Pool question

[wward]

Do you kick a pool when jets pass bubbles or are some bubbles ok?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I have never kicked a pool. . .

Bubbles in the system mean that the system has taken on air. There are many reasons why this could happen, so you should investigate a little further befor you defer for repairs.

If the pool and spa share the same pump, the spa blower will allow some air into the system, which is normal.

[Peter C. Russell]

Excess air in the system may be from the pump sucking air. This may be caused by a bad gasket at the pump filter or a loose connection/hose clamp on the suction side of the pump.

[John Cahill]

When I inspect a pool I turn off the pump in order to see the bottom better. When you are done inspecting with pump off pay attention to the returns (pressure side) when you restart the pump. If you see a surge or increase in bubbles you have an air leak and are loosing prime. Write it up.

[William E. Siegel]

Here are some other items to look for when inspecting a pool.

Can you verify a bonding strap to the pool enclosure any metal pipe within (I think it is) 5 feet of the pool?

If you have overhead electrical, is it the required height of 18 feet above the pool.

Does the pool light work. You should leave it on for 10 minutes to verify operation. Also check to make sure the light is properly installed. Is it GFCI protected?

Always look for a hose in the pool. This is almost always a sure way to know the pool is leaking (the seller will tell you the water has evaporated and he is just filling it up). I always recommend the pool be checked for leaks when there is a hose. Off the record, the seller or buyer can check the pool for leaks by filling a bucket with water and placing it on the top step. Mark the water line in the bucket and mark the water line on the pool. Check for evaproation in 24 and 48 yours. Both the bucket and the pool should have the same amount of evaproation. If not (and hopefully the pool has more evaproation than the bucket) you now know that the pool has a leak.

Check the pool liner for pitting, cracks, and other damage.

Check the pool fencing and other enclosures to see if the pool is up to current codes for child safety. If it was built prior to these code, I alwasy recommend that these features be brought up to current code and include the latest brouchure i have with my report.

Check the motor for leaks. Many time there will be a leak arouond the basket or one of the PVC pipes. Also check the filter for leaks and for proper pressure. Just like air handlers, many people do not keep their filters clean.

Check the timer and shut offs for proper wiring and cover plates.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

Always look for a hose in the pool. This is almost always a sure way to know the pool is leaking

Interesting. What do you say when there's an automatic fill valve or a manual line, piped to the pool?

[William E. Siegel]

Jeff,

I have seen very few fill valves or manual lines. The last fill valve I saw was running constantly from the pool due to a leak.
Maybe some of the high end houses will have those, but it is rear to see them in the homes I inspect.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

If you have overhead electrical, is it the required height of 18 feet above the pool.

Would I be correct by saying that it might be 22 feet?

Marcel

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Would I be correct by saying that it might be 22 feet?

Marcel

Unless there is a hose in the pool then it is 18'

[William E. Siegel]

OK, you caught me, 18 feet is for commercial vehicles. 22 feet is for pools.

Guess Ill have another beer.

[Brian E. Kelly]

You are a good man William.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

Jeff,

I have seen very few fill valves or manual lines. The last fill valve I saw was running constantly from the pool due to a leak.
Maybe some of the high end houses will have those, but it is rear to see them in the homes I inspect.

When you see a hose, and suspect a leak, what do you typically recommend?

[Barry Adair]

Around here a hose in or by the pool indicates a hose in or by the pool.

It is very common to lose 1/4" per day from Mother Nature. No one using the pool except her.

Our kids and grandkids go through at least an 1" to 1 1/2" every time they come over. Cannon balls, jack-knifes, splashing, and having fun. And then there's the dogs, but that's another story.

Our hose loves our pool and won't stay on the hose reel.

I'm never at an inspection long enough to determine if an in line leak is present and we have auto-fill systems galore. Depress the floats to activate and call out nothing because it states in the report NO LEAK DETECTION will be performed and is beyond the scope blah blah blah

When suspicious evidence is present or the question comes up "Is the pool leaking?" defer it to a hydrostatic leak detection company to determine if the pool has a leak.

[William E. Siegel]

Jeff,

If I suspect a leak, I defer to a pool specialist / contractor. It is very inexpensive to have a pool company come out and do a leak detection. They do it for a nominal fee, because they know they will get the repair.

Believe it or not, most pools will have some sort of small leak in them. A lot of them will leak around the skimmer basket. The pool light is another common area.
My report specifically states that I cannot determine leaks during the inspection, and I discuss this with all of my clients who are buying a home with a pool.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by badair

Around here a hose in or by the pool indicates a hose in or by the pool.

That was my point. My pool does not have an auto-fill either, so most of the summer, there will be a hose in it. . .