Thinking about buying a home that has a pool? What should you do?

www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

So you are thinking about buying a home that has a pool? What should you do?

I hear these questions often and here are some of my suggestions:

First thing you need to do is get a professional to do a complete pool inspection that includes a pressure test of all the plumbing lines. When they do a pressure test they will fill all the lines with water and get the pressure in the lines up to 10-15 lbs and they will watch to see if the pressure starts to drop this could indicate a leak in one of the plumbing lines.

An inspection will also give you an experts opinion on the condition of the pool equipment it's possible age and if there is any repairs they feel should be made right away, the biggest issues I have found is an older heater that leaks and or does not fire up. Repairs can be costly if you need to replace equipment. If you have a concrete pool then you may need to have the pool re plastered or tile and coping repairs these can be a costly repair that you should not have to be responsible for. Re plaster jobs could be in excess of $5000.00 tile and coping could be the same.

A vinyl liner pool is different as long as the vinyl liner is in tact and not leaking you should be OK a liner can fade, but this will not change the integrity of the pool itself. A new liner can run from $2000-$3000 for the liner and then another $1000 for the installation.

Once you determine that the pool is sound and you have a good report from the inspector you can go to the homeowner and ask for credit for any pool repairs needed before you close on the house.

Once you own the home take a water sample from the pool to your local pool supply center and have the water tested. They will tell you what you need to add to the water to keep it clean and safe for swimming, they can also guide you on proper maintenance and operation. A pool is a great feature to have in the backyard, it can be fun for the whole family and give your kids some great summer fun.

With a little knowledge and patience, a pool can be a great STAYCATION at home and save you a great deal of money on those costly trips to the beach.

So go ahead and buy that house and go swimming.....

Until Next Time....

Spa Safety Rules

Rick the Spa Guy

Check out this great article on Spa Safety Rules...

Safety in the spa facilities is of paramount importance because of the risks posed to the public including injuries and loses of life. Typical accidents in spa entail slipping into pool water, entrapment when under the water, and drowning. Spa facilities should meet safety requirements and comply with the set regulations. Safety lapses in spa facilities can results to liabilities including legal subjection and claims for any injuries or death that may occur.

Given the range of clientele that spas receive, from children to adults, the healthy and the ill, it is imperative that spa safety pointsbe accentuated. There are basically many safety issues that should be examined in spa facilities and these include;

·         Fencing and gates installations.

·         Children’s safety aspects.

·         Chemical handling in pool facilities.

·         Personal safety issues when using the spa.

·         Risks of slipping.

·         Water quality and temperature requirements.

Among the spa safety points, the pool safety fence is very essential as this is a lifesaver for young children and even pets around the pool. Incidents of toddlers and young kids drowning can be prevented by use of safety fences. It is now within the jurisdiction for public waterpark and spa facilities to install safety fences around their pool facilities to avert drowning accidents.

Besides, these fences should be checked regularly to ensure that they meet the regulation standards. Pool chemical treatment should only be done by trained and qualified professionals. Improper application of the treatment chemical can lead to health complications such as skin and respiratory reactions and damage of the quality of the pool facilities.

Non-skid surfaces should be used in the immediately area that surrounds the spa. Handrails should be installed to assist the swimmers to safely hop in and out of the spa thus prevent slipping. Children are the most vulnerable in spa facilities and all the necessary precautionary measures should be taken to ensure that they are protected.

Children should not be left unsupervised in the spa. It is imperative to display clearly visible notices that educate the parents, guardians and any pool users on personal safety when using the facilities.

Whereas preventive measures such as use of pool safety fence can play a critical role, there is also need to observe strict personal safety guidelines. For example, when swimming, the pool users should avoid putting their head under water in a spa as hair can be entangled in a drain cover and risk the person drowning.

Until Next Time...

This article was written by: Viktoria Acevedo

Internet Marketing and SEO Project Manager

Guardian Pool Fence Systems