Virtually any day of the summer you can find me and mine at the pool. We have friends with HOA pools, we are YMCA members, and my parents have a pool. However, we have not yet taken the plunge into pool ownership. My kids are finally the age where they can swim under supervision but without mom having to be in the pool with them every second and would swim morning, noon and night if allowed. We decided it may be time to explore owning our own pool. I asked moms in our local neighborhood groups for advice, and here is what I learned.
Chlorine or Salt
First, we need to decide if we want chlorine or salt water. I really prefer swimming in salt water pools – the water feels silky, and I don’t get itchy afterwards. However, that water can be more corrosive to the pool equipment and a salt-water pool is more expensive to install and maintain. Chlorine is the more traditional pool water, and is less expensive than salt water. It can be very harsh on your skin, eyes and hair, so if you (or your littles) plan to spend a lot of time in the water, you may want to look into special bath products to remove chlorine). Chlorine pools also take more attention to their daily and weekly maintenance to maintain the proper balance.
Heated or Unheated
To heat or not to heat, that is the question. If you are a fair-weather pool swimmer, a heater may not be necessary. However, a heater can extend the season of your pool to allow you swim earlier in the spring and later in the fall.
Fences & Covers
Will we put a cover on it? What about a fence for safety? We are foster parents so adding a fence is a must for us. Plus, for general peace of mind, it is good to know the kids won’t be swimming without me knowing about it. As far as covers go, there are many options. Depending on how often you want to be skimming leaves (and bugs and frogs and all the things the Kansas wind blows into your yard) a cover seems like a wise choice to me. Many moms in our community groups have recommended an automatic cover. Although this is a little more expensive, it is definitely worth looking into!
How much does pool installation cost?
How much should we budget for installation? The average price for an in-ground pool is about $30,000. Of course depending on the size and location, this varies by yard.
How much does maintenance cost?
How much should we budget for monthly maintenance? The average cost for owning a pool is $3,000-$5,000. This includes water, maintenance, repairs and electricity. If you pay a monthly maintenance service, you’ll probably spend about $100-200.
Moms who have pools, what advice do you have for someone like me who is contemplating putting one in?
