Pools older than 2007 in Houston properties (buying a home, buying, inspector)

[savvyRookie]

Hi All,

I have been looking at a property which has a pool older than 2007 and it has only one blockable main drain.

I am interesting in purchasing this home. But this is the first time that I'll be buying a home with a pool.

My understanding was that the pool inspector would catch safety issues with the pool as well. But after reading online about pool drains, it's clear to me that drains are a major safety hazard.

My question is, what happens if a property has a pool which has only one blockable drain (instead of dual or multiple per new safety standards).

Is this something that the seller is required to upgrade in Houston? Can an old pool be modified to have multiple drains?

I would appreciate your insights.

Thanks

[HoustonBornNRaised]

If it's an item that is grandfathered, they will not be required to repair it. With that said, you can always ask - especially if the plaster is bad, and you'll be asking for that to be repaired as well.

[PedroMartinez]

I'd imagine the adding a second drain to the bottom of a pool would be restrictively expensive, but I would think the could add one to the side, fairly low, if you are concerned about it.

I'm guessing this new rule came into place due to a few freak accidents where kids have drowned by getting stuck on a drain.

[Schumacher713]

It really is not that dangerous. These are really freak accidents and they have drain covers that make it harder to get stuck to.

[azinwood]

Yup, make sure you get the right drain cover, although installing it will be a pain unless you know how to scuba dive.