How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost Per Month?

Owning a swimming pool is a luxury, and an expensive one at that. You must spend a small fortune on opening it, closing it, chemicals, maintenance, and repairs. How much does pool maintenance cost per month?

It costs between $120 and $400 per month to maintain an in-ground pool. Above-ground pools often only cost $15 per month to maintain. You can expect to spend $50 to $100 per month on chlorine for your pool depending on how big it is. Saltwater pools are cheaper to maintain, as you may only spend $100 per year on salt.

The average cost of pool repairs is $720, but it depends on what is wrong and the severity of the problem. You must also spend an average of $300 per year to open your pool. Follow along as we explore how much you can expect to spend on pool maintenance per month. 

Pool Maintenance Cost Factors

Everything from the chemicals you use to the size of your pool affects how much you must spend on its maintenance. Many factors affect your monthly pool budget, such as:

Chemicals

Chemicals are necessary to maintain a healthy balance and keep your pool safe to swim in. The average swimming pool relies on chlorine, and you can expect to spend $50-$100 per month on it. How much you spend on chlorine per month depends on how big your pool is.

Bromine is a more expensive alternative to chlorine, and it often costs triple the price of chlorine. Salt is cheaper than both chlorine and bromine. You may only spend as much as $100 per year on salt for your pool, and it’s just as effective as chlorine.

Additional chemicals, such as algaecide aren’t always necessary, but they are worth keeping at home. A gallon of algaecide typically costs $10 to $15, and it’s essential if your pool has algae. 

Size

The size of your pool determines everything from the chemicals you must use to how often you must clean it. For example, a 20' x 40' pool needs more chlorine or salt than a 10' x 20' pool. The average 20' x 40' pool costs up to $1,200 per year to maintain.

You can expect to spend between $400 and $1,000 to maintain pools that measures 10' x 20' to 16' x 32'. The size of your pool also determines how much water it needs, and that affects your monthly water bill. Typically, homeowners spend $500 on water to fill their pool each season, but it varies. 

Type

In-ground pools are more expensive to maintain than above-ground pools. The average above-ground pool costs $15 to maintain each month. By comparison, an in-ground pool costs between $120 and $400 per month to maintain.

In-ground pools have more equipment, so more things require attention and can go wrong. Above-ground pools are portable and don’t rely on permanent equipment installations. 

Material

You will spend a different amount to maintain your pool depending upon if it’s made of vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete. Concrete pools cost between $400 and $1,500 per year to maintain. Fiberglass pools rarely cost more than $600 to maintain each year.

Concrete pools are more prone to having tricky leaks that are expensive to patch. While fiberglass leaks are possible, they are easier to repair than cracks in concrete. 

Condition

Naturally, it costs more to maintain an old pool that’s in bad shape than a new pool. Swimming pools that leak and have cracks cost more to maintain. You may also need to replace the pump and filter on an older pool, and that can cost up to $2,000.

Professionals can inspect the equipment when they open and close your pool. Without a functional filter, your swimming pool will become dirty and unsafe to swim in. 

Pool Repair Costs

Pool repairs are expensive, especially if you have outdated, faulty parts. The cost of repairing your swimming pool depends on what is wrong and which part needs attention, such as:

Lights

It costs between $400 and $1,700 to replace the lights in your swimming pool. The cost varies based on the type of lights you have in your pool. The number of lights you must replace also affects the cost. Additional costs include electrical work. 

Pump

It costs an average of $175 to repair a pool pump if the problem is simple. That is the best-case scenario, as it’s much more expensive to replace the part. You can expect to spend $450 to replace your pool pump, on average, or as much as $650. 

Filter

Replacing a filter is one of the most expensive pool repair costs. This can cost up to $2,000 if you opt for professional help. That said, you can spend as little as $500 to $1,500 if you buy the part and replace yourself.

Leak

Depending on the source of the leak, it can cost up to $4,000 to repair. Simple leaks in the liner only cost $500 to $1,000 to repair. However, tricky leaks in the pool pump cost $700 to $4,000 to repair, depending on if it must be replaced. 

Heater

It costs up to $750 to repair a broken pool heater. That is why many people think that pool heaters simply aren’t worth the cost. You can expect to spend up to $265 per month to run a pool heater, and up to $6,000 to install it. 

How Much Does It Cost To Open A Pool?

It costs an average of $300 to open a pool, but it varies based on the company you hire. The process involves removing the cover, preparing the equipment, and filling the pool with water. The water must also be treated with chemicals and the pH level of the water balanced.

You can save money if you opt for a partial pool opening, but not every company can accommodate that. For example, you can remove the cover, fill the pool with water, and have the technicians prepare the equipment. Opening a pool can sometimes be quite labor-intensive, especially if your pool has an algae problem. 

Related Guides:

• 6 Types of Pool Liners (For Above Ground And Inground Pools)
• What To Plant Around Saltwater Pools (Plant These 11 Things!)