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Be Weary of Possible Swimming Pool Leaks Near your Home or Business

Three Waterproofing Tips For  Swimming Pool Owners and their Neighbors

Do basement and crawl space waterproofing issues interest you? If you own a swimming pool, or your home or business stands within close proximity to one, be weary of possible swimming pool leaks. Even as a neighbor to a swimming pool owner, you maintain a vested interest in ensuring water doesn’t leak into your premises! Swimming pools sometimes contain significant volumes of liquid and if the pool begins leaking innumerable problems can occur. Water always follows the path of least resistance. Don’t let your basement, cellar, crawlspace, foundation, or yard become home to the pool leak runoff.

Today, residents of Wake County frequently enjoy the benefits offered by backyard or indoor residential swimming pools. A well-maintained pool can supply many happy hours of fun and recreation. It often provides welcome relief from blistering summer temperatures, too. Perhaps not surprisingly, numerous businesses and homeowners maintain this type of facility in the Raleigh Area. The county routinely inspects public pools to ensure compliance with pool maintenance and safety regulations.

water condensation Swimming Pool

Swimming Pools in Wake County, North Carolina

Local ordinances require anyone installing a swimming pool, a hot tub, or a spa in Wake County to obtain a pool building permit first (receiving this document requires passing a site plan approval and meeting building and electrical inspection requirements). Unfortunately, even well maintained facilities sometimes develop water leaks. To safeguard your premises against damaging leaks effectively, you’ll want to check basements and crawl spaces regularly. Even comparatively tiny leaks in swimming pools may cause water saturation in nearby locations. These three waterproofing tips may prove helpful:

One: Monitor Monthly Water Bills Closely

If you own a swimming pool, you’ll want to track your monthly water usage and bills closely. It remains important to recognize simple evaporation from the surface will result in regular monthly water losses. Some sources advise owners to anticipate a drop in pool levels by as much as 0.25 inches daily during hot weather. By checking the water level every five days over the course of a month, you can develop a water evaporation baseline to help you monitor this figure. If you notice a sudden spike in water losses or a significant jump in water bills, consider requesting professional assistance to locate leaks. Some pools designed to compensate for evaporative losses may develop leaks which don’t seem apparent due to the ongoing replacement of water.

Two: Repair Leaks in Vinyl Swimming Pool Liners Promptly

Today, most backyard pools utilize one of three basic types of pool liner: vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete. While the latter two surfaces infrequently develop leaks, vinyl liners sometimes sustain damage requiring urgent repair action. Even a small leak in a vinyl liner may allow large quantities of water to seep below the base of the pool; water may collect near adjoining slabs or basements. Experts recommend addressing pool repair issues quickly, since delays may permit small cracks or tears to expand in size. Concrete pools will require resurfacing (roughly every decade) to remain leak-free.

Three: Inspect Basements And Yards For Signs of Water Leaks Frequently

Swimming pool leaks may also develop in underground pool water and drain pipes. In many situations these pipes constitute residential sub-utility pipes. Owners of properties located close to swimming pools should consider periodically checking basements, storm cellars, and crawl spaces for signs of dampness or adjoining water-saturated soil. A leaking swimming pool water system potentially deposits significant volumes of water into the ground around the home or business they might be near. In Raleigh, some property owners with homes located close to swimming pools might wish to consider requesting annual or semi-annual inspections from a full-time waterproofing company. This process may help pool owners learn about possible water leaks in a timely manner.

Problems Posed by Swimming Pool Leaks

A swimming pool leak may damage adjoining man-made structures (including residences). While Wake County will inspect commercial pools, private swimming pools don’t necessarily receive close maintenance attention unless property owners remain vigilant for signs of leaks. Regular property inspections can help detect leaks in time to prevent some forms of damage!

Obtain Knowledgeable Waterproofing Assistance

Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. offers experienced residential and commercial waterproofing assistance in the Greater Raleigh, North Carolina area. If you’d like to better secure a basement against water leaks (including possible leaking from a nearby swimming pool), we provide excellent assistance. Ask us to inspect your premises for signs of water penetrating basements or crawl spaces, or pooling near foundations or slabs.

We can recommend measures to help you obtain dry, mold-free living and work areas. We offer skilled foundation repair services, sump station installations, excavations, and yard drainage assistance. Our firm received an Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2015. Call us at 919-877-9969 to schedule an initial appointment!

Further Information

1. http://www.wakegov.com/inspect/permits/Pages/devpools.aspx
2. https://www.angieslist.com/articles/pool-level-dropping-it-leak-or-evaporation.htm
3. http://www.poolswiki.com/wiki/51/pool-liner
4. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/2464-swimming-pools-101/

Three Great Reasons to Check Your Home’s Crawl Spaces

Check Your Home’s Crawl Spaces

Some Raleigh residents examine their home’s crawl spaces infrequently. Yet did you know, property owners usually save money over the long term by taking steps to ensure they maintain these locations in a dry, water-free condition? Three rewards await homeowners who appreciate the importance of periodic crawl space inspections:

Residential Crawl Spaces  Home's Crawl Spaces

One: Prevent Mold and Mildew From Damaging Your Home

A musty-smelling crawl space could indicate moisture and dampness issues. Just a you wouldn’t want to allow walls, ceilings or floors in your residence to remain wet for extended periods, you shouldn’t permit these conditions to develop within your home’s crawl spaces, either. Water permeating wood repeatedly over time will eventually cause it to rot and decay. Moist environments encourage the growth of potentially damaging fungi, such as mold and mildew.

Requesting your home’s crawl space inspections and waterproofing services assists homeowners in maintaining their dwelling in a much safer condition. Dry interior crawl spaces help promote better overall air quality, while ensuring destructive molds don’t obtain a foothold and begin spreading inside the premises. Some individuals suffer physical discomfort residing in close contact with mold. Taking action to correct this problem contributes to a more comfortable living environment, and also helps preserve a property’s resale value.

Two: Help Control Water Inside Your Home’s Crawl Spaces

By ensuring your residential crawl spaces remain clean and dry, you may ultimately improve your ability to control some types of potentially damaging water leaks. Consider that under normal conditions, water entering the home stems from one of three likely locations: rain, plumbing problems, or condensation. When leaks occur inside a dwelling, it may become important for the residents to determine the source. By keeping crawl spaces in good condition, property owners sometimes receive early indications of a maintenance issue developing in another of the home.

Roof Leaks

For instance, while most people readily identify large holes in a roof, occasionally hail storms may cause undetected damage. When water penetrates into the home through the roof, it doesn’t necessarily travel in straight lines as it drains to lower elevations. Moisture droplets may appear in visible places, such as ceilings, or they may flow into interior structures inside the residence. Sometimes a damp crawl space alerts homeowners to the need for a roof inspection.

Leaky Water Pipes

Additionally, some types of plumbing pipe leaks don’t always become apparent immediately. An excessively damp, wet crawl space could indicate the presence of a broken water pipe inside an adjoining wall, for example. By requesting a crawl space inspection, property owners sometimes gather valuable information about the condition of the plumbing system. They may resolve minor damage before a leaking, deteriorating water pipe breaks and contributes to higher water bills. (If you notice an unexplained spike in your monthly water bill and you plumber cannot determine the source of the increased water flow, you might find it helpful to schedule a crawl space inspection.)

Condensation

In some circumstances, humid conditions and poor ventilation contribute to condensation buildup within the crawl space itself. Trained waterproofing contractors offer expertise in resolving this type of problem. The presence of moisture inside the crawl space over an extended period of time produces dank, water-coated surfaces. Available waterproofing strategies can help correct this situation.

Three: Don’t Let Your Home’s Crawl Space Become a “Free Lunch”

Another big reason to obtain occasional crawl space inspections relates to deterring a tiny intruder: the termite. Although most people rarely see termites, these shy insects cause significant real estate losses in North Carolina every year. Wet, rotting wood attracts termite activity.

Termites reside in colonies and somewhat resemble ants in appearance. Although they can bite, they typically avoid direct contact with humans. Termites chew through the interior of wood. Over time, they can cause a lot of property damage by degrading the strength of wooden structures in a home. The wet, rotting wood in a persistently water-soaked crawl space offers a nearly perfect termite habitat.

Unfortunately, simply maintaining a dry crawl space won’t prevent a termite infestation. (We still recommend obtaining periodic termite inspections in this part of North Carolina.) Yet by keeping the wood in your home’s crawl spaces dry, you’ll reduce the chances a termite colony will find your premises inviting.

Obtain Crawl Space Services in The Raleigh Area

Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. offers a variety of useful waterproofing services. We assist customers throughout Raleigh and the Triangle. You can contact us at 919-877-9969 to request an inspection of residential or commercial crawl spaces, or to explore available solutions for damp, water-soaked premises.

Four Steps To Prevent Basement Flooding Risks

Four Steps To Prevent Basement Flooding Risks

The tragic hurricane damage which recently afflicted residents of the Gulf Coast and many areas of Florida and the Caribbean demonstrate the potential for flooding to cause devastating personal and property losses. The storm systems produced widespread disruption. Yet some experts recommend all homeowners residing in dwellings with basements should consider taking steps to prepare for possible flooding risks, even in areas outside frequent flood zones. Four simple precautions may help households address this issue more effectively:

Basement Flooding

1. Monitor Your House for Signs of Basement Flooding

One element which contributed to the severity of the recent hurricane damage related to the widespread nature of the natural disaster. Many residential neighborhoods suffered extensive flooding. In fact, cases occurred in which water surged over dwellings located well outside designated flood zones. The situation suggests real estate owners with basements cannot afford to discount the risk of flooding even when their property does not sit within locations known to have sustained flood damage in the past.

A recently reported study conducted under the auspices of Texas A&M University at Galveston and Rice University intimated some maps utilized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) displayed a very poor track record in predicting flood plains. Researchers contended the agency failed to correctly predict three quarters of the flood damage which transpired in some suburban parts of Houston, Texas during a decade-long period ending in 2009. While generalizing on the basis of a limited academic study may do a disservice to the federal agency, it remains important for homeowners to remember many different causes potentially contribute to flood situations.

In addition to coastal floods precipitated by storms or tsunamis, flooding may occur as a result of swollen rivers, unexpectedly heavy rains, necessary yet unanticipated discharges to prevent dam ruptures, municipal water line breaks, and even household plumbing accidents. The bottom line for homeowners: you need to monitor your basement waterproofing to better safeguard your residence against flooding hazards. Don’t assume you will never have to contend with a flooded basement simply because your dwelling remains outside a known flood plain. A waterproofing expert can suggest effective ways to monitor moisture levels in basements and cellars.

2. Review Basement Storage

Since gravity will force water to drain from higher places to lower elevations, experts recommend utilizing basement storage cautiously. For instance, given the choice between stacking stored household belongings on the basement floor or on elevated shelves, selecting raised storage sites generally offers better security. Many households do utilize basements for storage purposes in lieu of renting self-storage units; however, if flooding appears imminent, you’ll probably want to relocate items to safer locations, if possible. Belongings you place in the basement face a greater risk of sustaining flood damage.

Additionally, by using a waterproof and fireproof home safe to store valuable documents, photos, or fragile items, you’ll enhance the chance these possessions survive a catastrophe. Today manufacturers have developed a wide array of personal safes. Many carry laboratory-issued safety ratings attesting to their ability to withstand listed hazards.

3. Address Known Basement Flooding Problems

Experts recommend considering risks from basement flooding prior to taking extended absences from residential property. For instance, if you plan to split your year between a summer residence in North Carolina and a winter home in a warmer location, review the flood risks in each dwelling. Taking a few common sense measures may increase your ability to mitigate flood losses:

  • In colder locations, minimize the risks of water damage from burst pipes by asking a plumber to shut off the water supply into your home. The plumber should also drain remaining water from the pipes and fixtures and correctly turn off the hot water heater or boiler ;
  • Hire a reputable caretaker service to help maintain your gutters, downspouts and grounds during your absence to promote adequate water drainage; instruct your caretaker to board up your windows and doors before tropical storm emergencies occur, if possible;
  • Ask a trusted local person, preferably a close neighbor, to check on the condition of your property promptly if you do suspect leaks or flooding.

4. Consult Regularly With a Waterproofing Firm

Periodically reviewing preventative steps you might take to mitigate basement water damage helps manage some risks. For example, while not a permanent solution, today specialized waterproofing paints and membranes offers assistance in certain situations. Applying these coatings to low-lying foundations and basement walls may prove helpful in some (but certainly not all) situations.

Prepare for basement flooding in advance, if possible. Floods usually occur unexpectedly and these catastrophes frequently prove unavoidable and overwhelming. Yet planning sometimes helps mitigate personal property losses.

Understanding the 3-Step Approach to Repairing Water Intrusion in Your Raleigh Home

Repairing Water Intrusion in Your Raleigh Home

Water may seem harmless, but it is actually one of the greatest dangers to your home. It is capable of eroding the tallest mountains into little more than piles of smooth pebbles, which is why it is no surprise that it can really do a number on your home in Raleigh, NC.

The trick to protecting your home is reshaping the way water flows around your home.

Let’s explore how Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. can remedy the damage that water has caused, and prevent it from reoccurring.

Step One: Limiting the Damage

When your home’s basement floods due to a failed sump pump or water enters through the side of your house, the first step in limiting the damage is to remove as much of the water as possible.

During this process, we may find it necessary to cut the electricity and gas to any affected areas. This is done to keep both you and your home safe. Electrical shorts can cause fires, and rusty gas lines can prone to leaks.

Once the water has been removed, the damage is somewhat limited. It should not progress further, which is yet another benefit of trusting the waterproofing experts at Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc.

Step Two: Assessing the Cause and Damage

The next step is to understand why water entered your home. This is essential to the next step, and to repairing any damage that it may have caused.

Flooded basements, for example, may be caused by cracks in the foundation, water that hasn’t been diverted correctly, or water that seeped in through siding that was installed improperly on your home. Solving this issue will prevent more water from invading.

The next step is to assess the damage. Has this problem persisted for a longer period of time? Has mold appeared? How extensive is the water damage? Answering these questions will help repair the damage in a reliable way.

Step Three: Fixing the Problem

The last step is to correct the problem and any damage that has occurred in your home.

At Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc., this means addressing every problem that led to water intrusion. We may need to divert water away from your foundation, perform crack injections to seal your foundation, and added a watertight barrier to prevent further leaks.

We are also capable of repairing damage to your residence. This means replacing drywall, repainting walls, repairing damage to your structure, and many other repairs that your home may need to become safe and free of hazards.

Trust the Waterproofing Experts

When you have a leak, don’t let it go unchecked. Leaks may be limited to a bead of water one day, but they will generally develop into puddles and flooding.

Trust the waterproofing experts at Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. to repair your water damage, and to prevent the problem from occurring again. Our reliable results stem from our scientific approach to water intrusion and our courteous, customer-oriented service.