Take The Plunge

PLAN NOW FOR A POOL IN 2025

BY PETE ALFANO

Newcomers to Texas may be discovering what natives already know — summers are scorching hot. In fact, a local climatologist reported that the summer of 2023 was the second hottest on record for the state. And temperatures exceeding 100 degrees can range from an average of 20 days to a record 71 in 2011.

Whether purchasing new construction or an established house, you may want to invest in an inground pool to make the summers more tolerable. Experts say the best way to start is to do your homework before calling a pool installation company. So, what does that mean?

First, consider the expense and financing costs if needed. According to Forbes Magazine, the average cost of a concrete or gunite pool (longest lifespan) can range from $50,000 to $100,000, with high maintenance costs. A fiberglass pool can cost between $30,000 and $60,000, while a vinyl pool is between $28,000 and $40,000.

If you are buying a new house, consider building the pool during the same time frame as house construction and add it to the total mortgage. If you are adding a pool to your existing home, consider refinancing (depending on rates) your mortgage to spread the cost over time. Remember, the size and design of the pool will affect the price, and rectangular pools are generally the most cost-effective.

Next, survey your backyard and where you would prefer to situate a pool, given area and privacy. It is recommended that an inground pool utilize at most one-third of the total square footage. And it is not just the pool itself but also the pool deck, which is the paved area around the pool. Factor in a spa if you decide to add that to the pool. You want to preserve some green space in your yard.

A standard inground pool is typically around four-to-six feet deep. So that means no diving. If you want the ability to dive into a portion of the pool, remember that the deeper the pool, the more water it will take to keep it at a sufficient level, and water tends to evaporate quickly during a Texas summer.

Depending on the design, consider adding a railing next to the steps to make it easier to enter the pool, and remember, in the state of Texas, a fence must enclose any property with a pool. Before starting your project, familiarize yourself with state and local pool building codes and requirements.

Pool equipment will be situated near one side of the house, including the filter, pump, and pool heater. You may have a spigot near the equipment that feeds water to the pool. Or, you can add a pool station to your irrigation system.

The pool pump should be run from eight to twelve hours a day during a typical Texas summer to prevent algae growth and six to eight hours a day during the winter. The timer and scheduler can be found at the pump or in a panel inside the house. A pool pump should be set to run automatically when the temperature outdoors reaches 32 degrees to keep water moving and avoid freezing, which can damage the pool.

A backyard pool can be a source of a great family staycation, the focal point of a weekend barbecue or party, and an engaging diversion for kids, but it requires careful planning before the excavator rolls into the backyard to begin digging.

Pool Pro Pluses

Pool maintenance is not inexpensive, with the national average ranging from $120 to $350 a month for a pool pro. So, would you save money being your own pool person? Not likely. First, no one will be paying you for your time, as pools require a lot of care.

You will have to vacuum the pool, brush the walls and floor, be a scientist and test the water often for the proper chemistry, clean the traps and backwash the filter. And youwill have to buy, safely store,and resupply chemicals such as chlorine, pool shock, algaecide, cyanuric acid, alkaline, clarifier, and diatomaceous earth for backwashing (cleaning) the filter. Get the picture? For peace of mind and more free time, hiring a pool pro may make more sense.