Is a Pool/Spa part of the Home Inspection?
Generally No...it is considered an "optional" component and must be asked for specifically. A pool/spa inspection is an important
consideration during the home purchasing process. Its purpose is to provide a snapshot of the
condition and functionality of a pool/spa at the present time. It will inform you and your client what is
working and what is not, what is damaged and what is not, and what is safe and
what is not. A pool inspection is
typically not part of the home inspection process, as it is considered an
“optional” component. This means you
need to ask for it in addition to the home inspection! Other things that fall into this "optional" category include: out-buildings, septic systems, lawn irrigation systems, whole house vacuum systems.
The inspector’s task is to determine if the
minimal standards of safety and functionality are met, as outlined in the TREC
“Standards of Practice” – Section 535.233.
Included in this inspection are the following key components:
- Functionality of Equipment/Components
- Construction Condition
(Pipes, Surfaces, Components)
- Safety (Child-Proof
Barriers, Electrical/Bonding, Surface/Drain/Component Hazards)
But you might be surprised by a few things. Did you know?
1.
Not
all Inspectors are Equally Qualified
Not all inspectors are qualified to conduct these “optional system”
inspections, so it’s important to ask upfront if your inspector is “certified’
to inspect a specific optional system. A
qualified pool inspector should be able to cite a specific pool inspection certification
or education source and inform you when the certification began and is scheduled
to expire. There is typically a 5-year
certification window. One such source
for pool/spa inspection training is the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF),
which offers Certified Pool Inspector (CPI) and/or Certified Pool Operator
(CPO) certifications.
That said, TREC does not require “certification” for any optional
system inspection. Per the “Standards of
Practice” (SOP), if an inspector feels he is qualified to inspect an optional
system, it is incumbent upon him/her to know all of the rules and regulations
governing that optional system. In my
opinion, it is safe to say that an inspector who has formal pool inspection
certification and is current in that certification is a better choice for the
home buyer than an inspector without those credentials.
2.
Current
Standards ≠ Standards at Time of Construction
Local
municipalities each define their own set of codes and regulations regarding
initial pool/spa construction. These
codes are often updated and/or changed over time. As such, not all pools, even in the same
city/town will have the same construction or safety design. So, when an inspector points out a
deficiency, he/she is referring to an existing condition, as compared to,
“current” industry standards. I.e. – the
deficiency noted may not have been a deficiency at the time of construction –
but it is now. This does not mean that
the deficiency must be corrected; merely that it exists. It is up to the new home buyer whether or not
to correct the deficiency or not.
3.
The Source
of “Industry Standards” is the ISPSC
The “Industry Standards” come from the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code™
(ISPSC™), published by the International Code Council
(ICC), which uses prescriptive and performance-related provisions to establish
minimum safety requirements for public and residential pools, spas and hot
tubs. ISPSC was developed with input from a wide range of industry experts,
including the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), and was
finalized through the Code Council’s governmental consensus process.
(Source: International
Code Council (ICC) - https://www.iccsafe.org
4.
Pool-Safety
Information is Readily Available
Should you want to know more about specific pool/spa safety precautions,
there are a few great sources just a click away:
c.
International
Code Council (ICC) www.iccsafe.org
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