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Article Submitted by Fixr.com
Pools can take a lot of maintenance and work to keep them at their best. And sometimes that work can get beyond a home owner, causing them to shut down their pool for a period of time. If this has happened to one of your clients or maybe they’ve bought a new home with an old pool that needs some help, these five steps will make it swimming ready in no time at all.
Step 1: Fix Any Leaks
Leaks can be a serious problem for pools, and unfortunately they can also spring up in nearly any type. Leaks not only waste water, they can also do serious damage to your yard by seeping too much chlorinated water into the surrounding area. Leaks also have a way of spreading if they aren’t taken care of in a timely fashion, which means that detecting and patching leaks as soon as possible will help ensure that your pool stays in great shape.
Cost: The average cost of repairing small leaks in a pool is around $300. However, if the leaks or damages are severe, the entire pool lining may need to be patched or replaced, which can cost up to $5,000.
Helpful Hints
- If you aren’t sure if your pool is leaking or not, be sure to hire a company that specializes in leak detection to find out.
- DIY patch kits are available for small leaks at around $25. You can use them to patch the pool yourself if the problem isn’t extensive.
Step 2: Mold Remediation
Unfortunately for many pools, if they are left without chlorine and other treatment for too long, they can begin to grow things like algae and mold. While things like algae are harmless and easily removed, mold can mean a serious problem that needs to be addressed. If you’ve taken the time to clean your pool, and you’ve discovered mold growing there, you will need to have mold remediation done before filling up your pool again.
Cost: The average cost of mold remediation is around $500 for a 10x10 area.
Helpful Hints
- Most mold companies will do a free evaluation. So if you find some stains that aren’t coming out, and you aren’t sure if they are mold, you can have them checked for free.
- Blue/green algae, while unsightly, can be removed with some bleach and a scrub brush. Try this first if you find stains on the sides of your pool to help get it clean.
Step 3: Replace Old Equipment
Your pool probably has a lot of equipment to maintain that helps keep it in good working order. Things like filters and pumps will help clean your pool and remove things like sediment and particles that can bog it down. This equipment needs to be stored and maintained properly when the pool isn’t in use, however. If this isn’t the case in your pool, you may need to replace the old equipment to get your pool up and running again.
Costs: The cost of a new pool pump is around $800 for a variable speed, but you can find single speeds for as low as $120. The cost of a filter ranges from $150 for a cartridge filter to $700 for one that uses diatomaceous earth.
Helpful Hints
- Look for solar-powered pumps and filters that don’t require frequent changing to keep your monthly expenses down after the new equipment has been installed.
- Size both of these items to your pool; it’s just as important not to purchase something too big as it is to purchase something that isn’t too small.
Step 4: Install a Pool Heater
While most people enjoy their pool to cool off in, there are definitely times when the water can be a bit too chilly to want to enter. In this case, a pool heater can have a big impact on the enjoyment of the water for everyone. Heaters help maintain the temperature of the water; combined with solar covers to prevent the pool temperature from dropping overnight. You could potentially extend your swimming time by months each year.
Cost: The average cost of a pool heater ranges from $1,800 to $2,400 for a gas or electric heater that has been professionally installed. Solar heaters installed DIY can save you the most, running about $300 to $800.
Helpful Hints
- Invest in a solar cover to pair with your heater to keep your energy costs down and increase the temperature even more.
- Invest in a heater that uses the same fuel as the rest of your home – gas, propane, or electric – to make running it easier and more efficient, or use a solar heater for the lowest expense.
Step 5: Put Up a Fence
Fences are one of the most important parts of the pool. Not only do they keep your kids and pets safe from the water, but they can prevent neighborhood accidents from happening as well. If your pool doesn’t have a fence, or the fence it does have is in disrepair, it’s time to install a new one to maximize the safety and fun of your pool.
Cost: The average cost of a swimming pool fence including gate is around $1,120.
Helpful Hints
- Make sure your fence is high enough, and that it’s dig proof to prevent kids or pets from getting in.
- Install a childproof latch on the gate to keep unsupervised kids out of the area.
Get Your Pool Summer Ready!
Once you’ve taken care of these five steps, all that’s left to do is to fill your pool, shock it with chlorine, and jump on in. You can get your pool ready for summer in just a few days, no matter what its original condition is. To find out more about what things cost, be sure to visit the Cost Guides.
