Wet Basement | New Brunswick, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Waterproofing Solutions for a Weekend Warrior | Mercer County, NJ

Waterproofing Solutions

We at Select Basement Waterproofing understand do-it-yourselfers.  You are self-reliant, like to figure out solutions to your own challenges, and have a wide range of skills that can get you through most of the problems homeowners routinely face.  You like to have control over what work you do and how much you do it.  We salute and respect those skills and the do-it-yourself ethic.  After all, this country was primarily founded by DIYers.  However, there comes a time for every (sane) DIYer to call in the experts.  Even George Washington had to hire someone to train the Continental Army.

tools 150x150 Waterproofing Solutions for a Weekend Warrior | Mercer County, NJ

Finding yourself ankle-deep in water in your basement is the most tempting time to engage your DIY drive and try to fix the problem yourself.  Don’t do it!  There are a whole range of waterproofing solutions you could, in theory, research on the Internet.  You could then buy all the tools and materials you think you need to plug the leak.  The problem comes when you get halfway through the project and realize there’s more to the leak than just the water trickling in under the carpet.  That’s when the sinking feeling every DIYer dreads kicks in:  you’re in way over your head, and the drywall is beginning to mold and buckle.

Call in a Professional

The time to call in the experts is before you give in to your DIY temptation.  When you contact us, we will send an expert to appraise your individual basement and assess the possible causes of your flooding problem.  We will educate you about your options and help you decide which of our many systems will achieve the best value for your hard-earned dollar, and you retain full control over which system our trained, licensed and bonded expert contractors install.  Best of all, the initial estimate is free of charge and obligation.  Don’t worry, there will still be plenty for you to dig into.  You just won’t have to do it with wet feet.

Elevator Waterproofing | Morganville, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Elevator Waterproofing – Is Your Elevator Pit a Safety Hazard? | Morris County, NJ

Elevator Waterproofing – Is Your Elevator Pit a Safety Hazard?

If you mention the word ‘mosquitos’, it conjures up images of the Amazon or an African savanna to most of us. However, these disease-carrying insects are much closer than you think. They could be breeding right in your elevator pit.

The perfect breeding ground

Warm temperatures, humid environments and stagnant water; these are the requirements for the perfect breeding environment for mosquitos. If you haven’t invested in elevator waterproofing, your elevator pit is probably the perfect micro-environment for these insects.

Water intrusion is very common in elevator pits that haven’t been waterproofed. This is because the elevator pit lies below ground level. Moisture from the surrounding soil can therefore seep into the elevator pit. This is especially common in the spring when the snow from winter is melting and the summer when it rains.

When water leaks into the elevator pit, it collects and forms a pool of water. This stagnant pool of water is perfect for the breeding of mosquitos. It will remain undisturbed for as long as you continue to ignore the need for maintenance.

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Risky business

Many building owners and managers invest in elevator waterproofing simply to protect their elevator’s mechanism. However, there is much more to it than that. Waterproofing your elevator pit can help to protect the occupants of the building from exposure to various diseases including West Nile Virus and the Zika Virus.

The West Nile Virus is known to cause inflammation of the spinal cord or the brain. The Zika virus has been shown to affect the fetuses of pregnant women exposed to it. Other diseases transmitted by mosquitos include dengue fever and malaria.

Making your building safe

Elevator waterproofing is important for ensuring your building provides a safe environment for occupants and visitors. Ensure that you:

  1. Contact a professional contractor

Not all waterproofing contractors are the same. Search for a contractor that has experience in waterproofing elevators. They will be able to provide you with a solution that is customized to meet your specific needs.

  1. Compare quotes

Different contractors will provide you with different solutions. Be sure to have more than one contractor inspect your elevator pit and provide you with a quote. Compare the quotes for the solution provided as well as the cost. Do your research to find out more about what the contractor is proposing to ensure that it is a long term solution.

  1. Invest in waterproofing

Choose the solution that best meets your needs and invest in waterproofing as soon as possible.

 

Call Select today for a FREE ESTIMATE! (800) 593-8379

 

Basement Waterproofing | New Brunswick, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

BEFORE you Remodel Your Basement Do THIS | Passaic County, NJ

Basement Remodeling

Are you planning to remodel or finish your basement? That is a great idea. Basements can provide the extra living space that you seek without having to invest hundreds of thousands in an extension. Finishing your basement will add value to your home too.

While the prospect of renovation and creating a new space can be exciting, there are many factors to consider before you dive into basement remodeling. Basements aren’t like any other room in your home. There’s a lot more that goes into converting a basement into a living space.

  1. Have your basement inspected

Many builders fail to pay adequate attention to the design and structure of basements. It is therefore not uncommon to find basements with various structural problems. If you intend to convert your basement into a living space, it is important to ensure that the space is not only safe but also comfortable.

It is therefore important to have your basement inspected for structural problems. Contact a professional and experienced contractor to take a close look at your foundation. This ensures that any issues with your foundation are identified early.

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It is important to ensure that your basement is waterproofed. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve discovered cracks in your basement wall or not. Don’t leave waterproofing until after finishing the basement. Water can cause serious damage to your belongings if you give it a chance to penetrate your basement. Be proactive with your basement and ensure that it is waterproof.

Contact a professional contractor and have the basement waterproofed. Ensure that the method you use for waterproofing will give you long term results.

  1. Deal with radon

It is also important to have your basement inspected for radon. Radon is carcinogenic. If you have dangerously high levels in your basement, it is important to deal with it. This will ensure your home is safe. You will need to hire a professional to mitigate this risk by eliminating or reducing your exposure.

  1. Make room for natural lighting

Natural lighting is important in basement remodeling. It will make the basement feel open and more comfortable. A light and airy basement goes a long way to improving the aesthetics of the room.

Consider having window wells installed to increase the natural light in the room. Ensure that the window wells are up to the standards and codes in your area.

Talk to a professional contractor about basement remodeling. This will ensure that you cover all the important factors before you begin the actual renovation and therefore safeguard your investment.

Ann Arbor, MI | Select Basement Waterproofing

Maximize Your Basement Space with Waterproofing Techniques | Trenton, NJ

Basement Waterproofing

If a basement is comfortable and well ventilated, that is all it needs in order to be used like the other rooms in your house. It doesn’t have to serve as a storage space; it can also be an extra bedroom or a play room. The space in any basement requires more attention and care due to its location. Additional lighting has to be provided too since very little natural lighting gets there.

Homeowners are often faced with problems of wet and flooded basements, especially during the rainy seasons, which is actually the main reason why basements are not utilized for anything other than storage and laundry. Fortunately, there are available solutions to wet basements and it is possible to have a dry and warm basement regardless of the season. All you need to do is carry out basement waterproofing for your basement, and have a well laid out drainage system.

Control measures that a homeowner can take to prevent wetness in a basement:

Uncontrolled water infiltration into a building is a predisposing factor for wet basement problems. What a homeowner needs to do is discourage any chance of water getting to the building by taking the measures below:

Cut off all possible water leak sources

If you can establish where the water in your basement is coming from, then you can be able to cut it off and prevent it from reaching your basement. Check the basement walls, and if you notice any cracks, get them filled immediately and see if there will be any changes.

Wash off that dirt on your gutters

If your gutters and downspouts are dirty and clogged, any water collected on them is likely to get dumped next to the foundation of your building and find its way into your basement.

Direct water in your downspouts away from the foundation of the home

Ensure your downspouts are working to keep water away from your house. If it is directing any water towards the foundation, there is a chance of causing wetness to your basement.

Dealing with a wet basement:

If water gets to your basement anyway, act on it. The longer you wait, the more the dampness will damage your basement and thus limit its use. It is also important to emphasize that a wet basement encourages the growth and multiplication of mold. Molds are known to cause respiratory problems, worsen conditions like asthma and trigger allergic reactions such as nasal congestion and sneezing.

If you want to get that extra living room, office, playroom or even a guest room in your basement, look for basement waterproofing services from professionals who have rendered similar services for many years.

Contact Select Basement Waterproofing with any questions, or concerns! Click here: https://www.selectbasement.com/contact-us/

Hudson County, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Symptoms of Possible Foundation Leaks | Hudson County, NJ

Your home’s foundation is the most important part of its structure. Ensuring your foundation is in good condition will ensure that your home offers a safe environment for your family. Repairing a foundation can be quite costly especially if the damage is extensive. It is, therefore important to regularly inspect your foundation for any signs of a foundation leak.

The following are some obvious signs of a foundation leak you ought to look for:

  1. Musty odor

Is there a musty odor coming from your basement? If so, you may have a foundation leak. A musty odor is indicative of the growth of mold in your basement. Mold can be a problem as its spores can pose health problems to your family.

Mold is not always visible. Mold and mildew tend to grow in dark areas and therefore may grow out of sight. The first sign of their presence is the musty odor. Be sure to investigate for further signs of leaks when you notice a musty smell in your basement.

  1. Damp floors or walls

Moisture on the walls or floors of your basement is a sure sign that you have a foundation leak. Moisture may not always take the form of a standing pool of water on the floor. It may be water stains on walls or floors, condensation on the basement walls or damp spots on your carpet or flooring material. Be sure to check any plumbing running through the basement for leaks before calling a licensed waterproofing contractor to investigate the problem further.

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  1. Cracks in the floors or walls

By the time cracks in the floors or walls of your foundation become visible; the problem in the structure of your foundation is serious.  Cracks in the foundation are obvious signs of a structural issue in your foundation.

Avoid applying band aid solutions to cracks in the foundation such as filling cracks. The problem may run deeper than a superficial crack. It’s best to call in a professional waterproofing contractor to inspect the foundation and provide you with the best possible solutions for foundation leak repair.

Your foundation plays a vital role in your home. Considering this, it is important to be aware of the signs of damage. This will ensure that you get the problem fixed early and avoid it escalating; the more serious the problem, the more complex and expensive the repair.

House Foundation Cracks | Middleton, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Changes In Foundation Walls Can Cause Cracks | Mercer County, 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.

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  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.

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.

Contact Us! We Can Help! 732-360-5052

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

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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!

The 4 Permanent Basement Waterproofing Solutions Union County, NJ

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.

Call Us! We Can Help! 732-360-5052

 

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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

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.

What You Need To Know About French Drains – Ocean County, NJ

Water is bad for foundations, but it is a natural part of the world we live in. When it rains, water seeps into the ground. There is also groundwater that is already present in the ground and can seep up to destroy a foundation.

So, how can you keep your foundations sound?

The answer is a French drain. Also known as a weeping, uncertain or rubble drain, this drain consists of a trench that is filled with rocks or gravel. Many French drains also contain a perforated pipe. The primary use of the drain is to prevent surface or ground water from penetrating into or damaging the foundations of a building.

The name does not come from France, the country but was named after the person who promoted the idea in 1859 through his book on drainage on farms, Henry French.

How they work

French drains are constructed around foundations to give water an easy channel through which it can flow. Water in the surrounding soils runs into the gravel that fills the drain and down through the perforations in the pipe that is often located at the bottom of the trench.

Water collects in the pipe and is channeled away from the foundations to a point some distance away from the house.

It is important for the trench bottom to be constructed at a slope of about 1 inch for every 8 feet traveled in the direction that the water will flow. The French drain may terminate in any place depending on your situation and preference. Some examples include:

  • Low lying areas within your property
  • Dry wells
  • The street
  • Drainage ditches

Deciding when to put in a French drain

French drains have become necessary to help with drainage. This is true especially for:

  • Homes that are experiencing a problem with surface water. You may have a soggy lawn or driveway that washes out.
  • Homes whose basements are being damaged by water. It is important to ensure that water from the surrounding soil is directed away from the foundations. This ensures that the foundation is not destroyed.
  • Homes that are being constructed on a hillside. It is important to install a French drain if you will be building a retaining wall.

Surface water problems

Shallow French drains in Morganville NJ are a great way to deal with surface water problems. The French drain should be constructed to intercept water on the property and channel it away from the building’s foundations.

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