Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in NY

Basement Waterproofing Options

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:18:18 -0400

The maintenance of your basement is too often a debated and heated topic among homeowners, as continuous maintenance and potential ongoing repairs can be quite costly. Basement waterproofing is a process that is not considered to be a requirement, but can be quite beneficial to homeowners. Basement waterproofing options vary from homeowner to homeowner, and contractor to contractor, but generally they can save you a lot of time, energy and money in basement repairs.

Protect Your Investment

Whether you plan on remaining in your home for a lifetime or putting your home on the market for resale, waterproofing your basement is a useful and valuable tool for protecting the overall value of your home. In fact, properly waterproofing your basement can increase the value of your home while adding valuable living and storage space.

If water begins to seep into your basement, it can result in expensive repairs, and damage the resale value of your home-- thus diminishing the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Fight Mold

In order for mold to form, it requires a steady, strong source of moisture and temperature to grow and thrive. Waterproofing your basement will not completely protect, or eliminate the risk of mold and mildew, since the pipes in you basement can still drip or leak and result in mold. When the drips or leaks are found and repaired quickly, youâre greatly reducing the risk of mold and mildew.

Basement waterproofing will not only protect your basement and valuables against property damage, but will protect the overall health of you and your family. Research has shown that mold spores can intensify the affects of asthma and other respiratory problems, if inhaled. Mold spores can also cause severe topical allergic reactions in some adults and children.

A Scam?

Some waterproofing contractors perform a "damproofing" process on the foundation or basement walls by spraying a black, tar-like liquid substance on the outside. Although damproofing is performed, it is not an appropriate or adequate waterproofing method, leaving your basement vulnerable and at risk to outside water sources.

Damproofing meets the minimum requirements with some building codes, but by referring to dampoofing as waterproofing allows some to charge a higher price for less quality and cheaper work. Damproofing is usually performed by using a wet asphalt solution, but proper basement waterproofing combines a liquid rubber that is intended to lock water out of the concrete basement walls and floor, more effectively and efficiently with the help of installing insulation panels. Basement waterproofing is most effective when performed on the interior using a water drainage system, dehumidifier, combined with repairing leaks and holes and utilizing waterproof materials.

When Should I Waterproof?

Some homeowners have their basement waterproofed following the completed construction of their home, but there are some homeowners that decide to wait to waterproof their basement for one reason or another; whether it be cost, time or money. It is best to waterproof your basement as soon as the construction of your new home is completed. The longer you decide to wait to have your basement waterproofed, the higher the risk of having water seeping into the walls and floors of your basement, resulting in damage.

Solution:

The best and most effective way to protect your home from moisture is to contact a basement waterproofing expert. A basement waterproofing expert will examine your basement and recommend the best and most cost efficient way to solve the problem.

For more information, contact the experts at Basement Systems of New York. They are the most trusted basement contractors in Poughkeepsie, NY.

New York Basement Expert Urges Homeowners To Prepare For Upcoming Rain

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:29:28 -0400

Bullville, NY – A wet spring has begun and Basement Systems of New York wants every local citizen to reduce their worries about their basements. This is a possibility with the Basement Systems of New York basement waterproofing system, and back up sump pump system that continues to work even after the power has gone out.

Can a basement really be a refuge instead of a concern during a rain storm? Basement Systems of New York has seen the very evidence that not only is this possible, but they hold the very possibilities in their grasp. Their very own basement waterproofing system repairs cracks and leaks, all the while safeguarding basements with water drainage systems. These experts are serious about making basements dry and healthy spaces.

However, is there a glitch if the storms hits and the power shuts down? Not for this system. As part of the waterproofing, they install a sump pump system with an additional battery back up sump pump option.

Instead of losing the system when it’s needed most, this system kicks into gear when the conditions are at their worst and the power is out. This backup system is reliable for removing water from damaging a basement. Here’s how it works. An alarm on the pump will sound and notify the homeowner that the backup pump has been activated.

Contact Basement Systems of New York today to schedule your free estimate for basement waterproofing in New York. They are your local basement waterproofing and sump pump installation experts. As members of the internationally renowned Basement Systems, Inc. network, Basement Systems of New York is a certified and highly trained specialist. Basement Systems of New York also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

New York Flooding Causes Wet Basements Power Failure and Unsafe Roadways For Thousands

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:39:31 -0400

Bullville, NY - The wet weather's proven quite difficult to break this October, but even as the power lines crash, the roadways overflow and the basements flood-- Basement Systems of New York is prepared to restore your basement and prevent future water damage. Even when the power goes out, the basement can remain dry with the proper backup sump pump system.

Local homeowners have learned the hard way that a dry basement is hard to come by, especially after this month's recent rainstorms. Storms are unpredictable in their coming and going, but homeowners can regain control over how damaging such storms have to be. In fact, with the help of Basement Systems of New York, many homeowners are finding their soggy basement to be a dry refuge during a storm.

Even when the power goes out, a waterproofing system has to keep working. Most homeowners have learned that when the power goes out some kind of precipitation is likely to be falling and their waterproofing system must go into overdrive.

Obtaining a sump pump system in your basement is a giant step toward preventing future basement flooding, and a backup sump pump is a reliable way to remove potentially damaging water from entering the home. Once the power goes out, an alarm will sound to notify that the backup pump has taken up the slack.

Contact Basement Systems of New York today to schedule your free estimate for basement waterproofing in New York. They are your local basement waterproofing and sump pump installation experts serving Wappingers Falls, Newburgh, Middletown, Spring Valley, Monroe, and the surrounding areas. As members of the internationally renowned Basement Systems, Inc. network, Basement Systems of New York is a certified and highly trained specialist. Basement Systems of New York also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Does Humid Air Go Up or Down?

Thu, 06 May 2010 03:57:54 -0400

If humid air sinks, where do clouds and rain come from?

There are two classic arguments used to explain where humid air goes in a home in Hyde Park, Kingston, Middletown, New City, Poughkeepsie, Spring Valley and the NY area.

Argument 1: Wet air is heavier than dry air. Ventilate and dehumidify the basement to solve this.

The idea here is that as air becomes humid in a home, it becomes heavier. This weighs it down and casues it to sink to the basement and lower levels of the home, where it leads to basement moisture problems.

Therefore, ventilating the basement with outside air will circulate this humid air out of the home and keep the basement dry.

If humid air sinks, will this groundlevel vent keep the basement dry?

Problem 1: Humid air is less dense than dry air.

Dense things sink and less dense things rise, right? Well, according to Isaac Newton, in his book Opticks, (and USA Today) humid air is actually LESS dense than dry air.

It makes sense. If humid air didn't rise, why would rain fall from the sky when the temperature drops?

So, in a home, humid air rises upwards, not downwards.

Problem 2: If humid air WAS denser than dry air, basement vents still wouldn't work.

Let's pretend for a minute that dry air IS lighter than wet air. Where are the vents going to be in the basement and crawl space? At ground level, right? If humid air did sink, wouldn't it flow downwards into the basement through the vents?

Is this vent keeping the basement dry and mold-free?

Problem 3: Outside air isn't always dry.

If it's raining, humid, or damp outside, how dry will ventilated outside air make your basement?
How dry can outside air keep your crawlspace or basement if it's foggy outside?

Not very, right? And what happens to your utility bills if you're venting cold air into the home in the winter, or hot air in the summer?

What happens when the humid air enters your home, cauasing your air conditioning system to work harder just to do its everyday work?

You can count on some heavy utility bills. We insulate this air out of our home for a reason- because we don't want it in the house.

Argument 2: Sealing off the outside air and dehumidifying the space will keep it dry.

Even with a seemingly dry basement wall, this white powder (efflorescence) reveals that moisture has been passing through the concrete walls

Other basement contractors will seal off the area from outside air as much as possible. Once the space has been isolated from the outside, they will install a dehumidifier to remove any extra humidity and to maintain the proper humidity level in the future.

To seal off the space, all vents in basements and crawl spaces must be sealed. Crawl space doors and entrances should create an airtight seal when closed to keep out outside air.

Moisture can also pass continually through the porous concrete, mortar, or dirt, entering a basement or crawl space straight through the walls and floors. Along with the moisture, water brings a white, powdery mineral salt called efflorescence. If you seal the walls with a paint, this salt will build up behind the seal, causing it to blister and peel. Instead, mechanically fasten a sheet of plastic- at least 25 mil in thickness- to the walls. This will keep moisture out of the space, helping you fight mold and moisture damage in the home.

A dehumidifier is a great idea as well. Be sure to pick one that is self-draining, powerful enough for the entire space, and is Energy Star rated to keep your utility bills low while protecting your investment.

Dry Below-Grade Spaces

There's only one good way to keep your basement and crawl space dry: Seal the space and install a dehumidifier. If you're interested in taking your basement to the next step, Basement Systems of New York would like to help you.

We offer FREE basement and crawl space waterproofing and damproofing estimates in areas like Poughkeepsie, NY. Call or contact us online today to get started!