A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

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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No one enjoys a flooded basement. It is one of the worst problems for homeowners to face. Regardless of if your house gets water regularly or if it happens once a year, there is never a good time for water in the basement. To prevent basement flooding you need to understand why it is happening in order to properly fix the problem and to prevent it from reoccurring.

Sometimes basement flooding is caused by a water main break or really severe, and uncommon weather. In these instances, maybe you will never again have water in your home. However, most of the time basement water is recurring and those who have it, have it often. There is a way to fix this.

If your home is located on a sloped piece of land then there is a very good chance that water on the property will drain towards you. Obviously this could result in water damage to your home.

Many times water damage will be a result of problems with your plumbing, or pipe penetration leaks in the foundation. Again, these are problems that can be avoided in the future. You should check the plumbing to ensure that there are no signs of leaks and be sure that the pipe fittings are tight.

Concrete floor cracks and foundation cracks result over time. It is very important to have these repaired correctly and quickly. Ignoring cracks could compromise the integrity of the structure.

Bulkhead leaks are another way that water enters the home. The seal between your home and your bulkhead moves during the winter and needs to be fixed.

Regardless of how the water enters your home, it can be avoided. It is important to have these issues taken care of professionally for the safety and security of your home as well as the ability to sell your home in the future.

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Concrete is one of the most common materials used in construction because, simply put, no other material can produce the same results. Concrete is used for everything from concrete floors to building foundations. Despite this, problems can results with concrete over time. Problems arise for many reasons, not the least of which can be its exposer to excessive moisture. To avoid problems always be sure that high quality concrete is used and to stay vigilant for possible problems.
 
Concrete cracks often form in the basement walls. However, builders plan for cracking by putting steel reinforcements inside the concrete walls to maintain the wall’s strength. But don’t let this give you false hope that the cracks are insignificant.  Concrete cracks allow water into the basement, especially in older homes which do not have a waterproofing membrane installed like many newer homes do. However, even the waterproofing in newer homes can fail; the water proofing may not stretch over the crack and the membrane then tears or, if the grading is incorrect and slopes toward the house rainwater can pool next to the home above the waterproofing, enter the concrete crack and flow to the interior.

It is very important to get these cracks, even if they are small, fixed. It is these cracks that cause the problems in the foundation of your basement. They pose health risks, structural issues, and can damage your belongings. We have all heard of the hazards of mold, and moisture in your basement can lead to mold. Take a good look at the corners of your basement and check for mold growth.  Get foundation and wall concrete cracks repaired as soon as you can to maintain the safety and well being of you and your home.

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Controlling water around your home's foundation is important. Water control is the single most important factor in ensuring a dry basement. Water control helps prevent problems, even if your home has a slab foundation or a crawl space foundation. This also accounts for business too. Foundation in a commercial building is the same as any home, and even though there is no basement, securing the outside is important.

Improper water control around your home's foundation causes many problems. Water can damage foundations by exerting pressure on the foundation (hydrostatic pressure). Water can also damage foundations by causing unstable clay soils to exert pressure by swelling or by causing these soils to contract and remove support from under the foundation. Other problems caused by improper water control include damaging construction materials and providing moisture for mold and termites.

Direct foundation damage from water usually involves cracks and/or bulges in foundation walls and footings. This can in turn cause uplift or settling of framing materials that can cause problems such as uneven floors, cracks in interior and exterior wall coverings, and doors and windows that do not operate properly. In extreme cases, water damage can cause structural failure. Indirect water damage includes damage to wood and other construction materials caused by liquid water infiltration and by water vapor that condenses in cool areas such as in basements and in crawl spaces. Many species of termites and all species of mold need moisture to survive. Controlling water around your home will reduce the chance of termite infestation and mold infestation.

Controlling water around your home's foundation is simple and inexpensive compared to repairing foundation damage and wet basements. Examine your water control measures at least every year as part of your regular home maintenance. Doing so will help prevent serious problems. If you are not familiar with checking your home's foundation contact us today and we'll be happy to inspect your home for you to ensure no leaks are present.

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As the most important element of your home's infrastructure, your foundation must remain in flawless condition in order to provide the required amount of stability. For foundation repair, waterproofing, mold removal, and more, its best to contact a foundation specialist such as A-1.

Every building is built from the bottom up, which means the lowest level is always the major base for support. That's why it's important to keep both your foundation and basement in tip-top shape if you wish you to maintain a structurally sound building. If the condition of your foundation is damaged or weakened in any way, the stability of your entire home is put at risk. It's important to perform regular foundation waterproofing and repairs. It is also smart to ensure mold remediation and basement waterproofing, in order to keep your home from facing serious structural issues down the road.

While it's important to perform regular foundation repairs, you shouldn't attempt to do them yourself. Given the solid, immovable quality of concrete foundations, working on a foundation repair is often very difficult if not done with the proper training and equipment. That's where our professional and experience team comes in handy. We have the extensive training and knowledge required to provide you with the fix-it work you need in order to patch up a hole or crack, and we can even perform foundation waterproofing to protect against water damage and erosion.  Our experienced A-1 team will be able to perform all necessary maintenance work and ensure the continued stability of your foundation.

So whether you need foundation work, a cure for a wet basement, or professional mold removal, hiring A-1 Foundation Crack Repair is the only way to ensure success. If you're ready to stabilize your home with a solid foundation, feel free to contact us today and we'll be happy to help.

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When do most homeowners find out that their sump pump has failed? When it is too late! It is raining cats and dogs, rain water is contributing to the ground water and the water table is rising quickly. As the ground water level reaches the float activation set point. Regularly the sump pump will kick on and keep the water level below the basement slab, thereby alleviating the hydrostatic pressure below the basement floor.

Sadly, many homeowners find out the hard way that their sump pump is not working properly. The water table rises beyond a controllable level and hydrostatic pressure begins forcing water through floor cracks and floor/wall joints. The outcome is increased moisture levels inside the basement, which can lead to poor indoor air quality conditions, and in severe cases can lead to standing water filling up inside the basement causing havoc and misery.

The most important thing homeowners with basement waterproofing systems (sump pumps, basement drainage, etc.) can do is complete regular factory recommended maintenance. Regular maintenance should include removal of debris and obstructions from the sump liner and any cleaning of filters or screens that are attached to the sump pump. It is recommended that drains and sump pump systems are flushed with hot water regularly. This ensures that any debris or iron bacteria colonies do not build up and become obstructions to the flow of water. Do not run any type of hazardous cleaning chemicals (bleach, ammonia, detergents, etc.) through any drain or sump pump systems.

A-1 is a fully registered home improvement contractor. Contact us today to talk to a knowledgeable, master waterproofing professional should you have any leaking problems and we'll be happy to help.

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Sometimes its hard to know when you need to waterproof your basement. Yes its true, some people go down into their basement, see that it is fine and go about their merry business but what they don’t realize is that basement mold and water damage accumulates silently and then spreads like wildfire and it becomes a hassle to get rid of. So when you first move into your new home make sure you check the waterproofing of your basement. Then below are two popular times to waterproof your basement once again.

Before the rainy season

A wet basement is easy to ignore during dry weather. But when a major storm hits, the amount of water that comes in can be hard to predict. Homeowners that previously only had a small leak once or twice a year can be shocked and disappointed to find that their basement has several inches-even feet- of water seemingly out of the blue. How serious a basement flood can be is sometimes hard to tell, and unless the investment is made in a basement waterproofing system, the risk of such a flood is always present. If you know stormy weather is ahead, then it's a great idea to deal with the problem before it gets out of hand.

Before selling the home

If you're looking to sell your home, a wet basement can be a deal breaker. Home buyers are not looking to purchase someone else's problem, and if they find out that the basement floods, they will often back out of the deal. Home inspectors are trained to find the signs of wet basements, and they will make finding these signs a top priority.

In fact, 10% of the home's market value is lost with a wet basement. And because buyers will be reluctant to buy the home even at a discount, it will take much longer to sell it. In the end, fixing the basement properly with a sump pump and perimeter waterproofing system is a fast process and it restores a great deal of value to your home.

Even if you are not planning on selling your home or it hasn’t rained in a while, it might be a good idea to check out your basement anyway and if you see any signs of leaks or water damage contact the professionals and let us apply our A-1 method to your home for a clean and quality look.

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If you own your a home, or have rental properties, mold removal should be on the top of your list of concerns. Few things are less inviting than a house with a musty basement smell. Not only is it uninviting, but it is also unhealthy. If a house has a basement leak and needs repairs, you can be sure that the water damage will be pervasive and affect the entire house. There is a high likelihood that you will have to get rid of any mold and mildew as a result of the leak.

The mold spores are very tiny and able to survive in very minimal conditions. The warm moist atmosphere that follows water damage is an ideal place for the fungi to grow and prosper. In order to eliminate this nasty problem, several things must be done.

First, any contaminated items, such as water damaged wood, carpet, or ceiling tiles must be removed and buried or burned. It is nearly impossible to repair infected property once the mold has begun growing. It can be done with chlorine bleach and other cleaners, but often it is just beyond hope.

Any black mold spots must be cleaned up as well. This is a time consuming, but uncomplicated task. It can be easily accomplished with vinegar and baking soda, or any number of environmentally safe cleaners. Not only will this improve the appearance of the room, but it will help prevent the spread of mold spores.

Next, the leak needs to be repaired. This can be a simple project, or it can become extremely complicated, depending on the extent of the problem. Some leaks can be fixed by waterproofing the walls and floor. But most of the time if there is a mold issue do-it-yourself leak repair is a daunting task. It would be in your homes best interest if you hired the professionals to take care of the leak. Not only can we fix the leak but we can eliminate the mold as well using our proven A-1 Method

The final requirement to get rid of mold and mildew caused by water damage to the basement is to lower the temperature. Once the temperature is lowered, the mold will be much less inclined to grow. When the moisture is under control, the black mold is cleaned up, and the temperature lowered you will notice the atmosphere in the house will be dramatically improved. The air will be fresh and clean, plus the health of your family will likely improve as a result.

If you are experiencing mold problems or have a leaky basement that is causing water damage, contact us today. Don't let even the smallest of leaks go unattended, that is all it takes for big water damage and mold to ensue.

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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.

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