Is It Time To Retire Your Pool?
While images of a backyard pool often evoke memories of cannonballing into cool water on a hot summer’s day, the reality can be very different. The upkeep is time-consuming, expensive, and often stressful. From chemicals and energy usage to safety concerns, many homeowners find themselves asking whether their pool is worth it.
Here are five compelling reasons why it may be time to retire your pool with Freedom Decks:
1. Time and Money in Maintenance
You can spend five to ten hours of your spare time maintaining your pool each week. Beyond labor, you must buy supplies such as pH kits, chlorine, vacuums, brushes, filters, skimmers, and covers. Prices range from $90 for a basic leaf vacuum to over $1,700 for a high-end robotic cleaner—along with monthly chlorine costs of $30 to hundreds of dollars.
Hiring a professional pool service averages around $125 a week. Utility costs also rise, with annual electricity bills increasing by roughly $300 during peak months. Seasonal shutdowns add additional costs if you don’t live in a warm climate year-round.
2. Safety Concerns
Pool safety is no joke. In 2020, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 379 fatal drownings involving children under 15, with 75% of those involving children under five. Diving board injuries and slips are also common—some leading to spinal injuries. Pools can harbor harmful pathogens, including cryptosporidium and norovirus, which cause gastrointestinal illness.
3. High Insurance Rates
Pools are legally considered “attractive nuisances.” Your homeowner’s policy may offer $100,000 liability coverage, but insurers often recommend increasing coverage to $300,000–$500,000 and adding an umbrella policy. If someone gets hurt, you could face hospital bills, lawsuits, and expensive legal fees.
4. Wasteful Energy Consumption
Pool pumps and filtration systems are energy-intensive. They can burn through 3,000–5,000+ kWh per year. According to the Energy Information Agency, swimming pools account for approximately 0.9% of all residential energy use in the U.S.
5. Water Waste
Evaporation and leaks waste a staggering amount of water each year. Many pools operate uncovered, increasing evaporation rates. Chlorine and other chemicals released during evaporation contribute to greenhouse gases. Leaks are common—affecting 1 in 5 pools, with 1 in 20 showing severe leaks. That means harmful chemicals may be seeping into soil and groundwater.
Ready for a Smarter Solution?
If you’re ready to save time, money, and peace of mind, Freedom Decks offers an excellent alternative. Instead of retiring your pool to an unused eyesore or paying to keep it running, transform it into a stylish, functional outdoor space without demolition or high maintenance.
👉 Get a Free Quote and discover how easy it is to retire your pool with Freedom Decks.
