We all love a sparkling, clean pool. Whether you are a first-time pool owner or a seasoned pool expert, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of pool maintenance. Some of us want to dive right in and do the grunt work by ourselves, and others are happy to pay a pool company so all they have to handle is planning for pool parties. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to the DIY option versus hiring a pro pool maintenance company.

Some DIY Pool Care You Can Actually Do

First, what does pool maintenance really involve? Before you roll up your sleeves and head outside, you should ensure you can take care of the basics.

• Purchase a good test kit, which measures pH, stabilizer/CYA, alkalinity, hardness, and chlorine. If the levels are off, know what to add and when to add the necessary chemicals to your pool.
• Check your water level to ensure your pool is properly filled.
• Use a pool brush to dislodge any dirt, pollen, and algae, and use a pool net to scoop up any floating debris.
• Use a pool vacuum (manual or automatic) to suck up non-floating dirt and debris.
• Check the pool filter and clean it regularly. Some filters may require backwashing, while cartridge filters should be removed and cleaned at least twice per year.
• Empty the strainer baskets in your skimmer and pool pump.

These are just a few of the regular (usually once a week) tasks needed to maintain a pool properly.

Advantages and Disadvantages to DIY Pool Care

Ask yourself some simple questions to see if handling pool maintenance is really for you. Are you interested in taking care of your pool? Will you enjoy the maintenance required to keep your pool clean and healthy? Do you have time for all the necessary tasks to maintain your pool properly? If you answered yes to these questions, then the DIY pool maintenance option may be right for you.

The advantages to the DIY option include:

• No pool service equals cost savings.
• You maintain and service your pool on your time schedule.
• Pool owners learn how to manage their pools, which makes them a pool expert!

The disadvantages to DIY pool maintenance include:

• You will need to purchase pool supplies, chemicals, etc.
• Pool maintenance may require you to learn a new skill.
• The time investment can be challenging and stressful.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Hiring a Pool Pro

If you cannot invest the time, and you have little knowledge about pool upkeep, then it may be in your favor to hire a pool expert.

Here are a few advantages to having a pool expert take care of your pool.

• Invest your time in other important priorities.
• Pool professionals know everything about pools, and they can prevent small problems from becoming large ones.
• You don’t have to spend the extra time learning about pool chemicals and how to use pool equipment, and so forth.
• Pool experts can offer pool care guidance and answer any of your questions when it comes to chemicals and equipment, like at Pool Stop’s online Pool School! Having a professional available for cares, concerns, and teaching moments makes owning and maintaining your pool much easier.
• The cost is really not much higher to have a pool service maintain your pool, when you factor in the time required, as well as purchasing your own pool chemicals.

There are not many disadvantages to hiring a pool maintenance expert. The only drawback is the added cost. But, when you compare your money spent, with the time you save – it’s priceless!

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