Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Repair News
Information about basement and crawl space environments, moisture control, and creating healthier homes
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Volunteer of the Year
Here at Basement Systems, we regularly join nonprofit organizations to work to make our community better. One of the groups we’ve worked withis TEAM, Inc., a local agency that works to fight poverty and help low-income families become more self-sufficient.
Last week, TEAM, Inc. named Basement Systems with the prestigious title of Volunteer of the Year. The organization said of Basement Systems, “Patient kind and giving, they are truly a great asset.”
Basement Systems Vice President Mark Daconto and Basement Systems employee John Kay accepted the award. Several other local citizens and organizations were also given awards at the Volunteer Reception held at John J. Sullivan’s in Ansonia, Connecticut.
Basement Systems Honored with Volunteer Award
Basement Systems, Inc., received the Corporate Volunteer Leadership Excellence in Community award from the Valley United Way at an annual ceremony last night.
Basement Systems President Larry Janesky accepted the award and spoke to the crowd at the United Way’s 18th Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception held on May 5.
A number of other local figures were honored at the ceremony as well for their volunteer work in the Greater Valley community. Other awards given out included Volunteers of the Year and Living Treasure.
The team at Basement Systems regularly volunteers with a number of local nonprofit organizations such as the United Way, TEAM Inc., and the Parent Child Resource Center. Basement Systems is also a member of the Corporate Volunteer Council.
Scary waterproofing sales tactics: How to avoid falling for them
While researching about waterproofing contractors over the internet, customers are bound to find, mostly in home improvement forums, a number of complaints about questionable sales tactics used by some waterproofing contractors. Customers usually complain about the same practices, used over and over, by some companies.
There is the awful “mold scare” tactic, the gross misrepresentation of the amount and urgency of repairs, the bashing of competitors to keep homeowners from getting additional estimates. To force a quick closing there is the very popular but extremely dishonest technique of jacking up the price and, when the homeowner refuses the proposal, offer overly generous “discounts” (as high as 50% sometimes), “but only if you close the deal right now”.
“A splendid example of credibility-building marketing”
Marketing expert Perry Marshall recently wrote an article and filmed a video reviewing a mailing he received from a Basement Systems dealer.
After finding water in his basement and contacting local basement waterproofing contractors in the Chicago area, he described the package he received in the mail from PermaSeal and explained the “ingeniousness of the company that mailed it; the author who wrote it; the instant edge over the competition; and how both service providers and authors can create a very nice business from this idea.”
Perry Marshall has written many popular books on Google advertising and is referenced regularly on the Internet and by sources like the Washington Post, USA Today, and Entrepreneur Magazine.
See the video and read the article here: http://www.perrymarshall.com/marketing-credibility
More Tainted Drywall Troubles
For the past couple of months, news outlets have been buzzing with stories of homeowners in southern states including Florida, Louisiana and Alabama that are feeling the negative effects of tainted drywall in their homes.
After tremendous flooding from hurricanes in 2005 and 2006 made the need for drywall in the south skyrocket, contractors began importing drywall from China to build and repair homes with. This drywall has been found to be inferior, however, and has caused a host of problems for homeowners.
CNN recently reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has found Chinese-made drywall in some Florida homes. This drywall has reportedly been emitting smelly, corrosive gases and ruining household systems such as air conditioners and dishwashers. The gases have also been corroding copper wires and turning them black.
Read more here: http://www.totalbasementfinishing.com/basement-finishing/basement-walls/articles/tainted-drywall-warning
From the Basement to the Penthouse
Business New Haven recently honored Basement Systems President Larry Janesky with the title of “Businessperson of the Year,” but they also just published a descriptive feature story on Janesky in their latest issue.
The article, written by Business New Haven staff writer Michael C. Bingham, chronicles Larry’s life from when he graduated high school and immediately began working carpentry jobs, to when he created his own business from the ground up and turned it into a $50 million corporation.
The story also mentions the unique features of the Basement Systems headquarters in Seymour, CT, such as the 1950s-style cafeteria and the Treehouse web department.
Read this great feature story by clicking here: http://www.conntact.com/article_page.lasso?id=42617
Hayden, CO, Police Dept. Project
Colorado Basement Systems was recently contracted to install CleanSpace in a new building being constructed for the Hayden Police Department. The 20 millimeter antimicrobial liner was specifically requested by the project architect, Ron Szerlong Associates, PC out of Steamboat Springs. The 5,600 + sq. ft. installation was completed in two days and required five technicians.
Colorado Basement Systems is a basement waterproofing and crawl space repair company that serves greater Aspen and surrounding areas of Colorado. They also specialize in mold remediation and dehumidification. They are a member of the Basement Systems international network of contractors.
CleanSpace liners are great for keeping buildings clean and dry, and are perfect for crawl space encapsulation.
For more information on CleanSpace, visit here: http://www.basementsystems.com/crawlspace
Tainted Drywall Warning in Florida
As if drywall wasn’t bad enough (organic, susceptible to mold and mildew, not waterproof), now homeowners in Florida, and possibly other places, need to worry about drywall emitting a terrible odor and ruining electrical wiring!
According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times, houses south of the Tampa Bay area in Florida that were built during 2005 and 2006 were made using sub-par drywall. This cheap, China-manufactured drywall has been found to emit a sulfur-like gas that corrodes metal and plumbing, eats away at electrical wiring, and smells terrible.
The Florida Department of Health received more than three dozen complaints from homeowners across Florida, but mainly in Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties, as well as Pinellas, St. Lucie and Collier. This drywall may have been used in hundreds or even thousands of homes throughout Florida, and even other areas.
Read more about this drywall problem here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/article972128.ece
For a safe and clean drywall alternative, go with the Total Basement Finishing wall system!
Basement Systems Open House
You are cordially invited to join us for wine and hors d’ oeuvres to celebrate the grand opening of ‘The most unique office interior in the United States’: the treehouse!
It takes place at Basement Systems on Tuesday, February 10, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, 60 Silvermine Road, Seymour, Connecticut.
The Tree House at Basement Systems, home of the high-tech Internet Dept., is quickly becoming a fascinating human interest story with special features on:
Better Connecticut on wfsb-tv 3
Fox 61 news at 10:00
There is a rough, fun edge to the architecture, with remarkable attention to detail. Unique materials create curious, interesting surfaces — stone wall facades, wood-pile motifs, & cut-out leaf windows accentuate the hand painted murals decorating the walls throughout!
This unique opportunity is free of charge to invitees. Prizes will be handed out.
Please respond by calling Amy Fitzgerald @ 800-640-1500 x9321 or reply via email: amylynn@basementsystems.com
For more treehouse information, photos and video, visit our site: http://www.treehouseworkspace.com
Basement and Crawl Space Experts.
Basement Systems is the world's largest network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and foundation repair contractors, with over 300 dealers in 6 countries.
We offer 24 patented products, and award-winning technologies to solve basement and crawl space moisture problems.