Comprehensive Pool Safety & Pre-Purchase Inspections

Why Pool Inspections Matter in Perth

Perth has one of the highest rates of residential pool ownership in Australia. With more than 170,000 residential pools across the metropolitan area, pools are a central feature of Perth’s outdoor lifestyle. But pools are also complex systems with structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical components that all require regular attention.

Whether you are buying a property with a pool, ensuring your existing pool meets safety regulations, or simply wanting a professional assessment of your pool’s condition, a thorough inspection provides the information you need to make informed decisions and protect your investment.

Pre-Purchase Pool Inspections

Why You Should Inspect Before You Buy

A standard building inspection typically includes only a cursory look at the pool — if it looks at it at all. Building inspectors are not pool specialists and may miss issues that a trained pool technician would identify immediately.

A pool in poor condition can require thousands of dollars in repairs. Consider these common issues we find during pre-purchase inspections in Perth:

• Ageing equipment near end of life: A pump, filter, or chlorinator that appears to be working during a 20-minute property viewing may be months away from failure. We assess the age, condition, and remaining useful life of all equipment.
• Hidden leaks: A pool that appears full and clear may be losing water through a slow leak in the plumbing or shell. We check for signs of water loss and can recommend a full leak detection test if warranted.
• Non-compliant fencing: Pool barrier non-compliance is one of the most common issues we find. Previous owners may have added garden beds, furniture, or structures that create climbable objects within the exclusion zone, or gates may no longer self-close and self-latch properly.
• Surface condition: Pebblecrete and rendered pool surfaces have a finite lifespan. A surface that looks acceptable when wet may be rough, pitted, and near the end of its useful life. Resurfacing a pool in Perth typically costs $8,000 to $15,000, so this is important to know before settlement.
• Water chemistry issues: Poorly maintained water chemistry can cause damage to the pool surface, equipment, and fittings over time. Our water tests reveal whether the pool has been well maintained or neglected.

What Our Pre-Purchase Report Includes

Our pre-purchase inspection report is designed to give you — and your solicitor, if needed — a clear and detailed picture of the pool’s condition. The report covers:

Structural Condition We assess the pool shell for cracks, movement, delamination, and surface wear. For fibreglass pools, we check for osmotic blistering, gel coat crazing, and flexing. For concrete pools, we inspect the render or pebblecrete surface, coping stones, and tile line for damage and deterioration.

Equipment Assessment Every piece of pool equipment is inspected and rated:

• Pump: brand, model, age estimate, noise levels, flow performance, seal condition
• Filter: type, media condition, pressure readings, valve operation
• Chlorinator: cell condition, output test, control board function
• Heating system (if present): type, condition, operational test
• Lighting: functionality, compliance, globe or LED condition
• Automated cleaners: type, condition, operational effectiveness

Fencing and Safety Compliance We measure fence heights, check for climbable objects within the exclusion zone, test gate self-closing and self-latching mechanisms, verify latch heights, and inspect the barrier for gaps that could allow a child to pass through. This assessment is based on the requirements of the Building Regulations 2012 (WA) and Australian Standard AS 1926.1.

Water Quality We test pH, free chlorine, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, calcium hardness, and salt level. These results indicate the current condition of the water and, combined with the visual condition of the pool surfaces, give insight into how well the pool has been maintained over time.

Prioritised Recommendations All issues are categorised as:

• Immediate: Safety hazards or items requiring urgent attention (e.g., non-compliant fencing, exposed electrical wiring)
• Short-term: Items that should be addressed within 3 to 6 months (e.g., ageing equipment, declining surface condition)
• Long-term: Items to plan and budget for over 1 to 3 years (e.g., eventual resurfacing, equipment upgrades)

Safety Compliance Inspections

Western Australian Pool Barrier Requirements

Pool fencing regulations in Western Australia are governed by the Building Regulations 2012 and enforced by local councils. The requirements are designed to prevent unsupervised access to the pool area by young children and are taken seriously by authorities.

Key requirements include:

• Barrier height of at least 1,200 mm measured from the outside
• No climbable objects within 900 mm of the barrier
• Gates must self-close from any position and self-latch
• Gate latches must be at least 1,500 mm above ground level, or fitted on the pool side of the gate at a height that prevents a child from reaching over or through to operate them
• No gaps greater than 100 mm in the barrier

Our compliance inspection systematically checks every element of your pool barrier against these requirements and provides a clear pass or fail assessment with specific remediation recommendations for any non-compliant items.

Annual Pool Health Checks

Even if you are not buying or selling, an annual professional inspection is a sound investment. We identify developing problems — small leaks, wear on equipment, surface deterioration, or water chemistry drift — before they escalate into costly repairs. An annual health check typically costs a fraction of the emergency repair it helps you avoid.

Pricing

Our pool inspection service is priced from $250 to $450 depending on the type of inspection, pool size, and complexity.

• Pre-purchase inspection: From $350 (comprehensive report with photos)
• Safety compliance inspection: From $250 (fencing and barrier focus)
• Annual health check: From $250 (condition assessment and maintenance recommendations)

We deliver the written report within 48 hours of the inspection, complete with photographs and clear, actionable recommendations.

Book Your Pool Inspection

We conduct pool inspections across all Perth suburbs, including Mount Claremont, Nedlands, Dalkeith, Claremont, Cottesloe, Subiaco, Floreat, Scarborough, Joondalup, Fremantle, and surrounding areas. Whether you are buying a home, selling a property, or want peace of mind about your own pool, contact us to book an inspection.