foundation floor cracks

Foundation Floor Cracks, What Next?

Does Your Home Have Foundation Floor Cracks?

Foundation floor cracks can be found in the majority of homes across New Jersey. The trick is knowing when to take action.

If your home wasn’t built last week, and we’re willing to bet it wasn’t, you’ve probably noticed a few cracks in the foundation floor by now. These are caused by a variety of factors ranging from increased moisture and water pressure, to settlement and structural deficiency. Luckily more serious foundation issues can be identified and prevented if you catch them early enough.

So what can you do about your foundation floor cracks? Let’s take a look at the facts.

1. How large is the crack? Are we talking hairline, 1/4″? Larger?

Larger foundation floor cracks can signify a bigger structural issue, especially if both sides of the crack are shifting and moving away from one another. Give your local foundation repair company a call, to be on the safe side.

2. Have you noticed mold, mildew, fungi, weeds, or insects?

Okay, sounds gross––we know. But it can happen. Cracks in your foundation floor expose your home to the elements, allowing for a variety of potential intruders. Save the weed killer for your driveway, not your basement.

3. Any dark staining or moisture? During a rain storm, do you notice water coming up out of the cracks?

If so, ensure your primary sump pump is working. Don’t have one? You may need to consider installing an interior french drain/pump system. Check for dark staining as well, this can be a sign of moisture.

backup sump pump

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

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!

basement flood

Prevent a Basement Flood This Winter!

How to Prevent a Basement Flood

It’s the holiday season and we’ve all got a million and one things on our to-do lists, I know. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, who needs to deal with a basement flood, and therefore a basement waterproofing headache? I know I don’t.

That’s all the more reason to take preventative action to make sure you don’t experience any unforeseen headaches or surprises. You see, if your home has experienced water issues in the past, the fact that it’s winter doesn’t mean that your basement or crawl space is much less susceptible to seepage. Only the top layers of soil freeze; water at the basement floor level is still allowed to flow within the warmer soil. This means that your sump pump is still working hard while you’re out shopping.

Check your sump pump!

To greatly reduce the possibility of you coming home to a basement flood, you’re going to want to check on your sump pump. We recommend that you check your pump(s) at least once or twice a month to ensure proper operation.

First thing’s first, test the pumps. To do this, simply fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and pour it directly into the sump basin. Repeat until you see the sump pump discharge the water. If your pump goes off before or shortly after the pump is fully submerged in water, you should be in good shape. If you continue to fill the basin with water without the pump going off, you may want to have it check out by a professional.

Another thing you may want to consider is a battery-operated backup pump. This can really be a lifesaver in the even of a power outage or primary pump failure.

So do your basement a favor this holiday season, and go check on your sump pumps!

Have another tip or question? Leave a comment below or contact us!