Posts Tagged Techniques
Waterproofing Techniques for Basement Floors
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 11th, 2010
Why is basement floor waterproofing so often overlooked, when if it was done when the basement was built, there would be fewer problems with seepage and flooding? Many people think basements are just concrete storage spaces for things you don’t use very often. Now, people realize the potential of this space for something much more such as extra living space, family rooms and bedrooms.
Water situation was not encountered in the beginning by homeowners, but it later appeared because sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogged with mud.
The soil will become too wet and saturated if water from the roof isn’t directed far away enough from the foundation. As the home settles, walls crack, protective coatings applied to the exterior biodegrades and drainage systems fill up with silt. Leakage in the basement can be caused by all of these problems. Natural pressure from the soil against the foundation will cause flowing ground water to enter through any cracks or crevices in your foundation. The level of pressure is positively correlated with the height of the water level. In turn this water, under increased pressure, seeks entry through cracks and crevices in the walls and floors, and concrete is no match for water pressure. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.
A pressure relief system can eliminate water that leaks into your basement. Whenever there happens to be a power outage due to a rainstorm, it is very likely that the primary pumps will not work, and that may cause somewhat of an inconvenience. Over time this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the floor or wall (usually called bleeding). Corners and joints that connect the floor and the wall are the most likely candidates for seepage.
If you think that water is comming out of an isolated area, you can lower the water table and the underground hydrostatic pressure by using an easy-to-install sump pump below your floor table. However, concrete is porous and allows water vapor to pass through. Because of moisture it feels even more cold, and rots carpet and other floor coverings. Even the mold starts to grow and basement smeels musty.
One fix for this problem is to use some of the quality sealants now available to the average home owner. It is often possible to paint them with either the roller or spray method. Here are some examples of what a regular project might entail:
- First the floor of the area being worked on must be prepared to make it smooth and remove any excess material
- making sure the basement floor is as dry as possible, hiring large fans or heaters if necessary.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- Filling in all crevices and bends which are especially visible.
- Priming the floor when the product calls for the use of a primer.
Spread two or three coats which is just right top-coating of the final product.
A high quality product will result in basement floor waterproofing that can last for years and years. Permaflex is one type of sealant that will give a complete and permanent waterproofing for a basement floor. This indoor waterproofing system claims to permanently seal you lower level floor at considerably less cost than other systems.
Make it easier to start waterproofing basement floors, quickly & easily. Lee Walder helps you learn the essential steps and get a problem-free environment with minimal outlay on the waterproofing basement floors website.
Basement Mold Cleaning Tips And Techniques
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on April 29th, 2010
To clearly get rid of your basement mold problem, you need to consider a few things. Where is the source of the problem and after you clean the problem, what do you do to prevent it.
In this technique you will learn how basement mold cleaning in not only about investigating to find the source, you need to clean and prevent black mold from coming back. Basement mold cleaning projects are difficult because of the locations basements are usually in. They are below homes and ground level. This allows mold to migrate into the lowest area of the home. Also, these basements are dark and usually have a high amount of moisture. This is a perfect condition for black mold and mildew. So what can you do for a smooth basement mold cleaning project. The answer is quite simple, below you will find where to look for the mold and then how you will clean basement mold and what product to use for mildew to not come back.
Basement Mold Cleaning Areas To Look For Mold:
Basement Carpeting – The basement carpets always seem to soak up moisture. It is a good idea to check around perimeter walls for these carpets for mold. In order to kill carpet mold you must find the source of the problem.
Wood Pilings and Ceiling Areas – Since moisture migrates because of gravity look up at your ceilings and investigate wood pilings. These are very popular sources for mold and mildew.
Perimeter Walls And Panels – Have a look at your perimeter walls as these will have mold growth and become prime suspects for mold and mildew growth. Be sure to have a look behind the panels if you can and view close to the floors, these will be problematic areas.
Find the source of the problem – Before you clean the mold be sure to find the source of the problem. Basement mold cleaning can be a difficult event, do not clean a whole basement and forget to prevent it from happening again.
Once you have scouted out these areas in your basement and found if they have mold you will most likely found the source of the problem. Now to get to how to remove the mold and prevent it from coming back. In order to remove the mold, you will either remove the building materials by doing a small mold remediation project. This is sometimes not needed, but it is a judgment call.
If you have mold and mildew on the wood of the basement then you will need to wire brush the surfaces. This breaks apart the mold, it is also recommended to use a natural cleaning product such as Safe Shield or Molderizer, these natural cleaning products are quite powerful and safe. Which ever option you choose try to break apart the surface, most times the wood will be so stained with mold and mildew that you need to wire brush, sand down, and use a cleaning again. Most mold remediation companies will use the natural cleaning products. The biggest reason to use these natural cleaning products is simply the protection and encapsulation. Which brings me to how to prevent the mold from coming back. Mold in order to stop it from coming back you need to cut it off from the food source. In this basement mold cleaning case, use a clear barrier to encapsulate the product and prevent mold growth.
Try to clean and protect your basement by using natural cleaning products at http://www.propertyperfections.net and correct mold remediation protocols which will clean and prevent mold and mildew growing in your basement.
Is basement mold cleaning got you upside down. Try natural cleaning products that are designed to clean basement mold and prevent mold growth. Need advice about black mold ask a mold expert and hear your answer on a live tele-seminar.
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