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Small animals, particularly rats and mice, like to burrow inside pool heaters. To keep them out, seal any entry points with caulk or steel wool. Then, place mothballs inside or around your pool heater. As a final measure of protection, you can cover the pool heater in hardware cloth or wood paneling to further block entry points.

If you are installing a fiberglass pool, you may want to install or update your patio or deck at the same time to create a safe, comfortable place to sit and dry off or grab a bite to eat after swimming. You might also consider adding a hot tub to the mix, which costs $6,000 on average.

A pool enclosure could be a great decision if you’re considering dedicating funds toward pool remodeling costs. Pool enclosures offer benefits like enhanced security and keeping out dirt, debris, dust, and insects—which helps reduce the maintenance and cleaning needed—and uninvited animals and trespassers. Your enclosure can also provide extra shade and UV protection to make your pool time more enjoyable. In some cases, your pool enclosure may increase your home’s value.

If you don’t have the budget for one, there are numerous ways to warm up your pool without a heater. You can improve the insulation, use solar covers to trap heat from the sun, or even let a black hose sit in the sun until it heats up and delivers fresh, warm water straight to your pool.