Durham NH Pool Inspections
Puddle Pool Services inspects pools and spas in Durham, New Hampshire and the surrounding Seacoast towns, whether you are buying, selling or chasing a problem. The inspection covers the safety features, a visual check of the structure and liner or surface, the equipment and the water system. You get a plain explanation of the findings, and a quote for the inspection comes back within 24 hours.
- Inspect safety features
- Confirm condition and functionality
- Highly trained and insured technicians
- Visual inspections of structures and liner
- Testing of water systems
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Four parts of every inspection
Every inspection works through the same four areas: the safety features, a visual inspection of the structure and the liner or surface, the equipment and the water system. The result is a clear picture of what is there and what needs attention. Leaks are part of the picture as well. The inspection checks for signs such as unexplained water loss, wet ground and equipment trouble, and if a leak is suspected, dedicated leak detection testing confirms it and finds the source. Spas and hot tubs can be inspected alongside the pool or on their own. The cost depends on the size and type of pool, whether a spa is included and the equipment on site, and your quote spells out exactly what is covered.
Inspections around a home sale
The most common reasons to book are buying a home with a pool, selling one and noticing that something seems off. A general home inspection often treats the pool briefly, if at all, whereas a pool inspection concentrates on the structure, surface, equipment and water system. A buyer finds out what they are taking on before closing. A seller can fix issues on their own terms rather than meeting them in negotiation, and a clean result reassures buyers who are wary of pools. In Salem, the Building Safety pool handout asks permit applicants for a site diagram showing setbacks and the location of any septic system, well or water and sewer lines, so the permit file can help confirm what was approved.
Barrier details the state code spells out
New Hampshire's building code includes the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and its model Section 305 goes well beyond fence height. Details an inspection compares against include:
- chain link openings no larger than 1 3/4 inches
- an outside latch release at least 54 inches high on residential pool gates
- a UL 2017 water hazard alarm, an ASTM F1346 safety cover or another approved means such as self closing, self latching doors where a house wall forms part of the barrier and doors or windows have sills under 48 inches
- an onground pool wall serving as the barrier only when it stands at least 48 inches high
- no more than 2 inches of clearance under the barrier over grass or gravel and 4 inches over solid surfaces
The state can amend these model provisions and towns may adopt stricter rules, so confirm the details with your building office.
Town rules that go further
Several towns layer their own requirements on top. Hampton's health regulation calls for a 4 foot enclosure around outdoor pools that hold more than 3 feet of water, and its gates stay locked when nobody is at the pool. Dover's zoning code applies its fence rule to new pools and to every existing pool holding at least 22 inches of water, and it lets the Board of Adjustment approve a substitute that gives equal protection. Salem's Building Safety office runs a barrier inspection on above ground pools where a slope or deck brings the barrier below 48 inches, and on in ground pools it inspects the barrier including any required alarm. An inspection report that notes these points gives you something concrete to take to the town.
After the inspection
You hear what was found and what it means in plain terms. Where repairs are needed they can be quoted, so you understand the size of the issue before deciding anything. If the findings point to a leak, leak detection testing pins down where the water is going. For a home on a private well, ask the seller for the latest well test too. NHDES recommends regular testing because arsenic, radon, manganese and coliform bacteria occur naturally in New Hampshire rock and soil, and a pool filled from that well starts with the same water. Whether you are buying, selling or keeping track of an older pool, the report gives you a baseline to plan from.
Durham NH Pool Inspections: Frequently Asked Questions
What fence does a pool need in Hampton, New Hampshire?
Hampton's Health Officer regulation (Chapter 780) requires outdoor pools deeper than 3 feet when full to have a wall, fence or other enclosure at least 4 feet high around the entire pool, built so children cannot get through except by the gate or door. All gates must be locked when the pool is unattended. Elevated and surface pools with sides higher than 4 feet need no fence. Confirm with the Town before building or changing an enclosure.
Does Salem inspect pool barriers?
Yes. Salem's Building Safety pool handout requires a building permit and an electric permit for a residential pool, along with a statement of the safety barrier. Above ground pools get a barrier inspection if a slope or deck reduces the barrier height below 48 inches, and in ground pools get a barrier inspection that includes an alarm where one is required. Check with Salem Building Safety before installing or changing a pool.
Which Durham NH neighborhoods do you cover?
We look after pools across Durham NH, including Downtown Durham, University of New Hampshire, Madbury Road & Faculty Neighborhoods, Lee, Madbury and Newmarket. The full list of areas is on our Durham NH page. If you do not see yours, get in touch and we will confirm.
Do I need a separate pool inspection if I already have a home inspection?
Usually yes. A general home inspection often covers a pool only briefly, if at all. A pool inspection looks specifically at the structure, the liner or surface, the equipment and the water system, which is where the expensive surprises tend to be.
What does a pool inspection check?
We inspect the safety features, carry out a visual inspection of the structure and liner or surface, check that the equipment works as it should and test the water system. You come away knowing the condition of what is there and what needs attention.
Watch what we do
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Residential Services
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Commercial Services
Areas we serve
- Portsmouth
- Dover
- Exeter
- Rochester
- Hampton
- Lee
- Madbury
- Newmarket
- Stratham
- Somersworth
- Rye
- Salem
- Derry
- Windham
- Raymond
- Barrington
- Hampstead
- Seabrook
- Plaistow
- Epping
- Atkinson
- Farmington
- Sandown
- Kingston
- Auburn
- Chester
- Nottingham
- Deerfield
- Newton
- Fremont
Where you can find us
Talk to us
So Why Puddle for Pool Inspections in Durham NH?
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Transparent Pricing
That’s Right. No Hidden Prices. Up Front and Straight Forward Pricing.
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E-Reports
Your Service Sent in an E-Report, in Real Time. What Was Done, What Chemicals Were Used, What Your Levels Are At etc. All With Before & After Pictures, Time Stamped In and Time Stamped Out.
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Happy Snappy Techs
Fully uniformed, CPO certified technicians in fully wrapped vehicles, so you always know who is at your gate and that your pool is in trained hands.
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