What Do Pool Inspectors Look For?

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Inspect The Pool

Just like it’s important to have a home inspector assess a home you intend to buy, it’s equally important that you get a pool inspector to look at the pool. “Why have your new home’s pool inspected?” you may ask. Well, first and foremost, having a new home’s pool inspected prior to moving in helps safeguard you and your family. There have been a number of incidents and accidents which occurred as a result of homeowners being unaware of a pool’s faults.

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Secondly, having your pool inspected can help you get credit for your new home. Usually, the seller is presented with a detailed report from a pool inspector. You can use the contents of this report to bargain for a price reduction of the home. This factors in the cost of repairs, damages, and so on.

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Why You Should Hire A Pool Expert And Not A General Home Inspector

As a home buyer, it’s advisable that you have a qualified pool inspector check your pool and not just a home inspector. It may look like it’s appropriate to just have a home inspector to look at your pool alongside the rest of the home. In fact, you may even tell yourself that they’re without doubt competent to inspect a pool. This, however, is not the case, home inspectors aren’t really the right fit for pool inspection. Because they aren’t specifically trained for pool inspection, they may miss out on important details which pool experts on their part look out for.

Even though the cost of hiring a pool expert outweighs that of opting for a home inspector, it sure is worth it. You will get expert assessment which will help you avoid possible future eventualities. This and additional benefits such as ensuring your pool complies with local regulations and codes. Also, some mortgage providers do require pool inspection before they can agree to fund a home purchase.

What Do Pool Inspectors Look For?

Away from the importance of pool inspection, pool inspectors look for specific details whenever they’re assessing a pool. Though the scale and scope of inspection may vary from one situation to another, there are certain common factors that all pool inspectors consider while inspecting a pool. Here’s a list of five things which pool inspectors look for in a pool:

Safety and Security Features

Safety and security features are of utmost importance when it comes to the pool or spa inspection. A pool inspector will first of all look at the pool’s fencing and securing. An ideal pool should have a fence that is at least 5 feet high. This helps prevent children and other persons concerning from climbing it and finding their way into the pool. The accessible perimeter of the pool should ideally be securely fenced and also have a gate which opens away from the pool. This gate should also if possible be self-locking.

Additionally, a home may also be required to have safety alarms on passageways leading to the pool. This helps notify adults whenever a child or any unauthorized person tries to make their way into the pool. The issue of safety alarms, however, depends on your location, there are states which mandate pool alarms and also others in which they aren’t a requirement.

Furthermore, pool inspectors can also look for other security features such as pool covers. A pool cover should be strong and durable. It should be made from a material that can withstand a child’s weight should they accidentally step on it.

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The Pool’s Interior Condition

Another important consideration of pool inspectors is the inner condition of the pool. The right pool should have the best interior conditions possible. To start with, the plastering (floor) should be intact. There should be no visible cracks in the plaster. Presence of cracks or tears is an indication of a fault beneath the pool. Also, the plastering should be free of stains or any suspicious marks.

Secondly, the tiles lining the pool’s walls should also be intact. They should not have any cracks or chipping. Aside from performing decorative roles, tiles help waterproof the pool structure. Should they have cracks, water will seep into the surrounding soil from the pool. In regards to chipped tiles, there’s the danger of one sustaining cuts while inside the pool.

Still, on a pool’s tiles, the grout between tiles should extend into each tile and must not show signs of deterioration. This ensures that the tiles are firmly held in place. Falling tiles are a potential source of harm for pool users.

The Pool Equipment

Pool equipment is also a key concern for pool inspectors. While conducting an inspection, they usually look for three main equipment. These are the pool filter, the pump, and the pool heater. The importance of any of these three can’t be downplayed. The pump, for instance, controls the flow and circulation of water inside the pool. It also further operates other pool components such as waterfalls and cleaners. Inspectors check to ensure that a pump has GFI (Ground fault interrupter) and proper bolting. They also check the pump’s speed and wiring alongside other details.

In regards to filters, inspectors ascertain the filter material to ensure it’s right for the pool. Cartridge filters are in particular more recommendable for large pools in comparison to sand and DE filters. On the part of heaters, they should also be firmly grounded and properly function. An inspector will ascertain that the heater is fit for the pool’s size. Also, the heater should be running on readily available energy such as electricity, natural gas, and solar.

The Pool’s Decking

Pool inspectors also check the pool’s surrounding. Here, they look at aspects such as coping and decking. The decking should be done using appropriate materials and should be topographically correct. It should for example not prevent water that overflows from the pool from flowing and drying away. The decking should ideally also be uniform and level.

Plumbing and Electric Fittings

Alongside everything, pool inspectors also look at the pool’s plumbing and electricity connection. They, for example, check to ensure that all inlet and outlet pipes are working correctly. Likewise, they also ensure that all the electricity and lighting connections are effectively working.

You now know what pool inspectors look for. The next time you hire one, you will at least know what to expect from them.

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