French drains

Did You Account for Radon Gas in the Design of Your French Drain

Posted by Jerome Fokas on

French Drain

When considering the design of a French drain, many home owners will be mostly concerned about its capacity to deal with the water problem in their basement. However, it is important to note that these systems are meant to deal with much more than just water problems.

Radon Gas

While water seepage is a serious problem in basements, it isn’t the worst thing you will face when it comes to the basement. Radon gas is even more dangerous than water damage or mold that result from water seepage problems.

Radon gas occurs in the soil. It can seep up through the soil and into the air of the basement. It can then be dispersed in the air within the home as a result of stack effect. It is a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas. It is therefore impossible to tell if your home is affected without professional inspection and testing.

Radon gas is considered dangerous because it is known to cause cancer. Studies show that it is the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers. Data from the National Academy of Sciences shows that there are over 21,000 deaths attributed to Radon exposure annually.

Keeping Radon Gas in the Ground

Radon gas is often difficult to deal with. It can seep through the natural gaps in the floor. It can also seep through vapor barriers. Homes are often at risk without even knowing it.

It is especially important to consider radon gas when designing your French Drain. Installing the drain may leave your home exposed to the deadly gas. Your first step to protecting yourself is having your basement tested for radon gas. This involves the use of a highly sensitive air quality analyzer.

The second step is to invest in a system that is designed to keep radon gas in the ground. Such as system would be a closed system that does not allow radon gas and other gaseous pollutants enter the basement.

One such system is the Grate Drain system. It is specifically designed to ensure a healthier indoor environment for households. The system addresses various issues in the basement including water seepage, humidity as well as chemical pollutants that are present in the soil.

The system is designed to provide protection as well as durability. It will ensure that your basement remains waterproof while keeping your home environment safe and healthy.

Contact us today for more information!

Rhino carbon fiber

5 Advantages of the Rhino Carbon Fiber Foundation Repair

Posted by Jerome Fokas on

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.

crawl space waterproofing

A Short Guide to Crawl Space Waterproofing in Morganville NJ

Posted by Jerome Fokas on

Crawl Space Waterproofing in Morganville NJ

The crawl space happens to be one of the most neglected parts of a home. Most of these spaces, especially in older homes, are vented to allow moisture removal through ventilation. However, this has been found to be a counterproductive strategy as it leads to mold growth, condensation and pest infestation. The main problem with crawl spaces is the fact that 60% of the air in these spaces eventually flows to the upper levels of your house.

Risks of Crawl Space Flooding

On the surface, crawl space moisture might not look like a big issue until you consider the consequences. High moisture presence will lead to rusting of utility piping and other appliances such as furnaces. This might necessitate expensive repairs in future. Worse still, wood rot affects the integrity of the foundation and this can ruin your home.

Due to high moisture levels, toxic mold growth poses a big risk to the occupants as it may lead to respiratory issues such as asthmatic attacks. The presence of moisture also attracts pests which can be a nuisance in your house. To avoid all these problems, it is important to invest in crawl space waterproofing.

If you suspect that your crawl space is flooded, it is important to call in an established contractor for a free inspection and treatment of the problem.

Ideas for Crawl Space Waterproofing

Waterproofing this space is not only beneficial to the occupants but also protects your precious investment. There are different methods used in crawl space waterproofing. These are:

  1. Crawl space encapsulation: This involves sealing all the space, including the walls and the floor, with overlapping polyethylene sheets. The material is waterproof and prevents entry of water and vapor through the earthen floor and wall cracks.
  2. Sump pump installation: A crawl space sump pump is installed at the center of the floor in combination with an interior drainage system along the inner perimeter of the foundation walls. All water collected is pumped away from the property.
  3. Vapor barrier: A vapor barrier is used to prevent entry of moisture and gases through the walls. The barrier should also cover all utility wires and other obstacles including the boiler.
  4. Dehumidifier: This is installed to ensure the crawl space remains dry irrespective of the weather. A safe humidity level is important to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) in the rest of the house.

Crawl space waterproofing is a great home improvement idea. It will improve the overall indoor air quality in your house and this space can be used for storage. Contact us today!