Pittsburgh, PA Above-Ground Pool Damaged Irreparably by Knife

When an above-ground pool liner is slashed with a knife, Swimming Pool Inspection Services is called out to inspect the pool’s damage and provide a bid for a repair. What our inspector found was much more than just a torn liner.

The Homeowner’s Story

Usually when we inspect a swimming pool, we speak with the insured to get “their side of the story.” It’s unusual for their side of the story to be anything but the basics of how they believe the damage occurred. This time, however, we got a very colorful story from the insured about how he believed his pool has come to be damaged.

The insured stated that he was going through a divorce and had not been allowed on the property to winterize the pool. He mentioned having had a legal order to stay off the premises at the time the damage was incurred. He also stated that when the neighboring church had parties, children snuck into his yard and stole items like pool toys, as well as damaging other items. Finally, the insured stated that the pool furniture had all been tossed into the pool.

Pittsburgh, PA Pool Inspection Observations

After speaking with the insured, our inspector performed the inspection and made the following observations:

• The pool was never winterized (all equipment and hoses are still hooked up).
• There was still water in the pump, filter and heater.
• The stainless steel wall panel at the skimmer was bent and damaged.
• The pool liner has been cut in a couple places.
• The pool was probably 7 to 10 years old.

Analysis of Pool Inspection

Our inspector determined immediately that the damage to the liner had been caused by a knife. He was able to see that the steel wall of the pool had a scratch mark from where the knife punctured the liner and went past it, striking the wall.

The inspector also noted that the bent pool wall may have been caused by vandalism, likely by striking the pool with a blunt, heavy object.

However, the inspector noted that the damage to the pool equipment was due to the pool not being properly closed for the winter. Although the homeowner mentioned being unable to access the pool in order to winterize it, this damage was not caused by vandals, but rather by homeowner negligence.

Repair Estimates for Above-Ground Pool

Unfortunately, in this case, the liner could have been easily replaced, but because of the irreparable damage to the pool equipment, the entire unit would need to be replaced. If someone had properly maintained the pool and winterized it, removing water from the plumbing and clearing the lines, this Pittsburgh, PA pool may have been able to be saved. Our inspector gave an estimate of $4,500 for replacing the pool with a comparable model.