Most homeowners consider a pool inspection to be a fast thumbs up or down prior to a sale. However, if you ask a pool inspector, they will tell you that it is all about preserving your safety, your wallet, and your peace of mind long after the inspection is completed.
Here are a few things that your pool inspector wants you to know:
- First, safety always takes precedence over aesthetics. That dazzling blue water can conceal serious threats. Inspectors pay strict attention to barriers like fences, gates, and self-latching systems because drowning is a serious risk, particularly for children and pets. They also inspect drains and suction systems to ensure they meet anti-entrapment requirements. These details may not be glamorous, but they’re non-negotiable.
- Second, water quality and circulation are more important than many owners assume. Cloudy water isn’t simply unappealing. It might indicate filtration or chemical balance issues, which strain equipment and reduce its lifespan. A pool inspector examines pumps, filters, heaters, and valves to ensure that everything is properly proportioned, running efficiently, and not on the verge of failure. This is key, as replacing a pump after it has failed is significantly more expensive than resolving a minor problem quickly.
- It’s not always a leak. In addition to a leak, evaporation, a structural crack, a plumbing problem, or a failed seal are all possible causes of water loss. A professional pool inspector will look for subtle signs such as uneven waterlines, cracks in the shell, or deteriorated tile to determine what is truly going on.