Are you thinking about buying a home with a preexisting swimming pool? Is the swimming pool currently empty, so you're worried about whether or not you'll be able to use the pool for swimming this summer? Fortunately, an empty swimming pool doesn't necessarily mean that you'll need to have a completely new pool installed. In order to help you decide whether you want to put an offer on the house and pay for a home inspection, here are some common pool issues and steps to rectify them once you own the house:

Cracked pool bed: Due to the weight of the water it contains, a pool may settle into the ground beneath it. When it does this, it often settles unevenly which will then produce cracks. While some people might tell you that the pool bed will need to be patched with mortar or cement, this may not be the best option. A good pool company will have several PVC swimming pool liner replacement options available. This liner will be attached to the interior of your pool, completely covering up any cracks and allowing you to fill it with water once again. As a bonus, a good swimming pool liner replacement can come in many attractive styles and color, allowing you to update the pool and make it look more modern.

Broken pool pump: If you're going to need to have a swimming pool liner replacement installed in the pool, there's a good chance that the pool pump will need repair or replacement. Find the pump and write down its exact model. This will allow you to research how old the pump is and to get a general idea of possible repair or replacement costs. In some cases, the previous owners may have removed the pump and gotten rid of it. Under these circumstances, make sure to get measurements of the pool itself, including how deep it is. Once you have these figures, a local pool company can give you a price range for pumps that will work with a pool of that size.

Tool storage: When you own a pool, there are certain tools that you'll need to accompany the pool itself. This includes a skimmer net and implements for cleaning algae from the bottom of the pool. If these have been left behind, they can give you an idea of how much money you might need to spend on pool repairs. A skimmer net that looks relatively new means that the pool was in use relatively recently and was only drained because either the previous owners couldn't afford a swimming pool liner replacement or the bank had it drained in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. If the net looks dusty and is falling apart, the pool may have been drained some time ago and may need more expensive repairs. The entire filtration system may need to be cleaned or patched by a professional before you can use the pool.

For more information, contact a company like Pettis Pools & Patio.