IS YOUR BASEMENT ICKY?

Is your basement flooding? Part 1

Mike Daly — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:06:42 +0000

The reason basements flood is simple- they are located underground. There will always be a possibility of a water problem in your basement, no matter how old is your house. That is why it is very important to constantly inspect the basement for any signs of water leakage or seepage.

When your basement gets flooded, there will not only be costly repairs required, especially if your basement is finished, but there will be health concerns and the risk of electrocution and mold.

Below are most common reasons why basements can get flooded.

- Water that has congregated in a sidewalk, driveway outside next to the foundation wall may seep in through the cracks in the foundation. There may also be excessive rainwater in the grounds around the foundation which can also cause water to come into the basement.

- Underground drains leading away from downspouts may not have sufficient slope to carry water away. The end result is leakage or overflowing at the bottom of the downspout and water penetrating the foundation area.

There are of course more reasons why the basements flood. Please check our blog often for more information.

If you are one of those who constantly suffer water problems in the basement it may be a good idea to waterproof your basement so excess of water will be removed before it does damage to your home. Please contact us at 215-716-3727 for professional help. Basement and More BAM Waterproofing

Check the sump pump!

Mike Daly — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:18:44 +0000

So forecasters are calling for rain again. I feel like this beautiful beginning of the spring got us all in the stage where we don’t want to remember that we have problems in the basement or crawlspace. So far everything was dry, right? But remember that even 1 or 2 inches of water may cause damage if you experienced water problems before. Here are some tips to check if you are ready for the real wet spring season.

If you already have waterproofed basement check if the sump pump is working correctly. Most of manufacturers give only one year warranty on the pump. It doesn’t mean that your pump will stop working after a year but that you should be aware that this may happen eventually. If you experience some problems please call us at 215-716-3727. One of our waterproofing specialists can come and asses what need to be done.

Sometimes the pump seems to be working fine but you are still getting water. The reason for it is that the pump might be in the wrong location of the basement or that you are in need of waterproofing system. Waterproofing system will get all the water into one spot- the basin with the sump pump in it. And this is what you want and what we are able to provide.

Call BAM Waterproofing – “The wet basement solution guys”

Mold Remediation

Mike Daly — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:05:52 +0000

The good news about basement mold is that it’s harmful to mice, roaches, and spiders that want to make a home at the bottom of your home. The bad news is that it’s also harmful to humans! In fact, mold is one of the main causes of indoor allergies, and basements in particular are prime ground for mold and mildew to thrive.

If you’ve noticed a musty smell in the basement and have had headaches more frequently, you likely have a mold problem. Typically, basement mold and mildew occur as black, white, or bluish spots which may be fuzzy. Mold growth will occur on any organic or porous material (paint, cardboard, newspapers, wood, textiles, and carpet) that is exposed to moisture. Mold can even grow in fiberglass insulation.

Mold grows on moist materials, so mold growth is likely in areas wet by water leaks, flooding, humidity levels above about 70 percent and condensation. Any flooded area that was not completely dried within about one day is likely to have mold growth.
That is why it is so important to prevent the mold growth by drying your basement and fixing the water leaks.

As a waterproofing and mold remediation specialist we invest in top of the line equipment which helps us dry the affected area and get the humidity level below 55%. We use blower fans, commercial dehumidifiers and HEPA filtering air scrubbers which by creating negative air flow purifying the indoor air quality.

But the most important step in mold remediation process is to fix the cause of water problem so mold doesn’t have good conditions to grow.

Contact BAM at 215-716-3727 – we can help to get rid of your mold and water problem.

Do you need a French Drain?

Mike Daly — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:24:30 +0000

The main concept of the French Drain is to move water from point A to point B. Did you know that the name doesn’t come from the country? It is from the judge and farmer in Concord, Massachusetts Henry French who promoted the idea in an 1859 book about farm drainage. French made his drains with clay tiles, but we today usually use 4-inch-diameter plastic pipes. If you live on a slope and have a persistently wet basement or soggy lawn, a French drain could be the solution.

French drains work by providing an easy channel for water to flow. Surface and subsurface water runs through the spaces between the round gravel and into the perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench. Water then travels freely through the pipe, which empties a safe distance from the house. The trench bottom should be sloped about 1 inch for every 8 feet in the direction you want water to flow. Depending on the situation, the water can be diverted to a low-lying area of the property, a dry well, a drainage ditch, or the street.

Is your lawn always soggy? Or maybe you don’t want your driveway to wash out because of water rushing across it? The solution to your problems would be another type of French drain- so called curtain drain. It is a French drain which extends horizontally across your property, uphill of the area you want to dry out, and skirts water to either side.

This type of drain usually is not very deep. A common size is 2 feet deep and 1.5 feet across and it is enough to divert water around a house. If the drain passes through an area with trees or shrubs, consider switching to solid pipe there, to reduce the risk of roots growing into the piping and clogging it.

If you have any questions give us a call at 215-716-3727. We can help!