Pool and spa, certified add-on
Pool and spa inspections in the Phoenix metro
A pool and spa inspection is a visual, functional check of the accessible shell, deck, visible circulation equipment, controls, safety barrier and equipment-area electrical, observed while the system runs under normal operating controls. It tells you the condition of what can be seen and how the equipment responded on the day. It is not a guarantee, and it cannot verify buried plumbing or rule out a hidden leak.
- Observed under normal operating controls
- Bob is pool and spa certified
- Not leak detection
Scope
What a visual, functional check actually observes
Accessible components are observed by condition and, where conditions allow, operated under normal controls to see how they respond on the day.
Accessible pool and spa shell and interior finish
Visible interior surface (plaster, pebble, tile or fiberglass as applicable) observed for cracking, delamination, staining and visible wear. Observation is visual only and does not include probing or destructive checks.
Deck, coping and waterline
Surrounding deck, coping and waterline tile observed for cracking, settlement, trip hazards and separation. Sub-slab conditions and buried causes are not visible and are outside scope.
Circulation equipment: pump, filter and heater
Visible circulation and heating equipment identified and, where conditions allow, operated under normal controls to observe whether it responds. This is a functional observation on the day, not a measurement of remaining service life.
Controls and automation
Accessible controls, timers and any automation panel operated under normal controls to the extent conditions permit. Remote, app-based and fully programmed automation may not be cycled; the extent tested is owner-confirmed.
Bonding and GFCI at the equipment area
Equipment-area electrical observed for visible bonding and GFCI protection consistent with current standards. This is a visual and functional observation, not an engineering or code-compliance certification.
Safety barrier: fence, gate and latches
Pool barrier, fencing and gate observed for self-closing and self-latching operation and obvious climbable gaps against current requirements. Barrier rules vary by jurisdiction; findings are reported, not certified as compliant.
Skimmer, returns and visible pad plumbing
Skimmer, returns and the visible plumbing at the equipment pad observed for condition and obvious leaks or damage. Any plumbing that runs underground is not visible and cannot be verified.
Water features, spa spillway and lights
Waterfalls, sheer-descent features, spa spillway and pool or spa lights observed and operated under normal controls where accessible, and reported by visible condition and functional response.
Drain covers and visible entrapment-related fittings
Visible drain covers and fittings observed for presence and general condition. Certification of anti-entrapment compliance is a separate specialty scope and is owner-confirmed as in or out of scope.
The boundary that matters
What we can see at the pad, and what runs underground
The most expensive pool surprises hide in the plumbing you cannot see. This is where a visual inspection ends and leak detection begins.
Observed on the day
What running under normal controls does, and does not, tell you
Pool equipment is the component buyers most often misread as certified good. Here is the honest edge of a functional observation.
- Functioned when operated on the day is not a guarantee of remaining service life or future performance.
- Buried supply and return lines and any underground plumbing are not visible and cannot be verified.
- A visual inspection is not leak detection; with no dye or pressure test, a sub-surface leak cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
- It is not a code-compliance certification; barrier and electrical requirements vary by city and county and change over time.
- Cold weather, a low or opaque water level or a winterized system can limit what runs, and those are reported as not tested that day.
The Arizona pressure points
Why desert pools wear faster than the national norm
Year-round use
Desert pools run every month, so pumps, heaters and seals log far more hours than the national norm.
Intense UV
Relentless sun degrades plaster, o-rings, gaskets and exposed equipment faster than a milder climate does.
Monsoon debris
Summer storms load the water and filters with dust and organic debris in a matter of hours.
Hard water
Arizona hard water leaves scale on heaters, surfaces and salt cells, shortening their working life.
Before you book
Pre-screen the safety barrier
The barrier and the equipment-area electrical are observed against current standards and reported, not certified as compliant, because requirements vary by city and county. You can pre-screen the obvious items yourself before the visit.
The exact standard cited on your report is confirmed at booking.
A quick barrier self-check
- The gate self-closes and self-latches from any open position
- The latch is high enough and works without force
- The fence has no climbable gaps, footholds or gaps a child fits through
- Equipment-area GFCI and bonding are present and undamaged
What you receive
Photo-documented findings, grouped so you can act
You receive photo-documented pool and spa findings, integrated into or delivered alongside the inspection report as a visual HTML and PDF document. Findings are grouped so you can tell what was observed, what functioned under normal controls on the day, and what was outside scope or not testable. There is no third-party lab step, so there is no lab turnaround to wait on.
Bob is pool and spa certified
Bob Clardy is Pool and Spa certified alongside his ASHI certification and holds a current AZ Board of Technical Registration credential.
Common questions
Pool and spa inspection questions we get asked
Is the pool included in a standard home inspection?
No. Pool and spa inspection is a separate certified service, not part of the standard six-system residential report. Pool and spa problems can be stressful and expensive, so the certified inspection is offered so you know the condition of what can be seen before you buy.
Is Bob certified to inspect pools and spas?
Yes. Bob Clardy is Pool and Spa certified alongside his ASHI certification and holds a current AZ Board of Technical Registration credential.
Can you tell me if the pool is leaking?
Not with certainty. A visual inspection can report visible signs of water loss or equipment damage, but it cannot confirm or rule out a buried-line or sub-surface leak. Locating a leak requires specialty leak detection, which is a separate pool-service scope.
Will you test the heater and pump?
Where conditions allow, accessible equipment is operated under normal controls and how it responded is reported. Cold weather, a low water level, a closed pool or a winterized system can limit what can be run, and a functional observation on the day is not a guarantee of remaining service life.
Do you check the pool safety barrier?
Yes. The barrier fence, the self-closing and self-latching gate, and equipment-area GFCI and bonding are observed against current standards and reported. Requirements vary by city and county, so this is a report of what was observed, not a compliance certification.
Can I book a pool and spa inspection on its own?
Most buyers add it to a home inspection, and standalone availability should be confirmed by calling 480-805-2025. Either way you get a quote before booking and the pool findings are documented with photographs.
Also worth knowing
Related inspections
Where we work
Pool and spa inspections across the Valley
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Gilbert
- Glendale
- Peoria
- Avondale
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
- Verrado
- Litchfield Park
- Tolleson
- El Mirage
- Surprise
- Waddell
- Youngtown
- Cave Creek
- Carefree
- Anthem
- New River
- Rio Verde
- Fountain Hills
- Paradise Valley
- Queen Creek
- San Tan Valley
- Apache Junction
- Gold Canyon
- Florence
- Casa Grande
- Maricopa
- Coolidge
- Sun City
- Sun City West
- Sun Lakes
Bob was great and made the process easy. He did additional inspection of the pool and we appreciated his flexibility.
Book it
Get a price for your pool and spa inspection
Send the property details and you get a written quote and the next available dates back.