Landscaping Inspection Services was called out to inspect an above-ground pool in Montella, WI after the pool wall collapsed, causing all the water to rush out.

Pool Inspection in Montello, WI

Our inspector visited the property in question and spoke with the insured, just a few days after the pool collapsed. The homeowner stated that his roommate was home at the time of the collapse, and relayed the events to him. The roommate was inside and had heard a very loud bang outside near the pool. The insured stated that he rushed home a few minutes later. He said that when he pulled in the driveway the pool water was rushing out of the pool. The insured explained that after only a few minutes the pool was empty and he saw that the wall had torn.

Observations of Monetllo, WI Pool

After speaking with the homeowner, our inspector made the following observations of the pool:

• The pool wall, top rails, top caps, bottom track and beaded liner were damaged.
• Due to ice in the pool, not much of the liner could be seen.
• Plumbing from the skimmer and return were also broken.
• No structural damage was apparent on the filter, heater or 320 chlorinator.
• The pool had massive ice chunks remaining under the winter cover that were about 3 feet thick.
• Both the pool and vinyl liner were roughly 10 years old.

Analysis of Damage

Because of the ice in the pool, our inspector could not get a clear view of the pool liner. However, he determined that one of two things happened to this pool. The first option was that, initially, the liner did not have a hole in it. However, when the temperature warmed up, the ice let loose from the wall of the pool falling to floor, and with no water left in the pool, the weight on top of the winter cover pulled the pool in.

The second option for the cause of damage was that the pool was closed for the winter with a hole in the liner that worsened over time and finally gave out when the temperature warmed up and then ice came down.

Because of the state of the pool, the inspector could not determine in which order events took place.

Cause of Damage and Repair Estimates

Either a pre-existing hole in the liner worsened with the changing temperature and ice falling, or the ice falling caused the liner to tear. Following either circumstance, the weight of the winter cover and low water level caused the pool to collapse.

Our inspector noted that the liner would likely need to be replaced, due to the hole from high the water rushed out. In addition, the damaged pool structure was irreparably damaged and would need to be entirely replaced. The estimate to replace the pool was $8,178.59, with labor estimated at $291.70, bringing the total repairs to over $8,400.