Hello World! Welcome Friends! Everybody loves swimming in a swimming pool. The cool, clean waters are so refreshing, and it’s lovely to sit poolside in a reclining chair, sipping a refreshing lemonade or cocktail while your friends and family splash and dive in the summer sun. Memories are made in a swimming pool, and having one in your backyard sounds like a dream come true.
Lots of people love having a private pool on their property. In fact, there are over ten million residential pools in the United States today, and many pool owners use them daily in the warmer months.
However, some pool owners don’t use them much at all and find them to be a huge hassle for which they were not prepared. When dreaming, it’s easy to forget that pools come with a lot of downsides, too. There’s a lot of maintenance involved and you’ll be giving up loads of yard space. Before you have a pool installed, or before you buy a new home with a pool, take time to really consider it.
Is a pool worth it? The answer to that question will vary from person to person and family to family, but it’s vital that you think long and hard about this question before moving forward with the purchase of a pool. Read on to learn about all the factors you should think about before taking the next steps as a potential pool owner.
Is a Pool Worth It? Factors to Consider
When asking yourself “Is a pool worth it?” there are a variety of pros and cons to contemplate. The pros can be very strong in influencing your decision, but the cons can be quite persuasive as well. Take time to think about each of the following factors before making your final decision.
1. Purchase and Installment Cost
First and foremost, the most important thing to think about when thinking about installing a pool or buying a property with a pool on it is the cost.
If you want an above ground pool, the average cost to purchase and install one is $2,811 nationwide, but it could cost a lot more than that in many cases.
On the other hand, if you picture yourself poolside by an inground pool, your cost will be much higher. The average cost for purchase and installation of an inground pool is $35,000 in the United States.
Furthermore, you will likely need to install a fence in your yard if you buy a pool; most states and municipalities require this for the safety of children and animals. Depending on the size of your yard or pool, this could add thousands of dollars to your overall pool installation cost.
2. Maintenance & Repair Costs
Once you have the pool installed, though, you are not yet done spending money on it. Maintenance is required each month and each year, too. Although some of the maintenance like cleaning and opening and closing the pool can be done yourself, some of it will require professional assistance or you may consider these leading pool robots to get the job done.
On average the yearly cost for upkeep and maintenance of a backyard pool is between $1,200 and $1,800. Over a long period, that can really add up.
As time passes, your pool will also need some repairs. These repairs can include filters, liners, leaks, over-winter issues and more. It’s hard to know what repairs you will need until they arise, and you could get hit with a large but unexpected bill at almost any time.
A remodel will likely be required at some point, too. Fancy pool plaster looks great but can be expensive, for one example. View here for ideas.
3. Hard Work
Even if you hire a service to take care of your pool, there is some maintenance that you will have to do yourself. In order to keep leaves out of the pool and to keep the filter from clogging, you will have to skim almost every day. You will also have to empty the basket on the filter, and you will have to check the chlorine and pH.
4. Lost Yard Space
If you have a big yard, enjoy it now. If you get a pool you will lose some of that space. Think long and hard about whether or not this is something you want to sacrifice. Even in the months that you are not using the pool, it will still be taking up space, and you may prefer to have that space for games and entertaining instead.
5. Questionable Hygiene
There are a lot of things that are kind of gross about pools. Studies show that one in five adults urinate in pools and there’s nothing you can do to ensure that your guests do not. Some bacteria are resistant to chlorine, and unless you shower beforehand every time you use your pool, there are likely some disgusting things floating around in there, too.
6. Family Fun
However, on the other hand, there are a number of great things about pools, too. You and your family will never forget the summer hours you spent together poolside, playing games, laughing and enjoying the sunshine. A lot of bonding takes place in your own backyard, and a pool helps to facilitate and encourage that for years or even decades to come.
7. Swimming Skills
Drowning is still the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four, and over 350 children drown each year in the United States. This is tragic and the best way to keep your child from becoming a statistic is to teach them water safety and swimming skills at a young age.
Obviously, you must watch your children in the pool every single minute. But, children with backyard pools have much greater opportunity to practice and hone their swimming skills, and this can help keep them safer in water for the rest of their lives.
8. Community Building
If you’re one of the only families in your neighborhood with a pool, get ready to get a lot more popular fast. Friends and neighbors will want to use your pool, and if that’s something you’re agreeable about, then great. You will be able to build relationships and foster a feeling of community in the neighborhood if you invite other people over to use your pool.
Also, if you want to keep a close eye on your own children to keep them out of trouble, a pool can help to keep them at home and on your property during the summer months. A pool will also encourage you to throw parties for co-workers, relatives or church groups, and will help you to bring everyone together in a comfortable and fun environment at your place.
9. Staycation
Once you have a pool in your backyard, you’ll likely be a lot more inclined to stay home during the summertime and enjoy it. This can save you and your family many thousands of dollars on vacations away from home. Schedule a staycation for your family and spend your days floating around the pool together instead of sitting in a hot car for many boring hours.
10. It’s Cool – Literally
Pools are cool in all senses of the word. In the literal sense, a pool will keep your body cool and there’s nothing better than taking a dive after a long, hard day at work.
Also, though, a pool is just plain hip. You will feel great telling others about the time you and your friends and family spend poolside every summer and will get a little tiny taste of what it’s like to be rich and famous, too.
Happy Swimming
There are so many factors to consider when asking yourself “Is a pool worth it?” but hopefully, after reading this, you have come a bit closer to determining whether or not a pool is right for you and your family. If you decide against a pool or a property with a pool, you can find other places to swim in your area, but if you do decide to go all-in, get ready for some wet and wild fun, just steps from your back door. Enjoy!
Click the links below for any posts you may have missed:
What to Look for in a Roofing Contractor
Designing the Perfect Home for your Family
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Toodles,
It’s nice that you pointed out how you’ll likely be a lot more inclined to stay home during the summertime and enjoy it once you have a pool in your backyard. We were talking earlier about what we’re going to do during this year’s summer and we are not that enthusiastic about traveling. We still want to have a swim, so we are thinking of finally installing a pool in our backyard by asking for a pool reinforcing steel installation service soon.