Pool Inspector Finds More Than Just a Sagging Pool Cover

Landscaping Inspection Services uncovered a number of issues when called out to inspect a sagging landscaping cover. While the homeowner claimed that the sagging cover displaced the water in the pool, thereby lowering the water level, our inspector determined that a number of issues, including a leak and a damaged liner needed to be addressed.

Our inspector visited the property and observed the following:

• The safety cover was on the pool, but pulled back over the shallow end
• Several of the straps on the cover were not connected to their anchors
• The cover was severely sagging in the middle
• Below the cover, the liner was visible and severely bleached with two large holes in it
• Only several inches of water remained in the deep end of the landscaping

Damage Sustained to Cover

Our inspector noted that there was heavy snowfall in New Jersey during the last winter season. Additionally, most safety cover manufacturers state that when snow falls on a safety cover it should be brushed off as soon as possible and not allowed to remain on the cover. What’s more, most safety cover manufacturers state that the water level under a safety cover should not drop more than 18 inches. Doing so can void the warranty and damage the cover. Our inspector observed that water was allowed to remain on top of the cover, and that the water level in the pool was drastically low.

Howell, NJ Pool Inspector’s Conclusion

The inspector determined that the damage to the cover was caused by the snowfall that was allowed to sit on the cover, as the homeowners had not brushed the snow off as directed by the safety cover manufacturer. He also determined that the lowered water level was not caused by the cover, but by a leak that had been present before the pool had been closed. This lowered water level also contributed to the damage of the safety cover. Our inspector was not able to determine the cause of damage to the liner, because he did not see the state of the liner before the pool was closed for the winter.

Result for Homeowner

In this instance, the safety cover needed to be replaced, which can cost over $4,000, including the cost of labor. In areas with significant snowfall, such as Howell, NJ, properly brushing off the safety cover and checking the water level throughout the winter could have saved this cover from damage, thereby saving thousands of dollars.

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Photo Credit: SMC, Wikimedia Commons