Having a swimming pool can really make a difference on those hot summer days, but it is important to make sure that your pool is safe. In fact, in an effort to prevent children from drowning, pool owners are required to have their pools inspected and certified to make sure that they comply with safety standards. This becomes especially important if you decide to sell or lease your home.
You Need a Certificate to Sell Your Home
If you want to sell your home and you have a swimming pool, you must have a valid compliance or noncompliance certificate to do so. You can receive a Sydney pool certificate from swimming pool certifiers in Sydney. This will ensure that you are compliant with the laws and prevent you from having any hassles later on when you try to sell your home.
What Happens If a Pool Doesn’t Pass the Inspection?
When you hire a pool certifier, you will receive a comprehensive report stating any issues that cause your pool and fences to be noncompliant. In addition, you will receive recommendations for how to rectify the situation and bring your pool into compliance. Once you complete the recommended modifications or improvements, the inspector can return and issue the certificate of compliance.
These certificates last for three years, so if you still own your home after three years, you will need to have a new certificate issued. It is important not only because it’s the law, but you want your pool to be safe to avoid any unnecessary accidents from occurring.
How to Prepare for the Inspection
It is a good idea to become familiar with the laws and regulations so that you maximise your chances of successfully obtaining a certificate of compliance. Be sure that your pool gate opens outward and can close and latch on its own from any position when it is open. In addition, it must be 1,200 mm in height. Make sure that the gate is closed and functioning before your inspector comes.
The fences also must be the correct height, in good condition, and have gaps that are less than 100 mm. You are not allowed to have items near the fence that children could climb on to get over the fence, such as chairs, rocks, and others. If you do, move them away. You will also need to make sure that you only have your pool inside the pool area. You are not allowed to have a barbeque, dining tables, or other items in there. Vegetation and trees with branches must also be outside of the pool.
If you comply with these rules, you should have no trouble getting your certificate. You should get yours so that it won’t become a problem when you want to sell or lease your home.
