Water Damage IN HOME: The Most Common Causes
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Yet how often to we as homeowners get so busy we overlook small things we could do to prevent costly repairs in our home. The same is true of water damage in our homes. There are small things we could do periodically that could save thousands in costly repairs down the road.
1) Oops. Have you ever started a hot bubble bath only to have a call from your mother and come back to see the tub has overflowed? Or perhaps you have been surfing the internet only to see that your toddler has turned on the faucet and forgot to turn it off. It happens to everyone. When you turn on water, keep a sharp eye that the faucet gets turned off.
2) Keep an eye on washing machine hoses. Over time, most washing machine hoses, even those that are installed properly, will eventually fail, leading to leaks or catastrophic floods caused when the hoses burst. Periodically inspect your washing machine hose to make sure there are no weak spots or kinks in the hose.
3) Leaking Ice Maker Hose. It’s awesome
Continue reading → This entry was posted in Water Damage on February, 15, 2017
Home buyers, do you suspect structural foundation damage?
Shopping for a new home can be exciting. Before you buy a home, one of the things you should do is have it checked for
structural foundation damage. You don’t want to be surprised after you move in to find a crack in the foundation that will require expensive repairs. Living in a home that doesn’t have a solid foundation is dangerous.
As a prospective home buyer, here’s what to look for to spot cracks in the foundation.
1- Uneven floors. If the floor appears cracked, sagging, or warped it could be a sign of a cracked foundation. Sloping floors are caused by the home’s foundation settlement or sinking.
2- Bowing or Bulging Exterior Walls. The most common cause of bowing or bulging foundation walls is from excess pressure from the soil around the foundation.
3- Moisture in the Basement. Walk in the crawl space and in the basement to see if there is condensation or water leaking in from the foundation.
4- Sloping floors. If a floor is uneven, it could be a sign of foundation damage.
5- Walls that are Out of Plumb. When a wall is out of plumb, it could be a sign of structural damage. To check if walls are plumb lay a level against it.
Continue reading → This entry was posted in Structural Damage on February, 08, 2017
Even though those of us in the DC/Maryland area may not like it, we cannot do anything to stop winter from coming. And, when it arrives, it’s not coming alone, it’s friends snow, icicles, and sleet are sure to follow.
Everyone loves being dry and warm, especially during this time of the year. So, it’s vital that you put basement waterproofing on your list to keep leaks and wet basements away during the cold season. Not only will this protect your home’s structure, it will do the same for the health of your family as well.
Still not convinced about the benefits of basement waterproofing? Take a gander at some of the lesser known reasons you may want to take this step:
Window wells that aren’t secured
The average galvanized window well is 36 inches wide, with a 12-inch projection. In other words, the space that water can use to enter your home is approximately 3 square feet. Usually, these windows don’t have any issues with drainage. But, in times of heavy continuous rain (or melting snow), it dramatically increases your chance of window leaks.
Expensive Insurance
The vast majority (almost 100%) of homes with basements will suffer some form of water damage at one time or another. And whether it’s from a foundation crack or a burst pipe, the Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on January, 28, 2017
To homeowners, water damage is the source of nightmares. Those wet basements, leaky roofs, and caved in walls are all expensive to fix and no one wants to have their home furnishings ruined by mold and water intrusion. That’s why savvy homeowners are always looking for ways to prevent water from getting in their homes in the first place.
If this sounds like you, you are in luck. If you would like to keep water at bay, the following waterproofing tips will be of help:
Keep your gutters clean
Not only are cluttered gutters an eyesore, they can make it easier for your home to become damaged. When leaves and other debris build up in your gutters, the blockages can cause rainwater to overflow and trickle down your walls and into your foundation. When this happens, the water will pool on the side of your home, which can cause cracks in the foundation. To help eliminate the threats that cluttered gutters can pose, it’s a good idea to clean your gutters at least twice a month, more if it’s been storming lately. Also, be sure to direct your downspout at least six inches away from your home.
Keep an eye on your landscaping
Landscaping is a great way to improve the aesthetic appeal of the exterior of your home. But, Continue reading →
Once water has gotten inside your home, it can very hard to get it back outside, especially when it’s pooling in your basement. In order to prevent a damp basement, check out the following do’s and don’ts:
DO research different ways to waterproof your basement
There are 3 main ways to waterproof your home
● Exterior waterproofing
● Drainage
● Interior sealants
The method that will work best for you is dependent on the cause of your water damage. Consulting with a reputable waterproofing company is also a great way to find the best solution.
DON’T let water remain stagnant in your house
To prevent mold growth after a flood, It’s essential that you clean your home within 2 days after the event occurred. Mold can be very hazardous to your health. Also, you must remember that, although you may not be able to see it or smell it, it doesn’t mean that a mold problem doesn’t exist. So, the sooner your home is dried out, the better.
DO find the location of the leak
If you’ve noticed a leak in your home, the first thing you must do is find its source. Is it coming from a damaged gutter? Is it creeping in through the ground? Is it coming from a burst pipe or a drafty window? Finding the Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on January, 13, 2017
When the subject of mold comes up, what’s your first reaction? If you are like most, you are immediately disgusted. The thought conjures up mental images of ruined food, furniture, and if you are allergic, your throat closing up and other horrible scenarios.
But, mold is more than just a disgusting topic or a pain in the you-know-where. It’s actually quite interesting if you think about it. Flabbergasted? Don’t be, just check out the following compelling facts about this household nuisance and, who knows, you may learn something new:
Mold can be found in 50% of homes today. But, this is a new phenomenon. In fact, just 50 years ago, it was decidedly less common.
Mold causes a mindblowing 100% of all chronic sinus infections.
Both blue cheese and penicillin are different types of petrified mold.
Are you allergic to Christmas trees? Turns out, the allergy isn’t to the tree itself but by the mold it releases into the air.
Fire isn’t the destroyer of wood like so many of us have been taught. In fact, mold destroys more wood than termites, floods, and fires combined.
There’s a type of mold (called slime mold) that can actually move on its own.
It’s impossible to remove mold spores from an indoor environment but, you can minimize its dampness.
Mold has been Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Mold & Mildew on January, 06, 2017
A damp basement can wreak havoc on your life. Think mold growth, ruined items, and the weakened integrity of your home’s foundation – all potentially expensive problems to solve.
On the other hand, waterproofing your basement can minimize or eliminate these issues. Furthermore, it can help you turn what was once a place of horrors into a livable extra space. Now, your only problem becomes figuring out what you will do with an additional room.
Breaking Away from the Norm
The current trend is to turn the basement into an extra room, like a man cave, rec room, extra bedroom, etc. But what if, you didn’t want to do any of those things? What if you simply wanted a storage space that’s not damp and drafty?
Some may laugh at this idea but, the truth is, turning your basement into a storage space has many advantages. In fact, if you come up with a plan before you start storing things randomly, it’s possible that you can still use your basement as an extra room. If this sounds like something you would be interested, consider the following tips to help you get started:
- Built-in shelving is a visually appealing and practical way to display personal items
- Store items by season to make them easier to find
- Use
Continue reading → This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on December, 29, 2016
Winter is almost upon us and you know what that means. That’s right, higher energy bills! But, this shouldn’t be your only concern. There’s another sinister problem that can happen and make things worse. What is this issue? A leaky basement.
If your basement isn’t professionally waterproofed, the excessive precipitation and cold temperatures that come with the season can cause issues that will eventually weaken the foundation of your home. For instance, as the snow around your home begins to melt, moisture can seep into the foundation and cause leaks in the basement. Other issues that can harm the structural integrity of your home include:
- Melting Snow: During the warmer winter days, melting snow turns the ground to mush. This sudden influx of moisture can increase the hydrostatic pressure on the ground. While this may not sound like such a big deal, hydrostatic pressure generates enough force to actually push the foundation, which can lead to cracks and water seepage.
- Freezing/Thawing: Temperature change can also spell trouble for your foundation. When the water that has seeped into the concrete freezes, it swells and makes the foundation heave. When the water thaws, it contracts, making the foundation settle. All this movement can cause cracks to form.
- Frozen pipes and discharge lines: If the pipe that’s connected to your sump pump
Continue reading → This entry was posted in Structural Damage on December, 21, 2016
Did you know that getting your basement professionally waterproofed can help reduce your energy bills? The waterproofing process helps to seal cracks in your basement and by doing so, effectively blocks out moisture and cold. Furthermore, it keeps your warm or cold air from seeping out. In this way, your AC and heating unit don’t have to use as much electricity to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which will help you keep more money in your pocket every month.
But, this is just the beginning – as a consequence of lowering your energy usage, you are also helping to protect the environment. How is this possible? Check out our concise explanation below:
Saving Money Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Reducing the amount of energy your home uses helps cut down on power plant emissions. To create electricity, most power plants burn fossil fuels like crude oil and coal. And, while this method of creating energy is relatively inexpensive (in terms of cash money) our planet is the one that loses. Nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide are just a couple of the harmful byproducts that come from this conventional way of generating electricity.
All That Glitters is Not Gold
Carbon dioxide, believe it or not, makes up the majority of air pollution. When it is released into Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on December, 16, 2016
Many people think that basements are drafty, damp places that are only good for storing their junk. But, like a diamond in the rough, there’s more to them than meets the eye.
Many basements are as large as the downstairs level in your home. In fact, when considering square feet, they can make up as much as 1/2 of your home’s total space. Don’t let all that room go to waste.
The best way to take the scary out of your basement is by getting it professionally waterproofed. This will help remove any water in it as well as keep it protected from future leaks, which will greatly increase its comfort factor. This begs the question, what will you do with the clean extra living space?
Uncover Your Basement’s Potential
Waterproofing your basement will open up a world of possibilities. Some options for the extra space include:
- Guest room: Whether you use it as a guest bedroom or to house your teen coming back from college, adding an extra bedroom is always a good idea. You can even add a full bathroom and kitchen. But, don’t blame us if all your kids decide to stay with you after graduation.
- Home office: If you work from home, even for a couple hours a week, you will need a quiet-as-possible workplace. This
Continue reading → This entry was posted in Basement Waterproofing on December, 09, 2016
