Looking for a new home with outdoor space for keeping cool, entertaining, and exercising? Many people are, and for these reasons, some house hunters see the advantage of buying a home with an existing swimming pool.

Many home buyers prefer an empty yard to build a pool to their personal specifications. But for homes that happen to come with swimming pools already in the ground, take the right steps to protect your investment: Before closing deed you will want to know about the pool and the condition of its structure and equipment.

Whether or not you’ve previously owned a home with a swimming pool, it’s important to arrange for an expert evaluation of the condition of the pool at the home you may soon call your own. Just like a house typically undergoes a professional inspection before deed closes, so, too, should a swimming pool.

A thorough pool inspection should assure a potential buyer of several key issues, ranging from the elevation of the deck surface to the functionality of the pool pump.

Although some bond companies require a pool inspection before funding a home purchase, state or municipal regulations typically do not. In addition, while a good certified or state-licensed home inspector may add the pool onto his or her checklist for review, don’t count on it.

Even if your home inspector does include the pool, that evaluation may not be enough: Due to the complex nature of a swimming pool’s structure and its specialized mechanics, pool-industry professionals strongly recommend hiring a specially trained pool inspector.

Swimming pool inspectors: Is it worth hiring one?

Before interested buyers complete the purchase of a home, they typically hire a home inspector to evaluate the house’s condition. Inspectors review a variety of elements ranging from the functionality of light switches in the bathrooms to the condition of the home’s foundation.

Inspectors provide a written report of their findings, which includes a list of any areas of concern. For example, the kitchen-sink, leaking toilet or the paint could be peeling off the front door.

After the buyer’s inspector presents a checklist, the buyer and seller can negotiate on the items. The seller may agree to fix all or some of the items, the seller may provide a price credit to the buyer, or the seller and buyer may agree to a combination of repairs and credits.

If a home has a swimming pool, it too should be part of the same review process. However, not all home inspectors are well-versed on how to properly evaluate a pool’s condition.

A dedicated swimming pool inspector can tell you a lot about what’s going on with the pool, more than a home inspector who might just have a checklist for a pool.

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Swimming pools have a lot of complicated parts with which an inspector needs to be familiar, such as pumps, filters, and heaters. Many pools have additional equipment components and specialty accessories.

With this in mind, Arche Ent. is registered with the National Spa and Pool Institute of South Africa (NSPI)

Like a home inspection, a typical Swimming pool inspection might cost a few hundred rand. However, highly experienced Swimming pool inspectors with more specific knowledge may charge a much higher fee, perhaps as much as R8000-00.

This level of inspection is worth it, especially if you receive an itemized report with in-depth information that a homebuyer can use to barter for credit on the overall purchase price of the house and pool.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at five primary areas to examine during an in-depth pool inspection.     

 

1. Safety features that meet local requirements

An inspection will determine if a pool complies with local safety regulations, which vary from municipality to municipality. Your pool inspector should be well-versed in any local regulations.

For example, a common pool-safety mandate is a permanent perimeter fence at least 1.2 meters high that surrounds any accessible perimeter of a pool. The fence gate should open outward and have a self-closing, self-latching lock. Not only is a fence enough but all Pools should also have a safety net or cover. That net must be child-proof, professionally installed and must carry the weight of an adult safely.

Remember, even if a requisite safeguard is not in place, there are ways to address this shortcoming. You can ask that the seller to either remedy the issue or provide you with a credit on the final purchase price so you can make the addition as needed.

 

2. Physical conditions of the pool structure, interior, and materials—and the deck

Some wear and tear on a pool may be easy to see. However, an expert will know what to look for in terms of deterioration. He can identify and assess the necessity and likely cost of making repairs or replacing certain materials.

Among the key physical factors to inspect are those you see every day, such as the interior finish. However, what matters too are the less-obvious ones, such as the grout between stones in the rock waterfall or uneven spots in the deck. Here are some of the key features your pool inspection should cover.

 

●  Interior Finish (Marble / Fibreglass / Tiles)

The material that goes on and in swimming pools interior is usually referred to as top finish. The finish on a pool should be generally uniform, and free of stains, major streaks, discolorations, or areas that are rough or mottled. Do note that some kinds of stains are relatively simple and affordable to remove, while others require draining the pool for a major acid wash to attack the unwanted stains.

You may see hairline “spider web-like” cracks. The good news is that these are normal with aging finishes. A professional inspection should help determine if any cracks appear to be serious or—in rare cases—are an indication of underlying structural issues.

 

●  Mosaic (Tiles / Fibre)

Mosaic tiles are used along the pool’s waterline to help waterproof the pool structure at the perimeter and as a decorative element. Pool builders also set tile on any raised bond beam (walls raised above the pool surface) and areas such as the façade of an elevated back wall.

It’s fairly easy to assess the condition of the mosaics. The grout, the mortar or paste material between each tile, should completely surround each tile and be in good condition. Look for chips and any corners where grout has deteriorated and exposed a sharp angle. After all, you don’t want any loose tiles falling off or a curious child or adult playing with a corner edge and scratching their fingers. 

It’s also smart to take a good look at all of the tiled areas, and scrutinize each section for any individual tiles that appear to have been replaced, but don’t closely match their neighbours’ colour and pattern.

 

●  Copings

In some pools decking cantilevers over the pool’s perimeter edge. However, in most cases, pool perimeters have copings.

Typically, coping runs 200mm-500mm in depth. It’s is a decorative element that comes in a wide variety of materials, including brick, natural stone, premade concrete coping stones, or coloured concrete pavers. The expanse around the pool defines the pool’s shape, and it separates the surrounding deck from the pool structure itself.

The coping material should be stable without loose or seriously chipped pieces. The grout between each piece should be in good condition. There may be mastic, a sealing material between the coping and the deck, and this should be intact to provide a waterproof seal.

Your pool inspector will also look for coping pieces with stains or cracks. A number of major or deep cracks could indicate that the deck is shifting. That’s a potential problem, and your expert will advise if troubles could be minor or more serious. 

 

●  Decking

Unless there is bare ground or grass lawn serving as the deck don’t overlook the hardscape that surrounds your pool.

Of course, you want to assess how the deck looks in terms of the surface, the colour, and the overall condition of the stone, pavers, concrete, wood, or other materials from which it was built.

But you also want to look at the deck’s position. Is it pitched properly so that rainwater or pool-water “splash-out” travels away from the pool and off to a proper area for effective drainage? Or, are there any drains built into the deck to route away the water, and if so, are the drains clear and functioning?

In a serious case, large gaps of space between the deck and the ground below can lead depressions, or worse, lifting—a costly problem; depending on the deck material, lifting may require a partial or full deck replacement.

—Special advisory for saltwater pools:

If the pool has a salt chlorine system, you will want to check for possible damage from salt exposure, such as railings in the pool. Erosion can also occur on surfaces exposed to repeated splash-out water. Frequent victims of the salty splash-out include wood decks, unsealed natural stone coping, natural rock waterfalls, and plants in any landscape boxes or plant pockets immediately adjacent to the waterline 

 

3. Equipment 

You will also want to assess the line-up and condition of the equipment that runs your potential new pool. If you were buying a used car, you would want an expert to check under the hood, and the same is a smart move for a “second-hand” swimming pool.

Now, during a pool inspection you can’t take equipment apart. But you and your inspector can take it out for a test drive. Turn on all of the systems, and observe them at work.

Check if the parts on each component are secure. Listen for any that make unusual noises that may point to mechanical issues. Do the systems appear to operate correctly by creating the desired effect, such as water circulating or lights activating?

The main pieces of pool equipment that warrant you and your inspector’s close attention are those that operate key functions: the pump, filter, and if present, solar panels and a heater.

 

●  Pump

A pump serves as the heart of a pool’s equipment system. It provides the needed water flow for filtration and circulation, which help maintain a healthy swimming environment.   

The pump also helps operate pool features, such as waterfalls or pool cleaners. An inspection should ascertain that the pump is free of leaks. It should be properly wired and grounded. The timer should be working properly as well.

For your monthly utility bills, it’s worth noting the type of pump on the pool: Is it single speed or variable speed? A variable speed pump can save up to 70 percent on energy costs. 

 

●  Filter

The pool filter captures dirt and debris from water passing through it. Filters fall into two categories: sand and cartridge.

Sand filters is generally used for outdoor swimming pools and cartridge for indoor. The reason for cartridge filters is that dirt and debris is limited.

 

●  Heater

The pool you are buying may or may not have a heater. They are a costly item to purchase, so it’s important to take that into consideration if no heater is present and you plan on using the pool beyond the hot months of the year in your area. And if the pool comes with a heater, you want to know that it’s unlikely you that will have to replace it anytime soon.

The most common kind of heater runs on electricity. In some cases, solar pool heating is a popular option; in other words, an electric-powered heat pump is a common choice.

During a pool inspection, it’s critical to verify that the heater—like the pump—is properly grounded. The inspector will turn on the heater to make sure it is succeeding in boosting the water temperature.

 

4. Other features and accessories

If the pool has other optional design, comfort, and convenience features and upgrades, you will want to review them thoroughly. Whether it’s tanning ledge or alternative purification system, you want the condition examined. Here are some typical features and accessories.

 

●  Pool with a spa

Spas are a wonderful addition to some pools. Test the spa blower and check that it is grounded. Check that it’s wired correctly. When turned on, does the blower appear to provide adequate air to the spa’s hydrotherapy jets? Check that each jet delivers a balanced, strong output.

 

●  Automatic pool cover

A superb safety and water-saving tool, an automatic pool cover is an expensive accessory you will want to be sure is in good working order. Does it open and close smoothly? Are any parts wearing out? What’s the condition of the cover material?

 

●  Automation

Your inspector will check that the base unit uses proper wiring, and they will advise you the number of different pieces of equipment and features is designed to operate. Each of the buttons and any group program should appear to work: For example, will the unit activate the lights, cleaner, pump, heater, and other equipment that it’s supposed to? Does it turn any water features on and off?

 

●  Remote control and/or remote platform

You may be fortunate to have a pool with the ultimate in convenience: An automation system that’s upgraded to work with a handheld remote or an internet-compatible PC or mobile app. If so, check their functionality. And if there’s handheld unit, perform a test to make sure it works from inside the house.

 

●  Diving board or slide

Accessories like diving boards and slides are fun, but if improperly installed or in poor condition, they can pose safety issues. Be sure your inspector thoroughly assesses them. If you want to consider removing the item altogether, consider how it’s attached to the deck on what the deck might look like after you have the item removed.

 

●  Water features

Fountains, bubblers, laminar’s, deck jets, cascades, spouted, waterfalls, and grottos provide flowing liquid flourishes to any pool. However, they can also leak. Or, the features may have some water missing its mark.  For example, a malfunctioning or poorly calibrated one could send some water off to the deck instead of back into the pool.

Bonus tip for natural stone waterfalls: Check out the condition of the grout used to hold the stones in place.

 

●  LED lighting

Advanced LED lighting systems provide many, many years of energy-efficient illumination before burning out, so this technology is vastly superior to old-school incandescent lights and it rarely poses issues. But of course, your inspector should check that the LED lighting works properly.

 

●  Advanced sanitizing technology (Chlorinator, Blue lagoon etc.)

Inquire if there is technology on the pool that offers an alternative to traditional chlorine. Options include chlorine generators (salt generators), ultraviolet germicidal light, and ozone systems. You want to be sure the system is sized and properly plumbed into the equipment and is working effectively.

 

5. Equipment systems, infrastructure, and backyard conditions

A variety of other conditions and systems can affect a swimming pool. And inspection may uncover other issue or factors for you to consider.

Supporting the pool equipment and its overall operating are electric runs and plumbing lines. For example, your inspector will check that the breakers are properly labelled. He will check if the plumbing lines at the equipment appear to be free of leaks. He will check for bubbles in the return lines, which could be a clue to a suction leak.

The best inspectors might look at surrounding variables as well. Proper drainage is an important one. For example, if the pool is located close to the house, it is important to note gutters on the roof. Why? Depending on their position, they may empty rainwater onto the ground below—where it will gather and likely overflow into the pool.

Inspectors may point out other factors. They might let you know that the wind coming off the canyon will constantly blow dust into the pool. Will the beautiful trees block much of the sunshine you want by the pool, or will the trees heavily shed leaves that you will need to clean out unless you have top-flight automatic pool cleaner?

Sealing the deal

Of course, you can always pass on the house with a pool. Many home buyers who want a pool prefer to find a house without a “second-hand” one, and instead hire a builder to design exactly what they want from the ground up. That’s always an option.

But if you find the ideal home with a pool already in place, be smart about obtaining a full evaluation.

With all of the intricacies involved in assessing the condition of a swimming pool, conducting a comprehensive evaluation without the help of a pool inspector can be challenging.

By engaging a pool professional, you will get an expert’s highly valuable advice. You can relax, knowing that any mandated safety features are in place. You will be confident that the physical components are in good shape and that major equipment systems are in working order. Or, you will learn if any structural or mechanical components may need repair, replacement—or in lieu of them, a buyer’s credit in the home purchase price.

“Get an inspection done that goes above the normal standards of practice.”

 

Yes, a pool inspection is optional—but it’s a process worth the time and investment. The result will be peace of mind and a new home with a stable, properly functioning backyard.