Are you buying a home in the near future? It's such an exciting time, with so much to arrange. You need to head to open home inspections, sort out your mortgage finance, arrange removalists, and so much more. It can also be a stressful time, as moving house is a significant life event, up there with starting a new job or the arrival of a baby. But with a bit of support from friends and family, you can get through it and enjoy your new home.

However, what if the home you're considering has a pool in the backyard? There's a bit more to consider in this case, as you need to consider your family's safety as well as the maintenance of the pool. Let's explore a pre-purchase checklist for buying a property with a pool.

Does the Pool Have Fencing?

Under federal and state legislation, all homes with a pool must have perforated pool fencing or other forms of safety fencing surrounding the pool. This is so young children, pets or older adults don't accidentally fall in the pool and risk drowning. You should inspect the pool's fencing at the property you're considering and ensure that the fencing is intact and without any severe damage. Minor wear and tear are acceptable, but if it is missing posts or the lock or latch mechanism is faulty, you'll need to factor in repairing the fence if you purchase the home. Sometimes, you may request that the vendor repair the fence, but this is not guaranteed.

Leaks are Expensive to Remedy

A pool leak can be a costly problem that is difficult to fix and expensive. Sometimes the leak can be in the pipes or the filer equipment. If the water level is sitting below the filter box, it generally means that the pool shell may have a leak. Any of these issues can cost a fair amount to remedy.

There can be several reasons a pool springs a leak, such as if the paving or concrete has moved or shifted due to the quality or movement of the soil beneath it.

When inspecting the home, check out the pool filter and pump and see if there are any visible water or damp patches. This could be a minor issue, such as a faulty rubber seal or a damaged pump, but it could also be a significant leak.

It is worth engaging a professional to do a pressure and leak test of the pool if you're considering the property for purchase. It's better to spend this money first instead of paying for expensive repairs after purchasing the home.

Inspect the Surface

Depending on the pool's surface, there can be some tell-tale signs there are issues. For instance, if the pool's surface is fibreglass, and there are small or large bubbles on the surface, water is ingressing behind the surface coat and retaining water. This will develop into a leak if left unchecked, and repair will require an expensive refurbishment.

In addition to that warning sign, a faded or worn surface is also a signifier that the pool has issues, as is a wall bulge. This is caused when the soil around the pool has collapsed due to the shell moving. This can be for various reasons, including draining the pool, a leak, or ground pressure.

Black, discoloured spots in a fibreglass pool are unseemly and hard to remove. You can treat it with certain chemicals, but the spots will return and create tiny holes, so you must refurbish the pool.

Concrete pools can display several warning signs of issues as well, such as a cracked surface, chipped or missing render, missing tiles or worn and faded-out surfaces.

If a pool has a liner, inspect it to ensure it isn't peeling away from the edge and there aren't rubber patches which are often shoddy attempts to repair a leak.

Check the Equipment

It would be best to inspect the pool's equipment for issues before making an offer or bidding on a property with a pool. For instance, a noisy pump means it may need repair or replacement. Check for leaky seals, a dirty chlorinator cell, or water pooling around equipment. Ensure the lights are working too. One trick to see if a pool has been neglected is to jump on Google Maps for an aerial view of the property. If the pool looks green, it means it hasn't been looked after.

A Pool Savvy Summary

This helpful article has outlined a pre-purchase checklist if you're buying a property with a pool. Follow these steps when inspecting the property to ensure you're not buying a major, expensive headache with the home. You may also want to engage a professional for a leak and pressure test to give yourself peace of mind.

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