You may be in the process of buying a home in Florida with a beautiful free-form swimming pool in the backyard. The pool was very pretty although the water level looked a little low. You worry that were not able to inspect it carefully and you're not sure if it's from evaporation or a leak.
You may want to check the condition of the pool before closing escrow. The pool with a lowered water level may have a leak. A pool inspection can be as important as a building inspection.
Swimming pools, spa tubs and accessories such as fountains or waterfalls are usually not covered by building inspectors. The American National Standards Institute did not set any standards for pool installations until 1991. The plumbing may be undersized or it may need replacing. The pool may not have been installed by a licensed contractor.
You should obtain information on who built the pool, its age, materials used such as gunite or fiberglass, and the condition of the motor and pump. Gunite and fiberglass have a long lifespan and reputable contractors guarantee their work.
The pool pump and its motor should be working efficiently. The water level should be above the skimmer. The skimmer should be free of debris. Look for water on the floor of the pump room. This can be a sign of a leak in the lines or the filtration system. Learn about the age of the pump system and its repairs.
Listen to the sounds of the motor and the pump. It should start up immediately. Inspect the heater system, especially when a spa tub is part of the pool area.
Carefully inspect the area around the pool. Excess water on the decking may indicate a pool leak with the underground intake pipe or the return line. This can be located and repaired but you should know about it in advance.
You may decide to buy a home with a pool that features decorative mosaic tile work. Or, it may have a waterfall that recycles water into the pool. You may have an infinity pool that does not have a raised coping on one long side.
Turn on the waterfall pump or the catch basin pump for the infinity pool. Check the decorative water element for leaves and debris. Ask about maintenance for the waterfall, fountain or other feature connected to the pool. Look for cracks in the surface of the water element that could lead to leaks.
The swimming pool may have a hot tub attached. Check all railings and even light fixtures in the spa tub as well as in the pool. They should be tight. A loose fixture can lead to a pool leak. Inspect the tiles as closely as possible. Missing tiles or broken grouting can also cause a pool leak.
If you purchase the home and notice that the water level is dropping below the skimmer, conduct the simple bucket test to see if you have a leak.
Aquaman Leak Detection will inspect a pool for leaks at any time. We use high tech patented leak detection technology to search for leaks in the plumbing under the deck. We can dive into the pool and inspect the surface. This is important if you suspect any problems with the pool.
Aquaman serves County Brevard and all of Florida detecting and fixing leaks in swimming pools, spa tubs, and water features.
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