Swimming Pool Inspection Austin - Questions

The Ultimate Guide To Swimming Pool Inspection Austin

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.




The three major types are marcite (white Portland cement mixed with finely ground marble); quartz aggregate (a step up from marcite that includes granules of natural quartz); or pebble (the top tier of pool finishes with the highest durability, aesthetic quality, and price tag). The finish on a pool should be generally uniform, and free of stains, major streaks, discolorations, or areas that are rough or mottled.




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. If a pool does need resurfacing, English advises avoiding a cheap plaster job.


“Better for the buyer to get a credit for the job, and get the pebble or quartz because it will last longer.” Colorful tiles are used along the pool’s waterline to help waterproof the pool structure at the perimeter and as a decorative element - swimming pool inspection austin. 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 spa.

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The grout, the mortar or paste material between each tile, should completely surround each tile and be in good condition (swimming pool inspection austin). 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.


In some areas of the country, decking cantilevers over the pool’s perimeter edge. However, in most regions, pool perimeters have coping (pool inspectors near me). Typically, coping runs 12 to 18 inches 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 colored concrete pavers.


The coping material should be stable without loose or seriously chipped pieces. The grout between each piece should be in good condition. pool inspection companies. 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.


That’s a potential problem, and your expert will advise if troubles could be minor or more serious. 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 color, and the overall condition of the stone, pavers, concrete, wood, or other materials from which it was built.

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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? Another common issue to look for is an uneven surface, notes Jerry Jackson, owner of Home Team Inspection Service in San Antonio.


“That can be a cosmetic issue and it can also be a safety issue.” In a serious here 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 (swimming pool inspection austin).


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 You will also want to assess the line-up and condition of the equipment that runs your potential new 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.

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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 bolted to the equipment pad and that it’s free of leaks.


The time clock 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, two speed, or variable speed? Two-speed units can save up to 70 percent on energy costs, and variable-speed ones save even more! The pool filter captures dirt and debris from water passing through it.


The cartridge designs consist of cylindrical tubes of pleated fabric that sits inside a storage tank, and they are increasingly popular among homeowners for convenience and environmental reasons. English says that see this site he often recommends them to browse this site prospective buyers, and advises that for energy efficiency, the pool should be using the biggest cartridge possible.


A good pool inspector will make sure that the gauge on the filter works properly. And he will also check to make sure there are no defects in the clamp to the filter tank that could cause it to fail. The pool you are buying may or may not have a heater.