Replacing Sheet Rock After a Flood Jersey City, NJ

Flooding Can Cause Problems for Your Home

A basement flood in New Jersey is bad enough in an unfinished basement. However, if you have a finished or partially finished basement with any sheetrock as wall board then you will need to replace the sheetrock.

Flooding can lead to wet sheetrock

Sheetrock absorbs water. If it comes into contact with any amount of water (or even moisture for that matter) you have a problem. Sometimes you will only need to replace part of the sheetrock on a wall. You can cut out the wet portion and replace it with new sheetrock. Sheetrock will not dry out on its own before you will have a problem with mold behind the walls. If you leave wet sheetrock, mold will grow behind the wall because mold is using the material in the sheetrock for food. Add the water and the dark, damp spots behind the wall and a serious mold problem could start to grow in no time.

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How to deal with wet sheetrock

If you are trying to save part of the wall, you will need to determine how high the water has traveled up the wall. The longer the sheetrock sits in the standing water, the higher the water problem will be. Typically, water travels up the sheetrock 3-6 inches a day. If it is left for a few days, the water could be halfway up the wall.

One way to check for water damage in sheetrock is to slice the wall with a razor. It will cut easier if the wall is wet. You will notice the blade slide quicker and easier through the wet wall compared to the dry sheetrock. Find where the wall is dry, and cut a straight line there to remove the wet sheetrock.

Like we mentioned above, it is important to remove all wet sheetrock to avoid a potential mold problem. Never leave wet sheetrock after a basement flood in New Jersey or discovered water problem.

Have a professional contractor help fix the problem

contractor cob 150x150 Replacing Sheet Rock After a Flood Jersey City, NJ

A professional basement waterproofing contractor can help you in this process. He can remove the damaged sheetrock after a basement flood in New Jersey and help you install a basement waterproofing system to help avoid any future problems.

The other option is to replace all the sheetrock in the basement with waterproof wallboard. So, if there is another basement flood in New Jersey, you won’t have to replace the walls again. The EPA says basements should be finished with waterproof and water resistant materials. Think tile instead of carpet; plastic waterproof wallboard instead of sheetrock. The basement is inherently wetter and should not be finished like the upstairs even if you have a basement waterproofing system installed.

Contact us for more information about basement waterproofing!

Simple Tips to Help Prevent Basement Flooding – Monmouth County, NJ

There’s nothing worse than coming home only to discover your basement flooded while you were away. Any homeowner who has experienced a flooded basement will tell you they didn’t see it coming. It’s important to take the necessary steps to help prevent basement flooding.

 

How Is Your Sump Pump?

 

Your sump pump is always hard at work, pumping away water from underneath your home. Excessive rain, melting snow, and even broken pipes may cause your sump pump to work overtime. If your sump pump is unable to keep up, water will overflow the basin, leading to a devastating flood in your basement.

 

You can make sure your sump pump is properly functioning by checking it once a month. The easiest way to do this is by filling your sump basis with several gallons of water. Keep an eye on the basin to see how long it takes for the sump pump to discharge the water. If you are able to fill up the basin all the way without the pump clearing away the water, you need to have it inspected by a professional technician.

 

Sump pumps can also fail in the event of a power outage. Short term outages are usually harmless, but if you face an extended outage, then you are at a higher risk of flooding. Keeping a battery-operated pump on hand is the best way to avoid this situation and prevent basement flooding.

 

How Does Your Foundation Look?

 

Damage to your foundation may also lead to basement flooding. Even small cracks can let in unwanted water. Larger cracks can quickly turn into a huge disaster. Inspect your foundation at least once or twice a year to look for any new cracks. The sooner you are able to repair foundation cracks, the less likely you are to face a flood in your basement.

 

Even if you don’t see any cracks in your foundation, you still need to make sure it is properly waterproofed. The exterior of your home should have proper waterproofing precautions in place, including waterproof sheeting and drain tiles. The goal of these products is to direct water away from your foundation.

 

A properly waterproofed basement is less likely to flood. Both the sump pump and foundation are crucial to keeping your basement dry. Regular inspections of your waterproof system will help you prevent basement flooding. Any problems that are noted should be addressed right away to keep water from entering your home.

basement-leaks

Common Causes for Basement Leaks in Morganville NJ

Basement Leaks in Morganville NJ

Most homeowners are quick to assume that a basement leaks is a result of poor or improper building methods, but that is not always the case. Basement leaks are affected by numerous factors such as rain water management, drainage system, hydrostatic pressure and basement construction framework. Let’s take a look at the most common causes for basement leaks.

Water pressure

The foundation of a home can experience water pressure either laterally due to absorption of excess water by the soil that surrounds it, or from under the surface due to rise in ground water levels leading to floor cracks. Both these situations can cause water to seep through and lead to a basement leaks.

Wall leaks

Your basement walls may lead to leaks due to cracks in the surface that may have developed due to water pressure or deterioration over time. If the basement was built using brick or stone, chances are the mortar that snugly holds each block has allowed water to seep through. In case it uses a concrete construction, it may be caused due to the formation of honeycomb cavities in the wall.

Drainage leaks and clogs

If the sewer pipe suffers a leak, then it naturally affects your basement. Some signs of a drainage leak are stains or  molds on the ceiling, in the vicinity of the problematic sewer pipe in question. Sometimes the sewer line to your home or the local municipal line can get clogged, causing the sewer water to back into the drainage system in your house, and in turn lead to basement moisture and leaks.
A basement waterproofing professional can diagnose the issue that is causing leaks in your basement and help fix it.

hydrostatic pressure

The Foundation-Crushing Power of Hydrostatic Pressure

The Power of Hydrostatic Pressure

In science, engineers study hydrostatic pressure as the natural occurring pressure that standing water creates in relation to an object or barrier. Basically, it is the taller the body of wet material, the greater the force, especially at the bottom. Hydrostatic pressure is what destroys dams, buckles retaining walls, and collapses foundation walls. It is the force behind landslides, moving earth and rocks, and anything else in its path.

Our homes and our basements are really no match for hydrostatic pressure.

Structural damage and leaks

While hydrostatic pressure can cause serious structural damage, it can also be the culprit behind basement leaks. The water buildup in the soil outside of a foundation actually reacts with the concrete. Capillary action naturally pulls the water in through any voids, gaps or cracks in the concrete wall. It can even pull water through the concrete slab or through solid concrete walls. This is known as seepage or weeping. If water weeps through a solid concrete wall, then the best way is to relieve the pressure.

Using drains to stop hydrostatic pressure

The way to stop hydrostatic pressure build-up is through water diversion and drainage tactics. A French Drain installed on the exterior side of the foundation wall will relieve this hydrostatic pressure and allow a place for the water to go. By trenching behind the problem area, you can allow water to find its way to a place that will do no harm. Channel the water to flow downhill away from the foundation.

When you relieve the hydrostatic pressure build up, the job of keeping the basement dry is actually a much simpler job. If those drainage systems are in place, then your basement waterproofing system won’t have to work so hard.

Field drains are also a good option to help keep surface water away from the foundation. They are usually small, round drainage points to control the water and relieve hydrostatic pressure.

Another technique is channel drains. Channel drains are a grill-covered drainage system material commonly placed at the bottom of a driveway recessed into the ground. These capture flowing water and redirect it.

Interior basement waterproofing systems including drain tiles and sump pumps also deal with hydrostatic pressure by capturing the excess water below the concrete slab and carrying it away before it enters the basement.

If you are having water seeping through your basement floor you probably have hydrostatic pressure.

Depending on the situation, a waterproofing contractor may suggest an exterior or interior system or a combination of the two.

Don’t ever ignore hydrostatic pressure. Leaving it alone will only make the problems worse and could lead to even more serious problems. Contact us for a FREE Estimate for basement waterproofing.

Wet Basement | Middletown, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Signs of Basement Leaks in New Jersey

Basement Leaks in New Jersey

Basement leaks in New Jersey have many common causes. First, water that is on the ground can seep into your foundation and basement floor. Water could also leak into your basement due to issues with your gutters. Your gutters may overflow due to heavy rain, clogs, a sudden thaw, or poor installation. If you do not have enough gutters, water will also leak. Basement leaks in New Jersey are also often caused by disconnected downspouts, poor planning in terms of landscaping, and sprinklers aiming at your home. Finally, basement leaks in New Jersey are also a risk if your pipes have excessive condensation or if your interior walls have water inside them.

Signs of Basement Leaks in New Jersey

To catch basement leaks before they become serious floods, watch for these common signs.

  • Staining: Water stains on your basement floor or walls are a definite indication of a basement leak.
  • Odor: If your basement smells damp or musty, it is likely that there is excessive moisture and a potential leak.
  • Mold: Mold will also appear in a basement that has a leak, and it can come in many colors. If you suspect mold, you should have it tested.
  • Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a condition in which salt deposits are left by water that has evaporated. These may appear on your walls as gray or white ash, and it can sparkle.
  • Spalling: This also refers to salt deposits that are left behind, but spalling occurs when the surface that the salt is on begins to peel away or otherwise come off.

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