If you want to buy a property, you should try to find the main advantages and amenities, especially if it is an existing house. You want the attic, garden, and backyard, but a property in the hot Houston heat becomes even more attractive if it has a swimming pool.
In this blog, we provide tips on what to look for when purchasing a property with a pool:
Ask an Expert
Learn about the condition of the property you want to buy. For example, you do not want to experience unpleasant surprises if you have already purchased a property and must invest more money for repairs. Before buying a property, you should consult a certified home inspector.
Home inspectors can do a general checkup of the structure, energy consumption, etc. In some cases, you may want more than just an average home inspector to check the overall quality of the home. In cases like pools, it’s usually worth hiring a pool company (Platinum Pools) to inspect the structure and equipment of the pool. If repairs are needed, they will provide you with a list and estimate of all the pool repairs required. Also, the estimate can work as evidence for negotiating for purchasing a home. Lastly, it can save you thousands on necessary maintenance that you likely would not have known about until after you buy a home.
Leak Tests and Structural Inspections
Water can leak from the swimming pool through cracks in the foundation or piping. Due to the high cost of repairs, this is one of the most critical items you should have checked before buying a home with a pool.
Request a water bill from last summer to verify if water usage is reasonable or excessive. Remember to buy a pool with a tight foundation, not a water drain that will give you a record-high water bill.
Variable Speed Pumps/Swimming Pool Pumps/Filtering System
You should pay special attention to the pump and filtration system because it is the heart of the pool. Remember that the system helps keep the pool water clean, purified, and safe for use. If the system is not well maintained, it can cause more severe problems in the long run.
Inline Chlorinators
These days, installing an inline chlorinator in a pool is becoming more common to regulate the amount of chlorine in the pool system. If buying a home with a swimming pool is in your plans, always ask for the installation date, if it is working well, and if any spare parts are available.
Check the Pool Equipment
The pool in your future property can have anything from water heaters, water coolers, water jets, hydromassage devices, water fountains, cascades, home automation systems, etc. It’s an attractive hook, but make sure everything, and by that, we mean EVERYTHING, works properly. Again, you have the upper hand when it comes to renegotiating the purchase price should costs for repairs come your way.
Congratulations! You are a homeowner with a swimming pool!!! What’s next?
Now that we own a beautiful home with a swimming pool, it’s time to take care of the oasis.
The swimming pool is the center of pleasure in your garden. But do not forget that it can be a source of potential health problems if the previous owners did not take care of their oasis. The rest of the tips we will give you will help you avoid future problems and diseases for your family and guests.
Draining and Cleaning the Pool
Do you have any idea how they maintained the oasis? Did they give you any tips on how to maintain a pool? What products do they use, or how healthy are the previous owners? When in doubt, take the proper precautions. Avoid health problems by cleaning the pool regularly and checking the chemical levels.
If a pool has not been correctly cleaned and maintained, you may need to drain the water and clean the pool’s walls with disinfectants and a descale.
Other places where fungus and bacteria like to grow are at beach entrances and covers. Please take the necessary precautions by cleaning them well. Remember that the feet are a sensitive part of the body, where bacteria can quickly accumulate.
Grout
After cleaning the pool, make sure that there are no cracks or crevices. Through them, not only water can leak, but they can also be a breeding ground for fungi and algae.
You should entrust this task to a swimming pool professional to ensure that you use the best product and that the repair will last a long time.
Clean the Pool Filters or Replace the Cartridges
All water impurities (dust, hair, organic matter, etc.) pass through the filter, where they can remain for a long time. Just as you clean the walls of the pool, the best way to keep your pool water clean is to regularly clean and replace all filter cartridges and thoroughly clean the filter housing.
Hyperchlorination
Have a professional perform hyper chlorination to eliminate any bacteria that may have accumulated in the pool’s plumbing. Wait a few days after hyper chlorination and test the water to ensure proper chemical balance.
Pool Maintenance and Other Recommendations
Finally, you should clean and maintain your pool regularly. It can save you money in the long run and prevent significant health problems.
One Last Note
Another critical point is to adapt the pool to your needs. If you have children, protect them with safety fences. If you have older adults, make it easier for them to access by assigning special entrances. Or, if people in your household have disabilities that make it difficult for them to get in and out of the pool, a beach entry is just the thing.