Ive always wanted a house with a pool. Im now home buying age and am definitely looking at this from all angles. My biggest worry is the electric bill. I dont mind cleaning or maintenance but the expense is what im worried about
Our in ground pool was installed in the early 80s. Since we’ve lived in our house for the last 17 years, I probably put $200 to $300 in chemicals a season into the pool. Being in Virginia, our season goes from early May to late September/October. Heating, maybe as much as $70 a month in May and September. Equipment is a whole different subject because different pieces of equipment last different lengths of time. Basically I assume I’m going to need to upgrade something every few years so roughly speaking maybe set aside $1000 every 3 years for some kind of equipment upgrade or replacement. For example last season I installed a new gas heater that cost about $2800. The last gas heater I had lasted about 14 years. So not bad when you average out the cost overtime. I’m pretty handy and can do many repairs and fixes myself and don’t buy the expensive chemicals you get at large pool stores. If you were not handy and completely dependent on the local pool service companies to open, close your pool and do all weekly maintenance I can see it would be very expensive. Maybe hundreds of dollars a month.
To Kev You are correct sir I am at Northern California swimming pool owner and that is correct unless you can do the maintenance yourself it can be very costly thanks for the commentary
Don't forget that a pool is also no longer $20k to buy. $100k is near to the starting point now for inground pool packages and it goes up a lot from there. Ypu can easily drop 20k on just the equipment these days.
@@Executiveinvestments- Same here, having a salt system reduces costs and makes things easy. But don't forget things like additional salt as needed, shock for opening closing (opening not always needed), and acid as you mention. I haven't had to buy baking soda in years.
In my midwest state a swimming pool raises your taxes and insurance while at the same time lowers your property value. It makes no sense to have a pvt pool. If you have the option, join a swim club. It's far less expensive. 😊
Hello Steve, do you have any thoughts or information about having your in ground pool 20’ X 40’ filled in with dirt? We are seriously considering it as we’re just tired of the cost of having it. We’re getting older and don’t want that headache anymore. We’ve thought about just moving but housing is just so hard to find these days and we really like our home as we’ve put a lot of money into it. We’re in central Indiana. Thanks
Jay Make sure you punch holes in the bottom all the way through to the dirt before you fill it in. Just like a flower pot it needs to drain or all that dirt’s gonna turn into a swamp
Some areas are more strict than others. Some you just dump dirt in. Others you are supposed to remove every stitch of the pool from the ground first. It is common enough to fill one in. As Swimming Pool Steve O am always inclined to say to keep thr pool but your reasoning is the most common one. Get price quotes. It is usually a bit more money than you might expect to fill it in.
@@Swimmingpoolsteve To add to what Steve said, you may want to call your county first and a couple pool companies to find whats involved. I'll tell you this, having a "pool" company will probably cost more since they will likely sub out the work. If your resourceful you can find someone to drill holes in it, then someone else to bring the dirt. To save some $ you can try to locate "fill dirt", then can be free if its from a construction site. But the company will need bring it. One more thing, if you leave the pool shell it will be there for someone to find if they add footings for a deck, new addition, etc... You could always demolish it in place (leave concrete in a pile at the deep end then fill with dirt).
steve i a have new built pool with a saltwater system, they said i have to wait atleast 3 months before adding the salt, i discover my water is high on bromine, i only shock it once after two months ago. i dont remember treating my pool with bromine, according to some vlogger here salt and bromine cannot be mix, whats the best way to do before i add my salt?
How do you know you have bromine in the pool? Do you have a spa with bromine? Did you use bromine to treat the pool? Once bromine, always bromine. To change from bromine to chlorine requires draining the pool. As for salt, is it a concrete pool? It is common to wait one month, not three, to add salt. Maybe there is a backorder on your salt system. Many products are back ordered
@@Swimmingpoolsteve unfortunately im one of those who encounter a bad pool builder, after they filled the pool with water (jan 16) i was on my own, they dont answer my call they never came back to check the water, and when the water finally cleared up i brought the water to the store to be check, its only came to my attention when i watched your video about chlorine pool and a bromine pool. at first i use a 4way combo strips which only reads the ph alkalinity and chlorine. i decide to use a 7 in 1 test strips and the color that indicate the level of bromine is too high. heater and salt chlorinator were installed altogether from the beginning. i only treat (recommendation from the store) the pool with chlorine stabilizer baking soda and a one time pool shock in a powdered form. if theres a mistake how can i correct it? i greatly appreciate your time reading my question.
You need to consult with a local professional. Find a water lab nearby. Note, bromine on a dip strip does not mean bromine in the pool. Bromine and free chlorine will both show up on a bromine test strip reading. Unless you have actually added bromine to this pool, there is no bromine in it. Which means you are back with normal pool chemistry issues. Chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium, CYA, phosphates etc. If you want to take a quick pool chemistry crash course I have one here: www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/chemistry.html
I wish I could wiggle my nose and it was gone, nobody uses it and it costs money to maintain, it just cost me a new pump, $500, not too long ago a chlorinator cell, another few hundred. have to keep up with the maintenance or it looks like crap and it is a magnet of ugliness in your yard so you have to look after it even when nobody uses it.
Hey Steve you are correct again. How about talking to us about concrete swimming pool decks it’s so important to make sure you have a contractor who does swimming pool decks do that work. To all of you out there who don’t know this it’s very specialized work concrete work around a swimming pool your deck is one of the most expensive parts of the pool and it’s the one that you’re going to be looking at and you’re going to be laying and walking on and entertaining on. Do not let someone talk you into COUSIN pearls brother-in-law who can knock it out really cheaply. You can get some very sophisticated decks these days and it takes an experience contractor to know how to do it.
@@Executiveinvestments- I have to agree with Titles on this one. When I got estimates from concrete companies, a couple of them were subs to Pool companies. The trickiest part is how the deck finishes at the pool and interacts with the pool shell. I can see where this can be screwed up if not done right. But there's straightforward specs out there detailing this.
No to mention the amount of electric it uses for the constantly ON filter system and vacuuming, too. I specifically bought a house withOUT a swimming pool, for reasons you mentioned, and more. And I live in the South. Safety: even a covered pool isn't safe if there are puddles forming on top. I knew someone that had a schitzu dog drown in one of those puddles. The water bill when you have to empty it/refill it on occasion or..... if there is a crack in it . . If it rains more than 6 inches in a week, you have to siphon it out . And let;s not forget mould, in the pool and the slime on the deck, or in the house if you don't keep up with the chlorine or scrub your deck. Aaah, that's just too much to worry about .
Pool : a hole in the ground you keep throwing money into. I have no proof, but I have guessed that you could join a nice country club for the same or less money.
@@Executiveinvestments- What area do you live in? I ask because it seems to be an age old debate if they add or take away from a home value. Guess it depends where one lives and if a pool if favorable in that area or not.
@@Executiveinvestments- brother makes a good point I must say, the variable speed pump did reduce the cost for the electricity, now if they would just stop skyrocketing the cost per kw ...
I love my pool. My backyard is an oasis. If you have kids it’s the best thing that you can do for your family.
We love our pool.
We hate our pool.
Can’t live without our pool.
Sometimes wonder why we have a pool.
-Pool Owner Daily Thoughts
Ive always wanted a house with a pool. Im now home buying age and am definitely looking at this from all angles.
My biggest worry is the electric bill. I dont mind cleaning or maintenance but the expense is what im worried about
Reduces the value of your home in most cases. People usually defiantly want one or flat out do not.
Our in ground pool was installed in the early 80s. Since we’ve lived in our house for the last 17 years, I probably put $200 to $300 in chemicals a season into the pool. Being in Virginia, our season goes from early May to late September/October. Heating, maybe as much as $70 a month in May and September. Equipment is a whole different subject because different pieces of equipment last different lengths of time. Basically I assume I’m going to need to upgrade something every few years so roughly speaking maybe set aside $1000 every 3 years for some kind of equipment upgrade or replacement. For example last season I installed a new gas heater that cost about $2800. The last gas heater I had lasted about 14 years. So not bad when you average out the cost overtime.
I’m pretty handy and can do many repairs and fixes myself and don’t buy the expensive chemicals you get at large pool stores. If you were not handy and completely dependent on the local pool service companies to open, close your pool and do all weekly maintenance I can see it would be very expensive. Maybe hundreds of dollars a month.
To Kev
You are correct sir I am at Northern California swimming pool owner and that is correct unless you can do the maintenance yourself it can be very costly thanks for the commentary
Don't forget that a pool is also no longer $20k to buy. $100k is near to the starting point now for inground pool packages and it goes up a lot from there. Ypu can easily drop 20k on just the equipment these days.
Lol people with salt systems spend almost nothing in chemicals. Cost me $10 in acid last year. Basically all pools come with a salt system now.
@@Executiveinvestments- Same here, having a salt system reduces costs and makes things easy. But don't forget things like additional salt as needed, shock for opening closing (opening not always needed), and acid as you mention. I haven't had to buy baking soda in years.
@@Swimmingpoolsteve Yikes, thats a big chunk of change!
In my midwest state a swimming pool raises your taxes and insurance while at the same time lowers your property value. It makes no sense to have a pvt pool.
If you have the option, join a swim club. It's far less expensive. 😊
Some fair points, but if you maintain a balanced pool with a salt water system, timer, and cover, you can easily take 2 or 3 week vacation.
I think more people should have swimming pools in their backyards when they have no children.
Hello Steve, do you have any thoughts or information about having your in ground pool 20’ X 40’ filled in with dirt? We are seriously considering it as we’re just tired of the cost of having it. We’re getting older and don’t want that headache anymore. We’ve thought about just moving but housing is just so hard to find these days and we really like our home as we’ve put a lot of money into it. We’re in central Indiana. Thanks
Jay
Make sure you punch holes in the bottom all the way through to the dirt before you fill it in. Just like a flower pot it needs to drain or all that dirt’s gonna turn into a swamp
Some areas are more strict than others. Some you just dump dirt in. Others you are supposed to remove every stitch of the pool from the ground first. It is common enough to fill one in. As Swimming Pool Steve O am always inclined to say to keep thr pool but your reasoning is the most common one. Get price quotes. It is usually a bit more money than you might expect to fill it in.
@@Swimmingpoolsteve To add to what Steve said, you may want to call your county first and a couple pool companies to find whats involved. I'll tell you this, having a "pool" company will probably cost more since they will likely sub out the work. If your resourceful you can find someone to drill holes in it, then someone else to bring the dirt. To save some $ you can try to locate "fill dirt", then can be free if its from a construction site. But the company will need bring it. One more thing, if you leave the pool shell it will be there for someone to find if they add footings for a deck, new addition, etc... You could always demolish it in place (leave concrete in a pile at the deep end then fill with dirt).
steve i a have new built pool with a saltwater system, they said i have to wait atleast 3 months before adding the salt, i discover my water is high on bromine, i only shock it once after two months ago. i dont remember treating my pool with bromine, according to some vlogger here salt and bromine cannot be mix, whats the best way to do before i add my salt?
How do you know you have bromine in the pool? Do you have a spa with bromine? Did you use bromine to treat the pool? Once bromine, always bromine. To change from bromine to chlorine requires draining the pool. As for salt, is it a concrete pool? It is common to wait one month, not three, to add salt. Maybe there is a backorder on your salt system. Many products are back ordered
@@Swimmingpoolsteve unfortunately im one of those who encounter a bad pool builder, after they filled the pool with water (jan 16) i was on my own, they dont answer my call
they never came back to check the water, and when the water finally cleared up i brought the water to the store to be check, its only came to my attention when i watched your video about chlorine pool and a bromine pool. at first i use a 4way combo strips which only reads the ph alkalinity and chlorine.
i decide to use a 7 in 1 test strips and the color that indicate the level of bromine is too high.
heater and salt chlorinator were installed altogether from the beginning.
i only treat (recommendation from the store) the pool with chlorine stabilizer baking soda and a one time pool shock in a powdered form.
if theres a mistake how can i correct it?
i greatly appreciate your time reading my question.
You need to consult with a local professional. Find a water lab nearby. Note, bromine on a dip strip does not mean bromine in the pool. Bromine and free chlorine will both show up on a bromine test strip reading. Unless you have actually added bromine to this pool, there is no bromine in it. Which means you are back with normal pool chemistry issues. Chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium, CYA, phosphates etc. If you want to take a quick pool chemistry crash course I have one here: www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/chemistry.html
@@Swimmingpoolsteve thank you so much!
I wish I could wiggle my nose and it was gone, nobody uses it and it costs money to maintain, it just cost me a new pump, $500, not too long ago a chlorinator cell, another few hundred.
have to keep up with the maintenance or it looks like crap and it is a magnet of ugliness in your yard so you have to look after it even when nobody uses it.
I see that Lerrivee back their 😊
OM-19. Canadian version of the "California" model commemorating the opening of the US Larrivee plant
Is an underground pool safe when it doesn't come into contact with the sun ?
Hey Steve you are correct again. How about talking to us about concrete swimming pool decks it’s so important to make sure you have a contractor who does swimming pool decks do that work. To all of you out there who don’t know this it’s very specialized work concrete work around a swimming pool your deck is one of the most expensive parts of the pool and it’s the one that you’re going to be looking at and you’re going to be laying and walking on and entertaining on. Do not let someone talk you into COUSIN pearls brother-in-law who can knock it out really cheaply. You can get some very sophisticated decks these days and it takes an experience contractor to know how to do it.
Great idea and good info, thank you
Lol. Any concrete company can lay a swimming pool deck. There is nothing special about it.
@@Executiveinvestments- I have to agree with Titles on this one. When I got estimates from concrete companies, a couple of them were subs to Pool companies. The trickiest part is how the deck finishes at the pool and interacts with the pool shell. I can see where this can be screwed up if not done right. But there's straightforward specs out there detailing this.
Because many of us realize "water is for drinking" .... you'll see
Personally I prefer to just dig a hole, start a bonfire and enjoy throwing money into it when I’m bored. It’s actually cheaper if you just use $1’s.
No to mention the amount of electric it uses for the constantly ON filter system and vacuuming, too.
I specifically bought a house withOUT a swimming pool, for reasons you mentioned, and more. And I live in the South.
Safety: even a covered pool isn't safe if there are puddles forming on top. I knew someone that had a schitzu dog drown in one of those puddles.
The water bill when you have to empty it/refill it on occasion or.....
if there is a crack in it . .
If it rains more than 6 inches in a week, you have to siphon it out .
And let;s not forget mould, in the pool and the slime on the deck, or in the house if you don't keep up with the chlorine or scrub your deck.
Aaah, that's just too much to worry about .
Not as expensive as a RV or Boat
But you can at least sell them if you don't want the expense anymore.
Pool : a controlled swamp or cesspool
Public pool: never needs to be topped up due to evaporation. The swimmers take care of that for you.
Pool : a hole in the ground you keep throwing money into.
I have no proof, but I have guessed that you could join a nice country club for the same or less money.
Talking like a guy that can’t afford a pool. 🤣🤣
Country clubs are $2k+ a month. Cost me maybe $20 to run my pool each month. But cool comment kid. And my house is worth $35k more with a pool.
@@Executiveinvestments- What area do you live in? I ask because it seems to be an age old debate if they add or take away from a home value. Guess it depends where one lives and if a pool if favorable in that area or not.
@@Executiveinvestments-
brother makes a good point
I must say, the variable speed pump did reduce the cost for the electricity, now if they would just stop skyrocketing the cost per kw ...