Too many people are dealing with wet basements. Now that the hurricane is over you can address your wet basement problems and be prepared (and relaxed) for the next time. You need to not only clean up the water, but you need to prevent basement floods from happening again. Because, as many people found out, sump pumps are great, but if there is no power, there isn't a whole lot you can do. Keep in...

Here comes Hurricane Irene. If you have had basement flooding problems, or you are concerned you may get them with the projected rain in our forecast in the New England Area. Here are some ways to get ready, and prevent a flooded basement. Extend your downspouts away from your home in order to divert the water from your foundation. If you can, run them at least 3 to 5 feet away from your home. Clean...

There are plenty of homes out there with leaky basements. Many homeowners just assume their basement will be dark and damp. Maybe the concrete floor has a crack, or the foundation leaks a bit, or perhaps there is a leak where the pipes go through the basement walls. Through a towel on that, clean that right up and you’re all set right? Wrong. Even if you don’t have a finished basement, even if the water...

There is no question that homes with basements provide us with much more space than those with only crawl spaces. Often, homeowners will put recreational rooms in the basement, or perhaps an office. Other times, the basement will be storage, a tool shed and a laundry room combined, but this still provides us with extra space upstairs. So, there is no point in going into why a wet basement is a bother. Water in the...

In today’s housing market, you may come across a home that is priced well below market value. Often this is because of some type of damage or deficiency.  More often than not, this involves a flooded basement.   If you are considering a home with a finished basement that has flooded, keep in mind that this can be very costly to repair and there a some issues to consider. Obviously, finished basements with water damage...

If your basement has a sump pump, really it is only a matter of time before a failure occurs. There are many different sizes of sump pumps and getting the right size for your home will go a long way to having your sump pump last. The goal is to shop for the best value by obtaining a pump with maximum features for your money. The physical size of your pump may depend on the...

It has been very hot around here with no rain in sight really, so wet basements probably have not been on your mind. But with this humidity you could still have trouble in your basement. Hot and humid weather just increases the humidity and moisture in your basement. High humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint problems, and health problems. High...

No one enjoys a flooded basement. It is one of the worst problems for homeowners to face. Regardless of if your house gets water regularly or if it happens once a year, there is never a good time for water in the basement. To prevent basement flooding you need to understand why it is happening in order to properly fix the problem and to prevent it from reoccurring. Sometimes basement flooding is caused by a...

One of the two leading causes of poor indoor air quality is mold growth. Mold can form and grow on any surface that provides a food source surrounded by moderate temperatures, oxygen and sufficient moisture. The best examples of mold food sources are cellulose-based substances, such as rugs and wood. In today’s hoomes, food sources for mold are readily available in the form of untreated paper-faced gypsum board, wood wall studs and wood-based sheathings as...

It is summer and the basement is moist. You may not see any water, but if you can smell it and feel it, it is there. You may have a basement water proofing system in place, or perhaps you don’t have water seeping in your foundation from pipes or floor cracks. That’s the good news. The bad is that, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your basement is dry. Often water enters a basement through capillary...