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Blue Sky Pool Inspections

16 Kingsland Ct 
Fair Lawn NJ 07410-2747
Inspector: Kurt Kuczynski

Pool Inspection Report

Client(s):  Viktoria Bologna
Property address:  18 Craven Drive
Oivey, NJ
Inspection date:  Saturday, September 11, 2021

This report published on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 1:17:59 PM EST

Thank you for choosing Blue Sky Pool Inspections. This report will give you the information needed to make a safe and comfortable decision about your future homes pool. Please read the entire report. Comments made under the pictures are as important as comments made in the header paragraphs. Should you need any clarification on any items in this report please feel free to contact us. Please email us with a quick reply confirming receipt of your report.

How to Read this Report
This report is organized by the property's functional areas.  Within each functional area, descriptive information is listed first and is shown in bold type.  Items of concern follow descriptive information. Concerns are shown and sorted according to these types:
Concern typeSafetyPoses a safety hazard
Concern typeRepair/ReplaceRecommend repairing or replacing
Concern typeRepair/MaintainRecommend repair and/or maintenance
Concern typeMaintainRecommend ongoing maintenance
Concern typeEvaluateRecommend evaluation by a specialist
Concern typeServiceableItem or component is in serviceable condition
Concern typeCommentFor your information

Click here for a glossary of building construction terms.Contact your inspector If there are terms that you do not understand, or visit the glossary of construction terms at https://www.reporthost.com/glossary.asp


General Information
1) This is a Gunite pool measuring 22’ x 44’. It features built-in stairs, a Baja shelf, a mid pool set of stairs with a sitting shelf, a swim out with a sitting shelf, a spa, and three waterfalls. For chemical dosing purposes the approximate capacity is 35,000 gallons.
Swimming Pool
Limitations: The following items are not included in this inspection: bonding, swimming pool bodies; equipment on timers, remote controls or sensors; underground or concealed piping; motorized covers; waterfalls and related equipment; Ozone generators; ultraviolet light systems; filter backflushing mechanisms. Any comments made regarding these items are as a courtesy only. Note that the inspector does not disassemble filters, remove pool covers, nor determine if swimming pool bodies, filters or skimmers leak, nor determine if swimming pool bodies are level.
2) There are two separate areas with pool steps. Each set of steps did not have a handrail. In addition, the steps did not have edge markings on the top surface of the steps. These are both safety concerns. A qualified person should evaluate and install a handrail and edge markings.
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Photo 2-1 There is a mid-pool set of steps with sitting shelves.
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Photo 2-2 Similar to the other set of steps, we recommend a handrail and edge markings be installed.
3) The alarm for the doors between the house and the pool was missing. While regulations vary between municipalities, all doors which give access to a swimming pool should be equipped with an audible alarm that should:
  • Sound for 30 seconds or more when the door and/or screen are opened
  • Sound within seven seconds after the door is opened
  • Be loud; at least 85 dBA (decibels) at 10 feet away
  • Be distinct from other sounds in the house
  • Have a manual switch to disable it temporarily where the switch is located at least 54 inches above the door's threshold
  • Have an automatic reset feature
A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?POOLBARR
https://www.reporthost.com/?POOLSAFETY
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Photo 3-1 This door leading directly into the pool yard does not have an audible alarm.
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Photo 3-2 This slider leading directly into the pool yard does not have an audible alarm.
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Photo 3-3 This slider leading directly into the pool yard does not have an audible alarm.
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Photo 3-4 This slider leading directly into the pool yard does not have an audible alarm.
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Photo 3-5 This slider leading directly into the pool yard does not have an audible alarm.
4) No safety float line was installed where the bottom slope begins to deepen which is a safety hazard. Standards require that one be installed one to two feet on the shallow side of this transition when the transition is located in water deeper than four and a half feet deep. We recommend installing a safety float line.

For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?POOLSAFETY
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Photo 4-1 As illustrated above, at the point where the pool begins the descent into the deep end, there should be a safety float line. This pool does not have mounts for a safety float line, and no line was found on the premises. We recommend installing them.
5) FENCES and PERIMETER SAFETY

The perimeter fencing system has some issues as outlined in the photos below. Please note, Blue Sky Pool Inspections are not fencing specialists. We suggest you bring in a competent fencing company to analyze your perimeter fencing and bring it up to code.

The following is FYI:

A proper pool yard gate must swing only outward, have self closers, must close and latch when released from any distance from the closed position, and must have a minimum 54" high lockable gate latch.

The industry standard for pool yard gate latches is the Magna Latch.
http://ddtechglobal.com/product/magnalatch_top_pull_model_series_3

Lock your gates. Nobody needs to have access to your pool yard but you. If you have a landscaper or pool service company give them a key and instruct them to lock the gates every time they leave.
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Photo 5-1 The gate at the front right side of the property functions properly. It swings the correct way has self-closures and has a proper 54-inch-high lockable gate latch.
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Photo 5-2 The door leading from the garage directly into the pool yard needs to have a deadbolt that is keyed on both sides.
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Photo 5-3 This gate located at the front left side of the property also functions properly. It swings the correct way has self-closures and has a proper 54-inch-high lockable gate latch.
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Photo 5-4 The double gate swings the correct way has self-closures and a proper 54-inch gate latch, however, it hangs up and does not reliably close on its own. A qualified fencing company can assist you with this.
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Photo 5-5 The double gate on the front right side of the pool yard swings the correct way and has a proper 54-inch gate latch, however, it does not have self-closures and does not reliably close on its own. A qualified fencing company can assist you with this.
6) Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA)

The VGBA was enacted to ensure that suction drains on swimming pools and spas do not entrap swimmers by hair, clothing or skin or eviscerate them by the suction of the pumps used in pools and spas.

This is a link to information regarding this act:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Graeme_Baker_Pool_and_Spa_Safety_Act
This link is by no means complete but gives a general overview of the act. Every pool/ spa should meet these requirements.

The VGBA requires you to change the main drain covers every 5 years. Since we do not know the age of these drain covers, we consider this pool red-flagged and shall not be used until VGBA approved drain covers are replaced. A qualified pool repair company can take care of this for you.
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Photo 6-1 This pool has six main drains. Since we do not know the age of these drains, they need to be replaced with new VGB approved units. A qualified pool service company can take care of this for you.
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Photo 6-2 This spa has six main drains. Since we do not know the age of these drains, they need to be replaced with new VGB approved units. A qualified pool service company can take care of this for you.
7) This pool has a Merlin safety cover.

We were not able to locate the serial number for the safety cover as it was packed away. The expiration date can be had by contacting the manufacturer with the serial number. Never use a safety cover past its expiration date. By ordering a replacement cover from the same manufacturer it should fit the original lag bolts if they have the original order.

Merlin: https://merlinindustries.com/products/safety-covers

Most manufacturers suggest the cover be stored in its air-permeable bag and hung off the ground in a dry place. By hanging the bag off the ground, you keep moisture, insects, and vermin away from it.
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Photo 7-1 The best way to store your safety cover is in a dry place and hung in its air-permeable bag. This will keep moisture, insects, and vermin away from the pool cover.
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Photo 7-2 The webbing on the safety cover showed no signs of burst stitches. This is good news as this is usually the first sign the cover may be approaching the end of its service life. The serial number on Merlin pool covers are embroidered into the center strap of the deep end side. This fall when you close the pool get the serial number and contact Merlin to determine the expiration date.
8) This pool is too shallow to support a diving board and one should never be installed.
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Photo 8-1 This pool is 5.75 feet deep. It is too shallow to support diving, even from the deck. Signage should be installed to warn bathers of its shallow depth.
9) Storage for pool chemicals was not observed. This section of the pool report is for FYI purposes.

Standard safety practices require:
  • Chemicals should be out of the reach of children and pets
  • The original lids on all chemical containers should be used, and lids should be closed lightly when not in use
  • Different chemicals should not be stacked on top of one another
  • Chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area preferably off the floor
  • Chemicals should not be stored with other flammable items
For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?POOLCHEM
10) GFCI protection on this pool does not function properly. A qualified electrician should correct this for you.

GFCI devices should be tested on a regular basis.

This pool did not have the required GFCI located at the pool body. Code requires you to have a GFCI more than 10 feet but less than 20 feet from the pool body. At the time of the inspection we could not find one.
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Photo 10-1 This GFCI outlet is either not powered or does not reset. A qualified electrician can take care of this for you.
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Photo 10-2 This outlet located at the pool plumbing equipment has no power. There is a GFCI circuit breaker located at the bottom right side of the circuit breaker panel that trips instantly when you try to reset it. A qualified electrician could take care of this for you.
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Photo 10-3 All of these GFCI circuit breakers tripped and reset cleanly with onboard diagnostics except for the one at the bottom right side(arrow).
11) The plaster surface of the pool and/or spa body had significant wear marks in some areas. A qualified person should evaluate and repair as necessary. Concrete pools or spas should be re-plastered every 10 to 15 years. For more information, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?POOLPLASTER
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Photo 11-1 This pool body is only five years old yet the dark color of the plaster job shows numerous faded areas and strokes. We suggest you have a professional evaluation. Dark colored plaster jobs tend to age very poorly.
12) DECKING, COPING, and HARDSCAPING
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Photo 12-1 Although the repointing of the mortar joints isn't attractive due to the difference in colors, it is incredibly important to maintain the bond beam. This will prevent water from getting into the sensitive bond beam area and will avoid extremely expensive bond beam repair. Normally this joint is done with a flexible mastic such as Deck-O Seal or polymeric sand.
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Photo 12-2 Here is an area of the decking by the Baja shelf where the mortar joints have been repointed which has resulted in different colors around the pool decking. Using non-elastic mortar in these joints has caused many of the coping tiles to break loose from the pool body.
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Photo 12-3 The top right tread is loose on this flight of steps.
13) This pool has a swim out as the second means of egress.
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Photo 13-1 This is your swim out with a sitting shelf. This swim out counts as your second means of egress from the pool so a ladder is not required.
14) An anti-siphon device is installed on this hose bib.

Water makeup on this pool is by a garden hose. Even with a proper antisiphon device never place the end of the hose in the pool water when refilling. A drop in city pressure can cause you to siphon pool water into the potable drinking supply.
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Photo 14-1 An additional screw-on anti-siphon device on this hose bib is a good idea.
15) POOL BODY

The pool body had vertical walls that are straight and true and slopes and floors that showed no heaving or sinking or cracks.
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Photo 15-1 This pool features three waterfalls.
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Photo 15-2 There is a mid-pool set of steps with sitting shelves.
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Photo 15-3 The pool features a Baja shelf with a set of built-in stairs. A handrail and edge markings should be installed here as well.
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Photo 15-4 This pool also features a generous sized spa.
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Photo 15-5 This is your spa in spa mode.
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Photo 15-6 This is your swim out with a sitting shelf located at the deep end.
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Photo 15-7 The low end skimmer body was in serviceable condition with a proper fitting lid and basket.
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Photo 15-8 The deep end skimmer body was in serviceable condition with a proper fitting lid and basket.
16) SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

There are four Pentair Whisperflo circulators on this pool. One is the main circulator, one is the spa booster and the other two are for the waterfalls.
https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/aquatics/residential-pool/owners-manuals/pumps/whisperflo/whisperflo-pump-manual-english-spanish.pdf

Circulated water is handled by a Sta-Rite System 3 cartridge filter.https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/product-related/product-manuals/pool-and-spa-equipment/filters/System-3_SM_Owners_Manual_English.pdf.

Water temperature is maintained by a Pentair MasterTemp gas-fired heater.
https://images.inyopools.com/cloud/documents/pentair-heater-mastertemp.pdf

Sanitation is handled by a Jandy Aqua Pure Electronic Salt Water Chlorine Generator.
https://images.inyopools.com/cloud/documents/jandy-sanitizers-aquapure.pdf

The automated pool controller is a Jandy AquaLink RS.
https://www.iaqualink.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/0748-91071/6594.pdf

The blowers for the spa feature is are Air Supply Silencers.
https://www.airsupplyflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/installation-guide.pdf

The booster pump for the automated cleaner is a Polaris PB4-60. The cleaner was not found on the premises.
https://www.polarispool.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/h/h0399500.pdf
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Photo 16-1 This is your main circulator. At the time of the inspection, it ran cool and quiet.
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Photo 16-2 These are the circulators for the waterfalls and spa booster. At the time of the inspection, they ran cool and quiet.
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Photo 16-3 This is your cartridge filter.
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Photo 16-4 This is your booster pump for the automated pool cleaner.
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Photo 16-5 This is your gas heater. At the time of the inspection, it fired quickly and burned cleanly.
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Photo 16-6 These are the silence air blowers used with the spa.
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Photo 16-7 This is your automated pool controller. There is no remote control or control panel in the house. This is driven entirely by an app on your phone.
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Photo 16-8 This is the salt water chlorine generator panel. The chlorine level was low on his pool putting this unit under suspicion. Most people run chlorine levels in the 3 to 5 PPM range. This pool was at 0.5.
17) YOUR WATER ANALYSIS

Your pool water analysis. All values are in ppm except pH.
Chlorine. Should be 1-4ppm yours is .5
Total Alkalinity. Should be 80-120 yours is 80
pH. Should be 7.2-7.8 yours is 7.8
Calcium Hardness. Should be 150-400 yours is 100
Stabilizer (CYA) Should be 30+ yours is 40
Phosphates. Should be 0 yours is 500 (this number can be safely ignored unless recurring algae is a problem)

Some basic pool water chemistry.
https://www.swimuniversity.com/basic-pool-chemistry/

A good way to get started for a first-time pool owner is to go to a pool store/ service company and bring them water to be tested. They will set you up with the chemicals you need to get things in order. An adjustment upon opening the pool and then confirmation testing is all you usually need at the beginning of the season. Weekly testing of the chlorine and pH by you is needed. You can use simple test strips for that. Make small adjustments, be patient. First-timers have a habit of overdosing the pool.

A few tips:

Total calcium hardness is done with calcium chloride. Regardless of the fancy names used by the pool chemical companies, it's calcium chloride. The exact same white stuff you put on your driveway to melt ice and snow. (not rock salt) Buy that at the pool store and you will pay 10 times what it cost at a supermarket. Calcium hardness levels should be slightly higher in concrete pools, say 250-400.

If you are using chlorine tablets never add stabilizer. The tablets have stabilizer in them and you will soon be at or well above the required amount of 30+ ppm.

A lot of pool places don't test for phosphates. Higher phosphates mean you need more chlorine to keep algae under control. The best stuff I've ever used is "Chlorox Phosphate Remover" you can get it on Amazon for around $12 a bottle and it's just as effective as the stuff at pool stores for $30.

We have provided you with a written report summarizing our inspection. Our inspection and report are for your use only. You may give us permission to discuss observations with real estate agents, owners, repair persons, or other interested parties if needed. You are the sole owner of the report and all rights to it. We are not responsible for use or misinterpretation by third parties, and third parties who rely on it in any way do so at their own risk and release us (including employees and business entities) from any liability whatsoever. This report helps you make an educated decision about the condition of your potential purchase at the time of the purchase and is not a warrantee in any way.