operate.

How Much Does It Increase Your Water Bill?

Expect to pay between $60 and $120 to fill a standard, 15,000- to 30,000-gallon structure with city water. After the initial fill, homeowners pay an average rate of $0.004 per gallon when they must add water during opening or due to evaporation. This price does not include up to $100 in overuse fees charged in drought-prone areas like California.

Cost to Maintain a Pool Near You

The cost to maintain a pool varies depending on where you live due to local labor costs and the length of time a pool is open. In Houston, Texas, it runs about $240, while maintenance in Los Angeles, California costs a bit less, at $200 on average. Here are some cities along with their average pool maintenance costs:

• Boston: $270

• Chicago: $300

• Des Moines: $230

• New York: $270

• Denver: $300

• Miami: $176

Factors That Contribute to Pool Cleaning Costs

In addition to geographic location, there are multiple factors that influence the cost of cleaning a pool, including: whether it’s an indoor or outdoor pool, a saltwater or freshwater pool, how big the pool is, how much debris it collects, and the pool structure’s materials. For instance, fiberglass pools cost less to maintain than concrete pools. 

There isn’t much of a cost difference when it comes to maintaining an inground vs. an above-ground pool.

Swimming Pool Maintenance 101

Maintenance is an absolute requirement. Neglected units are quick to become what's known as "frog ponds," fraught with algae buildup, mosquito nests, and other health and aesthetic issues. Fortunately, proper maintenance is relatively easy when you keep a regular schedule.

Skimming

The first step in any maintenance routine is skimming. A skimmer is a fine mesh net attached to a long pole. Use it to remove floating debris, such as leaves and drowned insects. If left untended, debris will clog your filters and/or sink to the bottom, where it can leave unsightly stains. Debris can also decrease the efficiency of the circulation system. Skim the surface at least once every few days. Also, remove, dump, and clean out strainer baskets once a week.

Vacuuming

Even with routine skimming, fine particles like dust and dirt eventually sink and settle to the bottom. That's why you need to vacuum regularly. There are two kinds of vacuums: automatic and manual.

• Automatic models run along the bottom and generate suction in random patterns. When using this type, be sure to overlap your passes to ensure that you're getting all of the fine debris.

• Manual versions attach to a long pole that allows you to steer the suction yourself.

If you have a large structure, vacuum in sections once a week.

Brushing

Brushing keeps the walls clean. The kind of brush you'll need will depend on the material of the walls.

• Plaster-lined concrete walls benefit from a stiff-bristled brush.

• Vinyl, tile, and fiberglass walls require a soft-bristled brush.

• For stubborn buildup, use a pumice stone, a putty knife, or a 50/50 mix of water and muriatic acid (be sure to wear gloves and eye protection).

Brush once a week before vacuuming to loosen particles for the vacuum to pick up.

Cleaning Filters

Filters come in three types, each with its own unique cleaning requirements.

• Sand filters: must be “backwashed” and treated with a special sand-cleaning chemical.

• Cartridge filters: remove and spray with a garden hose.

• DE filters: backwashed like sand filters, but more DE must be added. Its advantage is that it traps much smaller particles.

Pool Heater Maintenance

The typical heater can go at least a few years before it needs servicing. Sometimes, calcium and other minerals build up in the heater's tubes, restricting its operation. When this happens, it's best to hire a professional to disassemble and repair it.

Water Level

A pool can lose water both through natural evaporation and from people splashing and getting in and out. Check the water level every time you skim the surface and clean the baskets. Do not allow it to fall below the skimmer basket intake tubes. This can ruin the pump. If the water is low, use a garden hose to fill to the appropriate level.

Maintaining pH

It's important to maintain a pH level of 7 to keep your pool safe for use. Water that is too acidic or alkaline can cause damage and irritation. Check the water regularly with a home testing kit and follow instructions carefully when adding chemicals to neutralize the water.

• Acidic water (pH < 7) can damage your liner and equipment as well as irritate your skin.

• Alkaline water (pH > 7) can clog filters, cloud the water, and irritate your eyes and skin.

Shocking the Pool

Chlorine for shocking comes in 24- to 50-lb. bags ranging in price from $55 to $120. How much chlorine you use will depend on the condition of your water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you're adding the proper amount to address your situation.

Over time, organic contaminants, such as ammonia and nitrogen, can build up in the water. These interact with the chlorine to form chloramines, which create a chlorine-like odor. Adding more can remedy this situation. This is known as "shocking." Some homeowners shock as frequently as once a week; others go longer.

Leak Detection

If you have to add water frequently, you may have a leak. Detection is simple.

1. Fill a plastic bucket three-quarters of the way and mark the water line on the inside.

2. Float it or set it on the steps and mark the waterline on the outside of the bucket.

3. After two to three days, compare the water lines. If the amount lost is the same, you're losing water to evaporation. If there is a disparity between the bucket line and the interior water line, you have a leak.

You will need to call a professional for the repair.

Winterizing

If you live in a freezing climate, you will have to perform winterization tasks. This entails the following:

1. Remove water from the plumbing with an air compressor and drain as much as you can from the filter and the heater.

2. Remove any remaining water with a special antifreeze. (Car antifreeze is a different product altogether.)

3. Disconnect the heater, the pump, and any chemical feeders.

4. Clean and store the chemical feeders for the winter.

5. Give the water and surface a good cleaning. Close the skimmer valves and lower the water level to about 18 inches below the edge. This will allow any expansion from freezing some room to grow without putting pressure on your liner.

6. Lastly, shock the water and cover it to prevent incoming debris.

Reopening

1. Clear the area of debris.

2. Refill the water to its normal level and open the skimmer valve to get the water circulating.

3. Test the water's pH and shock it.

4. Turn on the pump and leave it running 24 hours a day.

5. Decrease this time by one hour each day until the water is balanced. Your swimming hole is now open for fun!

If you can't maintain it yourself, hire a maintenance service. Companies will handle everything from regular treatments to closing and opening for the seasons. Most maintenance services charge about $75 to $100 per hour. Some services may charge extra.

Common Pool Repairs

Pump Motor

Replacing the pump motor altogether can run from $185 for a .75hp motor to $350 for a 2.5hp motor. The price to repair depends on what has failed. The pump is the component most commonly in need of repair.

Apart from the cover, it affects every aspect of your pool. It is the system with the most moving parts and is thus the most prone to failure. When it fails, water can't circulate, heat, or filter. Check your pump motor regularly and address problems as early as possible.

Pool Filter

There are three types of filters: cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth (DE).

Cartridge Filter: A new cartridge for this filter is priced between $13 and $75, depending on its size. A replacement cartridge filter may be as little as $8 or as much as $75. If you maintain your filter, you probably won't have to worry much about replacing. But if your filter requires increasingly frequent cleaning, it's probably trapping oils that will be difficult to remove. A properly-sized cartridge should go three to five weeks before needing a cleaning.

Sand Filter: Replacement sand costs about $12 a bag. Replacing a sand filter system ranges from $150 to more than $500. These are equipped with a pressure gauge. If the pressure gets too high, your filter isn't working properly. If the pressure is too great, it can cause a catastrophic failure and can cause the tank to rupture. If it's normal but your pool requires increasingly frequent cleaning, you may need to replace the sand in the filter. New sand particles are particularly rough, which helps them trap particles. Over time, the water can wear them down to be smooth, reducing their efficiency.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filter: Additional DE costs about $20 per 25-lb. bag. Replacing a DE filter system costs around $600 to $700. A DE filter may fail similarly to a sand filter. Further, a failed system can pump DE powder back into the water. In this case, a professional can tell you whether you need to replace an O-ring or address a failing valve. Stainless steel tanks can also spring pinhole leaks over time. When this happens, the tank should be replaced (any patches will be temporary).

Leaks

Patching a vinyl liner costs as little as $20 with a DIY patch kit, or you can hire a professional to do the job for around $200. Always hire a pro to repair a fiberglass liner. This typically costs around $300. Usually, you will need to drain and sand concrete or gunite pools for proper repair. This price usually ranges from $800 to $1,550.

Determining if you have a leak is relatively easy when compared to actually fixing it. A professional can help you determine whether the leak starts at the filter or in the structure itself.

Heater and Heating Tubes

The average price to repair a heater is around $395. However, left unattended, a repair can easily climb to $1,200. The price to replace a pool heater averages more than $2,700. Do not attempt to fix it on your own.

As water courses through the heating tubes and back out into your pool, minerals build up in tubes and create blockages. Also, insects crawl in and around the system and can affect the functions of the various smaller systems of your heater.

DIY vs. Hiring a Cleaning Service

If you opt to maintain your pool yourself, you’ll spend about $50 for a pool vacuum and hose and about $60 for a fall maintenance kit. Monthly chemical maintenance kits cost between $20 and $100 per month.

Homeowners who clean on their own can save as much as $1,000 per year in maintenance fees. This is enough of a savings to offset the initial investment in cleaning and maintenance equipment. However, a service will likely use higher-end equipment and possess more expertise.

DIY Pool Maintenance Costs

The majority of maintenance projects can be DIY. All it takes is the right materials and the ability to follow simple written directions.

• Skimmer: Is a shallow net attached to a long, light pole that costs around $7. Use it to skim debris from the water's surface. How long this takes depends on the size of the structure and the amount of debris present, but it usually takes about 20 minutes to skim an average-sized facility. You should skim once every day or two. Unskimmed debris can sink to the bottom and adhere to or permanently stain the liner.

• Chlorine: A 25-lb. container of 3-inch chlorine tablets costs about $60 to $70. A two-gallon container of liquid chlorine costs about $8. Use it to neutralize harmful bacteria. It can be added as part of a routine maintenance program, or tablets can be inserted into floating, time-release dispensers.

• Muriatic Acid: costs about $8 per gallon and lowers the pH levels. It prevents bacteria blooms, fights mineral buildup, and generally helps to keep your pool clean. Too much acid can damage your structure and cause your eyes, nose, and skin to sting. Follow the manufacturer's directions for adding.

• Soda Ash: A 6-lb. container costs about $8. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, it is used to combat excess acid. It raises the pH level by neutralizing some of the more harmful effects of muriatic acid. Too much soda ash, however, will allow bacteria to thrive and encourage mineral buildup to clog your plumbing.

• Testing Kits cost about $15. Keep in mind that testing solutions must be periodically replaced. A full set of replacement solutions costs around $8. With a kit, you can gauge your pH levels by taking a small water sample and adding certain chemicals to the solution. Most test for chlorine, bromide, alkalinity, and acidity.

• Vacuums: can run as low as $20 for a basic manual model to as high as $200 to $600 for a robotic or automatic version. A skimmer will not pick up the finer particles that get in, so a vacuum is also necessary. It will roll along the bottom and suck up small debris.

• Filters: Replacement filter cartridges are priced based on their size and capacity. A basic two-pack of 4.25-inch cartridges can cost about $13, but a single 10-inch, higher-end filter can cost as much as $75. Sand should be replaced in sand filters every three years. A 50-lb. container of sand costs about $12. DE for filtering costs about $20 for a 25-lb bag.

• Cover: generally costs about $580. It is a pool safety product that also keeps debris out when you aren't using it. Though expensive, covers protect your investment and save you money in the long term. A good cover will extend about two feet beyond the edge (a 16'x38' structure would need an 18'x40' cover, for example).

Performing maintenance tasks yourself will take less than two hours so long as you do them regularly. Routine maintenance not only keeps it clean for use, but also allows you to spot problems early on - before they become big, costly repairs. Spending a few dollars in treatment chemicals, for example, will prevent you from having to hire a professional to clean a "frog pond" to the tune of $75 to $100 an hour.

Benefits of Hiring a Pool Cleaning Service

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.