What to Know About Buying a Home with a Pool

Purchasing a home with a pool can be an exciting prospect, offering the promise of relaxing summer days, pool parties, and a private oasis just steps from your door. However, owning a pool also comes with unique responsibilities and considerations. If you’re house shopping or will be in the future, here’s what you need to know about buying a home with a pool to ensure that it’s the right fit for your lifestyle.

Get a Professional Pool Inspection

Just as you’d have a home inspection before buying a property, it’s crucial to have the pool inspected by a professional. A pool inspection can identify potential issues with the structure, plumbing, equipment, or surrounding decking that could result in costly repairs down the road. A thorough inspection should cover:

  • The pool’s condition – look for cracks, leaks, or damage to the pool’s surface.
  • The equipment – ensure that the pump, filter, and heater are functioning properly.
  • Safety features – check for fencing, gates, or pool covers that meet local safety regulations.

Knowing the pool’s condition before closing on your new home can save you from unexpected expenses later.

Understand the Maintenance Requirements

Owning a pool requires regular maintenance to keep it clean, safe, and functional. Some key tasks include:

  • Testing and balancing water chemistry (pH, chlorine, and alkalinity). At our East Windsor, CT location, Aqua Pool & Patio is pleased to provide free water testing—just bring in a sample of your pool water and our sophisticated computerized water testing system will issue a full report!
  • Cleaning the pool and removing debris.
  • Inspecting and maintaining equipment like the pump, filter, and heater.
  • Skimming, vacuuming, and brushing the pool walls and floor.

It’s essential to factor in the time and cost of pool maintenance—or consider hiring a professional pool service, such as the experts at Aqua Pool & Patio, to handle it for you.

Learn About Energy Costs

Pools can affect your utility bills, so it’s important to estimate the ongoing energy costs of running the pump, heater, and other equipment. Energy-efficient options, such as variable-speed pumps and solar pool covers, can help reduce these costs. During the inspection, ask if the pool’s equipment is up-to-date and energy-efficient. If it isn’t, you may want to budget for future upgrades.

Familiarize Yourself with Local Safety and Legal Requirements

Safety regulations and legal requirements for pool ownership may vary among different cities and states. These requirements might include installing a fence with self-closing gates, pool alarms, or specific covers to prevent accidents. If the home you’re considering purchasing is not in compliance, you’ll likely need to invest in safety upgrades as soon as possible. In addition to being required by law in many areas, proper pool safety measures are essential for protecting your family and guests.

Assess How the Pool Will Fit with Your Lifestyle

While a pool is a fantastic feature for many homeowners, it’s not for everyone. Consider how having a backyard pool might fit into your lifestyle and future plans. For example, ask yourself: will you use the pool regularly? Do you have small children or pets, and is the pool safe for them? Are you prepared for the added responsibility and costs of pool ownership?

For many, the benefits of a pool—which include exercise, entertainment, and relaxation—far outweigh the effort, but it’s worth ensuring that it aligns with your expectations.

Check for HOA or Community Rules

If the home is in a community with a homeowners’ association (HOA), be sure to check for any pool-related rules or restrictions. These might include limits on pool parties, hours of use, or specific design requirements if you decide to make any changes.

Plan for Insurance Coverage

Pools are legally considered “attractive nuisances,” meaning that they can be highly appealing to children (including those who may wander onto your property) and also pose a high risk of injury. Therefore, having a swimming pool can increase your liability risk. Be sure to notify your home insurance provider and confirm that the pool is covered under your policy. You may need to add liability coverage or make safety upgrades to meet insurance requirements.

Buying a home with a pool can add significant value to your life, offering endless opportunities for relaxation, fun, and exercise. However, if you are new to pool ownership, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the costs, maintenance, and responsibilities involved.

Thinking about buying a home with a backyard pool? The experts at Aqua Pool & Patio are here to assist you with maintenance, upgrades and more. Call us at (860) 623-9886 and we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have!