Two Ways to Ensure Your Pool Will Be a Positive Thing; Not a Problem
By Jennifer Kirby – Guest Columnist
August 30, 2024
A pool is a great investment. It’s an investment in your enjoyment, health, entertainment, and memories for years to come. It keeps the kids and grandkids coming back. Also, if you don’t have a pool, you’re looking for one when that hot, summer heat hits. So the pool might as well be at your home. If you’re looking for a new home, buying one with a pool can be one of the best investments you can make.
CONSIDERATION #1: TYPE OF POOL
The first thing you want to consider is what type of pool it is. There are 3 major types of inground pools: gunite, vinyl liner, and fiberglass. Each requires different kinds of maintenance and has its own set of issues that can happen. It’s important to be educated about the type of pool you have in order to prevent thousands of dollars in repairs.
If the pool is a gunite pool, it may have some hidden costs. Especially if you live in a place with super hot summers and super cold winters, the temperature and weather swings will wear down the concrete faster than in areas with more consistent, mild weather. Resurfacing your gunite pool can run you between $10-20K.
Vinyl liner pools should be inspected to make sure there are no tears in the lining. If you don’t fix a tear correctly or quickly enough, the walls can rust. As a result, you would have to replace the steel sides. Every couple of years you might find yourself in the position to replace the liner due to kids, dogs, or pool toys. That will cost you between $7-10K.
A fiberglass pool has no hidden fees. You won’t need to replace any liners or resurface it. They are designed to hold up really well over time. There is one caveat: you cannot drain the pool. If you have to drain it, you must get an expert to do it. Overall, becoming educated on how to care for your fiberglass pool (or any pool) is very necessary. Once you have the knowledge, a fiberglass pool is foolproof.
Additional Note: You can change the type of pool that is installed at the house. It will require demolition of what is there, but it can be done.
CONSIDERATION #2: POOL EQUIPMENT
In addition to knowing what type of pool is in the ground, investigate what kind of pool equipment is there. Is it working? Does it need to be replaced? What kind is it? What will it take to maintain that equipment? Is it replaceable?
A lot of equipment on older pools is not energy efficient. Simply switching out old equipment for new equipment can save you thousands of dollars over a year.
FINAL TIPS
If the house you are considering buying has a pool:
- Have someone come out to pressure test it.
- Make sure the pipes don’t have any leaks.
- Check for any warranties or transferable warranties.
- If you know who built the pool, check into the company.
How reputable are they? If they are reputable and you have problems with the pool, they should always be able to come back to service your issue regardless of whether it is covered under warranty.
Check the boxes. Educate yourself. Investing in the health and happiness of your family while increasing the resale value of your home is worth every bit of the process. The last thing you want is for your pool to become a burden because it wasn’t inspected and you didn’t know what you were doing. The good news is that there are a lot of reputable companies here to help you.
PROBUILT POOL & PATIO
816-786-3893
Please enjoy this post by guest columnist Jennifer Kirby and Probuilt Pool & Patio. Content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement, and/or professional or legal advice.