What to prepare before contacting a pool specialist

Why preparation pays off

Specialists diagnose faster when they arrive with facts. In the leak detection guide published by LeakTronics, a maker of leak detection equipment, the first two questions for the owner are how much water the pool is losing per day and how long it has been happening. The same logic applies to tiles, equipment and chillers: the better the description, the better the first visit.

The checklist below takes about an hour to put together and can save a wasted visit.

About the pool

• Construction type: concrete with tiles, mosaic or plaster; fibreglass; vinyl liner; stainless steel. If you are unsure, photograph the surface.
• Edge type: skimmer pool, or overflow or infinity pool with a balance tank.
• Location: in the ground, on a podium or on a roof; indoor or outdoor.
• Approximate age, and the dates of any renovation or major repair.
• Approximate size and depth, if known.
• Drawings and handover documents. In Dubai, plan approval submissions include the pipe fitting layout for the pool and pump room, the electrical diagram and equipment details, so approved drawings are worth finding.

About the symptoms

• What you noticed and when. Keep a short dated log rather than relying on memory.
• Changes over time. Did it start after a storm, after other building work, or after equipment was serviced?
• Water loss. Mark the water line on the tile at the same time each day and note the readings. If you have done a bucket test, record the result with the pump running and with the pump off, and confirm the auto-fill was switched off. The City of Scottsdale's method allows at least two to three days for the test.
• Topping up. Note how often you add water and roughly how much, if you can measure it.

Photos and videos

• cracks, loose or hollow tiles, and damaged coping, with something for scale
• damp patches, staining or crust on walls, ceilings, in the plant room or in the space below the pool
• the whole equipment area, showing how pipes and valves connect
• a short video of the pump basket while the pump runs (bubbles are a useful clue)
• any error codes on controllers, chillers or heat pumps

About the equipment

• Labels and nameplates. Photograph the model and serial plates on the pump, filter, chiller or heat pump, and controls. With model numbers, a specialist can look up manuals and parts before arriving.
• Filter pressure. Note the current gauge reading, and the reading after the last clean if you recorded it.
• Water testing records. Dubai Municipality's private pool guideline asks owners to test pH, chlorine and temperature daily and other parameters every 15 days, and to keep a logbook. Share recent readings.
• Service history: dates of the last filter clean or media change, and any recent repairs.

Access and permissions

• Plant room access, keys and any alarm codes.
• Entry to the property. Many buildings and gated communities need contractor details in advance.
• Shared pools. Under Dubai's Law No. 6 of 2019, pools in jointly owned buildings are common parts run by the management entity. Contact building management first; they will usually commission or approve the work.
• Community rules. For villa pools in managed communities, check whether notice or a no-objection letter is needed before works.
• Permits. Ask the specialist whether your job needs a permit or approval from the authority, and who will apply for it.
• Practical points: whether the pump can be switched off during testing, whether there is a water supply for refilling, and where water could be drained if needed.

Safety while you wait

Keep children away from damaged areas and broken tiles. Keep the pool enclosure gate closed and locked when the pool is not in use, as Dubai Municipality's private pool guideline requires. Do not open a filter that may be under pressure, and leave electrical faults alone.

What not to do before the visit

• Do not drain the pool unless a specialist has advised it.
• Avoid adding leak-sealing products or attempting patch repairs, which can make the original fault harder to find.
• Do not keep the auto-fill running if you are trying to measure water loss.

A short message you can send

When you contact a specialist, include:

• pool type, edge type and location (for example: tiled concrete villa pool, skimmer type, ground level, Dubai)
• the main symptom and when it started
• your water loss figures or bucket test result
• three to six photos, including the equipment labels
• access arrangements and whether building management has been informed

A specialist who receives this will usually be able to tell you which test or service visit you need, and whether they are the right person for the job.