Tradies working around your pool fence: what to check afterwards
Painters, landscapers and builders work close to pool fences. A quick check afterwards catches damage early.
Before the work starts
Tell every trade about the pool fence, and agree who protects it. Ask them to keep ladders, scaffolding and materials away from it, and to avoid leaning on the glass. Take photos of the fence before work starts, so you can compare afterwards.
The after-work check
- Glass: look for chips, cracks or edge damage. The QBCC says glass panels should show no signs of fracture.
- Panels: check none has shifted or dropped. The QBCC notes panels can shift or drop when the ground moves.
- Height: check the fence is still at least 1200mm high from finished ground level, especially if paving or soil changed.
- Gap under the barrier: check it is 100mm or less, including at steps.
- Footholds: check nothing on the outside, such as a stack of pavers or a new planter edge, is a ledge greater than 10mm.
- Gate: open and close it, and check it closes and latches by itself.
See the glass pool fence requirements.
If something is wrong
If the fence is damaged or shifted, treat the pool as unsafe until it is fixed. The QBCC says the pool owner is responsible for keeping the barrier compliant. Ask a licensed pool safety inspector to check it, and ask whoever caused the damage to fix it. A fix valued at $3,300 or more needs a licensed contractor, according to the QBCC. See what to do after a non-conformity notice.
Painters as an example
Exterior painters work close to fences, so ask any painter how they protect the glass. Brushworks Painters in Summer Hill is one NSW painting business that lists exterior and fence painting among its services, and its rules and conditions differ from Queensland, so check what applies where you live.
Common questions
What should I check on my pool fence after a tradie has worked nearby?
Check the glass for chips or cracks, that no panel has shifted, the fence height and gap under the barrier, any new footholds on the outside, and that the gate closes and latches.
Who pays if a tradie damages my pool fence?
Agree this before work starts, in writing. The QBCC says the pool owner is responsible for keeping the barrier compliant.
Do I need a licensed person to repair the fence?
The QBCC says a contractor's licence is required when the value of the work and materials is $3,300 or more.
General information only. This is practical advice, not a compliance check.