Are home swimming pools really worth the investment?
If you’re facing a long hot summer at home and no possibility of a beachy escape on the horizon, I bet you’ve been considering is it worth getting a pool installed in your home?
Certainly no small investment, but it may also depend on how permanent a solution you are looking for. While building in a pool as part of your garden can be a costly affair, there are many above-ground options you may want to consider; but so many questions!
How do I keep it clean? Will I need a cover for my pool? Is a filter necessary? What will it do to my water and electricity bills?
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Before diving into a big investment, let’s look at the different types of pools, along with the upfront costs and upkeep involved.
Is it worth investing in a pool for our garden?
If you own your property, then an in-ground permanent concrete pool can definitely be considered an investment. If done well, keeping practicality and aesthetics in mind it can definitely add longer-term value to your property and should last for many years to come, if you get it placed by properly certified builders. The disadvantage is the build process can take months.
The other option to explore is a temporary above ground pool. It can be fairly straight forward to install and give you many summer’s full of backyard entertainment.
What type of pools are there available?
- Concrete in-ground permanent pools – these are a lifelong addition to your home.
- Fiberglass pools – last about 8-10 years at best before requiring major resurfacing works
- Above-ground pools – the most affordable option to entertain the whole family
What size pool do I need?
Size, shapes and options vary – you can get a simple 10-foot pool to keep the kids entertained or opt for a 32-footer that can accommodate lap swimming and a big crowd!
What is the average cost of a pool?
Above ground pools can come as cheap as $150 which would be a paddling pool without filtration. Or you could up your budget to around $2500- $3000 for a deluxe model containing all the extras you need.
To get a pool permanently installed in your garden, you are looking more in the vicinity of $18,000 – $25,000, depending on many factors such as such, the ground you live on, accessibility and finish.
Above Ground Pools For Your Yard
How long does it take to fill a pool?
This will be highly dependent on the type of pool you go for, but most pools will fill in between 4 to 12 hours, using your own tap water connected to your house.
How much will it affect my water and electricity bill?
This will depend on how utilities are charged for in your area. Filling a medium-sized pool should not be an excessive increase, nor running the pump. A much larger cost comes if you want to install either a heater or chiller to your pool for year-round use. These significantly chew through your power bill.
What does my pool need to be positioned on?
A flat hard surface works best, but a perfectly levelled grassy area works really well too. You should partially on two different surfaces. Under mats aren’t necessary, as long as your surface is hard and flat.
You may also want to position your pool where it gets direct sunlight to help with heating the water – unless you live in a very hot climate where you’ll want to position your pool in the shade to avoid overheating.
What additional equipment and accessories might I need?
At a bare minimum, you will need sanitization chemicals such as chlorine and PH enhancers. There are further specialty chemicals such as algaecides and phosphate reducers that may come in handy after adverse weather.
What are the different types of filters?
As a starter, most basic above ground pools will need a cartridge filter, but this can be upgraded to a sand filter. They are easier to operate and the cartridges don’t need replacing every few weeks. Sand filters are better at picking up the fine particles.
Filters For Above Ground Swimming Pools
Do I need a pool cover?
Covering the pool is definitely a good idea as you stop debris from falling into the pool and limit evaporation, but you may also want to consider how often you will be pulling it on in off and the weather conditions. Covers can help keep the heat in as the weather turns, extending your swim season without the need for a heater.
What ongoing pool maintenance do I need to do?
Two to three times a week you should test the water chemistry, adjust the chemicals if required and hose down the filters. Before each swim, you are likely to want to run a net over the pool surface, particularly if your property is surrounded by trees or overhead branches. On average you will need to allow about 2 hours a week for pool maintenance.
Over to you mamas, have you considered installing a pool this summer? What are your biggest concerns?
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