Pool maintenance: hire the pros or DIY?

If you own a pool – maintenance is a must. There’s no way to avoid it – it’s just a reality of life with a pool. Whether it’s removing debris, balancing your pool’s chemistry or maintaining equipment, your pool needs attention and one way or another, you’re going to have to figure out how that’s going to work. 

And we’ll be honest-  for some, that’s a real challenge. We all lead busy lives and we’re doubly sure that there’s a lot of things you’d rather be doing other than maintaining your pool. The last thing we want is to grab that vacuum, clean out leaves and play around with chemicals. 

The honest answer to this is that you don’t have to do everything and we know that you probably know that already. It just comes down to whether or not you have the money to spend on professional maintenance and or what tasks you can perform yourself.

Here are some of the things you can do yourself and some of the things you could probably leave to a professional. Let’s jump right in!

Calling in the pros

One of the easiest ways to free up time and pass the buck somewhat responsibly is to call in the pros. From weekly basis to a monthly basis, they can come in and take away all the problems that might plague you and your schedule. And truth be told – you’ll be in good hands. 

Before you hire a pro, do your homework. Research any and all companies you’re considering. Make sure their BBB track record and Google reviews are good. Because most companies will want to lock you into a contract, be sure you do your homework first to ensure you’re not getting stuck in a deal that you don’t want to be in. 

In a typical weekly visit, you can expect vacuuming, net/skimming of leaves, brushing, cleaner bag maintenance, water chemistry balance, washing filters and emptying pump baskets and well, the documentation of all of it. 

This service also has some advantages just by virtue that if something does go wrong, these companies will almost always prioritize you just because you’re under contract and they want to maintain your business. 

If it’s too expensive

So let’s say you’ve done your homework and a full-on maintenance contract is just not in your budget or what you had hoped to pay. If you’re going to think of doing some of the maintenance on your own, talk to a few companies about more of an ala carte menu as some will be willing to talk to you, particularly in the early spring when pools don’t need quite as much maintenance as usual. 

The other option is, of course – to with an entirely DIY approach. So guess what? It’s time to learn! Luckily there is a wealth of information out there on everything ranging from supplies to how to perform basic tasks. At the end of the day – it just comes down to how much money you’re willing to spend vs. how much time you want to spend doing these tasks. So make sure that you fully understand what goes into keeping your pool running smoothly.

At the end of the day, we’ve always advocated for a blend of both. There’s a lot you can do yourself, but even when it comes to a few of those routine tasks, you might be better off having someone else perform them. The important thing is – do your homework and don’t be afraid to wheel and deal. The chances are – you’ll be able to find someone who can help you who’s reputable who can work within your budget. Good luck!

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