Healthy Basement Waterproofing

Sump Pump - What Features To Look For!

Steve Andras — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:07:00 GMT

There are many different sump pumps available on the market today. Here is my opinion as to the features that really matter.

1) Choose a pump that is energy efficient - The Pro Series line are "green pumps" that pump more water (3000 Gallons per hour) using less electricity. 3.8 amp at 10 head. (most other sump pump available in MA, RI, CT are 9.7 amp.and pump only 2040 gallons per hour)

2) Get a sump pump with a double switch. The number one reason sump pumps fail is the switch. The Pro Series line come with a dual switch, so that if the first switch were to fail the second would operate the pump.

3) It is important to get a pump that comes with a robust warranty. The Pro Series Line come with a 3 year warranty. (most other sump pumps available have only a one year warranty)

4) Choose a sump liner that is not too deep - Many sump liner (basins or pit) are 24" to 30' deep. Many contractors use such a deep liner because their drainage system sits on the footer and they need to collect ground water at a deeper level to keep the basement floor dry. Choose a GrateSump liner as it was engineered to not undermine your homes foundation. Removing water from below the footing of your home can be dangerous. (see www.GrateDrain.com)

5) If you have a wet basement in MA, RI, CT it is important to install a sump pump and liner from a company that services what it installs. Many waterproofing contractors install their pumps and take your money and disappear. Make sure to choose a company who has been in business for many years in the local area. www.pioneerbasement.com has been in business for over 25 years. It has a full service department that is dedicated to making sure your sump pump runs for years. In fact most of the sump pumps they install come with a service plan included so that they will provide an annual service call to clean and keep your pump running smoothly for years.

6) Buyer beware - recently there are companies coming in from CT and NJ saying they are licensed pros - Check out any company you use with the State to make sure they are properly licensed in your State. http://db.state.ma.us/dps/licenseelist.asp#SResults It is important to hire a licensed contractor in order to have protection from the local government. Never hire an unlicensed contractor.

Basement Repair Boston

Steve Andras — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Basement Waterproofing in Boston is very important. With all the new coal chute basement conversions in order to accommodate new population, many homeowners are looking into basement finishing without proper basement preparation first.

Basement waterproofing is a key element in maintaining a healthy basement environment for a new apartment. Most of the homes in Boston that are in this conversion stage range from 60 to almost 200 years old. Stone foundations need to be maintained at these ages not only to assure stability but to update the cold joints with new mortar to help to control the possibly of water infiltration.

Once a stone foundation is inspected properly and treated properly, the foundation will be ready to waterproof. Using the GrateProducts Waterproofing System, Pioneer Basement will professionally install a complete water and moisture control system in order to better facilitate finishing off your basement as an apartment.

To make your new apartment easier, we also finish basements! Not only will you get our life of house transferable warranty on the new water control system you just had installed, you’ll also get the customizable and professional grade quality of our BasementShield Finishing system.

Your basement can be converted into a working apartment with working moisture control, air circulation, air filtration, custom floor plan and affordable implementation.

Pioneer Basement is Boston, Massachusetts #1 choice for foundation repair and basement waterproofing.

Healthy Basements Should Be A Standard Not A Luxury

Steve Andras — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:54:00 GMT

Healthy Basements should not be for just the wealthy who can afford it. Our children's health depends on how healthy your basement is. If you are like the majority of people, your basement is "Out of Site, Out of Mind".

There lies the problem - You feel your basement is not part of your house. You are kidding yourself so you don't have to deal with it. My job is to get you to realize just how important it is for you to turn your attention to the "Black Hole" in your basement.

People in the late 1800's were more concerned about healthy cellars (or basements) than we are today. Doctors need to realize that many of the breathing problems their patients have can be linked to an unhealthy basement.

Pay attention to the fact that 40% of the air your family breathes on the first floor comes from the basement. It is important to correct the wet and damp environment that is in your basement in order for the rest of your home to be healthy. Henry French (The guy who the french drain is named for) once said "If you neglect the conditions in your cellar, nothing you do on the above floors will negate its evil effects"

Please remember a healthy basement is the start of a healthy home.

Basement Finishing Experts?

Steve Andras — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:31:00 GMT

Watch Out For So Called Basement Experts

The fact that consumers are not spending the way they usually do, has brought a lot of industries into the business of basement finishing. Insulation companies, window and siding companies are all part of the basement finishing push to get money from uneducated consumers.
The fact is they are not selling as many windows and siding jobs these days. So now EVERYONE is a "basement expert".

Beware consumers that you don't spend your money fixing your basement with these so called experts who don't protect you and your family health. Yes these companies claim their "finishing system" won't mold but what they aren't telling you is that they are doing nothing to control the inward ground moisture from your basement walls. What they do tell you is you can remove the panels and bring them upstairs if your basement floods

Get real, basement finishing is serious business that can affect the health of your home and family if it is not done right. Even the HGTV "Pros" while great carpenters and nice people are unknowingly directing people to finishing their basement as if it were the first floor of the house.

After nearly 30 years of helping people utilize their basement space, I realize that this was bound to happen, as it has happened to me at least 3 times in my career. Economy tanks, companies come out of the woodwork, do bad work, go out of business and then customers call me and say" why didn't you tell me this would happen".

Lure of saving a few bucks, usually cost the homeowner more in the end. Have you ever wondered why Pioneer Basement has survived droughts and bad economic times? Why have we not changed our name and opened up a "new company"? I have always treated my customers as if they were my father or mother. Please be a smart homeowner who recognizes that if you want a house insulated you call an insulation company, if you want your house sided call a siding expert, if you want new vinyl replacement windows then call a window expert and When you want to finish your basement then call the true Basement Expert - Pioneer Basement and its authorized contractors.

My life is the basement and I love what I do. My employees feel the same way and want to help you with your basement. Whether you need a crack repair or a sump pump installed or a complete Basement Finishing job call us we here to help make your home healthier by correcting the dangerous conditions that exist in your basement.

Radon In Basements

Steve Andras — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:49:00 GMT

Radon is an odorless gas from decomposing uranium that can enter the lower levels of your home, especially your basement. Radon will enter through wall and floor cracks, sump pits, and open backed drainage systems. According to the EPA - 21,000 deaths are related to overexposure to high radon levels.

I recommend all homeowners have there homes tested for radon every two years. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting 5 energetic college students from Olin College in Needham Massachusetts who decide to make a difference and started a student company called UltraViolet Environmental Services. These students donated their profits to charity. I am happy to say that they have decided to continue the company and expand on their service area.

The Healthy Home Basement Finishing network is offering free radon testing before and after any of its installations. This research will help prove that a closed drainage system will help control radon from entering a basement. Visit www.homebasementfinishing.com for more information on properly preparing your basement before you finish it.

Open Backed Systems vs, Closed Systems

Steve Andras — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:18:00 GMT

Basement Waterproofing Contractors for many years have been installing open backed drainage systems - these are sub floor drainage systems that have an open channel along the foundation wall. They felt that by leaving this open channel water leaking through the walls would drip down the wall and into the drainage system.

Now I know that people may say " Steve, you have installed open backed systems in the past!" Yes that is true, but I so firmly believe that a closed system is what people today need. In past years people used the basement or cellar for storing root vegetables - the moist damp basement environment was desirable.

Why do I preach "Closed Drainage Systems" when I know that the majority of contractors will say I am crazy? Here's some food for thought:

1) Open backed systems allow bugs to easily enter the basement.
2) They promote high humidity by allowing ground moisture to easily come up into the basement (and home)
3) An open backed system will allow radon, an odorless gas, to easily enter your basement which is not healthy for your family.
4) Open backed systems promote iron bacteria colonies to flourish.
5) Heating and air conditioning costs are higher when a drainage system has an open backed system.

Since I have been preaching this message of installing closed drainage systems, some other basement drainage contractors are adapting their current drainage systems by installing a wall vapor barrier, however make sure that contractor is totally sealing that wall vapor barrier at the top of the wall with a sealant. Open Backed systems with a wall vapor barrier after thought MUST be sure to seal the wall vapor barrier where it meets the drainage system also.

In recent days a sub floor drainage system called Grate Drain has been developed which is a totally closed drainage system. You can see more on this system at
www.grateproducts.com

Healthy Basement - Healthy Home

Steve Andras — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:04:00 GMT

40% of the air your family breathes on your first floor of your home comes from your basement. This Blog is dedicated to educating consumers and contractors alike as to the importance of maintaining a healthy basement.

I have been helping people utilize their basement space for nearly 30 years. I have become the guy in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut that everyone knows as "the guy who's passionate about basements"

Nowadays people are using their basements differently then their ancestors did. In the 1800's and early 1900's people used the basement or "cellar" as a true root cellar that they built their houses over. Today, instead of storing potatoes people have home theaters, instead of growing mushrooms we now have children playing in the basement space.

Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't utilize the basement space, rather I'm saying that homeowners and contractors alike need to prepare that below grade basement space properly.

No long should we treat the basement as not a part of the house. Basements can be a great source of added usable space, but they can also be the source of mold, mildew, ground humidity, iron bacteria in sub floor drainage systems (french drains), radon, and even bugs.

I want to thank everyone who post comments on the article and adds content to this blog. It is the hope that collectively we can educate best practices as to how to prepare a basement so it is a healthy basement - one that promotes a healthy home.