Generally speaking, you should expect to wait 24 to 48 hours after filling a pool before you use it. However, the actual timeline depends on a few factors. Most importantly, you need to shock the water with chlorine or an alternative to swimming pool chlorine and let the concentration come down to a safe level before using the pool. Additionally, most water sources will be cold, and it can take days before the sun or your pool heater warms your water to a comfortable temperature. Alternatively, getting water professionally delivered could have you swimming in just a few hours.

Yes, adding a pool to your property will almost always increase your homeowners insurance premiums. This is because pools are considered a greater liability due to their potentially hazardous nature, and the added replacement cost of the pool is factored into your home's rebuilding cost when considering coverage limits. The amount of the increase can range from as little as $50 to a few hundred dollars more per year, depending on your insurance provider, location, current coverage, and the safety features installed. Before building a pool, it is highly recommended to contact your insurance agent to get an estimate, discuss their specific guidelines and requirements, and factor the increased premium into your total pool installation costs.

Pool concrete or gunite can take several weeks to cure, or an average of 30 days, before workers can resume construction. Additional work and finishes push the time to build a pool out of concrete to between three and six months. There are many types of pools that take far less time, so keep these in mind if you're on a short timeline.

No, according to the CDC, animals do not usually pose health risks to swimmers, even if one dies. If a pool is maintained well, chlorine should kill any germs left by an animal within minutes. That said, homeowners should remove the animal as soon as possible and clean and disinfect the pool afterward.