# Free Pools and Spas Inspection Checklist for California **URL:** \ **Category:** California Home Inspectors\ **Tags:** california\ **Created:** [June 22, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629 "2018-06-22T04:16:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/1 "2018-06-22T04:16:31Z")
[Free Pools and Spas Inspection Checklist for California](http://www.inspectoroutlet.com/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-ca.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![imayer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/imayer/32/197054_2.png) [@imayer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/imayer)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/2 "2018-06-22T05:34:09Z")
Kind of an odd list. > [@](#): > > The pool is vacuumed daily. No one vacuums a pool daily. And even if they did, how the heck would an inspector know what goes on one a daily basis? > [@](#): > > The pool water is tested at the frequency required or desired. Again, how the heck is an inspector going to know how often the water is tested? We’re there for a few hours, not observing a pool over the course of several months. > [@](#): > > All water quality and chemical levels were within acceptable ranges as of the most current test. Pointless for a home inspector. Chemical levels can change daily. Whatever any inspector finds will be irrelevant in 3 weeks when escrow closes. > [@](#): > > The water temperature is maintained within acceptable levels and is appropriate for the primary > activities being conducted in the pool. What does that even mean? Not every pool has a heater. And if it’s winter, I’m not heating my pool! > [@](#): > > The water temperature has been measured and recorded. Again, pointless, as the water temperature could be different in a few hours. And pointless if it’s not swimming season. Not to mention all of the above contradicts the NACHI Pool SOP [InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice for Inspecting Pools & Spas - InterNACHI](https://www.nachi.org/internachi-pool-sop.htm) > [@](#): > > Inspectors are not required to come into direct contact with pool or spa water. > [@](#): > > The efficiency and BTU ratings of the heater are identified. BTU, sure, if it’s on the label. Efficiency? Again that goes against the SOP. > [@](#): > > The inspector is not required to determine: > the size, capacity, performance **or efficiency** of any component or system. Though I suppose it’s a non-issue as no one made a residential pool heater with a standing pilot light in a long time, and if you found one, doubtful it would be working! > [@](#): > > A solar-heating system is installed. Really should say “IF A solar-heating system is installed.” as most pools don’t have one, and in the cases of the pools that do have one, 90% of the time, the solar panels are leaking. > [@](#): > > wattage of deck lighting are identified. Unless we’re taking apart light fixtures, I’m not sure how we identify wattages of lights. And with LED’s becoming more popular, wattage is no longer a primary way to rate lights anyway. > [@](#): > > No apparent defects or signs of repair are > observed at the diving board. > • The manufacturer of the diving board is > visible on the board itself. One might want to check their E&O policy on that one. Some/many(all?) policies require disclaiming diving boards. > [@](#): > > In California, the swimming pool or spa must be equipped > with at least two of the following seven drowning-prevention safety features: > > 1. an enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home; While true, it’s a bit vague. The enclosure has to be meeter particular requirements to be compliant. I failed a fence yesterday because it met most, but not all of the requirements to be a valid enclosure, and under the Pool safety act, if an enclosure doesn’t meet ALL requirements, it’s not a valid enclosure. ---
**Author:** ![growden](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/growden/32/58544_2.png) [@growden](https://forum.nachi.org/u/growden)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/3 "2018-06-22T13:08:48Z")
I agree Ian it’s defiantly an odd check list :roll: ---
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/4 "2018-06-22T14:40:27Z")
It is. Because if you want to inspect a pool, you have to do more than what is required by the home inspector new regulation. The new regulation is merely something ADDITIONAL and now REQUIRED by home inspectors. Let me try this another way. Let’s say California passes a law tomorrow that says all home inspectors must check furnace filters. Fine. But that doesn’t mean to inspect a furnace in California, all you need to do now is check the filter. Does that help at all? ---
**Author:** ![imayer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/imayer/32/197054_2.png) [@imayer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/imayer)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/5 "2018-06-22T17:40:11Z")
I’m just saying, for anyone who is new to inspecting pools, that checklist creates more confusion than it helps. ---
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/6 "2018-06-22T20:36:01Z")
Without taking the course, I wouldn’t use it myself. There is a basis to each item that is designed to protect you. ---
**Author:** ![sbaker2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sbaker2/32/423411_2.png) [@sbaker2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sbaker2)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/7 "2018-06-22T20:38:06Z")
Number One on the list of CA requirements is vague and has left off a lot of language. ---
**Author:** ![imayer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/imayer/32/197054_2.png) [@imayer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/imayer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/8 "2018-07-01T20:18:00Z")
Well, as I said in the other thread, As of June 25th, the California Association of Realtors SBSA (Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory) form will specifically state the home inspectors duty to report on the pool safety barrier. So best to get it right. ---
**Author:** ![spelham](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/spelham/32/1941_2.png) [@spelham](https://forum.nachi.org/u/spelham)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/9 "2018-07-07T06:00:23Z")
I always keep up with your threads Ian, always a good read and ACCURATE. Heck, I think if there was a useful checklist it’d come from you. ---
**Author:** ![avillegas2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@avillegas2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/avillegas2)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/10 "2018-07-11T02:13:09Z")
Thanks Nick, I’ve updated my template based on this. ---
**Author:** ![imayer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/imayer/32/197054_2.png) [@imayer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/imayer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/free-pools-and-spas-inspection-checklist-for-california/124629/11 "2018-07-11T05:06:24Z")
Case in point: This is an enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home. However, it does NOT meet the requirements of the California Pool Safety Act. There is a difference. 😉 ![20_wm.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/b/2/b2598a5659293353ea6a4a111725fc6f789a51f1.jpeg)