Waterproofing and foundation repair go hand in hand with pest control. Removing the water and sealing cracked foundations is the first line of defense for preventing pests in basements and crawlspaces. Advanced Energy’s 2005 crawlspace research study was the beginning of closed crawlspaces. Their research helped people understand the importance of closing a vented crawlspace….
Category: Homeowner Tips
How to Determine Condensation from Water Penetration on a Wall
There is a very simple test to determine whether or not the wetness on a wall is from external water penetration through the wall or from condensation depositing moisture on the wall. If you encounter a situation where you need to determine what caused a wall to be wet you can follow the below steps:…
Fixing Dirt Crawlspaces: Liners or Poured Concrete
Over 25 million homes in the U.S. are built over exposed dirt crawlspaces. The U.S. Department of Energy and independent building science research groups have found exposed dirt crawlspaces cause moisture problems, pests, and high energy bills. Basically, what is under the house should be treated as part of the house. The environment under the…
Understanding FEMA Assistance for Homeowners
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the government relief program for the U.S. Most people know FEMA as a household name but until your area is hit with a disaster where the damage is so widespread that it is declared a federal disaster (the declaration must come from the governor, a federal agency director…
How to Measure Your Sump Pump Strength
Not all sump pumps are created equal. Some are actually stronger than others. Pump strength is measured by the amount of water that is can push out of a 1 ½ inch PVC discharge line. Most pumps have a flow chart indicating the Gallons Per Minute (GPM) with the feet of discharge line. The length…
Tips to Draining a Seriously Flooded Basement
If your basement is flooded with more than just a couple of inches (we are talking a foot of water, here), don’t be in too big a hurry to pump it out. Here’s why. Water in the ground outside your home is pushing hard against the outside of your basement walls. But the water inside…
6 Tips for Healthy Below-Grade Spaces
The trick to healthy below-grade spaces is keeping the area dry and free from mold—or anything that may be a food source for mold. Jeffrey C. May, owner, of May Indoor Air Investigations, LLC., in Tyngboro, MA, agrees with the EPA and the Basement Health Association of how to keep a safe, dry and healthy…
Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Home
It can be quite the project diagnosing home repairs, doing the proper research, seeking out local companies, and comparing estimates. Here at Basement Health Pros, we aim to make that a bit easier for you. Here is a quick checklist of things to look for when seeking out a contractor for your next big improvement…
