The Most Overlooked Pool Inspection Issue in Charleston: Electrical Bonding
[What Realtors and Homebuyers Should Know Before Closing]
When you're buying a home with a pool in the Charleston area, a clean surface and running pump aren't enough. One of the most overlooked—and dangerous—issues we uncover during inspections is poor or missing electrical bonding.
And it's more common than you'd think.
What Is Pool Bonding and Why Does It Matter?
Bonding is the process of connecting all metal components of the pool—rails, ladders, light niches, pumps, heaters, etc.—into one electrical system that prevents shocks and stray voltage.
Without proper bonding:
Metal fixtures around the pool can carry electricity
You risk shocks in and around the water
The pool is likely out of code and uninsurable
Sellers may face liability issues and price reductions
⚠️ In many Charleston homes built before 2010, bonding is missing or incorrectly installed.
Why It’s Missed (Even in a Home Inspection)
General home inspectors don’t specialize in pools. They may check for leaks or broken tiles—but electrical safety is outside their scope. Only a certified pool inspector can identify missing bonding wires, test voltage gradients, and verify compliance with local and NEC electrical codes.
At In Depth Pool Inspections, we perform:
Visual & physical inspection of bonding loops
Continuity testing between equipment
Bonding verification on light housings, rail anchors, pumps
Identification of grounding/bonding code violations
Real-World Problems We've Found in Charleston Pools
Ungrounded light fixtures in pools as new as 5 years old
Pumps and heaters connected to power but not bonded to the rest of the system
Deck jets and water features with stray voltage issues
Homeowners unaware of liability if someone is injured
These aren’t theoretical risks—they’re real issues we catch weekly across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville.
What This Means for Buyers, Sellers, and Agents
For home buyers:
Bonding issues can cost $500–$2,000+ to correct. Discovering this after closing can be both expensive and unsafe.
For sellers and agents:
A clean bonding report boosts buyer confidence, speeds up negotiations, and prevents post-closing disputes.
Don't Overlook the Most Critical Part of Pool Safety
You can’t see poor bonding—but a trained inspector can. It’s one of the first things we check during any pool inspection.
👉 Schedule your pool inspection with In Depth Pool Inspections and avoid hidden safety and liability issues before they surface.
