A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

If you have just purchased a new home and you are thinking of finishing the basement, there are some things to be aware of. Are there or have there ever been any signs of moisture or water in the basement? If so, STOP, do not do anything.

Basement moisture or dampness issues need to be fixed before you do any finish work below grade. With new homes, it is a good idea to wait at least a year to see if you get any water, seepage or moisture  in the basement over the course of all four seasons. If there is any water at any time, or any signs of dampness, fix the water problem first. Call A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

Also, since water can easily permeate concrete foundations, pressure treated lumber is recommended for the bottom of the walls. Also, since it is a basement, which is below grade, consider using greenboard rather than standard drywall because it is better suited for damp areas like bathrooms.

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This is the time of year when the humidity starts to seep into your basements and all of a sudden takes you by surprise. Consistent basement dampness can cause musty smells and mold growth and stored items can be ruined. You may not see any water, but if you can smell it and feel it, you have a damp basement.

If you have moisture or water problems in your basement, it is time to get your basement sealed before bigger problems develop. As Humidity increases, the hot air outside causes condensation. Even without condensation basements have high humidity levels and mold can grow quickly and the musty smell starts.
 
To eliminate moisture problems in your basement, you need to identify the source of the water. You can eliminate water and dampness by sealing pipe penetration leaks, floor and foundation cracks or by installing a basement dehumidifier. Contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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Aging homes, homes with block foundations or homes with rock wall foundations often develop cracks or seeping water over time.

These types of foundations can have problems with cracking and shearing. Horizontal cracks in the mortar joints, horizontal shearing on the bottom of the walls, stair-step cracks in outside corners, tipping at the top of the wall, or even bulging are some of the problems with older home block and rock foundations.

Horizontal Cracks
Horizontal cracks in your foundation are caused by lateral pressure. Essentially, the ground around your house expands when it’s wet, and then contract when it dries causing cracks. This type of foundation damage is usually serious.

Vertical Cracks
Vertical cracks in your foundation means your home is having "settling" problems. Usually unstable soil conditions cause the foundation to rise or fall in certain areas. Often, settling problems can be seen in other parts of the home like door and window frames.
 
Weeping
Cinder blocks are made of lime, and overtime that lime “dissolves”. You can tell this by a white film on the interior was of the foundation. The “dissolving” lime makes the blocks more porous causing weeping in of moisture in your basement.

Contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair for your basement waterproofing needs.

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As a homeowner, take care when hiring a basement waterproofing specialist. Be sure to hire a reputable contractor. If you have basement water problems, you need to be sure that the contractor addresses the situation in total. All source of moisture, humidity, mold and mildew must be eliminated in total. Otherwise, you will have more problems down the road.

Certainly, you will want to check references and the Better Business Bureau.

In order for a proper estimate to be done, the waterproofing specialist must go through a series of questions to assesss the situation. Estimates can be done over the phone. There may be basement water problems that are apparent to the specialist that you did not know exist.

Gutters, landscaping, and standing water all need to be addressed and a good waterproofing contractor can identify these problems.
 
Along with references, gather a couple of quotes. However, your decision should not be based on price alone.  It is important to use the best water proofing specialist for the job and for your home’s situation. Contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair for a basement waterproofing quote.

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It has been very hot around here with no rain in sight really, so wet basements probably have not been on your mind. But with this humidity you could still have trouble in your basement.

Hot and humid weather just increases the humidity and moisture in your basement. High humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint problems, and health problems.

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.

There are only two possible ways to eliminate condensation: heat the air or pull the moisture out of it. Obviously heating your basement to match the outside temperature is counterproductive, so the only real option is to dehumidify.

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One of the two leading causes of poor indoor air quality is mold growth.

Mold can form and grow on any surface that provides a food source surrounded by moderate temperatures, oxygen and sufficient moisture. The best examples of mold food sources are cellulose-based substances, such as rugs and wood. In today’s hoomes, food sources for mold are readily available in the form of untreated paper-faced gypsum board, wood wall studs and wood-based sheathings as well as furniture.

Once moisture is exposed to the mold food source, long-dormant mold spores can gain a foothold. As long as the food and moisture sources are supplied, the mold colonies will continue to grow and prosper. When mold has spread throughout a basement or home, you may notice unpleasant odors and experience a variety of health problems, such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions and aggravation of asthma symptoms.

Here are some methods of airborne contaminant capture and removal:

• Remove particulate matter through filtration
• Manage moisture and humidity by adding dehumidifiers where necessary
• Clean dehumidification systems, including drain pans
• Clean humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and water spray systems
• Employ moisture management strategies in the home's envelope.

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It is summer and the basement is moist. You may not see any water, but if you can smell it and feel it, it is there. You may have a basement water proofing system in place, or perhaps you don’t have water seeping in your foundation from pipes or floor cracks. That’s the good news. The bad is that, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your basement is dry.

Often water enters a basement through capillary action, which wicks moisture through walls and floors. The floor and walls may not leak, but it feels damp to the touch because it wicks the water in to the surface. Water vapor also slowly seeps in through the concrete and raises the humidity. Basements act as chimneys pulling the outside air in the house and letting it out on the upper floors.

Humidity increases and condensation results as the hot outside air meets the cool basement.  Even without condensation basements tend to have high humidity levels and mold grows rapidly, generating that musty basement odor. Dust mites love that high humidity too.

There are only two possible ways to eliminate condensation: heat the air or pull the moisture out of it. Obviously heating your basement to match the outside temperature is counterproductive, so the only real option is to dehumidify.

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The purpose of a dehumidifier is to lower the humidity of the air in your home.  Humidity is a measure of the moisture suspended in the air at any given time.  Moisture levels are higher during different seasons.  In Massachusetts, humidity levels are much higher in the summer than in the winter. 

Home dehumidifiers are mostly used to dry air in the basement or crawlspace.  These areas are prone to high humidity levels because they are below ground.  It is not uncommon for the saturated ground outside of foundation walls to cause seeping or leakage through the walls.

The condensation is what allows a home dehumidifier to work. The dehumidifier typically consists of a metal or plastic cabinet that contains a fan, a compressor, metal coils and a collection pan.  There is also a humidistat that allows you to set the level of humidity you desire within a room.

The fan draws air into the unit, and it passes over the coils.  The coils are often set up as a two-stage process.  In the first stage, the coils are very cold.  As the air passes over the cold coils it condenses and collects there.  From here the water drips into the collection pan.  As the air continues on through the unit, it hits the second stage of coils which uses the heat generated by the compressor to re-heat the air and deliver it back in to the room.  

In the meantime, the collection pan fills with water.  The shut off is triggered when the water reaches a certain level.  Sometimes, rather than a collection pan, home dehumidifiers have a fitting that can attach to a hose so that the water can run out of the unit to a drain of your choice.

Understanding the basics of how a home dehumidifier works is important so that you can determine which type of unit to buy for your home.  A high quality, low maintenance unit is the best choice for most homes.  Compare home dehumidifiers carefully before investing in them, this is an important piece of equipment.

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