Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit appearing on the surfaces of masonry, stucco, or concrete. It is whitish in appearance and is the result of water moving through a wall or other structure. In some cases it might indicate that water is being driven out of the efflorescent surface from within. In reality, the whitish appearance is actually the result of salt deposits. These are water-soluble salts that come from a variety of sources. In order for efflorescence to be present, there must be water present to dissolve and transport the salts. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 30, 2015
The first hollow block design was patented by Harmon S. Palmer, an American mason, in 1900. Following Palmer’s innovation, mass production methods allowed for the proliferation of concrete block structures throughout the nation. Although the hollow block design allowed for a convenient way to affordably construct buildings to withstand the elements in nearly any geographic region, there are some drawbacks to hollow block, or concrete block, constructions. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 28, 2015
Depending on where you live, your local water drainage system is either not worth a second thought or it’s the first and last thing on your mind every spring when the weather turns warm. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 27, 2015
If you notice cracks in your basement walls or floor, don’t just ignore them. A lot of people will tell you that cracks in your basement concrete are nothing more than a normal sign of routine wear and tear. This is not necessarily true. Others might tell you that these cracks add character to a home, much like laugh lines around a person’s eyes and mouth add character to a face. This is a pretty analogy, but as far as descriptions go it’s actually pretty inadequate. Continue reading →
When you’re buying a new home, you’re putting money into what is most likely the biggest investment you will ever make – at least aside from any other homes you will or have already purchased. And because buying a home is so important, it’s just as important to make sure that the building is in exactly the condition that the homeowner and the real estate agent promise. If you’re in the market and looking at old houses, here are a few questions to ask yourself to see if the structural integrity is lacking: Continue reading →
A properly constructed basement should be fairly waterproof from day one. Water and concrete do not get along very well, and there’s a considerable amount of construction work and engineering that go into making sure they have as little contact as possible. As such, you might not understand why you would want to waterproof your basement later on when the original home builders already put so much effort into doing just that. However, there are at least 3 good reasons why you might want to hire a contractor to put in some extra work. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 24, 2015
A damp basement is usually due to moisture that has penetrated through walls and floors. This can happen due to a combination of accumulated condensation on colder wall surfaces and improper or inadequate basement drainage. Over time, unchecked basement moisture can lead to problems like mold and even flooding if it is not addressed and corrected. Some typical causes of a flooded basement include: Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 23, 2015
For the most part, basements usually aren’t finished to the same degree as the first or second story of the average modern house. After all, they aren’t meant to be a third floor of living space so much as a place to store the furnace, the things you don’t use very often, and possibly the laundry machine. Finishing the basement with carpet, drywall, and paint is an excellent way to add value to your home, but at the same time you should probably have an expert inspect your walls before you go covering them up. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 21, 2015
Whether you are best served by interior or exterior basement waterproofing depends largely on your unique situation. Your location as well as the type of home you live in are both factors in determining whether you require interior or exterior basement waterproofing. Each waterproofing option has its pros and cons, of course. In the end, the type of waterproofing that works best for you will be decided by the type of problem you are experiencing. Cost may also be a factor, as interior waterproofing is often more affordable than exterior waterproofing. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on November, 20, 2015
Although concrete is a somewhat durable building material, it is far from indestructible. In fact, over time concrete can crack, wear away, and even degrade to such an extent that it will require extensive repairs to return it to its original state. Of course, it’s not only aging concrete that needs work. In many cases, even new concrete slabs and other concrete structures may require repair. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Foundation Repair on November, 19, 2015
