Cost to maintain a home pool?

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Our pool use varies from year to year and month to month. There are times when it gets used twice a day or more. There are times when it gets no use for weeks or even a month plus. We like having a private pool where we can swim comfortably without being on display and subject ot constant examination. We do not look like Ken and Barbie, so we are nto particularly fond of parading around in swimwear and having people examine and discuss our physique. I am not sure we would be fond of that if we did look like ken and barbie. We also like to be able to come home from work and just jump in the pool and then walk right into the house, shower and eat dinner. We do not have to go anywhere. We can eat dinner in the pool if we choose, we can swim naked if we choose. We can swim at any time of day or night without disturbing anyone. For our kids, our house becomes a collecting/hang out point. We prefer to have our kids hang out at our house so we know what they are doing and can get a feel for what their friends are like.

This basically sums me up as well.

Definitely something to take under consideration as we house hunt.

[nurserosie]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

Thanks everyone! I would definitely double fence the pool, and install the safety doors (my parents have those in AZ). My kids are already having swimming lessons, just because I think it's really important, and I was swimming by the time I was 3.

It's probably a moot point, though, my hubby doesn't seem to want to deal with the responsibility of a pool.

Thanks, again!!

V. =)

think our husband's think alike!!....

just a comment re swimming lessons..certainly that helps..but unfortunately a kid can slip and fall on the deck,,bash his head and fall into the pool (sorry but we went to one funeral for a friend's 8 year old that his happened to)

again...good luck..but plan on NEVER leaving kids under about 12 outside with access to a pool..

as for liability..yes two fences reduces the risk of neighbor kids getting kid..remember that some people like utility, pool,,gardeners etc can leave the gate open...can't tell you how often that has happened to us...even tho we leave signs on the gates and BEG those we know to always close the gate...

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by nurserosie

think our husband's think alike!!....

just a comment re swimming lessons..certainly that helps..but unfortunately a kid can slip and fall on the deck,,bash his head and fall into the pool (sorry but we went to one funeral for a friend's 8 year old that his happened to)

again...good luck..but plan on NEVER leaving kids under about 12 outside with access to a pool..

as for liability..yes two fences reduces the risk of neighbor kids getting kid..remember that some people like utility, pool,,gardeners etc can leave the gate open...can't tell you how often that has happened to us...even tho we leave signs on the gates and BEG those we know to always close the gate...

Oh yeah, I'm a total helicopter parent, so I would never leave them outside unattended. I'd probably put a video baby monitor out there just to be on the safe side. I think back to my own childhood when my grandparents would let me and my brother go out and swim unattended and we were only like 6 and 8, and it's pretty horrifying to me.

I'm sure we won't get a home with a pool because of the expense, but I can still dream. =)

V. =)

[luckodeirish]

I grew up with a pool and have a pool now. And even as an adult, I do use it quite a lot. Plus, and to many this will sound lame, I just love looking at it. But it is costly but to me worth it. However, just a week ago the gas line for the heater blew out so now I am looking at a very large bill to trench the 200 feet across the property from the heater to the gas line..ugh.

[sanecitizen98]

Pool maintenance can be high (if you outsource it). Or you can make a little effort to learn how to add chemicals and clean pool. If you do it right, you'll probably be doing something about 3 times a week (for a total of about 1hr a week). Learning to add chemicals is not hard. Skimming the leaves when they are falling is probably the most time consuming chore. Filter cleaning (semi-annually) probably takes me about 90 minutes each time. Since I get to see my grandkids quite a bit more now (and since I swim all the way thru mid-November), it's great for me (also great therapy for my bad back).
Given that I do my own maintenance, I probably average about $25 a month for chemicals/supplies. I heat it up once in awhile (for the size of my pool, my 400,000BTU heater costs me about $4 - $5 per hour to operate (jacuzzi takes about 30 minutes to heat and pool takes about 2 - 3 hrs each time). Since I'm a new pool owner, I guess it's worth it right now.
Ask me again in 20 years - maybe I'll have a different answer.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by sanecitizen98

Pool maintenance can be high (if you outsource it). Or you can make a little effort to learn how to add chemicals and clean pool. If you do it right, you'll probably be doing something about 3 times a week (for a total of about 1hr a week). Learning to add chemicals is not hard. Skimming the leaves when they are falling is probably the most time consuming chore. Filter cleaning (semi-annually) probably takes me about 90 minutes each time. Since I get to see my grandkids quite a bit more now (and since I swim all the way thru mid-November), it's great for me (also great therapy for my bad back).
Given that I do my own maintenance, I probably average about $25 a month for chemicals/supplies. I heat it up once in awhile (for the size of my pool, my 400,000BTU heater costs me about $4 - $5 per hour to operate (jacuzzi takes about 30 minutes to heat and pool takes about 2 - 3 hrs each time). Since I'm a new pool owner, I guess it's worth it right now.
Ask me again in 20 years - maybe I'll have a different answer.

Of course there's always the salt-water option. Lower maintenance and increasingly popular

[Coldjensens]

We have a salt water system. It is not really salty.BUt it is easier on your eyes. Eventually the cell goes out (3-5 years) and costs $800 to replace.

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

We have a salt water system. It is not really salty.BUt it is easier on your eyes. Eventually the cell goes out (3-5 years) and costs $800 to replace.

My parents' pool is salt water. I love it! I would definitely like to have a salt water pool!