Swimming pools can be a great addition to any home, providing a place for exercise, entertainment, and relaxation. However, before deciding to install a pool, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cost of maintenance and repairs.
The advantages of owning a swimming pool include the following:
- Exercise: Swimming is a low-impact form of exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. It is also a great way to stay cool during the hot summer months.
- Entertainment: A swimming pool can be a great place to entertain guests, host parties, and spend time with family and friends.
- Property value: A swimming pool can increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
Disadvantages of owning a swimming pool include:
- Cost: Installing a swimming pool can be quite expensive, and the cost of maintenance and repairs can add up over time.
- Safety: A swimming pool can be a safety hazard, particularly for young children and pets. It’s important to have proper fencing and safety measures in place to prevent accidents.
- Maintenance: A swimming pool requires regular maintenance, including cleaning, testing, and balancing the chemicals.
The cost of maintenance and repairs can vary depending on the size and type of pool, as well as the location. Basic maintenance, such as cleaning and testing the water, can be done by the homeowner, but more complex repairs, such as leaks or pump issues, may require the services of a professional.
How the type of pool changes what you pay to own it
The pool you pick decides a lot of what ownership costs you later. There are four basic types.
- Concrete (gunite): The most permanent and customizable pool, built from a concrete and sand mix over a rebar frame. It costs the most to build and usually takes 8 to 12 weeks to install. Over time the surface gets rough and needs resurfacing, and cracks have to be repaired before they leak.
- Fiberglass: A one-piece shell dropped into the hole. The smooth surface is easy to clean and easier on pumps and filters, and there is no liner to replace. Shapes and sizes are limited to what the factory makes, and installation needs room for a flatbed truck and a crane.
- Vinyl liner: A vinyl liner hung over braced support walls. It costs less to build than concrete or fiberglass, but the liner has to be replaced every several years. See our guide to swimming pool liner alternatives if you are tired of relining.
- Above ground: The cheapest and most common type, and the only one most homeowners can install themselves. It is less sturdy than an in-ground pool and adds less to resale value.
You will also choose how to sanitize the water. A saltwater pool uses a chlorine generator to make chlorine from salt, so you add less chlorine by hand, and the water has about one tenth the salt of ocean water. The trade-offs are a higher upfront cost, electricity to run the generator, and salt that can wear on lights, metal parts, and concrete surfaces over time. Backwash water from a salt pool can harm plants, and some towns restrict it, so check local rules first.
If you want something different from the standard backyard pool, read the pros and cons of an infinity pool or the pros and cons of a natural pool.
Keeping upkeep under control
Most pool headaches come from skipped routine care. A few habits keep costs down:
- Keep free chlorine at 1 to 3 parts per million, and test the water at least weekly in season.
- Keep pH between 7.2 and 7.4 and total alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm so the chlorine works.
- Skim and vacuum weekly and clean the filter when you test the water.
- Use a cover. It keeps heat in and leaves and debris out.
- Fix cracks and broken drain covers as soon as you find them. Small leaks grow.
- Do not drain an in-ground pool unless you need to make structural repairs. In areas with a high water table, ground water can push on an empty shell and lift or shift it.
Opening and closing the pool each year are good times to look for cracks, leaks, and rough spots, since the pool is clean and the water is down.
Buying a house that already has a pool
Many buyers look for homes with a pool, and many others avoid them. If you are shopping for a house with a pool, weigh these points.
Pros:
- The pool is already built, so you skip months of construction and a torn-up yard.
- A pool can add to resale value, especially in warm climates.
- You get a place to exercise and entertain at home.
- Your children can learn to swim and practice water safety at home.
Cons:
- Insurers treat a pool as an “attractive nuisance” because it draws children and neighbors. Expect higher premiums and ask about liability coverage before you buy.
- Drowning risk. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. A pool needs a fence, a self-latching gate, and adult supervision.
- Upkeep, chemicals, and electricity add a yearly cost.
- The pool takes up yard space you might want for lawn or a garden.
- An older pool may need repairs. Have it inspected, and ask the seller how much water it loses and when it was last resurfaced or relined.
If you already own a pool you no longer want, compare the cost of removing a swimming pool with the cost of fixing it before you call a demolition crew.
Overall, a swimming pool can be a great addition to any home, but it’s important to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cost of maintenance and repairs, before making a decision. It is also important to ensure you have proper insurance coverage for your pool. It is always a good idea to consult with a professional before installing a pool.
SANI-TRED is a permanent waterproofing and repair product for almost any size or type of pool.
Leaks, cracks, and a rough surface are the repairs that make many owners regret their pool. SANI-TRED repairs and waterproofs concrete, gunite, and fiberglass pools. PermaFlex soaks into the shell and cures to a seamless, flexible rubber membrane, and LRB mixed with TAV patches cracks and joints. It is a DIY job with phone support, and the same system coats concrete pool decks. Compare it with other options in our guide to the best pool waterproofing products, or call 1-866-784-3308 to talk with a SANI-TRED tech.
- Learn more about using SANI-TRED on your pool
- Calculate your swimming pool project cost with SANI-TRED
- Read the DIY swimming pool waterproofing and repair steps
- See before and after pictures of SANI-TRED pool projects.
Sources: CDC, “Drowning Facts.”