Last Updated on January 24, 2020
A move is a huge life event and one that can certainly go a variety of directions. If you’re considering moving into a home with a pool, there are a variety of factors you absolutely must consider before pulling the trigger. Once you’ve decided on the best movers in your area, turn your attention to figuring out your potential pool situation. Here’s what you need to think about.
1. Safety
The most important consideration involved is whether or not you have children. If you do, pool safety becomes paramount. Is the pool gated or fenced in? Do the doors to the yard have handles or locks out of the reach of your kids? According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 202 kids drowned in pools between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2013. This is unquestionably item number one on your list.
2. Inspection
You’re having your new-home-to-be inspected, right? Why not your pool? Pools can sustain thousands of dollars in damage without showing much if any indication that something is wrong. Find out if your home inspector is qualified to inspect the pool, too. If not, visit the local pool store and find out if they can either inspect it or recommend someone who can.
3. Maintenance
When it comes to maintaining a pool, you are limited in options. You can hire somebody to do it full-time, do it yourself full-time, or employ a combination of the two. If you decide to hire somebody, ask the previous homeowners who they used. Alternatively, you can ask your new neighbors, or even visit the local pool store to see if they will do it. On the flip side, if you do it yourself, you’ll need a few items. A pool skimmer or net, pool brush, chlorine floater, water test kit, and chemicals are all essentials. You’re going to want to become very familiar with the nearest pool supply store. They can help you with everything from reading your water test kit results to how to use all those chemicals you just bought.
4. Additional Costs
If you’ve never owned a pool before, you may not realize how many costs will be associated with owning one yourself. Chemicals, your water bill, your electric bill, home insurance, and your pool service all represent new or increased costs from your current lifestyle. While planning for some of this is certainly possible, you won’t be able to truly grasp the costs associated with the pool until at least a year has passed. If you do end up in a home with a pool, just remember that regardless of what it costs to maintain your pool, it will cost more if you ignore it for any period of time. Ultimately, just remember: pools are meant to be fun! Once you’ve settled into a routine with the maintenance and you become familiar with it, it will be a piece of cake and you’ll be able to enjoy it with the whole family. As with anything, it just takes a bit of time.
Do you need a pool fence?
