How much does Above ground pool cleaning cost?

Based on 52 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$80

TYPICAL

$102

$164

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Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

Regular pool maintenance helps you avoid future repair costs
The size and location of your pool, and number of services you request, will affect the price
Cleaning and maintaining an above-ground pool usually costs 10–25% less than inground pool maintenance

Nothing beats jumping into a sparkling swimming pool on a hot summer day. Then again, nobody wants to dive into—or even look at—a pool that resembles pond scum. Pool water that isn’t circulated, filtered, and treated with chemicals can be an incubator for insects and a universe of unhealthy organisms that could cause rashes, digestive issues, and even spread diseases like cholera and typhoid fever.

Beyond these hazards, pools that get too dirty or green with algae buildup usually end up with corrosion in components such as the pool filter, pool heater, and pool pump, leading to breakdowns and costly repairs.

Keeping a swimming pool clean is the responsibility of pool owners. The chore list for above-ground pools is similar to that for inground pools, and includes:

Testing pH levels of the water using test strips (high pH inactivates chlorine, and low pH causes eye and skin irritation)
Adjusting chlorine levels
Adding algaecides and other pool chemicals when necessary
Brushing down the vinyl liner, used in hard-sided above-ground pools, on the pool walls and floor
Removing leaves and other debris from the water
Removing debris from the skimmer—where the pool water enters the pump’s circulation system
Cleaning pool equipment, such as the filter system and pool heater
Maintaining the water level after some evaporation

In some cases, you might also treat cloudy pool water with a clarifier, which bonds grime particles together so the filter can remove them, or apply shock treatments—massive doses of chlorine or other chemicals that destroy contaminants while no one is using the pool. (However, while you may have heard about acid washing with muriatic acid, that’s a treatment for concrete or granite in-ground pools—never an above-ground pool.)

Sound overwhelming? It can be. Some pool owners think they can handle DIY pool cleaning in a few minutes with a test kit. But then reality hits. They discover that hiring an experienced pool cleaning professional to perform regular maintenance is the only way to ensure a clear, clean pool while keeping their sanity.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the costs associated with having a pool-cleaning service clean and maintain an above-ground pool.

Total above-ground pool cleaning costs

The national average cost of above-ground pool cleaning is $15–45 per week (or $60–180 per month) for weekly service. That’s about 10–25% less expensive than for inground pools, which require similar services but are typically larger.

Tasks usually include sweeping pool walls (including cleaning a pool liner manually and with a pool vacuum), using nets and skimmer baskets to remove leaves and debris, cleaning and maintaining the filtration system, and supporting proper water chemistry.

In regions where it’s necessary to close down a pool in winter to protect it from cold-weather damage, then re-opening it in spring, you may need to add pool opening and closing services, at an annual cost of about $250–480. (To learn more, read How to winterize your pool.)

Cost factors

The following variables will affect the cost of above-ground pool cleaning.

Pool size and location. A larger pool will usually cost more to maintain, because it requires more labor and supplies. But pools in open areas, where they don’t collect leaves and debris, may cost less to keep clean than those under trees and without pool covers.

Cleaning frequency. The more visits required by a cleaning pro, the higher the average pool-maintenance costs. But frequent cleanings should yield a lower per-visit price, because each cleaning session is easier.

Requested services. Most pool companies offer a variety of services in addition to regular cleaning, such as testing water for alkalinity (pH) and chemical balance, adjusting chemical levels with additives and chlorine tablets, algaecide treatment, and filter cleaning. The more services you request, the higher the labor costs and the more you’ll pay per visit.

Travel distance. Most pool pros won’t take on clients who live a significant distance from their place of business. Those who do—such as companies in rural areas—might include a travel charge in their weekly or monthly pricing.

How to save money

These tactics might help reduce your costs when hiring a pool company for regular swimming pool maintenance.

Shop around. Whether you have an above-ground, inground, or indoor pool, it always pays to get 2–3 maintenance quotes from local pool companies. If you happen to have a specialty pool, such as a saltwater pool (which uses salt rather than chemical chlorine to keep water clear and safe), be sure to alert the service to that fact. To find reliable pros, ask friends and family members for recommendations and check online reviews.

Negotiate. Once you’ve tried a new pro, consider negotiating a lower weekly rate in exchange for an extended agreement, such as 6 months of service.

Do basic cleaning yourself. Since surface debris that has settled to the bottom of the pool takes longer to clean, some pool care companies might provide a lower quote if you agree to handle some basic upkeep—such as brushing the pool liner and surface skimming—throughout the week.

FAQs

How much does it cost to take care of an above-ground pool?

Budget about $15–45 per week ($60–180 per month) for professional service. Cleaning and maintaining above-ground pools is similar to servicing inground pools, but costs slightly less because they tend to be smaller.

How often should a pool be cleaned?

Weekly service is recommended for most swimming pools. Maintaining proper water quality is important to keep your family safe from water-borne illness, and keeping the pool free of leaves and debris will help avoid costly pool repairs (such as pump replacement) down the line.

How hard is it to maintain an above-ground pool?

Maintaining a pool isn’t extremely difficult, but it can be an inconvenient weekly ritual for homeowners—it requires physical labor and safe handling of chemicals. By hiring a professional pool-cleaning company (sometimes called a “pool guy” or “pool gal”), you can be sure the pool stays healthy for swimmers and help avoid expensive future problems.

Find a pool cleaning professional in your area.

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