From Virginia to New Jersey, the northeast has seen its fair share of chaotic weather this winter. One snow is barely cleaned away before another arrives thanks to the Polar Vortex, and the latest storm – Pax – has brought cold and snow with it yet again. But while those in the northeast are focused on keeping a roof over their head and heat in their homes, it still pays to think about your basement. At AA Action Waterproofing we’ve seen flooded basements throughout the year – even during harsh winters like the one 2014 has become.
There are a couple of potential reasons that flooded basements may occur.
• Frozen, burst pipes could lead to a flooded basement. Thanks to insulation, it’s fairly rare, but could still be an issue that will lead to mold damage, water damage, and more.
• As the temperatures drop, water will freeze. If any moisture is in the foundation it could expand and cause larger cracks to occur. This will lead to serious problems in many homes.
• Thawing snow can trigger large amounts of water in a relatively short timespan. If that occurs, basements that seemed waterproof may suddenly begin to leak – especially if new cracks are added.
Flooded basements lead to major issues including mold growth, lost property, Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Structural Damage on February, 24, 2014
With the Polar Vortex having its way with the northeast, it’s hard to think about issues that seem to be summertime problems – things like mold growth or flooded basements, for example. But the fact is that even with the winter cold spreading across the country, from Virginia to New Jersey and beyond, flooded basements can still happen. And while things like burst water pipes may be to blame, basement flooding is often caused by foundation related issues. There are a few tips that can help you prevent flooded basements and avoid the issues that they may bring with them.
At AA Action Waterproofing, we believe in helping you understand everything you should know about keeping your basement dry. Here are the top 3 ways to prevent a flooded basement from occurring at your home:
1. Basement Waterproofing – You need to let a professional with experience take care of your basement waterproofing needs. This is important during the winter as well as during the summer months, and could have a big impact on keeping your basement dry.
2. Proper Grading – Avoid letting landscapers or excavators slope your property in a way that funnels water directly towards your basement or home. While waterproofing will keep almost all moisture out, it isn’t a great idea to direct water Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Structural Damage on February, 21, 2014
Your home is your castle, and this winter it’s likely been a fortress against the cold and the snow. The polar vortex and several winter storms have made it a challenging winter to live in the northeast, and areas from Virginia to New Jersey have dealt with a lot. And while staying warm, dry, and safe is important, you also need to make sure that your home is protected. Needing foundation repair is a serious expense that can come with a lot of additional headaches and hassles. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Structural Damage on February, 19, 2014
Thanks to Mother Nature and the ferocity of the 2014 polar vortex, those in the northeast region have gotten to experience an incredibly wild winter. And it isn’t over yet – we’re still months away from spring. From Virginia to Delaware, DC to New Jersey, people have taken the time to keep their homes a little warmer and their families safe from the elements. There’s one thing you may not be considering, however – your basement.
At AA Action Waterproofing, we understand that there are lots of other issues to deal with. But it’s important to avoid basement flooding this winter, especially when you consider the damage that flooded basements can cause. Issues can include:
• Water removal services
• Mold remediation
• Water damage repair
• Foundation repair
• And more
And those issues can all lead to health problems, serious stress, and a lot of money out of your pocket. Preventing flooded basements is an easier option, and there are a few things you can do to prevent them. Some of the following tips you can handle on your own, while others will need to be handled by professionals. But all of them can help you keep your home’s basement or crawlspace dry this winter and prevent a nasty surprise from happening to you.
• Insulate Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Water Damage on February, 17, 2014
Your home requires regular maintenance to keep it in good shape, and there are lots of different things to think about. With the polar vortex keeping Virginia, DC, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and pretty much the entire northeast in a deep freeze, it’s hard to think about things beyond heat, shelter, and safety. But your home is only as strong as its foundation, and the winter can put your foundation under some very severe stress.
Leaking foundations and basement problems don’t usually show up as huge waterfalls pouring through the walls. Instead, they’re much more subtle – but no less important to take care of. There are a few signs you can look for that could help you determine whether or not you are having water leakage and foundation problems. If so, foundation repair may be needed. Here are a few things to look for.
• Dark Spots – If your basement is unfinished, you likely have concrete or block walls. Look for areas where the concrete is darker. It may not even feel wet to the touch, but those dark areas could be moisture within the material.
• Damp, Musty Smell – Your nose can tell you a lot, too. A dank, musky smell can be a sign that moisture buildup is occurring in your home. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Structural Damage on February, 14, 2014
Nobody wants to think about dealing with basement related issues, especially with the winter bearing down on us. The entire northeast region has been hit with serious snow, deep cold, and plenty of other headaches thanks to the Polar Vortex, and it doesn’t show signs of stopping. But whether you’re in Virginia or New Jersey, DC or Maryland, taking care of your home’s basement and foundation is important. And for many, waterproofing is much more than just an expense – it’s an investment that can save you big within a short time.
At AA Action Waterproofing, we know your money is important. And we know that it can seem like basement waterproofing is an expense you can ignore. But a few key things help highlight just why it’s actually an investment. The following points are all reasons that basement waterproofing can help save you money:
• First, it helps you avoid the cost of major cleanups. Leaking basements can lead to major water damage which in turn can cost thousands upon thousands to clean up. By preventing that damage with simple basement waterproofing steps, you’ll be able to avoid the cleanup bill entirely.
• It also helps reduce damage that can be done to your foundation which will lead to major repair bills. Leaking foundations can be caused Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Water Damage on February, 12, 2014
There are few things that can strike as much fear into the heart of a homeowner as the word “mold”. While it’s not quite as bad as some may think, the reality is that mold growth in your basement can have some very serious consequences. It can lower property value and create a major health risk for your family. As such, it’s important to deal with it quickly. At AA Action Waterproofing, we have options for mold remediation that can help in preventing or removing mold. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Mold & Mildew on February, 10, 2014
It is a good idea to understand the immense amount of pressure that your basement is under when considering basement waterproofing. The vast majority of homeowners do not understand that the porous walls of their concrete basements are constantly under an tremendous amount of pressure from a few different sources. This pressure can wreak all sorts of havoc on the foundation of the home. Destructive pressure can appear in the form of cracks, leaks, the wasting away of the foundation, a bowed house, a slanted house or, in very extreme cases, a collapsed part of the house.
The ground around your home isn’t just dirt. There is a term called groundwater. Groundwater is the water suspended in the dirt around your home. This water is actually like an ocean. In fact, the ground is a lot like the human body and is made up of mostly water. The easiest way to see this is to dig a small trench and see how wet the dirt gets about a foot underground. You may even start collecting a pool of water digging down that far.
Just like any body of water, the liquid ebbs and flows. That means the water underneath the ground is actually moving, and your house is caught right in the middle of all this movement. You can almost Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Water Damage on January, 15, 2014
The first thing many people do when they buy a home is to wage war on water. People who live in especially wet areas of the country, which is essentially anywhere but the arid Southwest United States, must fight a constant battle to avoid flooded basements. The changing of the seasons, expansion and contraction, big storms and burst pipes can all lead to the dreaded flood, which can cause expensive damage to the home.
One of the best ways to fight this battle is with drainage. Water literally goes down the path of least resistance, so it is a good idea to control that path. Otherwise, nature will control it for you. When nature controls it, little channels of rainwater will flow toward your home and burrow into the ground right up against the foundation. This water makes the ground swell and attack sthe integrity of the foundation.
But you can get out there with a shovel and control the flow of rainwater. The easiest way to do this is to dig simple trenches that lead down a slope away from the home. While this is effective, it is unsightly. And without support, the ditch will eventually cave in.
You can provide support by filling the ditch with rocks. Water loves to flow around rocks and down easy pathways, but Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Water Damage on January, 13, 2014
Understanding the ground forces around the house can actually help you avoid flooding at home. The ground around the home is constantly shifting and moving, especially with water. When the ground gets hit with a lot of water, the ground swells and pushes onto the foundation of your home. When the ground dries out it contracts. This actually puts a different kind of pressure on the foundation as the ground squeezes your home. But there are a few ways to engineer the ground around your home to alleviate the stress and reduce the chance of flooding.
The grade of the ground around your home is very important. The grade refers to a slope, like the side of a hill. If the slope, or grade, is leading down to your home, like your home is at the bottom of the hill, this may cause all sorts of problems. Water will flow downhill toward your home and drench the ground right at the base of the foundation. The ground there will swell and put an amazing amount of pressure right onto the foundational walls of your home. This can cause the walls to crack, but the real worry is the pooling.
Water pressed up against the wall of your home will seep into the ground until the ground is saturated. Then it Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Water Damage on January, 10, 2014
