Pool Cleaning Service VS DIY Pool Cleaning

Choose wisely: Pool Cleaning Services VS DIY Pool Cleaning. Dive into the pros and cons for a sparkling, hassle-free swimming experience. Owning a pool entitles you to unlimited fun, but it does entail some level of maintenance. That said, many pool owners are left with the choice between hiring professional pool cleaners or taking a DIY approach.

Today, we break down the differences, the pros, and the cons of each option so you will know whether to clean your own pool or to call a pool cleaning services. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Pool cleaning services

Pool cleaning services are solutions offered by pool professionals to help pool owners clean and maintain their swimming pool. Experienced contractors use their skills, knowledge, and equipment, to help clean pools — both residential and commercial.

Thinking of leaving your pool in the hands of industry professionals? First, let’s look at what you can expect from the pros.

• Skimming the pool’s surface
• Brushing the interior of the pool
• Vacuuming the pool’s floor
• Cleaning/emptying the skimmer baskets
• Balancing the pool’s chemicals

Some pool companies even include other services like checking the pool’s structural integrity as well as checking your equipment for operational capacity. That said, depending on the pool company you hire, you can get a holistic pool cleaning services to help you clean and maintain your investment.

Pros of pool cleaning services

Aside from getting professional quality services, there are a few perks in getting a pool cleaning services.

There’s a lot to cover here, so let’s check them out.

1. It saves you time

Instead of having to spend hours brushing your pool during the weekend, you’ll have more time to do the things that matter. Whether it’s to meet with friends on a Saturday night or to take your kids to the park on a Sunday morning, having pool professionals do all the work makes for a convenient way to keep your pool in tip-top shape.

2. No need to learn the ropes

There’s no need to run through YouTube tutorials or scan through DIY blogs when you hire a professional pool cleaner. They come equipped with the knowledge of how to clean your pool and the experience to make sure that the job is carried out effectively and efficiently.

Speaking of things, they come with…

3. They bring their own cleaning equipment

Swimming pool companies not only invest in experienced manpower but also in industrial quality equipment — equipment specifically designed and engineered for cleaning pools. This means that along with trained professionals, you are getting the best pool equipment. Included are specialized pool brushes, heavy-duty telescopic poles, skimmer nets in various micron sizes, as well as vacuum cleaners to collect the dust that’s settled on your pool’s floor.

Just think of all the money you have to spend buying cleaning equipment of the same quality.

4. You get expert advice

Most swimming pool professionals give bits and pieces of advice to the pool owners they work with in terms of maintaining their swimming pools. If they see you’re kind of wet in the ears (pun intended), they won’t hesitate to offer you advice on how you can better maintain your pool. Things like keeping an eye on water level, occasionally checking your equipment for unusual sounds, taking a shower before dipping into the pool, and so on, are just some of the things your pool guy will tell you that can help you maintain your pool.

In some cases, your pool gut can even talk to you about getting your pool water’s balance right — just in case you want to maintain your pool’s chemistry on your own.

Which brings us to…

5. You get professional quality water chemistry

One of the benefits of the most crucial steps in pool cleaning and maintenance is water chemical adjustment. It’s also one of the things you can easily mess up if you don’t know what you’re doing.

When done incorrectly, improper pool water chemistry can damage your pool’s interior, corrode the pool equipment, and wreak havoc in your pool’s plumbing. That said, it’s best to know at least the basics before you start mixing.

And while there’s a slew of products on the market—from test strips to test kits—nothing beats having a skilled professional check and adjust your pool’s water chemistry for you.

6. You can arrange for a recurring service.

Another benefit of signing up for a pool cleaning services is that you can arrange for a recurring service. This means that you, and the pool company, agree to have your pool serviced for more than just one session. The agreement can be a six-month, annual, or indefinite.

As a pool owner, your advantage here is that you will get to know the people who will work on your pool. Know how well and thorough they are in carrying out their job, and expect the same level of proficiency every time they come in for a session.

7. It saves you money

Believe it or not, spending money on a company to clean your pool for you can actually save you money.

Not only can they help in making sure that your pool is properly cleaned and maintained but they can also spot early signs of damage so you can address these issues early on, saving you from preventable expenses like repairs and replacements.

You’ll find that the amount of money you spend on a weekly pool cleaning appointment is cheaper than having your pool resurfaced and remodeled.

Cons of pool cleaning service

Although hiring professionals does make for a convenient option, it does come with its own disadvantages. Here are a few.

1. It’s going to cost you

Well, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but hiring a pro is sure going to cost you. Furthermore, signing up for recurring cleaning and maintenance services will also add to your monthly expenses. Nevertheless, some companies are willing to work with your budget and even offer bundled services that suit your needs.

2. Peak seasons can make appointments a hassle

To think that you need your pool guy the most during pool season makes it kind of frustrating to know that his availability may be limited during the busiest time of the year, well, for pool companies at least.

Make sure you book appointments early, or at least before summer, when they don’t have as many commitments. Better yet, you can get past this appointment hassle by opting for a weekly maintenance service.

DIY pool cleaning

It’s true that getting a pool cleaning service isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that’s where DIY pool cleaning comes in.

Many pool owners find the DIY approach appealing because of its benefits. Here are a few.

Pros of DIY pool cleaning

1. You get to know your pool better

When you take this path, you will find that you will get to know your pool better. That’s because you will not only get to swim in it, but also get to inspect it closely. You will know which skimmer basket is the dirtiest, which part of the pool’s floor needs repair, and you’ll familiarize yourself with the sound the motor of your pool’s equipment makes.

2. You get a sense of fulfillment

While some pool owners will argue that pool cleaning is a lot of work, others will claim that it’s therapeutic. It helps them calm and clear their minds, probably because of the sense of fulfillment you get when you see the fruit of your labor.

3. It saves you money

For obvious reasons, you’re going to save some money when you clean your swimming pool on your own. You won’t have to pay someone else for something you can do yourself, as long as you have the time for it.

4. No more waiting for appointments

Remember we said, setting appointments during the summer can prove to be a hassle? Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. When you clean your pool by yourself, you can do it anytime you like and not have to wait for your pool guy to come over.

Cons of DIY pool cleaning

As the name suggests, DIY pool cleaning is taking matters into your own hands. And depending on how familiar you are with the process, taking a do-it-yourself approach can work for you or against you.

Here’s why.

1. It takes up a lot of your precious time.

There’s no other way to put it, but, there’s no one else to do it but you. You’ll have to do all the cleaning, the brushing, the skimming, as well as balancing the chemicals.

Speaking of which…

2. You can easily mess things up with pool chemicals.

When you don’t know what you’re doing, you can easily disrupt the chemical balance of your pool water. That said, if you’re not confident in the amount of chemicals you’re about to put in, you can end up with either cloudy pool water or a weakened pool interior.

If you have the time, read through published blogs where they outline the steps in balancing the chemicals in your pool water in detail. You can also watch DIY video tutorials to help you understand it better.

3. You have to invest in pool equipment

DIY cleaning may look inexpensive, but investing in the right pool cleaning equipment may surprise you with its upfront costs. If you want professional cleaning, you need commercial-grade equipment.

Conclusion

Choosing whether to hire professionals or to go DIY is entirely up to your preference. Nevertheless, knowing the pros and cons of each option can help you make a better and an informed decision in cleaning and maintaining your pool.

We hope that this simple and quick guide has helped you understand the advantages and disadvantages of both cleaning options. All in all, it is best to let the pool cleaning experts take charge for so many reasons – and let you focus on your own work and more importantly, your family.