Swimming is the fifth most popular activity in the United States. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a dip in a pool on a hot summer day, after all. However, neglecting pool maintenance can put a damper on the fun.
If you don’t clean and maintain your pool, it can result in injuries and illnesses. For one, contaminated pools can cause skin infections and diarrhea. Forgetting to clean the pool can also result in unsightly stains.
That said, it can take a lot of time and energy to maintain the pool. So should you DIY the job or call a pool maintenance company? Find out the pros and cons of each option here.
How Much Does a Professional Pool Cleaning Cost?
There are several factors that affect the price of a professional cleaning. Some of these factors include:
- The size
- Type of pool
- Location
- How often it’s used
- Your pool equipment
- Whether you have a contract
A one-time cleaning can range anywhere from $150 to $300. If you have a contract and sign up for weekly or monthly cleaning, you might find some deals and discounts.
You can save a little by cleaning it yourself, but you still have to buy all the chemicals, cleaning supplies, and equipment needed to do a good job.
Whether it’s worth it or not depends on your budget and how much time and energy you want to spend cleaning the pool. Some people would rather spend as much time as possible relaxing in the water.
Pool Chemical Management
There is a risk when handling pool cleaning chemicals.
According to the CDC, from 2015 to 2017, there were 13,508 emergency room visits due to pool chemical injuries. When mishandled, pool chemicals can result in eye irritation, chemical burns, and more.
If you’re not careful, you can hurt yourself or your family by mishandling pool chemicals.
If you know what you’re doing, you might feel it’s worth it to handle the cleaning yourself. Just make sure you’re being careful when handling and storing the chemicals.
The Time and Effort Required
The amount of time it takes to clean your pool will vary depending on its location, how big it is, and your pool equipment.
If your pool is near a tree, you may have to skim the surface for leaves and debris daily or even twice daily. How often the pool gets used also affects how often you should clean it.
Most people spend between 45 minutes to an hour or so cleaning a pool. It might take you longer in the beginning as you learn what you’re doing.
Often, it’s worth the extra cost to leave the job to the pros, so you can jump in the pool whenever you want.
Difficult stains can also affect whether you should DIY pool maintenance or call in the pros. We recommend leaving tough stains to pool stain removers.
DIY or Professional Pool Maintenance?
There are pros and cons to each option, but we still recommend going with professional pool maintenance if you have the budget for it. You’ll free up a lot of your time and see better results. Plus, it’s safer and doesn’t cost much more than doing it yourself.
If you’re looking for more ways to make the most of your backyard for the season, check out some of our other articles!
