Get matched with top pool table assembly pros in Littleton, ME

There are some disadvantages to a salt water pool. Besides costing slightly more than chlorine pools, salt water pools require a lot of salt. It's also harder to find a professional with salt water pool experience to do minor maintenance and repairs. Salt water can also damage some materials, so you’ll need to use specific heating, fixtures, lighting, liners, and masonry when building a salt water pool.

Pool chemical levels should include a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm, and chlorine from 1 to 3 ppm. The size and type of your pool determine additional chemical levels, such as stabilizers and pool shock, but you can get to know these numbers using our pool maintenance 101 guide.

Your indoor pool can be heated or unheated, but the decision depends on your local climate. In regions with freezing temperatures, heating your pool will keep it warm during the winter, especially if it’s only covered with a greenhouse enclosure. 

If you keep your swimming water warm and toasty, budget between $300 and $5,700 for the cost of installing a pool heater.

The total time to install an inground pool typically ranges from 8 weeks to 4 months. This timeline can be influenced by several factors, including permitting, site preparation, and the construction process itself.

Key phases and their typical durations include:

• Permits: Obtaining necessary permits can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

• Excavation and Site Preparation: This phase takes about a week but can be extended by problematic soil, unexpected ground conditions, or the need to move underground utility lines.

• Construction: The actual build, including plumbing and electrical work, often takes one to two months. The pool material is a major factor here; a concrete pool needs about 30 days to cure, while installing a fiberglass or vinyl liner is much faster.

External factors can also cause significant delays:

• Contractor Availability: Spring and summer are busy seasons, and high demand can lead to long waitlists, potentially adding months to your start date. It is often recommended to start planning and getting estimates up to a year in advance.

• Other Delays: Weather, material shortages, complex designs, and other unforeseen challenges can extend the project timeline.