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Having a spa or a swimming pool in your house can be a great way to relax along with your family; right in the comfort of your own home. Statistics show that an increased number of potential homeowners look for body of water attached to the home that they buy. Whether you intend to buy or sell; or already have a pool; knowing how to maintain it is a very important prerequisite to continue enjoying it.
Assessing Equipment
Home inspection services also offer pool inspection at an additional charge, which is made up of two parts. One is the evaluation of all the equipment involved in the working of the pool, like pumps, filters, heating and cleaning equipment, drain covers as well as the fences, deck, etc.
Pool inspectors will check the complete working of the pool, looking to see if the water pressure is what it should be. The water pump and filters will also be assessed and the pipes checked for leaks. One of the reasons for low water levels – about a foot below the coping – could be a leak in one of the pipes. For this, the home inspectors will use underwater die testing and also pipework evaluation.
Useful suggestions from the experts may help cut costs in the long run and also make your pool safer to use. For instance, if you live in a state which receives sunlight through the year, solar heating could be an option as against conventional heating. Some labor saving apparatus like self cleaning jets or suction cleaners can also be installed to avoid physical cleaning of your pool.
Evaluating Water Quality
An analysis of the water chemistry to evaluate its safety is also carried out by home inspectors. The pH value of the water, that is the alkalinity of the water, the water hardness, total dissolved solids, combined and free chlorine, is all checked. Low levels of chlorine may lead to growth of algae, and too high a level may cause skin irritations. Minerals in the water also have to be at an optimum level, as excess may cause corroding of the tiles and the coping.
The water analysis has to be done periodically, for which pool inspection services can be a great help. The inspectors will also help you understand what quantity of chemicals should be added on a weekly or fortnightly basis. This can be topped up by regular water sample analyses, carried out by them.
Hazards to Look Out For
One of the biggest hazards, especially with young children, is drowning. Pool inspectors will check the fences around the pool and suggest the correct height to avoid accidents, and may install gates that open outwards as well as gate alarms which go off when the gate is opened.
Broken or damaged drain covers can cause severe injury to swimmers who come in contact with them. Inspectors may suggest anti entanglement drain covers or safety vacuum systems, which prevent hair entanglement or which automatically cut off the suction if entanglement occurs. In specific cases, you may be advised to just use gutters and overflows and avoid drains altogether.
While keeping all this constantly in mind along with the other demands on your time and energy may be overwhelming, professional help can smooth the way to your enhancing the value of your home and enjoying the luxury of a safe pool experience at the same time.
