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ABOUT THE CLAIM
A surety bond claim was filed after a Midwestern city’s newly renovated municipal pool began showing severe surface defects within weeks of reopening. The surety was notified near the end of the first swim season, when staining first became obvious. Kids complained. Parents complained. “Didn’t we just have this pool re-done?” was the incredulous buzz spreading throughout the community. The bright new finish had turned blotchy and brown, and the pool looked years older than its age. City staff knew the project remained within the one-year warranty period and sought guidance from the surety on how to protect public funds and ensure the pool could reopen the following summer. What began as a warranty concern quickly evolved into a formal bond claim requiring technical evaluation and consultation.
ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
YA Group inspected the pool and confirmed the contractor had not met his obligations. Likely, the finish failed due to improper surface preparation and rushed application. The staining and surface breakdown were consistent with an installation that did not follow the manufacturer’s guidance. Manufacturer documentation and project submittals showed deviations from specified cure times and mix ratios. Any repairs would not hold, and further deterioration was expected if left untreated. The findings gave the surety a documented basis to proceed under the performance bond.
ABOUT THE RESOLUTION
YA Group identified a qualified, reasonably-priced local pool plaster contractor who could perform a full tear-out and reapplication before the next swim season. The completion contractor did excellent work, stayed on schedule and budget, and helped the city reopen as planned. Work began less than six weeks after the initial claim meeting. This was an unusually fast turnaround for a municipal re-procurement. The surety’s timely action kept costs down and avoided the need for drawn-out (likely unsuccessful) recovery efforts against the original (bankrupt) contractor. The pool returned to service with a finish that met the city’s expectations and restored community confidence.
ABOUT YA GROUP
When surety bond claims come in, sureties rely on YA Group for expert determinations of what went wrong and how to fix it. Our deep bench of experts includes engineers, seasoned bond-claim professionals, and specialists in virtually every construction discipline. Additional field personnel are positioned strategically across the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, ensuring knowledgeable presence near each claim site. YA Group continues to be trusted by sureties due to our team’s track record of delivering pragmatic solutions and expedient claim resolutions that minimize losses and exposures. For all of your surety support requirements, kindly get in touch today.