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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/

Six Common Signs of Water Leaks

Remain Alert For These Six Common Signs of Water Leaks

As a waterproofing firm in the Greater Raleigh Area, we possess extensive experience evaluating homes and commercial buildings for signs of moisture damage. Property owners usually benefit by detecting water drainage and water leak problems as quickly as possible. We recommend property owners periodically check basements and any visible structural foundation surfaces for signs of damage.

Water Leaks

Six Common Signs of Water Leaks

Sometimes, owners notice conditions which strongly suggest the presence of a leak. Look for any of these six common signs:

Wet or Flooded Surfaces:

The walls and floors of your basement and the exteriors of any exposed building foundations should not visibly leak. If you notice wet surfaces caused by pooled water in interior locations, then your home or business may benefit from skilled assistance. A waterproofing company strives to help customers enjoy dry, comfortable interiors and secure building foundations through a variety of means. In some situations, the installation of basement drains and/or sump pumps offers effective assistance.

Stained Drywall:

In a finished basement, discolored, stained drywall sometimes indicates the presence of a leak. In certain cases, these marks simply denote the existence of a previous (and now corrected) problem. However, if you observe a fresh stain on drywall, particularly one which appears to expand in size over the course of time, you’ll want to determine the cause. A waterproofing expert may offer valuable assistance.

Moldy Odors:

A dank, musty smell emanating from an exposed foundation or a basement interior often signifies a water leak. Although molds thrive in nature, their growth indoors on basement walls or floors points to excessively moist conditions. Once again, if you notice moldy odors or detect mold growing in your basement, consider requesting a waterproofing inspection. While you’ll want to remove the mold correctly, it remains important to also determine and fix the conditions contributing to fungus growth.

Cracked Concrete:

While all cured concrete will develop minor surface imperfections, visible cracks in this material sometimes reveal the presence of a water leak. Water entering a basement may seep into the walls through small cracks; over the course of time, unless repaired, the fissures generally expand in size.

Bubbling, Blistering Concrete:

Builders typically insert metal bars called “rebar” inside thick concrete structures during construction to provide extra support. If water or other conditions cause the rebar to begin rusting, concrete on the surface may appear discolored. It often develops a “bubbly” or blistered appearance. This type of concrete surface damage has gained the name “concrete cancer.” Its presence in a foundation or basement indicates the property requires repair attention. Concrete structures with this condition may eventually start crumbling or breaking apart in the absence of suitable corrective measures.

Soggy Soil Around Basement Exteriors:

The ground in yards will inevitably become damp following a heavy rain or the seasonal melting of snow. However, if you notice the terrain immediately around your house remaining soggy and waterlogged for extended periods of time during the year, it remains a wise precaution to request a waterproofing inspection. Many possible reasons can underlie this problem: a poorly functioning gutter and downspout system, a leaky roof, inadequate yard drainage, a broken sprinkler system, or even a leaking underground water or sewer pipe. Many conditions can produce soggy ground around the perimeter of a home. Unless corrected, chronically damp and waterlogged earth surrounding basements and foundations may eventually cause water leak problems for homeowners. A waterproofing company can usually offer a number of possible solutions. For example, in some cases installing a French Drain helps redirect water away from the home. This solution may prevent soggy conditions from developing around the perimeter.

If You Suspect Possible Water Damage

When alert property owners detect evidence of possible water damage impacting a concrete slab, a foundation or a basement, it makes sense to request expert assistance as soon as possible. Delay may simply exacerbate damage to the property. Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. helps customers obtain effective waterproofing services throughout the Greater Raleigh, North Carolina region.

We offer valuable assistance to homeowners and businesses seeking dry premises. In some situations, we’ll undertake leak repair measures by supplying crack injection and foundation repair. The availability of this assistance depends upon many factors, including the extent of the damage. We urge concerned property owners to contact us as soon as they suspect a possible drainage or water leak problem. Customers often ask us to perform inspections to verify the presence of leaks. Contact us at 919-877-9969 to request our services.

Further Information:

1. https://www.raleighwaterproofinginc.com/crack-injections.html

Useful Sump Pump Precautions

Useful Sump Pump Precautions

Sump Pumps: Useful Equipment

Sump pumps have become useful in homeowners struggles to maintain dry, waterproof basements. In some locations around the United States, building codes require the installation of sump pumps. Many homeowners have saved considerable sums of money simply by taking routine steps to keep residential sump pumps fully operational and in good working condition.

While sump pumps offer comparatively inexpensive water-removal assistance, failing to install a sump pump or to detect a malfunction involving the pump can prove exceedingly costly. Take some routine precautions to help ensure the sump pumps in your basement operate efficiently. You won’t need to expend a lot of effort, but you might reap important cost-savings with our list of sump pump precautions:

Sump Pump Precautions

One: Learn About Basic Sump Pump Operations

Sump pumps essentially perform the work of a “bucket brigade” by helping to collect pooling water from the lowest levels of a residence and pump it directly outside. For this reason, they typically occupy a “sump pit,” the lowest elevation in the basement. Water flows down to the sump pit through a basement drainage system. The sump pit will also collect any water seeping through basement walls or entering lower levels of the premises as a result of unusually heavy rains or flooding.

Today, depending upon their needs, homeowners often choose between two different styles of sump pump: pedestal or submersible. Both types offer advantages and disadvantages. The pedestal sump pump’s motor sits on a platform which elevates it above the sump pit. It contains a hose (or an intake pipe) extending down into the pit. As the engine pumps, it collects water pooled in the sump pit and pumps it outdoors. By contrast, a submersible sump pump’s motor sits beneath the sump pit basement drain within a completely enclosed waterproof housing. Out of sight under the basement floor, it also works to pump any water from the sump pit into a pipe leading outdoors. While sometimes very noisy during operation, pedestal pumps offer the advantages of a more easily accessible pump mechanism and a slightly lower cost. Submersible pumps usually provide considerably quieter operation, and they remain completely hidden from view and do not take up any useful basement floor space. However, repairing the motor generally requires expert assistance due to the pump’s difficult-to-access location.

Two: Test Your Sump Pump Periodically

Home inspection experts recommend testing the sump pump at designated intervals. In some homes, a sump pump works almost around the clock during certain times of year. Making periodic checks of this equipment helps insure it will continue operating when needed. Home inspectors suggest asking an electrician to install a ground fault circuit interrupter on the sump pump’s electrical outlet to reduce possible electrocution dangers involving a sump pump.

The sump pump typically contains a water pressure sensor in the form of a float activator. As water flows into the sump pit, it exerts pressure on this mechanism and turns on the sump pump automatically. (A few homes possess manually activated sump pumps which require the owner to flip a switch to activate.) Test the pump’s operation by pouring water into the sump pit.

Three: Install a Backup Sump Pump

Sump pump failures can prove costly. Many plumbers recommend the installation of a second, back-up battery-powered sump pump. It can provide important assistance if a power interruption occurs during a heavy rainstorm.

Today many of these units include an alarm to alert residents to the need for battery replacement. Battery-powered pumps typically lack sustained endurance. Yet this equipment may prevent a flooded basement in some situations.

Four: Obtain Periodic Submersible Sump Pump Drain Cleaning

A third sump pump precaution applies specifically to popular submersible sump pumps. Placed beneath the basement drain in the sump pit, these units periodically become clogged with debris and sediment. They usually contain a bottom grate which accumulates unwanted material.

Periodical removal and cleaning helps ensure submersible pumps continue working effectively. It usually proves helpful to inspect the basement sump pit drain, too. Clear away any trapped debris or gravel.

A Persistently Wet Basement

If you take every precaution to maintain your home’s sump pump in good working condition, yet you still notice frequent dampness or pooling water in the basement, you might benefit by consulting about this problem with a full-time waterproofing company. Persistently damp indoor conditions can lead to a variety of heath and safety concerns. These issues range from the development of mold to termite infestations and weakened building foundations.

Our firm remains available to assist property owners struggling to resolve sump pump and basement waterproofing issues. Don’t allow a dank basement to degrade your property values. Instead, simply give us a call. We’ll help you discover the source of persistent water and find practical, effective solutions.

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