Continue reading »]]> Before finishing (or re-finishing) your Northern VA basement, protect your remodeling investment and prevent future costly repairs by sealing your basement. Moisture-related problems are the most common complaint of homeowners, and elevated radon levels effect one out of five homes. As concrete ages, it becomes more porous, resulting in water seepage, condensation, sweating walls, molds and mildew, and musty odors. Finishing your Northern VA basement without sealing it first, covers up the walls and floors, trapping the moisture in. Dehumidifiers increase the migration of moisture through the concrete, speeding up its deterioration. Once the basement is finished, there is usually little alternative to costly exterior repairs to the foundations and concrete.

You can prevent or solve moisture and radon problems by sealing your Northern VA basement. It provides basement waterproofing, damp proofing, radon mitigation, and concrete preservation.

Even if you have never had problems with moisture, these problems often develop after remodeling. The concrete may be new or the basement may appear dry, but moisture is getting in. Concrete is very porous and lets in soil gas and moisture from the ground. In addition, the pores draw in water from the ground by capillary action like a wick. The average basement absorbs 18 gallons of water each day! It normally evaporates due to good ventilation, higher temperatures, and lower pressure. Water carries chemicals or minerals from inside the concrete and the ground, as well as dissolved radon. The continuous water flow leaches out the concrete and makes it more porous, which increases the intake of moisture.

When you cover the floor and walls, the moisture naturally migrating through the concrete gets trapped. Increased humidity promotes molds, mildew, dust mites, and biological air contaminants, which cause allergies, asthma, or other health problems. A musty smell may develop. Molds thrive in carpeting, upholstered furniture, drywall, and wood. The furnishings have to be discarded and the source of moisture removed.

For more information about sealing your Northern VA basement, contact the basement waterproofing experts at BWN or call 1-800-888-0487.

Continue reading »]]> A backup sump pump is a system used to protect your Maryland basement from flooding when the main sump pump is not operating. There are many reasons why you need a backup sump pump in your Maryland home:

• Your power can go out at any time
• Your main sump pump can become clogged or can seize up
• Your main pump’s float switch can become stuck
• The check valve on the main pump may fail
• The discharge pipe could freeze or get clogged up
• There just may be too much water for the main sump pump to handle it all.

When any of these events occur, your basement will flood.

You can protect your Maryland home and keep your basement dry by using a backup sump pump. There are several types of backup sump pump systems, including battery powered. When purchasing a backup sump pump, you need to consider a completely redundant system, which includes a second sump pump, second float switch, and a secondary power source. The experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide (BWN) can install and maintain the right backup sump pump for your Maryland home. Contact BWN today for a free sump pump inspection or call 1-800-888-0487.

Continue reading »]]> Estimates indicate approximately 95 percent of all homes in the Southern New Jersey region with basements experience problems associated with a wet basement at some point. The best way to prevent water damage in your basement and stop mold growth before it spreads to your entire home is through the installation of a sump pump. Did you know that for every inch of rain that falls, the roof of your Southern New Jersey home dispels approximately 1,000 gallons of water? If your basement is not protected, that water can easily enter your Southern New Jersey basement.

Basement flooding is very common in homes that are situated on a flat terrain. The water that hits the ground surface has nowhere to go and will eventually make its way through the cracks and fissures in your foundation. If you have not taken precautions against basement flooding, you can go to bed with a dry basement and easily wake up with an unintentional in-basement swimming pool. Beyond the damage to your belongings in the basement, you also may be faced with mechanical problems in your home if your electrical panel or plumbing controls suffer water damage.

Protecting your belongings and your Southern New Jersey home is important, but protecting the health of your family is even more important. Once wet, surfaces become perfect for mold growth in the damp, warm and dark conditions of most basements. After the mold begins growing, mold spores can easily be transported throughout your home in a matter of mere moments. Mold is known to cause many health problems, some extremely serious for allergy sufferers and those who have respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Installing a sump pump can easily and efficiently protect your home, your family and your belongings from water and mold damage.

Other benefits of installing a sump pump in your Southern New Jersey basement include:

• Protection of your property value
• Keeps your foundation intact
• Prevents fungus, molds and mildew
• Prevents termite and insect infestation
• Prevents walls, paint and wall paper from peeling away from the wall

For more information on the benefits of installing a sump pump contact the dry basement experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide today.

Continue reading »]]> Nearly all homeowners in Delaware know the benefits of operating a sump pump in their basement. The decision has been made and a sump pump is being installed, but these other considerations must be accounted for in the installation as well.

• Always use a corrosion-free housing such as bronze, stainless steel and epoxy-coated cast iron for sump pump installation in your Delaware home.
• Make sure the capacity of the sump pump can meet the demands of your household. The capacity of sump pumps is measured in gallons per minute or gallons per hour. Discuss your personal requirements with the sump pump installation company.
• The ‘head pressure’ or the height to which water must be carried vertically before disposal, is important when selecting a sump pump. The sump pump you choose must have a rating sufficient enough to remove the water from your Delaware basement.
• If your basement will need electrical work performed to accommodate the sump pump, leave this to the professionals.
• Make sure you know the local requirements of your municipality for water discharge before installing a sump pump.

For more information on installing a sump pump, or to make an appointment for sump pump maintenance or purchase, contact the sump pump experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide today.

Continue reading »]]> One of the littlest-thought-about parts of a sump pump for your Northern Virginia basement is the sump pump switch. Without the switch, the sump pump is unlikely to work efficiently – if at all – and then you will be faced with a wet basement in your Northern Virginia home. Understand how the switch works and you can understand how the sump pump operates.

• Sump Pump Capacitive switches: A capacitive sump pump switch uses a microprocessor to evaluate the amount of water in the sump pump pit. When the water level reaches a predetermined point in the sump basic, the sump pump turns on and eliminates the water in the sump basin. One of the benefits of this type of sump pump switch is the fact there are no mechanical parts that will eventually wear out and break, which could ultimately lead to a sump pump failure and a wet South Central Pennsylvania basement.
• Sump Pump Vertical switches: These mechanical sump pump switches are designed to turn the sump pump on and off when the water in the sump pit reaches a specific level as well. However, the difference is this type of sump pump switch cannot be adjusted to different water levels. The switch must be installed at 90 degrees from the incoming liquid and must be free from obstructions to function properly.
• Sump Pump Diaphragm switches: This type of mechanical device uses water pressure to turn the sump pump on and off when appropriate. When the water rises to that level, air is released from a vent tube and the switch is activated. When the water falls below that point again, the air is sucked back into the switch and the sump pump turns off.

For more information on which type of sump pump is best for your basement, contact the dry basement professionals at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide.

Continue reading »]]> The threat of water in the basement of your Northern Virginia home is real to many homeowners and potential homeowners. Water in your basement not only can lead to mold and mildew growth which can lead to health problems for everyone in the home, but it also can be potentially harmful to the structure of the home. With a wet basement comes the worries of damaged possessions and space that becomes unusable because of the smell and damp conditions. This is where dry basement certification comes into play.

When purchasing a home, or even refinancing a current mortgage, in the Northern Virginia area, your home mortgage lender may require the completion of a dry basement certification as a condition of the mortgage. The lender simply wants to ensure the property they agree to finance does not have a leaky basement that can lead to significant problems as previously discussed.

The dry basement professionals at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide are able to provide the dry basement certification for you and your lender after completing the inspection process. Rather than simply walking through looking for signs of water seeping in through the basement walls, we take it a step further and thoroughly inspect all aspects of the basement for signs of water.

Upon completing the inspection of your Northern Virginia basement, we will determine whether or not your basement qualifies for dry basement certification. Assuming all aspects check-out, we will provide you with the dry basement certification as requested by the mortgage lender. If problems are found, we can help you determine the best way to address the issue and ultimately provide the dry basement certification. For more information on dry basement certification, contact the dry basement professionals at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide today.

Continue reading »]]> It should be common knowledge that a basement is constructed or dug beneath the surface – or under your South Central Pennsylvania home. Since the basement is below the home, it is below the ground and in some circumstances it also will be below the water table. The water table is the main culprit for putting water into your basement, which if left alone can lead to significant damage to your home and your belongings. Using a sump pump to remove the water from your home is the best defense against water in your basement.

The electric pump, called a sump pump, acts as a water relocation system contained in a relatively small area in your basement. The sump pump is activated when water accumulates in the sump pit and reaches a certain level. When the sump pump turns on, it pumps the water out and away from your home – reducing the likelihood of a wet, musty and moldy basement in your Pennsylvania home.

The sump pit is basically a hole in the basement floor that contains the sump pump. The sump pit collects the water in the basement as it flows in. The sump pit may fill in as little as 15 minutes – typically during severe weather – or 15 days; it all depends on the amount of water in the ground at the time. The basic idea of a sump pump sounds pretty simple – and it is – but this simple piece of equipment is often responsible for keeping your home free of mold and water damage.

To make sure your sump pump works as is intended, make sure you keep routine maintenance schedules in mind and adhered to. Check the sump pump and sump pump pit for debris that may be lodged in the pump head and cause damage or failure. Gravel, dirt and sand can accumulate over time and lead to clogs in the system – clogs that could be end of your sump pump and your dry basement.

For more information on installing and using a sump pump in your basement or for installation service, contact the professionals at Basement Waterproofing Services. Serving all of Maryland, Washington DC, Southern New Jersey, South Central Pennsylvania, Delaware and Northern Virginia for more than 20 years, the waterproofing experts at Basement Waterproofing Services can solve your wet basement problem today.

Continue reading »]]> Spring and summer are the crucial times for sump pumps in Maryland, Washington DC, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, as the ground is often saturated with water, which can lead to water in your basement. All homeowners in the Northern Virginia and South Central Pennsylvania area should take a few minutes this time of year to protect their home with sump pump maintenance and inspections.

A simple test of the sump pump is the best way to protect your home and your belongings from the potentially dangerous mold growth of a wet basement. Remove the cover of the sump pit and slowly pour water into it, keeping an eye on the sump pump float that should turn the sump pump on. When the sump pump turns on, it will run a cycle and then automatically turn itself off. This is the normal cycle of a sump pump, and if this process happens as it should, then your sump pump is in fact working properly and you should not have trouble with a wet basement.

Homes in Delaware and Washington DC – and throughout the region – that are equipped with a battery back-up sump pump should also spend a few minutes and test the battery. Spring and summer are perfect times for rain and thunderstorms, and these are the times your battery back-up sump pump is needed the most.

A battery back up sump pump is essentially an insurance policy (the battery) for your insurance policy (the sump pump). If the amount of water coming into your basement is more than your primary sump pump can handle, the battery backup sump pump is available to assist and if your electricity goes off, the battery back-up sump pump also steps-in to clean up the mess.

A quick cursory inspection of your South Central Pennsylvania or Southern New Jersey sump pump will identify any obvious troubles, but consider a professional inspection for added security. The sump pump experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide are trained to identify and repair any potential problems with your sump pump, giving you the peace of mind needed. Serving all of Northern Virginia, Delaware, South Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, the dry basement experts at BWN can help you sleep better knowing your home is as safe as possible from a broken sump pump.

Continue reading »]]> When the lights suddenly go out and cries of panic stream throughout your Fairfax Station, VA home, you will wish you had done a little digging and purchased a generator for your home. Before you decide to investigate generators, here are some topics to consider.

Typically, generators are chosen based on the maximum power rating, or the amount of power the generator can create. Rather than simply picking a generator from the store, first think about what you need it to operate when the electricity is out.

For example, if you want the generator to operate all of the appliances in your Chevy Chase, MD home you will need a bigger generator than if you simply want to operate a fan and the television. Know how must wattage you need to generate before purchasing a generator.

When given the option, purchase a generator that has a revolving field. Revolving field generators do not weigh as much as other types of generators and run more efficiently. This type of generator uses up to 25 percent less power than a revolving armature generator.

Make sure the generator you choose for your Northern Virginia home is UL 2000 Listed. This means the product has been tested and approved for the specific wattage as is listed. This in combination with an automatic voltage regulation will help prevent voltage spikes from damage, causing more trouble than you want to handle.

Also, purchase a generator that has a displace phase excitation to maximize its starting capability and provide more surge power than other models.

When putting these generator buying tips to use, you will quickly see the benefits of a generator in your Burke, VA home. For more information on how best to choose a generator, or about whole home automatically switched generators to avoid the hassle with each use of a portable generator, contact the professionals at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide.

Continue reading »]]> Recent claims suggest more than half of all homes with basements in the United States have problems with a wet basement and basement condensation is usually one of the main reasons this problem is present in Northern Virginia homes. Finished basements that are wet from condensation present more of a problem for homeowners than others, since the area is used as living space and may subject you to mold exposure and the resulting health problems.

Any signs of water on the basement floor – be it water spots, drips, puddles or stains – are usually the first and best sign of a moisture issue in the basement resulting in a wet basement. Moisture in the basement not only leads to mold and mildew problems in that area of the home, it also can lead to problems on upper floors as well. Condensation in the basement can lead to buckling and warping of hardwood floors above the problem area, making the wet basement problem more disastrous.

When warm air hits cold – or even cool – foundation walls and uninsulated cold-water pipes, condensation forms and the water collects somewhere. When you walk into a home or basement and it smells musty, this is a sign of moisture in the basement, often caused by condensation. The condensation may be in the basement itself, or in crawl spaces of home without a basement. The damage is more than just the odor however, as condensation promotes wood rot, buckling and misshapen wood floors and increases the likelihood of insects making your home theirs as well.

Drying out the basement may require more work than you imagine, and may require professional intervention as well. Opening the windows, running fans – or even installing ceiling fans, and operating a dehumidifier may be the best at-home solution for the do-it-yourself types. However, these steps may help but will not solve the problem of condensation. The solution is likely to require the help of professional basement waterproofers.

For more information or assistance solving your wet basement problem, contact Basement Waterproofing Nationwide. BWN has been helping residential and commercial customers in Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware solve their wet basement problems for nearly 20 years.