Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This dirty pool has been left unattended for a while, while performing my checklist I could hear a funny noise coming from the pump. when the pump was tested to see if power was to the the unit it self, there was. My conclusion about the pool pump is that the pump has gone bad.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The way the pool heaters and pumps work is very unique, there are many different types of electrical heaters and also solar powered. Solar powered heaters are very efficient compared to the actually electrical pool heater as its pulls a lot more energy than the solar powered panels.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The attached photo for my essay is a Sand or Gravel Filter. This type of filter is generally found on older pools and is the least efficient type of filtration system. This system has a control valve on the top pf the filter that can be set in an open, closed, filtration, or backwash setting. This system should be backwashed regularly to maintain its efficiency.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article I choose was on Aluminum wiring. What I learned from the article much of which I had already known is that Aluminum wiring in general presents a fire hazard and copper is the ideal application for wiring homes.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here we have a house on a pier and beam foundation with a significant mortar joint crack coming up through the brick. This is a significant seperation of a 1/4 inch in the motor joint. Recommend a structural ingineer to evaluate.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When I inspect a garage I look for all recepticals in the garage to be GFCIs protected and 18of the floor. Also checking to see if the water heater is in the garage which most are and inspecting it to see if it is properly installed gas or electric. Next checking door to see if its fire rated. Inspecting garage doors to see if the function properly by hand and with photo sensor if installed. Also checking sheet rock and joints to see if it was properly installed and if there is any damage to walls. Next when in attic I would be checking the ceiling and roof structure of the garage to see if it was properly installed especially truss members if they where used.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of the pool power box.There is a breaker in the panel that is double lugged (serving two circuits). Standard electrical practice calls for single lugging of individual breakers. The breakers in this panel may not be designed for double lugging and as a result, the connector may not securely hold the two wires in place, presenting a potential fire/safety hazard. There are a number of remedies for this condition and a qualified electrician should be contacted to provide single lugging of individual breakers.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the article on inspecting ceiling fans. I found it interesting that they came into use in the US in 1860. I have found as the article stated that home owners seldom replace the junction box when they change a light to a fan.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Cartridge filters are relatively new, they are a pleated fabric or fine mesh. They look to be similar to a sediment filter installed in a well, and likely are installed and replaced in a similar fashion. Removes the need for backwashing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A Diatomaceous Earth Filter Or DE filter is disposable. Diatomaceous Earth is basically crushed up skeletons of micro scopic organisms, it is crushed to a very fine powder and works extremely well for pool filtering. DE filters do require back washing.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
On one of my first paying inspections I observed a pool which had been winterized and covered.However I did do an inspection of the pools electrical and found there was no GFCI on pool pump but there was a GFCI for the 120volt circuit.The pump circuit came directly from the electrical panel and had a standard breaker feeding the pump.Recommended an qualified electrical contractor install a GFCI breaker to feed the pump.Also recommended that a barrier be installed around the pool as the buyer had little children.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Pool Alarms,My neighbor has an in ground pool with a surface wave sensor to protect his grand daughter but it just so happened to help save his large Rottweiler who happened up onto the pool deck and went after a frog that was swimming around in the pool.The dog could swim but he is old and was very tired when help finally got to him.It is really loud as we could hear it from my house which is at least 4000 feet away.He has since installed a gate so the dog can’t get in the pool area when no one is there.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article Safety Guidelines for Home Pools we learn the importance of having pool barriers. We also learn that 69% of children who become drowning victims were not even expected to be in or around a pool at the time of the accident. We need to be vigilant in the safety of our pools to protect the lives of children.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of the coping and tile band of an below ground pool. You can see the tiles are falling off, and the coping has cracks as well as pieces of concrete missing. These are both defects, and should be written as such.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of a pool pump at a house I recently inspected. As you can see the bonding wire is not connected to the pump. Improperly terminated or missing bond wires is a safety hazard and should be repaired.
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a home inspector in Florida I come across Diatomaceous Earth Filters from time to time and wanted to know more about how they work so I read and observed the article and picture on this type of filter. The information was wonderful and especially the diagram with all the pieces that make it up. Very good information.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is not a proper installation of a diving board. While the anti slip surface is in good shape, and the board is securely mounted in the concrete, the depth of the pool is not correct. The hopper angles in. While the pool is deep enough in a limited area, maybe 36 square feet, the depth to the sides and in front of the board is inadequate.
Research & Writing Assignment:
My article is on Pool Drain Inspection. It emphasizes the importance of a proper drain cover being present, and properly attached. Deaths and serious injuries have happened due the lack of drain cover as well as hair, jewelry entanglement even a cover is installed. Residential pool drains commonly have a suction of 350 pounds. Even rare cases of intestines being sucked into the drains have happened.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Are many inspectors truly inspecting for pool pathogens. I did learn things in the article but I’ve kept my pool inspections to a more visual inspection of the components. I’ve never tested the chemical balance or pathogens for that matter.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I put this system in several years ago, but it’s a convenient picture for this essay. It’s a Hayward 1.5 HP Superpump at the heart, following the progression of water through the system, then up into the Hayward cartridge filter, I can’t remember the model, then out the bottom filter tank port to the RayPAK 400KBTU propane heater, and last through the Hayward inline automatic feed chlorinator. It has to be last in line so as not to feed the chlorinated water before it has been dissoluted in the pool. Off to the left is a seperate unit, just a small water heater for the shower.
Interesting note - the reason this system was put in… the novice pool owner thought all he needed to do to convert the pool from bromine to chlorine would be to add cyanuric acid and start using chlorine… within minutes the entire pool house was in flames. He barely escaped in time. Old saying in the pool business, once a bromine pool always a bromine pool. It takes an expert to convert without fire. I was in the pool business for years here in Pittsburgh.
