When a building engineer speaks out!

Building engineers: are they really equipped to assess an in-ground pool?

A pool to be demolished and rebuilt for a total of nearly $100,000!? Before starting such drastic work, it is crucial to ensure that the analysis is based on a real understanding of in-ground pools. Here is a case where specialized expertise avoided compensation in the six figures.

This summer, a claims adjuster consulted us to get a second opinion on an event for which he had already obtained a report from a building engineer. The engineer recommended the complete destruction and reconstruction of the pool, for a budget close to $100,000.

At Detecto, in 30 years of existence, cases that required such drastic intervention have been extremely rare and we know for sure that the majority of pools can be repaired locally.

But this is not our first rodeo; in the past, we have seen several times that the civil engineers called upon to intervene in swimming pool projects have very little experience and tools to do an adequate analysis.

Their work generally concerns buildings and civil constructions (roads, bridges, etc.) and they rely on the Building Code to make their observations. However, the construction of residential pools is not subject to any standard; certain rules of the art prevail but often, with significant differences!

Also, a built pool offers only very limited visibility on its particularities, since almost everything is buried. This is why engineers who look at the facts through the magnifying glass of the Building Code tend to draw inappropriate conclusions. It must be said that the largest engineering firms in Quebec see less than 50 pools per year; at Détecto, more than 500 have been evaluated every year for 30 years!

Our specialized engineer and our technician were able to correctly establish the cause of the damage and the budget for the repair of the damaged part. Using Detecto's arguments, the insurer was thus able to prevent an error of $75,000 and all the inconveniences for its client.

A swimming pool is not built like a house, it should never be forgotten!

At Détecto, our expertise in pool inspection has been built over the last 30 years. With more than 15,000 pools inspected, our team has a keen eye and an accurate analysis of the real condition of your pool.

Our neutrality also makes all the difference. We do not sell pools or equipment, which allows us to offer you an objective assessment and tailored recommendations — without conflicts of interest.

Whatever your situation, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you better understand your pool and make the right decisions.