Buying a Home With a Pool in Arkansas? Get the Pool Inspected Too

Lots of homes in Central Arkansas come with a pool. By the time you're ready to close, the pool's been sitting there since spring, the seller has run it a few times, and the listing photos make it look great. Whether it actually works the way it should is another question.

A standard residential inspection doesn't cover pools. They're a separate system, and most general inspectors aren't certified to evaluate them. When you're buying a home with a pool or spa in Arkansas, you want to know what you're inheriting before you sign.

What a pool inspection actually checks

The pool is more than a hole full of water. There's a pump, a filter, a heater (sometimes), a circulation system, and a chunk of concrete or vinyl that's exposed to weather year-round. Each piece can fail.

When I inspect a pool or spa, I look at:

• The pump and motor, including amperage draw and visible wear
• The filter type and condition, whether sand, cartridge, or DE
• The heater, if there is one, including gas connections and electrical
• Plumbing and visible piping for leaks or pressure issues
• Skimmers, returns, and main drain function
• The deck and coping for cracks, settlement, or water damage
• The pool surface itself: plaster, vinyl, or fiberglass
• Electrical bonding and grounding, especially around lights and the pump pad
• Safety items including fence height, self-closing gates, and pool alarms where required

For spas, I also check the jets, the controls, and the cover.

The expensive surprises

The two failures I see most often on Arkansas pools are the pump and the heater. A new pool pump runs $800 to $1,500 installed. A new gas heater runs $3,500 to $5,500. If either is on its last leg, you want to know before closing, not three weeks after you move in.

Pool surface problems are the other one. A vinyl liner past its life shows up as wrinkles, fading, or visible patches. Plaster pools start to show etching, staining, or rough spots that snag swimsuits. Replastering a pool is a five-figure repair. It's not always urgent, but you should know if it's coming.

Pools in Arkansas weather

Our weather is hard on pools. Hot summers tax the pump and heater. Cold snaps in January and February crack equipment that wasn't winterized properly. Heavy spring rains overflow pools and stress the bonding. Hail damages covers and equipment.

A pool that wasn't maintained well shows it after a few seasons. Half my pool inspections are on properties where the seller stopped using the pool a year or two ago. Those are the ones with the most surprises.

When to schedule it

The pool inspection should happen during your inspection contingency, same as the home inspection. It can usually happen the same day or the day after.

You want the pool full and running. If the pool is closed for the season or drained, the inspection is much more limited. I can still check the structure and the equipment, but I can't run the system to verify it works.

After the inspection

You'll get a report just like a home inspection report, with photos and clear notes on what's working and what isn't. Your agent can use it the same way: request repairs, request a credit, or move forward with full information.

If you're under contract on a home with a pool or spa in Central Arkansas and the inspection is coming up, let me know. I'll bundle the home inspection and pool inspection into the same visit when the schedule allows.

Frequently asked questions about pool and spa inspections in Arkansas

Does a standard home inspection cover the pool? No. Pools and spas are separate systems and require a certified pool inspector. See our full list of inspection services.

How long does a pool inspection take? Usually 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the pool's size and equipment. Spas add about 30 minutes.

Can you inspect a closed or drained pool? Partially. The structure and equipment can still be checked, but the pump, heater, and plumbing can't be tested without water in the pool.

How much is a pool inspection in Central Arkansas? Pricing depends on the pool's size and whether there's a spa or heater. Get a quote here.

Call or text: 501-505-6805 Email: inspectorbjmoody@gmail.com