Unusual Pool Leak Caused By Negligent Contractor
dmalma
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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Unusual pool to pond conversion
Comments (9)I punched a hole in my gunite pool, broke down the sides, filled in half. If I had it to do over I'd go down the path you are Buster. I'd double check the thinking on needing to provide pressure against the sides so the pool does not crack. I know other types of pools require this, but I don't see why gunite would. This was the strongest concrete I have ever removed. I'd also double check the code for depth. The deepest I had ever heard was 24", a few places it is 18". No worries about chlorine as you said. It doesn't leach into concrete in any amount worth considering. My bottom drain became cogged pretty fast. The pool pipes really aren't large enough for the amount of muck a pond produces. I think you may be over thinking the metal culvert deal if I understand correctly. Just running 3" ABS pipe from the bottom up and out against the side would be enough. You could put a few of these in if you wanted, or a few 1.5". The fabric I think wouldn't work very well. I've used drain fabric a lot and it has a lot of great uses in ponding, but it clogs really fast unlike in ground use. If you fill with stone you'd have the mother of all filters. You can pull water off the bottom or push it up, or switch from time to time. Bio really isn't an issue with a small fish load, just the sides and bottom of the pond would be more than enough to cover that. But large stone filters have other benefits for water clarity. Sure, at some point it does fill with silt but that could be 5,10,20 years and there are lots of things you could do to reduce that. With stone I wouldn't worry much about using perforated pipe. You'll get way enough flow without it, but it can't hurt either. If you really wanted some I'd use the 3" perforated flex drain hose Home Depot has in 100' rolls. Cheap, plastic and built to stand up buried. That amount of stone isn't cheap. I got free dirt and put a liner over that. Companies are happy to deliever all the free dirt you want, no delivery charge. Just an option. I'd go with the stone if money wasn't an issue. The shape of rocks in the bottom looks great, but color disappears very fast as they are covered with silt, algae or bacteria film. So I wouldn't worry about the rock color. I would mortar the top layer of rocks together just to make cleaning easier. If you use the stone as a filter you can just leave some openings. You are dead on with your ideas for sand bags and plants around the edge. No one will ever think it was a swimming pool. However, I wouldn't use sand bags, at least the white plastic mesh type. They break down really fast, like a year or less depending on sunlight. And the mess that makes is a real big pain. Cloth with break down too. I'd go with stacked rock or fake rock from concrete or concrete block. This will be way cool. This type of set up allows for so many options and changes can be made later. I'm jealous....See MoreMy house has a leak! Where do I start?
Comments (4)Thanks, everyone, for your speedy responses! I forgot to mention that our house inspector said that the roof was in the top 2% of all roofs he sees, and so was the flashing. This was a little over a year ago. So we're thinking--perhaps incorrectly--that it is a wall problem. Our aluminum siding is ancient and at the end of its lifespan; a chunk of trim blew off in a storm, and two other parts (nowhere near the leak, unfortunately) are loose. We need to get it all replaced but were hoping to get another year out of it first, being broke first time homeowners. I guess what I'll do is get a general contractor to take a look and have him check the flashing while he's at it. Yeck. Homeowning is so fun! :)...See MoreContractors differ on roof leak
Comments (4)Lost, In all honesty, there's no way to make a true assessment without an actual survey. However, I think the gap in the shingles has always been there and hasn't caused a problem before now. The flashing around a chimney is an area that requires periodical inspection and maintenance which most homeowners overlook. If the caulking or other sealant where the flashing touches the chimney has separated, water can get behind it and with the volume you are getting, eventually find it's way inside the roof. If getting on the roof is not a problem for you, you can reseal the flashing for pennies. If not getting on the roof is appropriate for you, here's what I would suggest....since the flashing probably needs maintenance, have the guy that suggests that is the problem do the work......with a written guarantee that will fix the problem. If it turns out not to be the problem, he can fix the problem at his own expense. If I were forced to make an assessment....I personally would suspect the flashing....See MoreRoof Pitch on Pool Cabana
Comments (1)What is the age of the roof? How long had the support posts been failing? I'm betting what happened is that over time, the roof slowly settled downward where the posts were rotten, and as the roof had a slight elasticity, it stretched downward as well and maintained it's seal. Then when the posts were replaced, they were replaced with the original correct height posts, which moved the sagging portion of the roof upward abruptly, which caused a bit of a break in the asphalt. That is NOT the carpenter's "fault" It's a continuation of the structural repair itself. Replacing failing structural members often has a negative effect on other portions of a structure. In a home, the drywall would crack and the flooring might buckle. It's part of the process as a whole, not divorced from it. I'm betting that the roofers find other structural issues that will need attention such as decking needing replacing and flashing needing to be replaced. A low pitch roof has a short life span as it is anyway, and it was probably due for replacement long before it began to leak....See Moredmalma
7 years agodmalma
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
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