A Guide To Owning a Pool in Arizona

Beyond the beautiful scenery, affordable cost of living, and year-round sunshine, living in Arizona has a significant bonus—backyard pools. Spending your days poolside while only being steps from your home creates a leisurely living space to soak up the sun and make memories. Whether you’re moving to the Grand Canyon state or have resided in the desert for generations, owning a pool is a rewarding decision that creates endless fun for the whole family. 

We’ll dive into what you can expect when owning a pool in Arizona, including the climate, picking your pool, maintenance tips, and making the most of your backyard oasis.

What Is Arizona’s Climate Like?

Welcome to the desert! While northern Arizona is a bit more temperate, southern Arizona’s climate is considered arid, with an annual rainfall of only three inches in the southwestern desert. Summers in the greater Phoenix area can climb to 106° F, with average daily temperatures exceeding 95° F from May through September. The dry heat and lack of precipitation make residents cool off however they can, leading many to pick up swimming as their favorite summertime activity.

Given the climate, it’s no wonder that Phoenix has the most residential pools per capita in the U.S., with 32.7% of homes owning one. Other than being a great way to beat the heat, pool ownership is a valued part of Arizona culture, from hosting neighborhood pool parties to sunsets with your loved ones by the water. Read on as we break down what it looks like to install a pool and additional considerations.

Types of Swimming Pools

Assuming the standard swimming pool that comes to mind is likely a rectangular hole in your patio, you should be aware of the variety of available swimming pool types. Depending on the kind, different pools have varying installation costs, maintenance requirements, and benefits. Below are the two most common types of residential pools.

In-Ground Pools

When you think of a swimming pool, an in-ground pool is probably what you first imagine. These pools are built into the ground and offer various customization options depending on your desired size, material, and architectural style. Although these tend to be the most popular type of residential pool, they are also the most expensive. The primary distinguishing factor for how much an in-ground pool will cost depends on the material you choose to use.

• Installation cost for concrete pools. $50,000 to $100,000
• Installation cost for fiberglass pools. $28,000 to $60,000
• Installation cost for vinyl pools. $28,000 to $40,000

Pros and Cons of Owning a Pool

Pools each have their respective advantages and drawbacks, and you’ll want to consider all these factors prior to deciding what kind of pool you’d like to get or if you want one at all. Below are essential items to reflect on before you go shopping.

Pros of In-Ground Pools

• Customization. In addition to their respective materials and sizes, in-ground pool installment can involve working with an architect to design your dream pool to match the aesthetic you’re looking for, becoming an extension of your home.
• Longevity. With proper maintenance, in-ground pools have a much longer life span than aboveground alternatives, with fiberglass pools being the easiest to maintain and concrete pools lasting the longest.
• Resale value. Building a pool in your backyard can increase the real estate value of your home by 5 to 8 percent, which can help you down the line should you decide to move.

Cons of In-Ground Pools

• Cost. To install an in-ground pool, you’ll likely need to do some budgeting to make the numbers work, with higher-quality concrete pools hitting six figures. Reflect on whether you’ll get enough use out of your pool to justify the price tag. 
• Maintenance. Beyond initial building costs, the routine maintenance required for in-ground pools, from resurfacing to filtration, will inevitably tack more zeros onto your already hefty expenditure.

Swimming Pool Care and Maintenance

Once your swimming pool is installed, the real work and fun begins. Owning a pool in Arizona means having an extended swimming season, and with that comes essential upkeep. Keeping a pool maintained requires a lot of responsibility and routine, so see below for some essential tips and tricks for sustaining a safe and healthy pool.

Create a Cleaning Routine

Set aside 30 minutes per week to clean your pool. Pop in some music and check off your chores, including emptying the skimmer basket, removing debris from the water’s surface, testing the pool water, and brushing and vacuuming accumulated dirt and sand. Staying on top of your pool’s maintenance will save you time and money in the long run.

Watch Your Water Level

The unforgiving Arizona heat means your pool’s water level will naturally be lower due to evaporation. If the level in your pool gets too low, it could damage your pool pump. Make a habit of checking your water level at least once a week. If your pool has a built-in skimmer box, the water should hit about halfway up its opening. Otherwise, shoot for about six inches below the edge of your pool.

Know Your Equipment

Giving your pool the TLC it needs will vary depending on its equipment. There are three types of pool filters: sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth filters. Know what kind of pool filter you have and learn how it should be cleaned and backwashed. If you find online tutorials insufficient, speak with a local pool technician for a hands-on tutorial.

Keep the Pool Pump Running

While it is ill-advised from an energy standpoint to run your pool pump 24/7, you should plan on running it for approximately eight hours per day during the summer. To save money, consider pumping overnight to dodge peak electricity hours. Additionally, you can use a pump timer to break up the running time throughout the day and night to distribute cleaning chemicals evenly.

Become a Chlorine Aficionado

You won’t need a chemistry degree to maintain a pool properly, but you’ll need a basic grasp of a few scientific concepts. Disinfection residuals and alkalinity should be kept in the following ranges:

• Alkalinity. 80 to 120 ppm
• pH. 7.4 to 7.6
• Chlorine. 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
• Calcium. 175 to 225 ppm

You can test your pool water weekly using water-testing kits and strips. If science isn’t up your alley, you can bring in experts to do the work for you by investing in a weekly pool cleaning and maintenance service.

Plan a Pool Party

What good is having a pool if you don’t get to enjoy it? To make the most of your pool and make all the maintenance worth it, get some gatherings with family and friends on the books. Not only will you be the most popular house in the neighborhood, but you’ll bring together the community to make wonderful memories in the summer sun. After all, the real investment is in your happiness.

Find a Quality Pool Care Company

Suppose you’re excited about owning your own pool but have some concerns about the time commitment to properly maintain it. In that case, investing in quality pool service is a great way to ensure that proper cleaning and maintenance are in the hands of professionals who know a thing or two about residential pools. 

There are plenty of swimming pool companies in Arizona to choose from, so do your research to find a company that is professionally certified and offers well-rounded pool care that touches on water chemistry, equipment maintenance, and preventive care for potential issues like leaks while also not breaking the bank.

Make Owning Your Pool a Joy With SPS PoolCare

When it comes to reliable, affordable Arizona swimming pool companies, SPS PoolCare is your ideal service provider in the greater Phoenix area. Our goal is to make the lives of pool owners easier through our convenient packages offering weekly cleaning and maintenance during the busy season and year-round. Request a quote today from our location in Scottsdale, and don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more about how we can make pool ownership easier for you.