When you look to buying a house, try to find the most significant advantages and comforts available, especially when it comes to an already-existing house.  You want the attic, the garden, the backyard; but, of course, a property becomes increasingly attractive when it has a swimming pool.

Here are ten tips you should take into consideration if you are looking to buy a property with a swimming pool:

1. Professional Advice

Before you buy a property, get expert advice from a certified home inspector.  You need to know the condition of the property you are considering buying.  You don’t want to find any unpleasant surprises once you’ve already closed on the house, like having to invest more money in repairs.

Home inspectors can carry out a general review of the structure, energy consumption, etc.  In some circumstances, you may want more than just your average home inspector to inspect the overall quality of the house. For instances like pools, it is typically worthwhile to have a pool company (Platinum Pools) to inspect the pool’s structure and equipment. If any repairs are needed you will be provided with a list & quote of all repairs the pool needs. This quote can then be used to help negotiate the price of purchasing the house and in turn can save you thousands on needed repairs you probably wouldn’t have known about until after purchasing the house.

2. Sealing Tests and Structural Revisions

It is possible to find water leakage in swimming pools due to cracks in the foundation or pipes.  Due to the high cost of repair, it is one of the essential points to get checked out before purchasing a home with a pool.

If the pool was built recently, check whether the pool builder’s warranty is still in effect, and how long the warranty has remaining.  Request a water utility bill from last summer to verify if the water consumption is reasonable or excessive. Remember, you want to buy a pool with a sealed foundation, not a water drain that will give you a record high water bill.

3. Swimming Pool Pump and Filter System

You should pay particular attention to the pump and filter system; it is the heart of the swimming pool.  Remember, the equipment helps to keep the pool water clean, purified and safe to use.  If the system is not well maintained, it can cause more severe problems in the long run.

4. In-Line Chlorinators

Nowadays, an in-line chlorinator is increasingly common to find on a pool to help regulate the amount of chlorine that is in the pool’s system. If you plan to purchase a home with a swimming pool, no matter what, request information on the date of installation, if it works correctly and, most important, if there are any spare parts available.

5. Check the Pool Features

Our future pool can have everything from water heaters, water coolers, water jets, hydro-massage equipment, water fountains, cascades, home automation systems, etc.

It is an attractive hook, but ensure that everything, and we mean EVERYTHING, is working correctly.  Again, you can have the upper hand in renegotiating the purchase price if you need to deal with any cost for repairs.

I’m a homeowner with a swimming pool!!!  And now, what’s next?

Now that we own a beautiful house with a swimming pool, it’s time to maintain the oasis.

The swimming pool is the center of enjoyment in your backyard.  But, don’t forget that, if the previous owners were not caring for their oasis, it could be a source of possible health problems.  The rest of the tips we are offering will guide you to prevent future problems and illnesses to your family and guests.

6. Empty and Clean the Pool

Do you have an idea of how they maintained the oasis?  Did they give you an orientation on how they took care of their pool?  What kind of products they use or how healthy the former property owners are?  When in doubt, take the proper precautions.  Avoid any health issues by regularly cleaning and checking the swimming pool’s chemical levels.

If a pool has not been properly cleaned and maintained, you may need to drain the water out and use the appropriate products to clean the walls of the pool using disinfectant products and a descaling agent.

Another point of location of fungi and bacteria are the beach entries and the coping.  Take the necessary precautions by cleaning them well.  Remember, the feet are the most susceptible area of the body that picks up bacteria quickly.

7. Grout

After you clean the pool, ensure that there are no cracks or crevices.  These are not only a way for the water to escape; it can also be a breeding area for fungi and algae.

You should call a pool professional to do the job. As they will know the best product to use to ensure that the repair will last a long time.

8. Change the Filter Cartridges

All water impurities (dust, hair, organic matter, etc.) pass through the filter, where they can remain a long time.  As well as you do with cleaning the pool’s walls, the best way to keep your pool’s water clean is to change all the filter cartridges and perform a thorough cleaning of the filter casing.

9. Hyperchlorination

Let a professional perform a hyperchlorination to eliminate possible bacteria accumulated in the pool’s pipes.  Wait a few days following the hyperchlorination and test the water to ensure proper chemical balance.

10. Pool Maintenance and Other Recommendations

Finally, regularly clean and maintain your swimming pool.  This will help you save money in the long run and will avoid significant health problems.

Another important point is to adapt the pool to your needs.  If you have children, protect them with safety fences.  If you have a senior, facilitate access to particular stairs.  Or, if your household has anybody with disabilities that make it difficult for them to get in and out of a pool, a beach entry will do the trick.