Your pool can fail for many reasons. The water may turn cloudy, a fitting might loosen, or a pump might make noise. Few of these issues happen suddenly, and a pool inspection can catch most of them before they become a major repair issue. Here’s a look at what an annual pool inspection covers, why it’s so important, and when you might want to request an emergency inspection.
The Basic of Pool Inspections
The pump motor is a common point of failure. During a pool inspection, a pool professional listens for undesirable sounds, checks for pressure variances or weaknesses, and looks for worn seals. He or she also ensures the filtration system is in good shape by inspecting the backwash functionality, pressure, and filter medium.
Plumbing condition is essential to any pool inspection. Leaks can spring at valves, returns, and joints anywhere in a pool’s plumbing. They can be especially sneaky because the water losses may just seem like expected evaporation.
The heating system is also checked, especially the heat exchange and the thermostats. The electrical system, too—particularly the GFCI outlets and metal component bonding.
Finally, the pool’s water chemistry is addressed. Testing for pH, alkalinity, and water hardness is a great way to stay ahead of issues that slowly damage pool equipment.
When to Order an Emergency Pool Inspection
If anything seems wrong, schedule an emergency inspection immediately, even if your pool had recently been inspected. Know the signs that there might be a problem with your pool.
A sudden water level drop indicates the plumbing system may have developed a leak or the pool itself has a large crack. Suppose the water doesn’t clear up after a chemical treatment. There may be a pump or filter issue. In extreme cases, there may be bacteria growing in the water, even if a good treatment process is in place.
Keep an eye out for signs of electrical problems, too. If the breakers for GFCIs start tripping regularly, water could be coming into contact with electrical systems. Flickering lights could also indicate electrical issues.
Pay attention to the smell of your pool. Biological smells often flag water quality issues. Pay special attention to strong chemical smells. Sometimes components that distribute water treatments fail, and they can make the water more chemical than is comfortable.
Watch your household’s electric and water bills, too. Systems fail, start overcompensating, and drive up utility costs in the process.
The Benefits of Pool Inspections
Most of the benefits of a pool inspection boil down to the fact that early intervention tends to be cheaper. You don’t want to replace a $500 pump when an inspection might have caught that it needed a $20 ring. Inspections encourage longer system life spans and ensure that your pool will be comfortable enough to enjoy. If you live in Vineland, NJ or a surrounding area and need pool inspection services, make your first call to Landi Pool Service.
