Inspecting Pools & Spas

Why Consider Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections

May 31, 2023

Ancillary or add-on services are a great way to serve both the public and the inspector. The public is served by simply providing a basic, unbiased, and visual inspection or service. The inspector is served because any service we provide adds to the profitability of our respective companies. The information we sell is a direct benefit to our clientele.

Why Consider Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections

This is a regional question primarily, as there are more opportunities for this add-on service in Southern states than in the North East or Upper Midwest, for example.

The easy answer, though, is that every opportunity we have to serve the public is an opportunity for us to build our reputation and experience.

The ASHI Pool and Spa Standards of Practice are a great starting point for conducting swimming pool and spa inspections. Like any SoP, these standards are the minimum acceptable standard.

We can always make the decision to exceed our promised SoP, but this can open certain legal concerns. Every business decision we make will need to reflect our individual vision for our business.

What to Look For

One of my mentors would explain it this way—we look for MSMSW issues.

That stands for Maintenance, Structural, Mechanical, Safety, and Water.

Homeowners, like most of us, often value the aesthetically pleasing over safety and functionality. It amazes me how many beautiful poolscapes I see that don’t have visible and accessible safety equipment—not even a life hook or pool ring. You might wonder: Are these very basic apparatuses even required?

Safety Barriers

As far as safety barriers, I have seen only one house that has “open” warning alarms on all windows and doors facing the pool and/or spa areas.

When I consider safety barriers, I consider:

  • Gates need to be self-closing and self-locking. Let’s face facts. If someone bypasses a locked, minimum 4-foot tall gate or fence and is harmed in the pool, they are not a guest, but a trespasser.
  • Fences need to be at least 4 feet high, secure, and not climbable. Same as above.
  • Gates need to swing away from the pool. This is more of a muscle memory exercise. If this is the same in every instance, we do not have to think when accessing or egressing an area.
  • Stairs or a ladder are needed at the deep and shallow ends. Safe and secure egress and access is paramount.
  • If there are stairs, there needs to be a secure handrail. Most shallow ends are a minimum of 3 feet deep. Handrails are required on any stairs greater than 30 inches in rise—or four steps.
  • No underwater benches or wet patio sunning areas. I can think of nothing more relaxing than sitting on a comfortable bench in a pool, but imagine the potential hazard if an enthused user dives into the shallow surface.

Most equipment is electrically powered. Bonding is a must. The electrical service supplying the equipment is typically grounded, but, by definition, any of this equipment will one day be subject to water. All efforts to direct energy away from potential hazards are important. Remember, electricity does not follow the path of least resistance; it follows all paths. Occupants of the pool or spa could be part of that path. Simple and correct bonding alleviates most of that concern.

Vessels

All of the materials and styles of vessels, copings, and decks have their own unique pros and cons.

  • Pumped or Sprayed Concrete: There are many name brands for these products. The biggest draw is their longevity and dependability. Concrete lasts a long time.
  • Vinyl-Lined: This is the most economical to install but also the easiest to damage. Vinyl-lined pools also have the shortest lifespan.
  • Acrylic Vessel: This is probably the quickest install. The design and color schemes are pretty much endless. Because they are lightweight, if not properly anchored, these have the ability to float out of the ground.

Copings

  • Preformed Concrete: This seems to be the easiest and most dependable coping. This can be colored and textured as desired. They can also be cast to provide a smooth, round surface for enhanced safety.
  • Stone: Stone coping is very beautiful and rustic. However, the stone edges are usually rough and can injure users. Stone and grout can also have inconsistent bonding, i.e. loose coping.
  • Tile Coping: Glazed tile offers great color and design flexibility. It can be very beautiful to the beholder, though maybe not the next buyer. It can become
    loose and displaced as well.

Pool Decks

Sometimes called “apron,” pool decks can be made using:

  • Concrete: A concrete slab is a very common pool apron. Ease of maintenance and dependability is attractive.
  • Pavers or Inlayed Stone: This offers aesthetic beauty. It also has a great deal of opportunity to move around. Trip hazards and surface inconsistencies are common.
  • Wood Decks: These follow similar standards to what you’d see in wooden decks on a house. Maintenance of wooden surfaces is important. With the water and exposure associated with pools and spas, wooden deck surfaces will have increased weatherization. And as people are often sitting barefoot and poolside, splinters are a concern.

For more information, to download and print a copy of the ASHI Pool & Spa Standards of Practice. In a tight market, inspection diversification can be the key to survival.

Opinions of authors are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents, or editors. Always check with your local governmental agency and independently verify for accuracy, completeness, and reliability.


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