Guide to Pool Maintenance Costs

Owning a pool may be a luxury, but it also comes with responsibilities and ongoing costs to ensure it stays clean, safe, and functional. From routine cleaning to repairs and chemical treatments, understanding pool maintenance costs is essential for budgeting and keeping your pool in excellent condition.

Read on to learn what you might expect to spend on pool maintenance costs.

Breakdown of Monthly Pool Maintenance Cost 

How much does pool maintenance cost? Monthly pool maintenance costs depend on the size and type of pool you have, but they generally average between $80 and $150 a month. Here’s what contributes to the costs:

• Analyzing the water and balancing the chemicals

• Maintaining the filter

• Cleaning out the skimmer and pump baskets

• Cleaning out the auto pool cleaner bag

• Brushing the pool walls (if necessary)

• Skimming the pool surface

• Vacuuming the pool

• Winterizing the pool

• Opening the pool for spring

Breakdown of Annual Pool Maintenance Cost 

Some of the costs of pool maintenance are ongoing, while others are annual. In total, the annual cost to own a pool is $3,000-$6,000, which includes electricity and water as well as these average costs:

• Monthly service: $122

• First cleaning: $225

• Pool opening: $400

• Pool closing: $350

• Repairs: $350

Recommended: Pool Resurfacing Costs

Maintenance Cost for Saltwater vs Chlorine Pools: Which Is Higher? 

The cost of pool maintenance depends on the type of pool you have. Typically, saltwater pool maintenance costs less than maintenance for a traditional chlorine pool because you use fewer chemicals. Properly maintained, a saltwater pool will cost on average $70-$100 annually for salt and chemicals. A chlorine pool costs from $300-$800 in chemicals. 

However, saltwater pools do need regular cleanings to prevent buildup. The average monthly cost of maintaining a saltwater pool is $80-$95.

One of the major expenses of a saltwater pool is the saltwater chlorine generator needed to gauge the pool’s salt levels, cleanliness, temperature, and flow. The typical cost for one of these generators is around $400, but it may be as high as $1,800. 

Recommended: 5 Typical Personal Loan Requirements

Factors That Impact Pool Maintenance Cost 

The cost of pool maintenance varies based on a number of different factors, such as: 

Type of Maintenance 

These are some common types of pool maintenance you’ll want to budget for to keep your pool clean: 

• Pool drain: $175

• Acid wash: $400-$550

• Chlorine wash: $300-$450

• Pool brush: $85 per hour

• Pool vacuum: $85 per hour

• Drain and clean: $650

• Spring cleaning: $385-$485

• Winter cleaning: $365-$650

Size of the Pool 

How big your pool is affects how long it takes to clean and the amount of cleaning supplies you’ll need. The larger the pool, the more expensive it generally is to maintain.

Type of Pool 

The type of pool you have will also impact how much it costs to maintain and clean it. The least expensive type of pool to maintain is a fiberglass pool, which costs about $300-$550 a year to maintain. Concrete pools tend to be more expensive to care for, averaging about $450-$1,200 annually for maintenance. 

These different types of pools require different chemicals to clean and maintain them, which contributes to the different price points. Homeowners looking for home renovation hacks may benefit from keeping these costs in mind when choosing the type of pool they want to install. 

Material Used on the Pool Labor Cost 

A number of different chemicals are needed to maintain a pool and keep it clean, sanitized, and working properly. These are the average costs you’ll pay for chemicals for the three widely popular types of pools:

• Fiberglass pool: $175

• Vinyl pool: $400

• Concrete pool: $750

Frequency of Maintenance 

How often you clean and care for your pool will affect how much you spend. Weekly maintenance may cost $20-$50 and is often recommended because it helps pool owners monitor the pool water’s pH levels and adjust them when necessary. Weekly maintenance also allows you to check on equipment to make sure nothing is malfunctioning.

Affordability of Pool Maintenance 

One way to make pool maintenance more affordable is for pool owners to learn how to care for their pool themselves. It may be a lot of work to clean and maintain a pool, but it will save you a substantial amount of money in labor costs.

If your pool needs more work than you’re able to do and you decide to hire a professional, or if it requires repairs or new equipment, swimming pool loans could help cover the expense of updating and maintaining your pool.

The Takeaway

On average, pool owners typically spend $3,000-$6,000 a year to maintain a swimming pool. The type of pool you have, how big it is, and how frequently you clean it affect how much you spend on maintenance. It’s important to figure out a pool maintenance schedule, determine all the costs involved, and budget for them accordingly. Once you do, you have the satisfaction of knowing your pool is well-cared for, and you’re able to enjoy all it has to offer. 

If you need help covering pool maintenance expenses, consider a personal loan with Lantern by SoFi. By filling out one simple form, you can compare personal loan interest rates from multiple lenders in our marketplace.

Check your rate today with Lantern to see your options.