Pool Inspection in Indian Wells, CA – Case Study

When a pool in Indian Wells, CA starts losing two inches of water a day, Landscaping inspection Services determines what is wrong with the pool.

Pool Inspection in Indian Wells, CA

Landscaping Inspection Services was called out to inspect an inground landscaping and adjacent spa that was losing water at a rate of two inches per day. Our inspector visited the property in question and spoke with the insured.

The insured explained that his pool had been losing approximately 2 inches of water per day for several weeks. The insured also explained that his pool service had tried to determine the location of the leak and thought it was in the main drain line. He also stated that he believed the spa jet pump had been cut out by his pool service, but didn’t know why (this makes the spa jets unusable).

After the first inspection, the insured had his pool service clean the spa, reconnect the parts that had been cut out and get it operational again. The insured then contacted our inspector stating that the spa was also losing water and he wanted another inspection done.

First Inspection Observations:

• The pool equipment was behind a heavy tree line. Leaves and limbs were too close to the equipment.
• The spa jet pump was not connected to the spa (the line was there but the pump had been physically cut out so it was not connected to the spa).
• The filter pump worked properly.
• The pool/spa lights worked properly.
• The pool had a salt system chlorinator generator. There was no in-line check valve between the heater and salt cell.
• The pool had been remodeled with new tile and pebble finish.
• The pebble was in fair condition, but the tile was damaged in places.
• The pool suction lines, pool return lines, jet returns and jet suction held pressure when tested.
• The pool main drain and spa filter suction pipe could not be tested due to pebble slurry in the plumbing.
• The pool main drain cover was broken and could not be secured.
• There were several cracks in the spa dam wall at the tile joints. There had been an attempt to repair the cracks with white epoxy.

First Inspection in Indian Wells, CA: Analysis

Our inspector made the following comments about the landscaping and spa after his first visit:

• Leaves and tree limbs should be cut away from the heater vent for safety.
• Not having an in-line check valve between the heater and salt cell will damage the heater and void any remaining warranty.

Our inspector recommended that the spa dam wall be fully repaired to correct the water loss situation.

Second Inspection: Observations

When called out to the property for a second time to check the spa, he made the following observations:

• The lines of the spa held pressure.
• A dye test conducted in the spa showed that water was leaking through the cracks in the spa dam wall.

Analysis of Second Landscaping Inspection

Our inspector made the following determinations after his second visit to the property:

• With the work the pool service did after the first inspection, the spa was running normally.
• No new leaks were discovered during the second inspection.

Cause of Loss in Indian Wells, CA Pool and Spa

After the first inspection, our inspector determined that water has been leaking out of the pool through cracks in the spa dam wall at the tile joints. These cracks had likely been present for some time, but maybe have worsened recently.

After the second visit to the property, our inspector maintained his findings from the first inspection and provided the insured with an estimate on repairing the spa dam wall.