How much does Pool repair cost?

Swimming pools might seem like little more than giant tubs filled with water, but they’re actually fairly complex systems that can go wrong in a number of ways. They must contain, circulate, clean, and maintain thousands of gallons of treated water. They utilize pipes, filters, and pumps, and have surfaces that can stain, crack, deteriorate, spring a leak, or otherwise become damaged.

Pool designs and their problems vary widely. Most above-ground pools have a steel, aluminum, or composite framework that holds a vinyl liner. Some inground pools are made this way, too, but most are made of concrete (gunite or shotcrete) that’s surfaced with plaster and tile. Other inground pools have a pre-molded fiberglass shell.

Due to the expertise needed to work on different pool materials and equipment, repairs aren’t typically DIY home-improvement projects. In the vast majority of cases, homeowners will need to hire a swimming pool repair professional.

This guide discusses typical costs for the most common swimming pool repairs. 

The national average cost of pool repairs is $200–850, including parts and labor. But the cost of a specific repair job can fall well below or above this average range, depending on the type of pool and fixes needed.

On the low end, a simple pool leak repair on an above-ground pool’s liner or exposed plumbing can cost $110–325, including parts and labor costs, because they’re easily accessible. On the high end, resurfacing a concrete inground pool with plaster or a pebble finish (a mixture of polished stone pebbles and hydraulic cement) can cost as much as $4,000–10,000+, depending on the size of the pool. 

The kind of pool you have plays a large role in repair expenses. Here’s what you’ll typically pay for common repairs to different types (including materials and labor costs).

Conventional concrete inground pools, which are finished with plaster, are susceptible to algae growth, stains, and cracks in the plaster surface.

Stains on pool walls, due to algae or minerals in the water, are very common. They can be removed by acid washing, which costs $200–750. This involves draining the water, spraying on a powerful hydrochloric acid solution, and scrubbing out the stains.

Acid washing, harsh pool chemicals, and regular wear and tear can cause a pool’s plaster surface to weaken over time, resulting in cracks or other surface damage. The average cost range to repair small cracks in plaster is $110–300, not including lowering the water level below the level of repairs and refilling it afterward.

Fiberglass pools are built at a factory and lowered into an excavated hole, usually by crane. These hard shells are surfaced on the inside with a colored resin called “gel coat” that protects the fiberglass from damage. To have the gel coat repaired, or to fix small cracks in the pool surface, expect to pay $300–750. 

Some in-ground pools are lined with vinyl—they’re the most affordable type of pool lining, but they’re vulnerable to tearing and damage. Very small tears can be repaired with patch kits available at DIY home-improvement centers for $10–80, but most fixes should be made by pool-repair pros. On average, vinyl liners need to be replaced every 7 years to avoid tears, holes, or cracks that allow water to seep through. 

Consult with a local pool company to explore your options. Professional repair for a rip or hole will run you anywhere from $350–1,000, depending on its size. Installing a new vinyl liner usually costs $1,500–5,000. 

Most above-ground pools have a flexible vinyl liner that’s supported by a steel, aluminum, or composite framework. Similar to the inground vinyl pools discussed above, the vinyl is vulnerable to tearing and other damage. But because above-ground pools are typically smaller and easier to access than inground pools, professional repairs are usually less expensive, and run in the $150–700 range.

If you need a specific kind of pool repair, here are the typical prices (including materials and labor costs).

If your pool’s waterline is dropping unusually fast, it might have a leak somewhere in the shell or plumbing. Pool leak detection can cost $110–500, which may include a simple fix. For more difficult cases, detection and repairs together cost an average $375–950. If you can identify the source of the leak before hiring a pro to fix it, the cost may be lower.

If you have a plumbing leak in an above-ground pool, it’s generally less expensive to fix than in an inground pool, because the equipment isn’t buried. Typical cost is $110–325.

Pool pump motors can fail, just like other mechanical devices. When they do, the water in your pool (or hot tub) will cease to circulate, so the cleaning and heating systems won’t work. If a pool pump has burned out, replacement is usually the preferred fix, at an average cost of $325–900. 

Pool filters must be kept clean to keep your pool water sparkling clear. Cost of pool filter cleaning is typically $50–120 per visit.

Pool heaters are usually operated by electricity or gas. Getting an electric heater working can sometimes be just a matter of resetting a circuit breaker. Gas pool heaters can have issues with gas valves, burners, and more. Repair by a pool heater technician generally costs $200–800.

Pool lights filling with water bring a risk of electrocution, so it’s important to shut off power immediately if repairs are needed. Fixing a pool light is not a DIY job. Having the light diagnosed and repaired by a pro will likely cost $125–200. Replacing a pool light can cost $300–900, depending on the type and installation details. 

All pools benefit from regular maintenance to keep debris and algae at bay, make sure chlorine levels and other chemicals are in balance, and check the pH level (acidity). The average cost of pool upkeep by a professional pool cleaning service is $20–50 per week. 

These variables will affect the total cost of repairs. 

How much does it cost to repair cracks in a pool?

The cost will vary, depending on the size of the crack and type of pool. You’ll typically pay $110–300 to repair small cracks in the plaster surface of a concrete pool. Fixing minor damage to the gel coat of a fiberglass pool can cost $300–750. 

How much does pool maintenance cost?

Regular pool service, which includes cleaning and water-quality management, usually costs $20–50 per week (or $80–200 per month) for inground pools. Above-ground pools usually cost 10–25% less because they’re generally smaller and easier to work on. When pool repairs are needed, you’ll pay an average of $200–850, including parts and labor.

Find a swimming pool repair professional in your area.

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