I have looked at a bunch of houses and pools over the years for me and my sons.
You need to decide what are showstoppers with the pool that would cause you to walk away from the house. Anything can be fixed with enough money. If you like the house enough and it is the right price then the pool is an add on that comes along at whatever condition it is. I like the house and will buy it just wanting to determine the unknowns more than walking away, unless it was a true disaster, tho I might negotiate if it was, but the is a recent remodel.
What should be looked at depends on what the house and pool has. You can tell a lot by the general condition of the pool, the equipment pad, how the grounds are kept, if you see any rusting or corrosion, or any leaks. Look at what pool chemicals you see around the house. Is there a pool cleaner in sight? Are there pool brushes around? when I saw the house the pool was closed and the winter cover was on. Inspection is on Monday, sellers are having the pool open so I can inspect. The house is nice, recent with in the last year or so, all interior painting, very very clean with 2 little kids too, immaculate. It was late fall so lots of leaves around the pad, as I said recent pool remodel, all decks and patios had recently either been re stamped or stained. All and all the house is well taken care of, they have been there since 2016, this is a corporate transfer, lots of this goes on in this area.
I look at the electrical system feeding the pool equipment. Does it look to code? Are there GFCI CBs for the pump, lights and heater? How may circuits are there? Do circuits look overloaded? Does it look like the electrical was done by an electrician or does it show signs of homeowner DIY hacking? Only new equipment is filter, looks to be sand or DE, also replace one board, the rest is all original 2005/6, the electrical is a mass of boxes and wires, several surge protectors maybe. I have no idea about circuits, I know what valves look like but have never done anything with mine on my current pool which has a cartridge filter.
Is the pool and equipment bonded? Can you see the bonding wire? Does the bonding wire make a solid connection to the pump and other equipment? Was going to look for that at the equipment pad but how can I tell if the pool is bonded.
What type of valves are on the equipment? Diverter valves or ball valves? Is the plumbing and valves labeled? Do the valves show signs of leakage?I know what the Jandy Never Lube look like, didn't see those, concern is old and brittle. I know to look for obvious leaks but the pool will only be on for a short time. That's why I asked if I should have a leak inspection in addition.
If you can run the spa and heater. No spa. Regular pool inspection will not turn on pool heater and will not inspect the heater, and since it looks really bad, and original, that is the most obvious concern.
Is there an automation system? What control panels are connected to the automation? What does the automation control?
What do I look for? There are several different control boxes and panels, more that I would have thought. My pool was built in 09 and has 2 boxes, salt cell and timer for pump and cleaner.
What is the filter pressure? Is the filter pressure reasonable for the pump speed or does it look high and likely the filter has not been tended to in a while? Have that on list to check
What is the condition of the pool plaster, tile, grout, coping, and deck? Where is the pool expansion joint and is it properly maintained with mastic? will do
Look in the skimmer baskets and see if they are clean? Are there baskets in the skimmer? What is the condition of the skimmer(s).will do
Turn the pool lights on.will do
If you can take a water sample then check the water chemistry with your test kit. will do
Most of this you can probably do and have a more critical eye on what is important to you then any inspector would.I just am not sure with all the control boxes I will know how to turn on everything, including this heater, I don't have any automation so I would not know it if I saw it.
