The 4 Permanent Basement Waterproofing Solutions Union County, NJ

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Basement Waterproofing

When searching for a solution for your leaking basement, you’ll be bombarded with a wide variety of massages. If you’re not familiar with basements and how they function (like most homeowners), you may fall for a scam.

As a homeowner, it is important to seek as much information about basements as possible when considering basement waterproofing solutions. This will ensure that you make an informed choice and avoid being lured by flashy sales gimmicks.

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build french drain dsbrody standard c125d56484ad75eb229266c2ba5224fa 150x150 The 4 Permanent Basement Waterproofing Solutions Union County, NJ

There are many different types of solutions for basements in the market. However, the following are the basic permanent waterproofing solutions currently available:

  1. Waterproofing membranes

Water can find its way into your basement through cracks and crevices in foundation walls. A waterproofing membrane can be applied on the external surface of the foundation wall to prevent water from penetrating into the basement.

This waterproofing solution involves excavating the soil around the foundation wall and installing the membrane. The soil is then returned.

  1. French drains

Water collecting in the soil can exert pressure on the walls of your foundation. The water in the soil is then forced through the cracks and crevices in your foundation walls and into your basement. This is especially common in homes built in areas with a high water table.

The best way to solve this problem is by relieving the hydrostatic pressure. This is possible through the installation of a French drain. The water collects in the French drain and is guided into a well.

  1. Sump pumps

These are usually installed together with French drains. The sump pump is installed in a sump pit or well where water from the surrounding soil collects. The water is then removed from the well by the pump. This reduces the hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls. It also prevents the flooding of the basement especially during heavy downpours.

  1. Grading

Your landscape plays a major role in the health of your basement. If the landscape slopes towards your home, water will follow the slope. It is therefore important to ensure that the land around your foundation slopes away from the foundation. This will reduce the pressure of the water against the foundation walls.

These are only a few of the many solutions that professional contractors can offer you for permanent basement waterproofing. It is important to discuss your options with a contractor and find what will work best for you. The solutions can be applied on their own or in combination for the best results.

Controlling Moisture With Basement Dehumidifiers Ocean County, NJ

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Basement Dehumidifiers Ocean County, NJ

Excess moisture in your basement can become a serious problem over time, eventually causing damage to your foundation and possibly affecting your home’s air quality. Fortunately, with basement dehumidifiers  and other preventative measures, you can control moisture problems in your home’s basement and protect your home.

Use a Basement Dehumidifier

If the humidity levels in your home are high, consider investing in a basement dehumidifier, which is a unit that, while running, can remove excess moisture from the air and prevent condensation, mold, and mildew from forming around your basement walls. A dehumidifier is one of the best options for controlling moisture in any space.

Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean

Another possible way to control moisture in your basement is to keep your gutters and downspouts clean. Surprising, right? By keeping gutters and downspouts clean, however, you can prevent water overflow from running down into the ground near your home and seeping towards the foundation–especially during rainy times of the year. Furthermore, always make sure that your downspouts are directing water at least several feet away from the foundation of the home.

Be on the Lookout for Plumbing Leaks

Finally, be on the lookout for signs of plumbing leaks that could be sending water into the walls and/or ceiling of your basement. Specifically, look for signs of leaks behind walls and above ceiling drywall by checking for discoloration of the paint. Often times, this is indicative of water damage caused by a burst or leaky pipe.

As you can see, there are a few simple ways to go about keeping your basement’s moisture levels down. For more information on keeping your basement moisture-free, contact us today.

5 Reasons to Invest in Elevator Waterproofing – Essex County, NJ

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Elevators have become essential as the construction industry shifts focus to high rise buildings in order to make the most of vertical space when acreage is limited.

A lot of thought has to go into elevator design right from the start. Proper planning should include adequate elevator waterproofing. This is because the elevator pit is an integral part of the structure and function of the elevator. If you haven’t had your elevator pit waterproofed, the following are reasons you should contact a waterproofing contractor as soon as possible.

  1. Protect the lift’s mechanical system

The elevator pit is a vital part of the functioning of the elevator. Parts of the mechanical and electrical system of the elevator are located in the elevator pit. Moisture can result in these parts being damaged. Elevator waterproofing keeps water out of the elevator pit.

  1. Prevent the lift from breaking down

Moisture in the elevator pit can cause systems to fail. It can also increase the rate of wear and tear on different parts of the elevator. This can result in the elevator breaking down. Keeping moisture out of the pit will help to prevent this.

  1. Prevent health and safety issues

Leaving your elevator pit open to water penetration allows for the development of various health and safety issues including mold and pest infestations. These issues can cause problems throughout the building. You can save yourself the trouble of having to deal with them by investing in elevator waterproofing.

  1. Environmental issues

Water can pool in the elevator pit when nothing is done to keep it out. This water is likely to be polluted with oil and other lubricants used in the operation of the elevator. The water and the dissolved lubricants may pollute ground water if allowed to sip into the soil below the building.

  1. High costs

Waterproofing your elevator pit will help you save a lot of money in the repair, maintenance, and replacement of parts of the elevator’s operation system. You won’t have to deal with damage and other issues that moisture can cause to the system if allowed to penetrate the elevator pit.

Invest in waterproofing and avoid many of the issues that may arise. Find a reputable contractor with experience in waterproofing elevator pits to help.

 

How To Check Your Home for Foundation Cracking – Hudson County, NJ

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While your home’s foundation is initially made to last, foundation cracking can greatly reduce its integrity. No home is safe from a cracking foundation, no matter how well it was built. In fact, environmental issues, such as temperatures and humidity levels, are a top player in how your foundation will hold up in the long run.

 

Every homeowner should take the time to check their foundation for new cracks. However, be aware that not every crack leads to structural damage. That’s why it is so important to know what to be on the lookout for the next time you inspect your home’s foundation.

 

  1. Stair-Step Shaped Cracks

 

  • If your home is built on a cinder block foundation, cracking is often noted in a stair-step pattern. This type of foundation cracking occurs whenever the cinderblocks crack and then separate. These cracks are a sign of pressure from either water or shifting soil.

 

  • Whenever this pattern of cracking is noted, there may already be some structural damage to your home. If a large, horizontal crack is found, then you need immediate intervention from a structural engineer to remedy the situation and save your home from further damage.

 

  1. Cracking Concrete Slabs

 

  • If you have a poured concrete foundation, you may begin to notice cracks sooner than other foundation types. There is no need to worry, though. Most of the time, these are simply hairline cracks that pose no structural risk.

 

  • Even though your cracks may be benign, they should still be repaired. Filling the cracks may prevent water damage or mold growth. Don’t wait for the cracks to grow before you repair them.

 

  1. Cracking or Separating Exterior Brick

 

  • If your home is constructed from brick, you should be on the lookout for any cracks that form. Be sure to inspect all brick areas, including brick facing and even the chimney. Cracks in brick are often caused by foundation shifting.

 

  1. Damaged Interior Walls

 

  • Cracks can also appear in your home’s drywall. Be sure to take note of any cracks, whether they are vertical or horizontal that may appear in the drywall. If they suddenly appear or get wider, it is most certainly because of a structural issue with your foundation. Ill-fitting doors and windows may also point to a foundation issue.

 

No matter where you first notice signs of foundation cracking, be sure to call a professional for advice. They will be able to determine the extent of your damage and provide you with a surefire way to repair your foundation problems.

 

foundation cracks

Winter Is The Time For Foundation Cracks – Essex County, NJ

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

No one wants to be told that they have cracks in their foundation, but truth be told, no one is immune from foundation cracks. It’s true that your foundation can develop cracks during any season, but the winter is when most homeowners first notice problems. The environmental changes that come with winter make your foundation more prone to damage.

 

  • Why is winter so damaging for foundations?

 

  • There is an easy scientific explanation for why so many homeowners experience foundation cracking during the colder months, and it is known as frost heave. Simply put, frost heave happens when freezing water expands and puts extreme pressure on your foundation. It is one of the top reasons for foundation cracks to form.

 

  • How can you protect your home from frost heave?

 

  • The easiest way to prevent cracking due to frost heave is by protecting your home in advance. You want to try to eliminate all the places where water can enter your foundation. Finding and sealing all existing cracks is a must.

 

Your foundation probably already has a few cracks. While many of them may not pose a structural concern, they can still allow water to enter. Here are a few ways to treat the most common types of cracks.

 

  1. Hairline Cracks

 

  • Some of the smallest hairline cracks don’t pose a water concern, but you must seal them before they get any larger. This is a job that you can easily complete on your own. Simply fill these small cracks with some masonry caulk. Use enough caulk to completely cover the entire length of the crack.

 

  1. Leaking Cracks

 

  • If you notice a crack is weeping, then you need to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. These cracks are a prime location for frost heave. It’s best to hire a professional to repair these wet cracks for you. If you attempt the job on your own, you may only camouflage the situation instead of correcting it.

 

  1. Structural Cracks

 

  • The most damaging foundation cracks are the ones that cause actual structural damage to your home. Signs of structural cracks include doors that are difficult to close or windows that no longer seal properly. Only a professional technician can properly repair these cracks. Ignoring them will only lead to more foundation damage later on.
  • No matter how benign a crack may seem, any noticeable crack in your foundation should be filled in order to avoid even more cracking. Be sure to schedule an inspection by a foundation expert to get a full report on the integrity of your foundation.

 

Foundation Repair | Trenton, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Do You Need Foundation Repair in Morganville NJ

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Repair in Morganville NJ

Every homeowner takes pride in their home. A lot of time and resources go into making a home comfortable and for most homeowners, home improvement projects are a lifetime undertaking. With most home improvement projects focusing on aesthetics and functionality of the property, one area that receives little attention is foundation repair.

Most homeowners wait until it is tool late before initiating foundation damage inspection and repair. Failure to repair your home’s foundation early could lead to structural failure, flood damage in the basement, health risks caused by mold growth in the basement, diminished value of your home among other risks. When you consider the sacrifices you made to buy or build your house, it becomes obvious that repairing a damaged foundation must be a priority.

With this in mind, it is important to be proactive in home maintenance to ensure any form of foundation damage is detected early as this allows you to initiate immediate repairs. Some of the warning signs of foundation damage that you should be one the lookout for include:

  1. Water in the Basement

Foundation cracks caused by a bowing or bulging foundation could allow water entry due to unrelenting lateral pressure from the soil surrounding the walls. Water seepage through foundation walls comprises the integrity of the foundation and also poses the risk of flood damage. Water in the basement also leads to toxic mold growth, which causes health problems. Rusting, wood rot, effervescence on walls and peeling wall paint are signs of water seepage into the basement.

  1. Developing Gaps between Structures

If you have noticed Gaps between caulking and windows or doors, or between the crown molding and the ceiling, it is highly likely you are dealing with foundation damage. The gradual movement of the foundation walls causes these structures to pull apart and you should immediately call in a certified foundation contractor for diagnostic tests and foundation repair.

  1. Cracks in different Parts of the Structure

In addition to foundation cracking, you should also look for zig-zag cracks in a brick wall, interior walls on the dry wall, stair case cracks, and floor cracks among others. You should never initiate crack repairs with epoxy or other sealants without first carrying out a thorough inspection of the foundation.

  1. Structure Movement

Gaps are also common when the foundation is moving due to any form of damage, so lookout for gaps between caulking and windows or doors and also between crown molding and the ceiling.

Other things to look for include movement of patios away from the main house, sloping of floors, bowed basement walls, Sunken Floors, jamming doors and windows. Any of these signs necessitates foundation repair by a certified foundation contractor.

foundation cracks

Wall Shrinkage Can Cause Foundation Cracks in Morganville NJ

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Foundation Cracks in Morganville NJ

Have you spotted cracks in your foundation? The sight of foundation cracks can be disheartening for any homeowner. It can also be a cause for great anxiety. You may start to wonder what type of damage your foundation has undergone and what can be done about it. Your top fear will probably be how much it will cost to repair the foundation.

Before you go into full panic mode, take some time to call a waterproofing contractor. A full inspection of your basement will help to determine just how bad the situation is. Many homeowners find that things aren’t as bad as they seem and repairs are often done quickly and affordably.

A waterproofing contractor will help you evaluate the foundation cracks and determine the cause of the cracks. They will help you determine the best way to repair the cracks and deal with any other problems.

Shrinkage Cracks

Foundation walls aren’t static. They change in size and shape as they cure. They also shift in reaction to environmental conditions including temperature, groundwater and other such conditions. Cracks can occur in foundations as a result of the stress of shifting and curing.

Shrinkage cracks occur in different types of foundations:

  1. Poured concrete foundations

Shrinkage cracks occur in these foundations as a result of rapid curing, poor mixing of concrete as well as poor reinforcement of the foundation with steel. Changing temperatures can also cause shrinkage cracks when concrete expands and contracts in reaction to temperature changes.

  1. Brick walls

Bricks aren’t commonly used for the construction of foundations in modern houses. However, many old buildings feature these types of foundations. Shrinkage cracks in brick foundations occur in the mortar between the bricks. The bricks themselves never shrink but continue to expand.

  1. Block foundations

Shrinkage cracks in these types of foundations appear as cracks of uniform width at the center of the wall. They occur as a result of curing as well as variations in temperature.

Repairing Shrinkage Cracks

Shrinkage cracks in poured concrete and block foundations often aren’t structural. Their repair is therefore not as intensive as when dealing with structural cracks. Shrinkage cracks in brick walls are often a sign of a structural or support problem in the wall.

It is important to talk to a foundation expert in order to determine the best method for repairing the foundation cracks. Ignoring the cracks will only make matters worse. They can easily progress to pose a structural threat to your home.

Rhino carbon fiber

5 Advantages of the Rhino Carbon Fiber Foundation Repair

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Rhino Carbon Fiber Foundation Repair

One of the most common structural problems occurring in newly constructed houses is foundation damage. This problem is also evident in older homes where soil movement is common. Once a house begins settling, issues such as bulging and bowing walls will appear.

While there are many approaches to foundation repair, the innovative Rhino carbon fiber technology has proven to be the most effective and affordable system for any type of structure.

Risk of Delayed Foundation Repair

As a homeowner, you have to appreciate the important of immediate foundation repair using modern technology to avoid further deterioration. Foundation failure can result from seemingly harmless problems such as a hairline cracks that will enlarge with time due to water pressure.

If wall damage is not immediately repaired, there is a likelihood of other parts of the house including floors, doors, windows ceilings and chimneys suffering further damage.

Rhino Carbon Fiber in Details

The patented Rhino carbon fiber is now popular with foundation contractors for many reasons. This product comprises carbon fiber strips made with a custom bi-directional weave and double stitching pattern. These strips boast tensile strength of 52,000 pounds per square inch, which guarantees your foundation wall will not move anymore once the carbon fiber strip has been fixed.

The carbon fiber strip is fastened to the wall using a sill plate and it is connected to the foundation base for equal distribution of pressure. To appreciate why this carbon fiber system is so effective, consider these factors:

  1. Durability: Unlike other foundation repair solutions such as epoxy injection, there is no deterioration of the carbon fiber strip once it is in place. It does not stretch or suffer from exposure to weather elements.
  2. Less intrusive technology: There is no need to excavate extensively compared to other structural foundation repairs. Minimal intrusiveness translates to faster and more affordable repair.
  3. Lightweight installation: This is a project that can be done by one qualified contractor within a few hours. There are no disruptions on your property when the work is in progress.
  4. Aesthetic appeal: This foundation repair technology will not devalue the aesthetic appeal of your property. You can even paint over the Rhino carbon fiber to ensure the wall is uniform.
  5. Cost-effective: This is now the most affordable foundation repair solution for different forms of foundation damage including cracks and bowing.

A damaged foundation can ruin your precious investment. It is thus important to call in a qualified contractor to inspect the extent of damage before deploying Rhino carbon fiber technology.

foundation wall cracks

Reasons Why Your Foundation Wall Cracks During Winter

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Wall Cracks

Many people are concerned about their basements when Fall comes around. However, you should just be as concerned about the state of your basement in the winter as you are in the Fall. This is because the freezing temperatures of the winter months can cause a lot of damage to your foundation walls.

Frost Heaving

Science has proven that when water freezes it actually expands. This means the same volume of water will occupy a much larger space when it turns to ice. This characteristic of water is the reason for frost heaving.

Frost heaving occurs when water in the upper levels of the soil freezes. As the water in the top layers freezes, it draws more water. Because water expands when it freezes, the frozen soil will exert more pressure on the foundation walls as it seeks more space to occupy. This results in uneven pressure being exerted on the wall. Foundation wall cracks are therefore likely to form.

In many instances, the pressure against the foundation results in hairline cracks that aren’t readily recognizable in concrete foundations. If you have a block or stone wall, the cracks are likely to occur in the mortar joints.

If you don’t get your foundation some professional attention, the problems are only likely to get worse. Foundation wall cracks are likely to become larger over time. They are also likely to get worse when the cycle repeats itself in the next winter.

How to protect your foundation wall

You can’t prevent the winter from coming in. Neither can you prevent the water in the soil from freezing. The best approach to dealing with this problem is protecting your foundation.

  • Find a reliable contractor to help you determine the root cause of the cracks that you’ve noticed in your foundation wall. The only way to deal with a problem is to deal with the cause of the problem first.
  • Have your contractor install drain tile to guide water away from your foundation. This ensures that water does not collect near your foundation and therefore reduces the pressure against the foundation.
  • Insulate the foundation of your home to prevent heat loss. Insulating reduces the chances of frosting too.
  • Ensure that your landscape slopes away from your foundation. This prevents water from running towards your foundation.

Be sure to talk to a foundation waterproofing expert to ensure that all areas are covered.

foundation repair

Foundation Repair for Summer Foundation Damage

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Repair

The summer is one of the busiest seasons when it comes to foundation repair. Not only is the weather perfect for outdoor work, but the summer heat also causes great pressure on home foundations.

During the summer, there is less precipitation and higher ambient temperatures. The rapidly changing weather conditions place a great deal of pressure on the foundation. The spring time rains result in extremely wet conditions. Wetter conditions result in the expansion of soil, which in turn exerts increased pressure on the foundation. When the summer comes around, the high temperatures result in the evaporation of moisture from the soil. The soil becomes dry and contracts rapidly. This results in less support for the foundation from the surrounding soil. The foundation may bulge out as a result.

The fall comes around with cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. This results in the expansion of the soil, which in turn exerts pressure against the foundation. This may cause the foundation to bulge inward.

Although foundations are designed to withstand the stresses that come with seasonal changes, the effects of the changing pressure build up over years. The damage is gradual and the foundation can lose its structural integrity over time. It is therefore important to have your foundation inspected periodically.

Summer foundation damage warning signs

It is best to contact a foundation repair specialist in the early stages of foundation damage. This ensures that the damage can be dealt with more easily. It is also less expensive and involving to deal with damage in the early stages. Look out for the following signs of summer foundation damage.

  1. Your doors and windows don’t close as smoothly as they used to. Doors and windows could be getting stuck or locks may not be fitting as they ought to.
  2. Your roof is sagging
  3. Your walls are leaning
  4. Your chimney is tilted
  5. The concrete or bricks used to make the foundation walls are flaky or crumbling
  6. You have faulty toilets, leaking pipes or other plumbing problems
  7. There are gaps at the points where the wall meets the ceiling or floor.
  8. Your house is producing groaning noises

Get in touch with a professional contractor to ensure that your foundation is inspected periodically. This ensures that any damage is spotted early. A professional contractor will recommend the best option for foundation repair based on your particular circumstances and requirements.