Swimming Pool Inspection Checklist

Florida is gorgeous, but the temperatures can sometimes be impossible to bear. This is exactly why outdoor swimming pools are commonplace around the Sunshine State - they keep you cool and can easily turn your summer into a fun tropical vacation. 

However, buying a home where you can dip and chill at your convenience does come with an extra set of concerns. Hence, you need to take all the necessary precautions to make sure the fancy-looking swimming pool doesn’t have any hidden defects.

You can easily achieve this through a dedicated inspection that provides an impartial evaluation of the pool’s condition and brings to your attention any issues, big or small.

Today, we’ll show you an example of a swimming pool inspection checklist and provide you with insights into its key benefits.

Let’s jump right in!

Why A Pool Inspection Is Worth It

Buyers typically hire a home inspector in order to evaluate the condition of the property before completing a purchase. This examination will cover all sorts of elements from the home’s foundation all the way to the functionality of different electrical appliances.

Upon completing it, the inspector will generate an extensive report on their findings. If there are any problem areas detected during the inspection, the buyer and the seller can renegotiate the asking price to offset the costs of any repairs.

When there’s a pool in the picture, so to speak, it should also be included in this checkup. It’s never that easy though, as many home inspectors who are experts in regular home inspections don’t have the knowledge to properly evaluate the true condition of a pool. 

This is completely understandable because there’s more to pools than meets the eye. The professional performing the inspection has to know not only how to find structural defects, but also has to be familiar with complex parts such as heaters, pumps, filters, and other accessories.

An experienced pool inspector who knows what they’re doing (and isn't just arbitrarily checking off boxes on the pool inspection checklist) will cost you upwards of $250. The amount usually isn't much of a problem, especially if you bundle the pool checkup with your regular home inspection.

What Does A Pool Inspection Checklist Include?

Although nothing is set in stone, a typical inspection will include:

1. Determining if the pool complies with safety regulations

Local safety regulations can be pretty hard to keep track of. For instance, the law dictates you must install fire alarms, doors, and windows that lead to the pool, as well as safety glass on windows located five feet from the water’s edge, etc. 

If you learn some of the safeguards weren't put in place by the seller, you may ask them to remedy the issue or provide you with a discount so you can tackle the problem yourself once you purchase the home. 

2. Checking the physical condition of the pool structure

While larger cracks in the structure are easy to locate with a pool inspection checklist, professionals can help you dig a bit deeper by inspecting the following:

• Plaster: this is the finish that covers the interior of the pool. If the pool itself is in good condition, the plaster will also be impeccable and free of any discolorations. Discolored plaster may seem like a simple issue on the surface (no pun intended), but in reality, the pool will need to get drained first and then subjected to acid washing to get rid of it.

• Tiles: these not only make the waterline of the pool pop visually, but also help waterproof the entire structure. Inspectors will look at the condition of the paste between tiles to spot any cracks which may be sticking out at sharp angles. Some buyers are willing to bend the facts and fail to mention any previous repairs, which is why your inspector may point out any tiles that appear to have been replaced.

• Coping: this part is the decorative element that gives the pool its shape as it separates the deck from the pool. The material used to build the coping needs to be sturdy with no chipped pieces, and the connective grout binding on each piece should be fully intact along with the mastic (waterproof material between the deck and the coping). A crucial step in the pool inspection checklist also involves checking for pieces of coping that are cracked, which could be a sign that the entire deck is shifting.

• Decking: the most important thing about a deck is that it’s angled in a way the rainwater and water that splashes from the pool can travel away from the pool and into the drainage area. Lastly, experienced inspectors will check if the deck is uneven, a problem that can turn even more serious if gaps develop.
  
  

3. Examining the condition of the equipment

No pool inspection checklist is complete without including pool equipment. The key pieces that warrant closer attention are:

• Filter: similar to HVAC systems, pools also require a filter to capture dirt and debris from the water. An inspector will carefully look at the filter to ensure the gauge works properly and will also check if the clamp holding the filter tank in place is still sturdy.

• Pump: besides pushing the water needed for circulation and filtration, a pump can be used to create waterfalls and pool cleaners. As such, it’s quite important to check if the pump is free of leaks and if it’s properly grounded and wired.
  
  

4. Surveying pool accessories 

Naturally, the more features a pool has, the more comprehensive the pool inspection checklist will be. Here are some common pool upgrades and accessories your inspector will take a closer look at:

• Spa blower
• Automatic pool cover
• Remote control
• Diving board/slide
• Automation features
• LED lighting 
• Sanitizing technology
• Features such as bubblers, cascades, etc.

The Most Valuable Advice You Will Receive

If that seems like a lot to go over, it’s because it is. Modern pools are quite intricate in their design and features, so without a professional helping you check the whole scope of this part of the property, you’ll most likely overlook a key piece of equipment. 

Even if the prospect of paying extra for an optional inspection on top of the regular one seems somewhat redundant to many, it’s a worthy investment since it will safeguard you from making a bad purchase. 

Our team at Guardian Angel Inspections is brimming with expertise, and we’re equally as skilled with roof inspections as we are with evaluating the condition of pools. The best thing is, you can bundle them all together to save some extra cash, making the investment even more of a no-brainer.

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form and check with 100% certainty if that pool is too good to be true.