radon-mitigation

The Facts About Basement Radon Mitigation

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Radon Mitigation

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that appears in dark, damp spots in your home. Basements being the number one spot for this insidious killer, which usually goes unnoticed for far too long.

According to the EPA, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year are attributed to this deadly gas. But with proper inspection and mitigation, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here are some facts and tips about radon mitigation, and why a professional in the field can help save your home from this silent killer.

– Testing is the only way you will ever know if your home has radon. There are no immediate symptoms associated with radon exposure, and it usually takes around a year for any signs to show up when there are.

– Primarily, exposure to radon gas takes place through inhalation or ingestion. While most often the gas is inhaled through air exposure, as it naturally decays, it can find its way into the ground and groundwater as well.

– Radon systems installed in a home work by creating negative pressure at foundation level, which stops radon from entering the home. These soil depressurization systems are installed permanently under the ground and head off radon before it seeps in.

– If you are having new construction done, passive radon mitigation systems can be installed while the building or structure is being built. These systems can prevent radon even without an exhaust fan.

– All radon problems are fixable. If your home is experiencing higher than normal radon levels, it is completely possible to reduce those down to normal, less harmful levels, and eventually remove them or stop them completely.

Interested in learning more about how we can help you with your home radon problems? Please don’t hesitate to contact us any time.

Santa Fe dehumidifier

Controlling Moisture With Basement Dehumidifiers in Plainsboro NJ 08536

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Basement Dehumidifiers in Plainsboro NJ 08536

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 in Plainsboro NJ 08536 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.

basement-remodeling

5 Basement Remodeling Tips that Keep Moisture in Mind

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

There is nothing worse than working hard on a basement remodeling job only to find out that it is prone to usual basement moisture problems, rendering all of your hard work useless.

A refinished or remodeled basement is a great addition for any home. The valuable extra square footage is a game-changer when it comes time to sell. So it’s important that when you are planning a basement remodel, you take some extra steps to ensure that your job is done right the first time.

Basement Remodeling

Here are 5 tips to help you along in your basement remodeling process.

1. Check that your basement is candidate for the job. Mitigate mold, water, and other moisture problems early on. If there are obvious signs of moisture or water (especially pools of water), talk to a professional before you begin.

2. Know and follow building codes, if applicable. In many municipalities, a building inspector has to approve major changes. So be prepared if structural changes require permits, and research what is needed in advance.

3. Consider adding a vapor barrier to finished walls. Even after you take care of moisture problems, a vapor barrier is like added protection against any future water entry.

4. Add offset walls to stop any moisture issues. A slight offset between your basement wall and any wall framing that you do, not only stops the appearance of moisture, it helps level wavy and uneven masonry.

5. Leave the utility area of your basement untouched. It is unsafe to surround water heaters, HVAC units and furnaces with finished materials. Plus, building codes are often set for how much open area needs to surround them, so leave their area untouched.

Doing a remodeling job? Need help with your basement waterproofing? Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you make have.

basement-sealing-in-east-brunswick-08816

What Are The Benefits of Basement Sealing in East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

When you think of a home, the basement is the last thing that comes to mind. However, it is one of the most important spaces in the home. It is the foundation of the home. It is what gives the home its structural integrity.

Water is the worst enemy of basements. It can cause great damage to a basement and the rest of the structure of the home as a result. It is therefore important to ensure that your basement is made waterproof.

There are many benefits to basement sealing in East Brunswick, NJ 08816. These include:

  1. Increasing the value of your home

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, sealing your basement will contribute a great deal to its value. Ensuring that your basement is sealed will increase the usable space within your home. This means that the square footage of your home increases since your basement will count as a floor as well. Remember that for many people, the basement space makes up about 1/3 of the total space of the home.

  1. Increased usable space

As mentioned earlier, having your basement sealed will ensure that you have more usable space available to you. You can do just about anything with a waterproofed basement. You can turn it into an office, a guest room, a music studio or an extra living room. You can greatly improve your family’s quality of life with extra space to work around.

  1. Protect your family’s health

A humid or damp basement provides the ideal environment for the growth of mold. Mold such as toxic black mold can develop into fully grown mold within 48 hours or less. Although most molds are harmless, some produce toxic chemicals that can result in infections and poisoning.

Molds also produce spores. Exposure to a high spore count can result in allergic reactions including difficulty in breathing and skin irritation.

  1. Preserves the integrity of your home

Basement sealing protects the integrity of your home. Molds and moisture can not only destroy furniture and the beauty of your home’s walls and floors, but also affect the structural integrity of the home. Ensuring that your basement is made waterproof will protect your home from mold and moisture. It will save you a lot of money in repairs for the long term.

Lastly, basement sealing in East Brunswick, NJ 08816 gives you peace of mind. You never have to worry about a flooded basement when you hear claps of thunder in the distance.

basement storage in trenton nj

Creative Ideas for Basement Storage in Trenton NJ

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Basement Storage in Trenton NJ

Everybody loves a house with a basement. Even if it is just used for storage, the basement is a luxury of untapped space. While the livable basement is the vogue right now, if you don’t have the budget to convert your unfinished basement to living space, create an organized storage area.

The key is organizing your basement

The trick to any storage is organizing. Remember, most people have too much stuff so it is OK to go through your stuff, especially if you buy something new. A good rule is to throw away something old for everything you buy new. This theory helps you not get too much stuff. Too much stuff is the death of organizing and staying organized. Once you have purged the items that you never, ever use or don’t want anymore it is time to find their proper place in the storage zone.

Store less frequently used items in the basement

Obviously, the stuff you put in the basement shouldn’t be your everyday items. All of your every day, every week, and even every month, stuff should be more accessible than stored in the basement. Every day items should be stored in accessible drawers. Stuff you use every week should be in cupboards and pantries on the main living area in the room where it will be most used. The items you use about every month can be in the top of the closet—away but not too far away. Items stored in the basement should be once or twice a year items. Holiday decorations are a great example of a good basement storage item.

The exception is if you need to use the basement storage in Trenton NJ as more like a pantry or for bulk item storage. If you need this type of storage make sure the daily or weekly items are accessible. Storage shelves are good for the pantry-type items needed for storage in the basement. Make sure your storage shelves are fully accessible. Don’t fill up your shelves with your Costco toilet paper and then stack boxes in front of them. It will make it a pain to get to the stuff you need.

Have an organized system so you know where everything is

Organize the items you want to store by likeness. For example, all the Christmas stuff should be together and all the sports equipment should be together. Another common sense tip, but it has to be said. Taking the time to make sure all your ski boots are stored with your poles will save you time when it is time to hit the slopes.

Be aware that basements can flood

Basement storage in NJ may be a little different from other storage space in your house. Remember, the basement is below ground so the environment will be different than the upper levels of the house. Make sure that you don’t store cardboard boxes or any other organic material storage containers on the floor. Storage boxes should be plastic and at least six inches off the ground. Basement can flood and it is easier to just keep the plastic storage boxes off the ground than to deal with soggy, cardboard boxes after a basement flood.

Waterproof Your Basement

Even with that, any water issues should be dealt with in the basement. Never store anything in the basement if there are signs of water issues without taking care of them. Visible standing water, water stains, peeling paint, water bubbles, mildew, mold, musty odors or foundation cracks are all signs of water issues in the basement. Even if you are just using the basement as storage it makes sense to fix any water issues to create a dry, basement environment. Then if you ever wanted to convert the basement into living space it is already prepped with the proper waterproofing and drainage systems.

Contact us for a FREE Estimate!

battery backup sump pump

3 Signs You Might Need a Battery Backup Sump Pump

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Install a Battery Backup Sump Pump

Protecting your home from water damage is always a good idea and installing a battery backup sump pump will do that job well.  However, there is a cost to installing a battery backup sump pump system. A quality battery backup system costs between $1000-$1500 to have installed.  In order to know if you need one,  consider three signs and areas of concern.

1.) If you have an older primary sump pump:

Sump pumps usually have a lifespan of about 10-15 years.  Because it has mechanical moving parts, they will someday fail, and you will have to replace it.  If you have an older pump, it is more likely to fail, but there is no telling when.  The best way to transition to a new pump and also get the most out of your primary pump is to install a battery backup system.  When the primary pump dies, it won’t leave you with water in the basement. If you have an older pump, or if you have had any trouble with your primary pump, it is a sign to get a backup system.

2.) If your area is prone to power outages:

During a rainstorm is when you need your pump working; however, during a rainstorm is when you are most likely to lose power to your house—and to your sump pump. The combination is asking for disaster.  We are pretty sure this possibility is why they invented battery backup sump pump systems in the first place.  How often does a storm knock out power to your house? Do you lose power a few times a year or once every few years?  If you live in an area where power outages are a concern, then that is a sign you might need a battery backup sump pump.

3.) The basement contents:

No matter what you have in your basement, you will want to keep it dry.  A wet basement is not something you want to deal with, and it causes more problems like mold, mildew, and rot that, of course, you want to avoid.  That is why you have a sump pump in the first place.  And the battery backup will ensure you will be protected even if your primary pump fails.  However, the urgency of getting a battery backup system will be determined by the status of the basement.  Is your basement empty? Is it full of priceless storage items?  Is your basement finished? Did you just spend thousands of dollars making it a new TV room?  Obviously, the more valuables you keep in the basement the more you need to protect it.

Evaluate your house and determine if you need a battery backup system.

sump pump

Is Your Sump Pump Discharge Line Working Against You?

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Sump Pump Discharge Line

The sump pump discharge line is the pipe that gets the water out of your basement.  The sump pump is tied into the discharge line that goes up and out of the basement and from there filtered through another drain pipe and out into a drainage area in the yard.  If your sump pump system is designed correctly, it can keep your basement dry.  If it isn’t, your discharge line could be working against you.

Pump Strength with Discharge Line Length (or head)

First, make sure that the pump is the right size and strength for the length of the discharge line and the amount of water you need to be pumping.  The efficiency of a pump is figured by how many gallons of water it can pump out per hour.  The length of the discharge line, or head, is factored into the equation. Sometimes when a pump states the amount of gallons per hour, it is at zero foot head. That means that is how fast it can pump out the water at the floor level.  If a pump says it pumps 2,000 gallons at an 8 foot head (which is about what you need to get the water out of a typical basement) that is a good, strong pump.  A professional basement waterproofing contractor can help you determine the right pump to install in your system.

The Force of Gravity

Another way a discharge line could be working against you is with gravity.  The discharge line is usually vertical and goes up the basement wall. If you don’t have the proper check valve on the discharge line (and backup check valves in place) water will start going the wrong way back down into the sump pit or liner.  Generally one third to two thirds of the total water pumped will slip back down if you don’t have a one-way valve to stop the water from going back down into the pit for the pump to pump it out again.  Make sure your check valve is working properly and your discharge line isn’t working against you.

Keep the Discharge Line Clear

While the sump pump is the heart of the waterproofing system, the discharge lines are the veins and arteries. If either part fails, your system is in trouble.  If the water can’t exit the basement due to clogged or frozen discharge lines, the whole system won’t work to keep the basement dry.  There will be water backed up, and even if the pump is working, your basement could flood.  It is important to take precautions to make sure the lines don’t freeze or clog.  Regular check and maintenance on the discharge lines will make sure they don’t get full of debris. The vertical discharge line and the lines on the outside of the house should be in good working condition for the system to work effectively.

sump pump

The Importance of Installing a Sump Pump with the Winter Storm Boreas in Effect

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Install a Sump Pump

Winter storm Boreas hasn’t been making this Thanksgiving travel season any easier for us New Jersey homeowners. Whether you’re having trouble catching the next flight out to go see family for the holidays, or you’re worried about your basement flooding due to the large volume of water and wind pounding the area, you’ve likely got a lot to worry about. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have a waterproofing system as well as a functioning sump pump.

Multiple inches of heavy rain and high winds brought by Boreas certainly create plenty of opportunity for extended power outages and seepage due to ground saturation. Here are a few things to look out for.

Power Outages

Your waterproofing system relies on a sump pump to pump the water collected by your waterproofing system out and away from your foundation. Your sump pump relies on electricity from your home in order to operate. Without power, your waterproofing system essentially becomes a “bowl” for the water to collect and potentially flood up into your home.

Sump Pump Motor Burnout

With heavy rains come a heavy burden on your sump pump. As more water flows into the sump basin and fills up more rapidly and more often, your pump has to work harder to pump it out. If the water volume coming in is greater than the amount of water your pump is able to pump out, your pump could be at risk for burning out completely.

Sill Plate Seepage

With increase rainfall comes more water pooling in your yard and along your foundation. Sump pumps and gutter downspouts can also significantly contribute to this standing water. This poses a risk of seepage coming in from the sill plate, or the seam at or near ground-level where the rest of your home rests upon the top of your foundation walls.

Remember to test those sump pumps, and extend those discharge links and gutter downspouts. The idea in a heavy storm like this is to direct as much water away from your foundation as possible, while maximizing the pumping efficiency of your existing waterproofing system. And one final pro tip for you, if you haven’t already invested in a battery operated backup pump yet, DO IT! It can mean the difference between a dry, healthy basement and a flooded basement!

Contact us for more information about waterproofing systems and sump pumps.

mold

Is Mold Growth Affecting the Air You Breathe?

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Mold Growth Can Cause Problems in Your Home

You may not of heard of the Stack Effect, but I’d be willing to bet you’ve more than likely experienced it in your home. Stack effect occurs when the air begins to warm inside of your home, and negative pressure causes the air in the lower parts of the home to rise into the upper floors of your home. This can eventually cause mold to grow in your home with all the moisture in the air.

Today, our homes are more energy efficient, creating a tighter seal between the inside of your home and the elements outside. This tighter seal means greater negative pressure, which means more basement or crawl space air rising into your living room. As you can imagine, a neglected wet and moldy basement makes all the difference in this situation!

Mold can form faster than you think

It only takes 24-48 hours for toxic mold to begin to infest a wet basement, so you can image what a few years can do. Don’t wait any longer! Prevent those mold spores from entering other parts of your home by identifying and repairing the source of water intrusion. Need help locating the source of the water? Contact us for a free inspection and evaluation, and we’d be happy to come out!

backup sump pump

5 Ways You Can Benefit From a Battery Operated Backup Sump Pump

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

A Backup Sump Pump Can Be Beneficial to Have in Your Home

Have you ever looked down into your basement from the top of your stairs after a heavy rainstorm, only to notice that trademark reflection of a thin layer of water covering the floor? Have you felt the ping of guilt knowing that you had thought about installing a battery backup sump pump the last time this happened, but failed to do anything about it?

Owning a basement in New Jersey isn’t walk in the park. High water tables and frequent strong storms are just part of life here; and it can really take a toll on our homes. We take the good with the bad; but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something to help reduce the latter.

There are many reasons to keep your basement dry and healthy; it can increase your home’s value, keep pests out, help provide a better air quality throughout the entire home; and best of all, eliminate the need for rubber boots and a Wet Vac the morning after!

One great way to avoid a disaster and keep your home healthy is to invest in a battery operated backup sump pump system. Battery backups can really be a lifesaver in rain-heavy storms, and we recommend every home have one.

Here are just 5 benefits of protecting your home with a battery backup:

1. Protection in the case of a power outage.

Strong storms can knock out power to your home, rendering your primary sump pump useless. Unless you’ve got a battery backup sump pump, your basement or crawl space is totally vulnerable to flooding.

2. Protection in the case of a primary pump failure.

It’s no secret that sump pumps don’t last forever. Too often we wait until the pump fails to do something about it. Protect against burned out pumps with a backup system!

3. Lend a helping hand to a struggling primary pump.

Most people assume backups only engage when the primary sump pump fails. While that’s true, they will also kick on to help a primary pump that can’t keep up with the flow of water. This is a great asset during torrential downpours.

4. Protect your valuables.

The long term cost of replacing carpeting, tile, drywall, and valuables in your basement or crawl space can really add up. You can save your self lots of money down the road by spending a little money now with a battery backup sump pump.

5. Do it for the health of you, your home, and your family.

A perpetually damp basement is very unhealthy. So is a recently flooded basement. Toxic mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours, and that air travels upward, affecting the rest of the home.

Contact us for a FREE Estimate on a battery backup sump pump!