Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Equipment
Buying a home that has a swimming pool? You should always get pools inspected so you know their true condition.
This is a popular add-on service when getting a standard buyer’s home inspection.
What a Swimming Pool Inspection Covers
Below is a list of the full scope of our swimming pool inspection. It is fairly extensive and many clients consider it to be an excellent value.
- Type of pool construction is identified
- General condition of the interior surface will be noted, including approximate age and presence of algae
- Visible cracks in the pool liner are noted
- Comparative measurement to help determine whether the pool shell is level
- Presence (or lack) of: water supply back-flow prevention; drain back-flow prevention; back-wash holding tank; in-line chlorinator; salt sanitation system
- Drain covers are inspected if visible from the pool
- Deficiencies in skimmers, covers, baskets and weirs are noted
- Type of filter is identified, but not disassembled
- Filter pressure is recorded
- Pool service light is inspected
- Pool timer is inspected by manual operation; timer programming is not inspected
- Presence/absence of freeze protection for equipment is noted but not operated
- Abnormalities with pool motor, including its electrical bonding, is noted
- Pump piping and valve deficiencies are noted; individual valves are not operated
- Above ground pipe leakage is noted; below ground leakage is not checked
- General condition of pool heater is noted
- Presence of any automated pool cleaning equipment is noted, but not operated
- Safety barriers and entrapment issues are noted
- Pool interior lights and GFCI protection is inspected
- Surface conditions around the pool, such as pool apron drainage away from pool, mastic sealer and copping ties are noted
- General condition of ladders and stairs in pool are inspected
- Diving boards and slides are not inspected; they are considered a safety hazard and removal is recommended
Limitations
The pool inspection is largely a visual inspection based on what is present, visible, operable and accessible.
A home inspector has general knowledge and is not a specialist or an expert in a particular field. (The same applies to our inspection of any other system in a home, such as plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
Therefore, there are limitations on what a home inspector can check. However, I do have a good deal of experience in identifying potential problems with the pool and equipment. If I see anything that deserves closer examination by an additional expert, the inspection report will clearly state this.
Above ground pools and “portable” or pre-manufactured hot tubs are not considered as real estate improvements and so are beyond the scope of a typical TREC inspection.
Don’t Take Our Word For It
