Charleston Pool Inspection

Level 1 Pool Inspections: What’s Included? 

Any house hunter will tell you that it’s a good idea to schedule a home inspection before finalizing a sale. This sounds great but not every home inspector is familiar with swimming pools. There is nothing worse than taking possession of a brand new home only to be stuck with high repair bills or unexpected damage. 

There are several different types of pool inspections on the market, each with a different end goal. Some of these are geared around permitting for construction projects or for insurance purposes but they often don’t cover whether or not swimming pools are actually functional. A standard condition report includes obvious, visible damage but this overlooks so many important parts of a swimming pool. 

In order to get a thorough overview of a pool’s condition it’s important to go below the surface. Puddle technicians have developed a multi-step approach that assesses condition of the areas that you can see, as well as the ones you can’t. A pool or spa inspection also doesn’t stop with structures themselves but should include the surrounding areas as well. 

Visual Inspections: A trained eye can spot problem areas before they become disasters. Pool structures are designed and built to be durable but they aren’t immune to physical damage. Anything from a broken tile, slab crack or tear in a vinyl liner can allow water to escape into surrounding areas leading to serious property damage. Leaks might start out small but if left unchecked will lead to flooded basements, drowned lawns, rotten materials, water damage and a whole lot of headache. 

System Testing: As great as a pool might look in the moment, it won’t stay clean for long if there is damage inside. Sitting water is prone to contamination and all of the chemical treatments in the world can’t keep it clean. If circulation systems are struggling pool pumps will have to work harder, leading to wear and tear. This will shorten lifespans of pool equipment and owners are stuck with the high cost of repair bills. Puddle technicians will check pressure gauges, test internal systems and heaters to make sure that everything is operational and running smoothly. 

Surrounding Areas: In the same way that swimming pools should be clean and safe, so should the area around them. It’s easy to overlook safety railings and ladders but you wouldn’t want someone to lean on a damaged fixture and end up falling. Visual assessments and light testing will review the condition of safety features and accessories, pointing out any loosening or visible corrosion.