2024 How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Pool in California?

Many homeowners who buy homes with a pool are surprised to find out about the cost of California pool maintenance. While owning a pool does require an investment and conscious effort on the part of a homeowner, the benefits are well worth the extra expense.

The cost of maintaining a pool depends on various factors, such as the type of pool you have, the size of your pool, and the weather in the region you live in. Most parts of California are fairly sunny and dry, so certain weather patterns, like rain, that can decrease the condition of a pool are not a problem for most pool owners. Furthermore, most rainfall in California occurs from October to April, which is the time of year most pool owners close down their pools.

The Effects of CA Weather on Pool Maintenance

For pool owners who do have a lot of rainfall in their area, the upkeep is a bit more intense, as rainwater dilutes the chemicals necessary to maintain balance in the water. In addition, rain brings in dirt, bacteria, algae, and other debris into pools, which can further weaken the effects of chemicals like chlorine. To offset this, additional chemicals are required in pools that are subject to the rainy season in those areas.

The sun’s UV rays can also break down the strength of chemicals in pool water and often add to the expense of California pool maintenance. Warmer conditions are also conducive to algae growth and bacterial growth. All these factors can add up to increased costs for pool maintenance if a pool is affected significantly by the elements.

California Pool Maintenance Specifics

There are certain essential elements of pool maintenance for California pool owners. A California pool maintenance service can address all potential issues and remedy them, which many pool owners find useful if they don’t have time to check water levels, learn how to fix imbalances of pool chemicals, or do the actual maintenance themselves. Below are the key components of pool maintenance.

• Chemical Levels – Chemical levels should be checked weekly, at a minimum, during the pool season to ensure that they are at a healthy level for swimming.
• Shock – Certain issues, such as algae, cloudy water, or a strong chlorine odor in and around the pool water, indicate a need to shock the contaminants out of the pool. This can restore the clarity and healthy balance of the pool water.
• Cleaning – Cleaning the pool walls and floors, including any steps into the pool, as well as removing algae buildup and scrubbing pool surfaces with a brush, is essential in keeping a pool well-maintained and usable throughout the swimming season. Water surface cleaning with a net should also be done regularly to remove bugs, leaves, twigs, and other floating debris from the water.
• Vacuuming – Pool vacuuming is an important part of pool maintenance because it removes dirt and sediment from the pool floor, which builds up over time.
• pH Balance – It is important to maintain the pH balance in a pool. Cloudy water is a sign that the pH levels may be out of balance.

California Saltwater Pool Maintenance

For saltwater pool owners, maintenance is a bit different but still just as important as it is for chlorine pools. These pools cost a little bit more to establish, but they are generally cheaper to maintain. They only require a filter pump to pump water and a skimmer to keep the water clean and in good condition for regular daily use during open season. It is important to keep the balance in saltwater pools, and this is done by adding enough salt to maintain healthy levels.

Saltwater pool owners in California should keep in mind that it is illegal to drain a saltwater pool into the street, storm drain, or sewer system due to the imbalance this causes in local creeks and rivers. When high concentrations of salt and sediment are deposited into waterways, it is deadly to animals downstream and causes serious damage to natural water systems.

Closing Your Pool

It is important to close your pool when you’re not using it, and during the offseason, to preserve your investment. Properly closing a pool each year can lower costs, prevent undue repair, and make the empty pool safer to be around.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Pool Add to Your Monthly Expenses?

A: There are some factors that can increase or decrease the monthly costs of having a pool, but the average cost of chemicals and treatments in California for a pool is around $180 per month during the months that your pool is being used. In addition, a water pump can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 per month in electricity, and maintaining the water level could add anywhere from $50 to $150 to your monthly water bill, plus equipment costs and off-season maintenance.

Q: Is It Worth the Money to Put in a Pool?

A: If you factor in the property value, installing a pool can add to the value of a home, so it can be a worthwhile investment to spend the money to maintain your in-ground swimming pool. The actual value that a pool can add varies across the state. In some areas, homes with pools sell for as much as $100,000 more than homes without pools. You can also consider the enjoyment your own family and friends will have when you put in the money necessary for pool upkeep.

Q: How Much Do You Spend on Pool Chemicals a Year?

A: The cost of pool chemicals for a chlorine pool averages around $1,000 per year. These chemicals include:

• Chlorine
• Cyanuric acid
• Alkalinity increaser
• Calcium hardness
• Bromine
• pH decreaser
• Pool shock
• Pool stabilizer/conditioner
• Algaecides
• Alkalinity decreaser

Most pool services include the cost of these chemicals and monthly service rate plans, which can be an affordable alternative for many households that are already paying a significant amount for pool chemicals annually.

Q: How Much Is Pool Service in California?

A: Depending on the type of pool you have, pool maintenance can cost anywhere from $75 to $150 per month. If you keep your pool open year-round, you can expect to pay that every month. If you don’t keep your pool open all year, you can pay a pool service to close your pool and open it, which may increase the cost of service for those months. During the offseason, though, if your pool is properly closed, you won’t need to spend a lot on maintenance or pool service.

Hiring a California Pool Maintenance Service

Aqua Masters offers an array of services to pool owners of all types. Our experienced and knowledgeable team of technicians is readily available to provide you with exceptional customer service and keep your pool in optimal condition year-round. To discuss professional California pool maintenance services, contact Aqua Masters Inc. to get a quote and/or schedule services.