Tips & Alerts
• Why does my basement leak?
Water leakage is caused by several factors. The draintile that is installed on most new homes may become clogged with silt and settlement, causing it to fail. The parging done on the outside of the home may have deteriorated and is allowing water to enter the foundation. A professional inspector is trained to notice these signs and determine the exact reason you are seeing the water.
• How serious is my water problem?
Unfortunately, the water you see in your basement is the least of the problem. This water will evaporate into the air eventually. The water that is not escaping through the foundation wall is the source of trouble. This water will cause lower wall deterioration, cracks, bulges in walls, efflorescence, and many other concerns. Our licensed inspectors are trained to notice these signs and convey their knowledge to you in an understandable way so you know what is best for your situation.
• How can I tell where the water is coming from?
Water can enter a foundation through several different ways. The most common is at the cove area (where the floor and the wall meet). This, simply put, is a natural seem in which the water can most easily penetrate your foundation. Another common source is hydrostatic pressure. This will cause water to penetrate through cracks in your floor. Several other sources are common, though not as easily noticeable. Our licensed inspectors are trained to determine the exact source of your problem, and resolve the most effective solution for your unique situation.
• What causes the musty smell in my basement?
Obviously, the musty smell you have is much more than just a bad smell. Mold and fungus spores that float in the air cause it. This will contribute to allergy and asthma problems, as well as other health issues.
• What is that white chalky substance on the walls?
Efflorescence. Concrete is made of three materials, stone, lime cement, and stone. What you are seeing is a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your wall together. The water that is inside of your foundation wall will, over time, leech the lime cement out of the wall, leaving nothing to hold it together.
• What are the brown stains on my wall?
Brown stains, especially on block or poured concrete walls, are a sign of acid damage. The clay outside your home is very acidic, and when the water leaks into your basement, it draws that acidity with it. Your wall acts as a filter, holding this acid back and allowing the "clean" water into your basement. Acid damage leads to lower wall deterioration. If you notice ANY signs of this nature, we have the information you need to know about the situation.
• I have cracks in my wall or floors
Cracks in your walls can be caused by several sources, resulting in several different effects. Cracks can be a sign of settling in the foundation. However, cracks can also be caused by pressure built up of water around and/or under your foundation. A crack in a foundation wall is a sign of movement. With an average of 47 tons resting on your foundation walls, the integrity of your walls must be maintained.
• Is there anything I can do myself to correct the problem?
Depending on the situation, correcting the problem yourself is very much a possibility. If your trained inspector feels the problem is minimal, he will give you tips and idea as to how you can take care of it yourself. However, if the problem is one that would need professional services, he will review all of the options available to you so you know your home is in the best condition possible.
• I think I have an above grade problem
Depending on the signs of water penetration, your problem may vary well be above grade. Sometimes grading and/or downspouts can solve the problem. However, if the water is coming from the bottom portion of the wall, or you see damp spots on the walls, this probably isn't the case.
• What does it cost to have my basement waterproofed?
It depends. Depending on the problem, what work needs to be done, and which method you choose to correct the problem. For this very reason, we offer our inspections and estimates free of charge. This way, you can find out the information you need to know to take care of your home
Water leakage is caused by several factors. The draintile that is installed on most new homes may become clogged with silt and settlement, causing it to fail. The parging done on the outside of the home may have deteriorated and is allowing water to enter the foundation. A professional inspector is trained to notice these signs and determine the exact reason you are seeing the water.
• How serious is my water problem?
Unfortunately, the water you see in your basement is the least of the problem. This water will evaporate into the air eventually. The water that is not escaping through the foundation wall is the source of trouble. This water will cause lower wall deterioration, cracks, bulges in walls, efflorescence, and many other concerns. Our licensed inspectors are trained to notice these signs and convey their knowledge to you in an understandable way so you know what is best for your situation.
• How can I tell where the water is coming from?
Water can enter a foundation through several different ways. The most common is at the cove area (where the floor and the wall meet). This, simply put, is a natural seem in which the water can most easily penetrate your foundation. Another common source is hydrostatic pressure. This will cause water to penetrate through cracks in your floor. Several other sources are common, though not as easily noticeable. Our licensed inspectors are trained to determine the exact source of your problem, and resolve the most effective solution for your unique situation.
• What causes the musty smell in my basement?
Obviously, the musty smell you have is much more than just a bad smell. Mold and fungus spores that float in the air cause it. This will contribute to allergy and asthma problems, as well as other health issues.
• What is that white chalky substance on the walls?
Efflorescence. Concrete is made of three materials, stone, lime cement, and stone. What you are seeing is a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your wall together. The water that is inside of your foundation wall will, over time, leech the lime cement out of the wall, leaving nothing to hold it together.
• What are the brown stains on my wall?
Brown stains, especially on block or poured concrete walls, are a sign of acid damage. The clay outside your home is very acidic, and when the water leaks into your basement, it draws that acidity with it. Your wall acts as a filter, holding this acid back and allowing the "clean" water into your basement. Acid damage leads to lower wall deterioration. If you notice ANY signs of this nature, we have the information you need to know about the situation.
• I have cracks in my wall or floors
Cracks in your walls can be caused by several sources, resulting in several different effects. Cracks can be a sign of settling in the foundation. However, cracks can also be caused by pressure built up of water around and/or under your foundation. A crack in a foundation wall is a sign of movement. With an average of 47 tons resting on your foundation walls, the integrity of your walls must be maintained.
• Is there anything I can do myself to correct the problem?
Depending on the situation, correcting the problem yourself is very much a possibility. If your trained inspector feels the problem is minimal, he will give you tips and idea as to how you can take care of it yourself. However, if the problem is one that would need professional services, he will review all of the options available to you so you know your home is in the best condition possible.
• I think I have an above grade problem
Depending on the signs of water penetration, your problem may vary well be above grade. Sometimes grading and/or downspouts can solve the problem. However, if the water is coming from the bottom portion of the wall, or you see damp spots on the walls, this probably isn't the case.
• What does it cost to have my basement waterproofed?
It depends. Depending on the problem, what work needs to be done, and which method you choose to correct the problem. For this very reason, we offer our inspections and estimates free of charge. This way, you can find out the information you need to know to take care of your home
How To Trouble Shoot a Sump Pump
If your sump pump isn't moving water when it should, here are some things to check to help figure out what's wrong.
Step 1: Take a couple of personal safety precautions: If there's water standing in the basement, wear rubber boots to insulate you from accidental electric shock. Make sure that higher water has not come in contact with low-mounted electrical outlets before you reset any circuits.
Step 2: Check the simplest possible problem first: Is the pump plugged in? If not, plug it in, first making sure that the cord and your hands are dry.
Step 3: Find the fuse or breaker box and check for burned fuses or tripped circuits. Again, make sure that your hands are completely dry before working with these electrical malfunctions.
Step 4: Check the float switch if your pump is activated by one. A float switch is a small, black plastic egg shape connected to the pump by a short electrical cord. If it isn't free to move or has become lodged under some foreign matter, the pump won't switch on.
Step 5: Feel the pump itself - if you can feel the motor running but no water is moving, this could mean there's a clog in the pump screen or the drainpipe. Unplug the pump to check both of these.
Step 6: Feel the bottom of the pump where the intake screen is located to see if lint, plastic or anything else is blocking the water inlet. This can slow the pumping action to a trickle or stop it completely.
Step 7: Clear any debris from the screen. Remove the debris completely from the pit and put it in the trash to keep it from circulating about and re-lodging against the screen.
Step 8: Check for a clogged drain line by disconnecting the line at the pump and then running the pump to see if water is being moved through the pump at a good rate. (Disconnect the line by undoing either a screw-together union or a rubber-and-hose clamp joint near the pump.)
Step 9: Decide whether you've found the problem; if not, running a plumber's helper (a "snake") through the pipe to the main drain line is an option. Decide whether you're skilled enough to do this - or whether at this point you want to contact a plumber.
If your sump pump isn't moving water when it should, here are some things to check to help figure out what's wrong.
Step 1: Take a couple of personal safety precautions: If there's water standing in the basement, wear rubber boots to insulate you from accidental electric shock. Make sure that higher water has not come in contact with low-mounted electrical outlets before you reset any circuits.
Step 2: Check the simplest possible problem first: Is the pump plugged in? If not, plug it in, first making sure that the cord and your hands are dry.
Step 3: Find the fuse or breaker box and check for burned fuses or tripped circuits. Again, make sure that your hands are completely dry before working with these electrical malfunctions.
Step 4: Check the float switch if your pump is activated by one. A float switch is a small, black plastic egg shape connected to the pump by a short electrical cord. If it isn't free to move or has become lodged under some foreign matter, the pump won't switch on.
Step 5: Feel the pump itself - if you can feel the motor running but no water is moving, this could mean there's a clog in the pump screen or the drainpipe. Unplug the pump to check both of these.
Step 6: Feel the bottom of the pump where the intake screen is located to see if lint, plastic or anything else is blocking the water inlet. This can slow the pumping action to a trickle or stop it completely.
Step 7: Clear any debris from the screen. Remove the debris completely from the pit and put it in the trash to keep it from circulating about and re-lodging against the screen.
Step 8: Check for a clogged drain line by disconnecting the line at the pump and then running the pump to see if water is being moved through the pump at a good rate. (Disconnect the line by undoing either a screw-together union or a rubber-and-hose clamp joint near the pump.)
Step 9: Decide whether you've found the problem; if not, running a plumber's helper (a "snake") through the pipe to the main drain line is an option. Decide whether you're skilled enough to do this - or whether at this point you want to contact a plumber.