A pool inspection can be incorporated within my full home inspection at an agreed rate. Pool designs in central Florida can vary from different builders and budgets available although the basic principles are the same. A pool is basically a large tub of water for personal bathing that circulates chlorinated water. The additional options are heating, self cleaning and screened enclosure.

The purpose of the pool inspection is to evaluate the current condition of all accessible pool components and testing any available heating equipment where installed. The testing of the chlorinated level is not carried out as part of a standard home and pool inspection as it is recommended that a weekly evaluation is carried out to ensure the correct safe levels of chemicals are applied. The home self test pool kits are widely available and it is also advisable to have a water sample analyzed on a regular basis. The chemicals should only be added by a competent adult who has received instruction and safe operational guidelines from a professional pool operative. Pool suppliers give regular lessons on pool maintenance.

Maintaining a pool can be a full time job but there are ways to limit your workload. Many pools have self cleaning jets but if your does not and you don’t want to be brushing it on a daily basis you need to invest in an automatic cleaner that works on the suction lines. I inspect many pools that have gone green because there was an interruption to the power supply and the chlorination failed. It is also imperative that the water filters are checked and cleaned at least every two weeks to prevent build up of debris causing poor circulation resulting in pump failure or burn out.

Many people believe they have to top up the pool weekly because of evaporation, well that may not be the only reason. Evaporation and water displacement are the main reasons for low water levels but in many cases a leak can be causing the problem. To detect a water leak is a skilled operation involving underwater die testing and pipe work evaluation.

Heating a pool can be costly but there are some cheap alternatives. Florida is the sunshine state therefore it pays to use this free resource to the fullest. A solar heating system will heat your pool all year round and can be assisted in the winter months by the use of a solar pool blanket or back up electrical or gas heater.

My pool inspection process consists of four separate phases:

Placement

This involves a detailed evaluation of the fencing, gates, screened enclosure, proximity to electrical wires, location of electrical outlets, and location to the home including surrounding gradients of the soil.

Surface

This includes the pool and deck surface condition (cracks, discoloration, and pitting) and the coping surrounding the pool (open joints, cracking).

Equipment

This includes operation of the pump, inspection for leakage to exterior pipe work , proper skimming and filtration, heater activation, filter pressure and the operation of the spa blower if fitted.

I am based centrally in Windermere Florida and cover the whole of central Florida coast to coast for all of the following inspections:

• Home inspection
• Pool inspection
• New construction inspection
• Pre inspection
• Mold inspection
• Roof inspection
• 4 point inspection
• Home watch inspection

My full credentials and qualifications can also be verified online or by contacting The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org, The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) www.ciob.org.uk and The Association of Building Engineers, (ABE) www.abe.org.uk