Friday, August 03, 2012
Humidity and moisture are inherent to basements and crawl spaces. Moisture can cause damage to drywall, wood, carpets, paint and your belongings. Dehumidifiers work to remove the moisture in your basement. By doing so, they stop mold growth and protect the structure of your home. it is very important to reduce the moisture and humidity in your basement regardless of whether you use that space for living or storage. Additionally, by reducing basement moisture, you...
Friday, July 27, 2012
Basements are humid and musty, regardless of if they are finished or used only for storage. Because they are subterranean, basements are damp. Summer increases basement humidity. While the outdoor air is hot, the indoor air is cool, and this creates a dampness and musty odor.
Even if you only use your basement for storage, you need to keep your basement dry. Damp and humid basements can result in mold growth in your belongings and...
Friday, July 20, 2012
Elevator pits and vaults often become damp or hold water. Elevator pits and vaults are often the lowest part of the building. Additionally, when buildings with elevators are built near water there is water pressure pressing on the walls and floor. Just like a basement, an elevator shaft is below ground and is subject to humidity. Wet elevator shafts need to be addressed.
Water will find the path of least resistance, and whether through the...
Friday, July 13, 2012
It is important to address spalling concrete when it first starts to appear. Spalling is one of the first sign of a concrete problem. Spalling is concrete which has broken up, flaked, or become pitted as a result of result of poor installation and environmental factors. It is also caused by improper finishing of the concrete.
At the least, concrete spalling can be purely cosmetic. However, spalling concrete can also result in structural damage....
Friday, July 06, 2012
As a business owner, you need to keep you business safe from every type of liability. Damaged cement stairs leading into your business or through your parking garage are no exception.
Exterior cement stairs or cement stairs that are exposed to the elements are prone to damage and deterioration.
Concrete stairs are susceptible to the elements. Freeze thaw cycles, winter salts, initial cracks, wear and tear, harsh chemicals, bacterial corrosion, leaching, and sea water...
Friday, June 29, 2012
Businesses with concrete steps, concrete foundations, a concrete entrance or with any other substantial part of your building made from concrete, consider concrete preservation. Many commercial buildings are made with concrete; it is durable and long lasting. However, overtime, concrete does deteriorate.
In New England concrete structures are susceptible to the elements which can speed up concrete spalling or decaying process. Water penetrates the porous concrete and then freezes which causes it, along with the...
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and the EPA recommend maintaining relative humidity level in the 30% - 50% range. In the summer in Massachusetts, the weather is more humid. Basements and crawl spaces tend to be more humid relative to the rest of the home because they are almost entirely subterranean, or below ground.
Studies have shown that as much as 50% of the air in your home comes from your basement or...
Friday, June 15, 2012
Generally, as far as building materials go, concrete is very safe and secure. However, over time concrete develop cracks and fissures, especially here in Massachusetts with the dramatic changes in weather.
Parking garages are always built with concrete and steel. Parking structures are generally very safe, secure and sturdy. However, if you are a parking garage management company and you are noticing cracks in the cement floors, walls, or any other part of the structure,...
Friday, June 08, 2012
Concrete is an excellent building material. Reinforced concrete is used to build pipes and tanks. The superior engineering properties of reinforced concrete has had engineers using it to build waste water and treatment tanks.
Unfortunately, the reinforcing steel in the concrete has affected the durability of concrete. The reinforcing steel corrodes and can cause concrete to crack and spall. This reduces the structural integrity of the concrete, and can also accelerate the rate of deterioration...
Friday, June 01, 2012
You might think that we only do concrete crack repair for homes but we do commercial work too. And one of the most common projects we take on for businesses is cracked cement loading docks. If your loading dock is cracked, you may not believe that you have a problem, unfortunately you are wrong.
Cracks in concrete can cause you serious damage in the long run. Here in New England, as the weather changes and...