Cold Weather Pool Inspections
Here in Massachusetts and points north, once ice has formed on the top of a swimming pool, it is next to impossible to do a comprehensive pool inspection. Many aspects of inspecting a pool are visual, you need to be able to see or at least probe the pool walls.
With a pool cover on, or ice on the top of the pool, you can neither see, nor probe the pool walls. With above-ground pools, you can at least inspect the outside of the pool wall. But most above-ground pools are inexpensive to remove, and relatively inexpensive to replace, when compared to an in-ground pool.
If you are buying a house with an in-ground pool, it makes sense to have it inspected. The true value of the property could swing 10 to 30 thousand plus or minus. If there is a great well maintained gunite pool it could add 30k to the overall property, while having to remove a cement pool could cost you 10k making the property over valued.
If you don’t have access to the current or previous residents, are dealing directly with a bank or real estate agent and need to know when the pool was installed, you could try going to the building department, nine times out of ten they will have a copy of the permit that was pulled to do the installation.
The alternative is to have an experienced pool tech come out and look it over. Most inspectors should be able to give you an idea of the age of the pool, along with the condition.
An outside winter pool inspection will only cost $100.00 to $150.00. This is because it will be limited in scope, compared to pool inspections done during warmer months when the pool is open, running and clean.
This is not to say that an inspection should not be performed, just that many of the important elements will have to be overlooked.
We have been installing, repairing, and inspecting swimming pools for over 40 years. We inspect swimming pools all year long. For assistance in Massachusetts please call (978) 710- 8667. or email: Mike@poolservicema.com
