A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

Basement Dehumidifiers are critical for ensuring that moisture doesn't seep into the basement area—even if you have insulated your basement with weatherproofing/waterproofing synthetic applications. Moisture seepage is the most prominent cause of basement maintenance issues like mold, surface peeling or invasive dampness that seeps inside the house. An effective dehumidifier guarantees dryness in the basement, helping to prevent proliferation of dust mites and mildew. Further, most contemporary dehumidifiers are sold with air filters that help in keeping the internal, circulated air free of allergy-causing pathogens.

A dehumidifier also helps to increase the life cycle of your basement waterproofing coatings by ensuring that minimal amount of moisture seeps through the coated surfaces.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

• If your basement has a dirt floor, cover the floor completely with plastic to slow down water vapor coming through the soil.
• Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.
• Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year.
• Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room. To help you find a contractor, please refer to our recommendations.
• Sealing air leaks and sealing duct air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home.
• During hot humid months, using a dehumidifier in the basement can reduce condensation on the walls. This may work better after you've sealed air and duct leaks to reduce the amount of humid outdoor air you are bringing into the basement.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Why basement waterproofing is a good idea

Do you have problems with a damp or leaking basement? You’re not alone. There are millions New England homeowners with the same problem. But, rather than ignore the problem and suffer the consequences, you can fix the problem, and here are three reasons why you should.

1. Even if you don’t use your basement for anything other than storage, moisture will lead to mold and mildew. Toxic mold can create health problems and allergic reactions. Mold can also be circulated throughout your house via your HVAC system.
2. Everyone, at some point or another, is looking for more living space within their home. Water and moisture makes space unlivable. If you fix the water problems in your basement, you are then able to finish the space making an extra room or rooms, or at the very least, the space becomes more available for storing “stuff” from around the house, making your other rooms more spacious.
3. Which brings us to reason three. Storing items in a moist or wet basement will cause those items to be soiled, warped or smelly. Virtually anything exposed to moisture while in storage will be ruined. Fixing water or moisture in you basement is certainly a good investment.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Cleaning and Killing Mold

Killing mold that is already visible is actually quite easy. A simple borax solution is enough to do it. Borax is a common cleaning material, but unlike bleach, it is capable of killing mold on porous surfaces. Additionally, borax does not give off harmful fumes, unlike bleach or many other cleaning agents. However, borax is toxic, so keep your children and pets away from it.

• Mix 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water.
• Apply some of your mixture to your rag, sponge or paper towel, and wipe the effected area. A few wipes should be enough to do the trick.

In serious cases, you may need to give up on cleaning altogether and simply remove the moldy materials and replace them with new ones. Obviously, you do not want to have to do this repeatedly, so be sure to immediately put the next step into action.  Mold needs humidity to grow. Because your mold is now gone and you are trying to prevent it from coming back, the best thing you can do is keep your basement free of humidity. Installing a dehumidifier should do thetrick in most cases.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Be thorough and inspect your basement regularly by checking the following where applicable:

HVAC Systems - Check the drain pans and remove debris to allow free flow. Inspect the filters and replace whenever needed. When inspecting the HVAC, look at the duct work and seal deteriorating insulation.

Pipes Condensations - Pipes condensation is a common plumbing problem caused by sweating pipes. This problem promotes mold corrosion and rot if ignored. Insulating your pipes will reduce condensation.

Sump Pumps - Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home. When checking the pump, make sure the outlet pipe is not frozen or clogged and that it directs water away from your home. Clean the air hole in the discharge line and make sure that the motor is running well. Test the pump by filling the sump pit with water to make sure the pump is working properly. Check that the pump is actually pumping out water.

Walls and Ceiling - Check the walls and look for moisture signs. Moist walls may indicate an internal leak. Look at the walls and search for stains. If you detect stains, follow them to locate the source of the problem and fix it. Even the smallest sign for a leak in the basement must be treated promptly.

Foundation - Foundations are not always waterproof. Gaps and cracks are created as the house shifts and settles over time. Landscape is also changing over time and may lead to excessive water in the soil around your home. Seek professional help if you need to make any landscape or foundations repairs.

Ventilation - When checking the ventilation systems, be sure to inspect all ventilation systems including water heater, exhaust fans, dryer vents etc. if you suspect any failure in these systems, repair it right away.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Preventing basement flooding is much easier than having to deal with a flooded basement. It’s generally easy to ensure that your home, basement and foundation are protected from flooding. Here are a few steps you should take to help protect your basement. There are a number of issues that can cause basement flooding including inclement weather, hot water tank leakage, freezer leakage, sewage pipe leakage, or washing machine leakage.

Basically, basements flood because they are underground or of old or low-grade construction. To flood-proof your basement, there are a couple of precautions you should consider. The most applicable way to prevent flooding is to ensure that your home is up to code. Have your home inspected by a licensed inspector or plumber, especially if you feel that there may be problems that have been overlooked.  If they do not find anything, or if you already know what causes leaking in your basement, there are number of solutions to consider:

• Standpipes - Can be inserted into a drain to divert the flow through the particular drain that may be having problems
• Sewer check valves - Regulate the flow of water from your house; especially useful if you have determined this will address the source of your basement flooding.
• Drain plugs - Less expensive but also less reliable, they pop open at a certain pressure point to let the water through and hold it in the rest of the time.
• Sealing walls and floor - Should be part of your local building codes
• Installing an overhead sewer

Storm Drainage - Surprisingly, an often overlooked problem area is the storm drainage system. Your drain spouts may be connected to your plumbing. Devise a test or wait for a storm to see if this is the root of your flooding issue.  A licensed plumber or inspector will be able to identify any potential problem areas even if flooding has never occurred in your home. If it has occurred, then you can then trace the flooding to its source. Knowing the source, you can devise a succinct plan for flooding prevention.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Damp Basement - The source of your damp basement problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in the foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of your problem. A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. There may not be a sign of any leak or standing water, but the moisture evaporates, increasing indoor humidity. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during humid months.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

A wet basement can create various problems around your home over time. Besides odors the dampness in a wet basement can damage the structure of your home, and present a health risk to your family. Mold and bacteria thrive in a wet basement and cause these other problems. In fact, if you notice musty odors coming from your basement, you can be sure mold and bacteria are present. Use the following  to get rid of bacteria in your wet basement.

Equipment You will Need

• Soap or cleaning solution of your choice
• Bleach
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Sponge or rag
• Latex gloves
• Protective face mask
• Water pump (optional item, to be used if there is a great deal of water in your basement)

Determine the Source of Your Leak - You may not actually see the mold, especially if it grows under carpeting or insulation. Even so, you will need to quickly determine the source of the dampness. Water in your basement can come from many sources, such as leaking irrigation or sprinkler pipes,  or flooding due to heavy rain or snow. It can also come from plumbing fixtures located on the floor above your basement, or from cracks in your foundation.

Remove Accumulated Water - As soon as you determine the source of the water leak or flooding, remove it as quickly as possible. Attending to your wet basement quickly will limit the opportunity for mold and bacteria to grow.  If only a small amount of water has accumulated, you can wipe it up with a sponge or rag dipped in hot, soapy water. If you need to remove a large amount of water, you will need to use a water pump. If the flooding has caused the leak, you will want to take particular precaution in being exposed to the water, as it could carry contamination from garbage or sewage. When cleaning up flood water, be sure to use protective equipment, including latex gloves and a face mask.

Disinfect the Area - After removing the initial water that has entered your basement, scrub the entire area with soap and water. Then wash down the area with a commercial disinfectant or with bleach diluted with water. Again, make sure you use protective equipment. Dispose of any damp carpeting, wood or other material that you cannot dry out and thoroughly clean.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

When you are faced with a wet basement it can be a particularly heartbreaking sight especially if things are ruined.  The first thing you need to do is dry out the basement and this could be a big task.

How Deep is the Water?
Before you can dry out the basement properly, you will need to get rid of all the water. Where there’s deep standing water, you’ll need a pump to get it out of the house. Rent one from a local rental store or buy one. If there are just puddles of water, a wet-dry vac should be sufficient to take care of the problem. When there’s just a tiny amount of water, a mop and squeegee will be adequate. When the basement is damp but there’s no standing water, open the basement window and use a fan.

Removing Damaged Items
The water will most likely have caused damage to items in the basement even if it’s not immediately apparent. If the basement is carpeted, remove all the carpeting and underlay then throw it away. it is highly unlikely that it can be salvaged.  If there’s a wooden floor with an underlay, take it all up. Take the wood out to the garage to dry and throw away the underlay, since you won’t be able to re-use it. If there’s drywall or paneling in the basement, remove that too. It’s a magnet for mold and mildew. Where there’s been contact with water, you’ll need to replace entire panels and not just sections. Go all the way to the studs. Don’t try to save any of it as this could lead to a moldy, mildewed basement later on.  Take out all the furniture and clothing until the basement is empty. Clothes and covers should be washed then dried.

Drying out the Basement
Even with the water gone, the basement will still be damp. You’ll need to run a dehumidifier for several days to ensure it becomes completely dry. Until the basement is thoroughly dry, don’t attempt to make any repairs or replace items.
If you have a wood floor with no underlay in the basement, inspect for any signs of buckling and replace any planks that need it.

Inspecting the Basement
When the basement has been completely dry for a week, inspect it carefully for any signs of mold and mildew, especially on the wall studs or other porous material. If you see any, replace the item. This is the only way to keep the mold from the basement.

Finding the Source of the Leak
The leak that caused your wet basement could come from any number of sources, such as a burst pipe or a leaking washing machine. However, it could be a crack in the foundation or high water table. It’s important to find the cause of the leak and fix it before you repair the basement. If you’re not sure of the reason, employ a professional to determine the root cause.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Basement flooding is an difficult problem that many households face on a regular basis. Rather than dealing with it, however, many people hope the problem goes away on its own. Such an attitude can have grave consequences for your home in the long run. When your basement gets flooded, it is best to deal with the problem right away. To do this you will need at least some basic knowledge of the reasons why basements fill with water.

1. Unsuitable Locations for Your Home

One of the most typical causes of basement flooding is that the house has been constructed on an unsuitable site. Usually, houses are built on terrains that slope down away from them, allowing for any accumulated water to drain away. However, if your home has been built on the low part of your estate, chances are it will get flooded frequently, for waters flow from high to low areas. If this is the case, you may be happy to learn that land slopes are conspicuous targets for the elements, and in the course of time they tend to get leveled by erosion, a circumstance that will probably fix your problem.

2. Poor Floor and Wall Sealing

Another quite common reason for flooding is the poor floor and wall sealing. If the basement tiles have not been sealed properly during the construction of your house, water will easily seep through them, especially in the event of extreme weather conditions. If your basement often fills with water after heavy storms and downpours, you may want to check its sealing and, if necessary, take measures to fix it.

3. Blocked Gutter System

Yet another cause of flooding is the blocked gutter system. When the manifold connecting your house to the public sewer system gets plugged, it may cause floods on your premises. If such is the case, call the respective local authorities and the sooner, the better, for water levels may rapidly increase with disastrous results for the foundations of your home.
 
4. Improper Installation of the Drainage System

Similarly, a drainage system, which has been installed incorrectly or malfunctions, may lead to leakages in your basement. For example, if the downspouts of your house have been placed too close to the basement wall (i.e. within 6 feet), or if they drain towards, rather than away from it, they may overload the weeping tile and cause leakages in your basement. Ideally, the downspouts will drain towards the street or the backyard, and not towards your basement walls (or those of your neighbor).

5. Debris in the Eavestroughs

Also, eavestroughs filled with debris may overflow with rainwater right beside your basement and cause leakages in it. The solution is simple: all you have to do is climb on your roof and clean them. If, however, the eavestroughs of your house overflow even when they are cleaned, you should replace them with larger ones that fit the local climate better.

And finally, a word to the wise: if your house is equipped with a sump pit drainage system, it is advisable that you remove, thoroughly clean and test the sump pump at least once a year.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |