All Things "Basementy"! » Basement Waterproofing Contractors

6 Common Sump Pump Problems and What to Do About Them

cynthia — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:12:41 +0000

A good sump pump, tied to a properly installed, working foundation drainage system is a homeowner’s first line of defense against basement flood.

Sump pump failure, on the other hand, is the cause of many basement floods.

Sump pumps are mechanical devices, therefore prone to malfunction, and they need a source of power to work.

They can also be improperly installed, which can interfere with the way they function and, since there are so many types, brands, models and capacities, it is hard for a homeowner without the proper knowledge, to pick the right pump for the job.

Below are the most common types of sump pump failure, and what you need to do to prevent them.

1 – Overwhelmed Sump Pump

Sometimes a single sump pump just isn’t enough to handle the job. Sometimes the pump is simply not powerful or reliable enough.
Plastic, cheap sump pumps for example, often can’t keep up with the high volume of water that pours in, especially during heavy rains. It will burn out or fail to pump water as quickly as needed.<

At Basement Systems we only recommend and install high capacity, cast iron, Zoeller brand pumps as the primary pumps for all our systems. We’ve tested many other pumps and they were proven to be the most reliable and powerful in the industry.

Upgrading your sump pump and adding a battery backup sump pump to the system, usually solves this problem. In some rare cases you might need more than one sump pump and back up system, installed in different corners of the basement.

2- Pump works but there is no water coming into the sump pit..

This is a classic sign of improperly installed sump pump. Many contractors install a sump pump in the basement but do not link it to a drainage system.

A sump pump only works properly if there is a drain tile installed externally or internally, along the internal perimeter of the basement. The drain tile collects all the ground water from around the foundation, and relies on gravity to channel and discharge it into the sump pump. If the drain tile is clogged, collapsed, inexistent, or just not installed with the proper pitch, it won’t divert the water to the pit, and the best sump pump in the world will not keep your basement dry.

3- Clogged Sump Pumps and Switches

Sump pits that do not have a lid can easily fill with dirt and debris which can cause a sump pump to clog. Likewise, if you have a sump pump that sits straight against the bottom of a dirty sump pit its mechanical parts are liable to clog with dirt and debris. If this interferes with the pump’s operation, the system will slow or stop.

These same debris can cause the “float switch”, which causes the pump to turn on and off as the water level in the pit changes, to clog or jam as well.

If these switches clog, become jammed, or (in the case of cheap sump pump models) become tangled in the rest of the system, the sump pump switch will either stop working entirely or be stuck in the “on” position, meaning that it will run nonstop.

Our sump pump systems include a sump container with an air tight sealed lid that will not only prevent debris from falling in it; it will also keep small children and pets safe and the water from the pit from evaporating back into your basement. The system also includes a pedestal that keeps the sump from coming in contact with the bottom of the container, which is where the silt accumulates.

4 – Frozen or Clogged Discharge Lines

If the discharge lines are frozen or clogged, the system can’t get rid of the water being pumped.

The discharge line needs to be kept clear and it is a good idea to protect the end of the discharge line with a cover, like the Basement Systems’ LawnScape Outlet. This product keeps debris and small animals from getting into the discharge line.

To deal with frozen discharge lines we offer an attachment called IceGuard. Installed at the beginning of the line, as it exits the basement, it will keep the water flowing out of the pipe if the line is frozen.

5 – Power Lost to the Sump Pump

TripleSafe has not one, but two backup pumps, and one of them is battery operated

When the pump stops working it is a good idea to check if it has power. In these cases, the sump might be working properly, but has no electricity to power it on. Often, the sump is unplugged – accidentally or someone forgot to plug it back in. Check the circuit breaker, it might have tripped and need to be reset.

There are of course, the cases in which the pump is down because of a power outage. The storms and torrential downpours that have the potential to flood a basement are often the same ones that knock down the power lines.

At Basement Systems we highly recommend that you have a high capacity battery operated backup sump pump to keep your basement protected when power is lost for any of the above reason.

Our sump pump systems, often include an alarm to let you know when a backup pump kicks in. For the ultimate protection, consider installing a TripleSafe System, which has not one, but two backup sump pumps, one of which is battery operated. The TripleSafe reduced the odds of a basement flood to statistical insignificance.

6 – Sump Pump Running Non-Stop.

Sump pumps that run continuously, non-stop, or way too often, regardless of the weather conditions or season, may be a sign of different problems, all of which need to be addressed immediately, before the overworked pump burns out. Here’s the most common causes:

Stuck sump pump switches.
The float switch becomes clogged, jammed, or (in cheap sump models) the switch becomes tangled in the system. In some cases, the vibrations of the sump pump as it runs can cause it to begin to lean on the edge of the sump pit or liner, disabling the sump pump switch.
The Sump Pump Liner and/or the Liner is Too small or Too Big.
In some cases the sump pump is just not big enough to handle the job, so it runs continuously to keep up. In other instances, the pump may be powerful enough, but the sump pit is so small, and fills up so quickly that it triggers the sump pump to work more often than it should. In the industry we call it a short cycling sump pump.
The check valve is missing or broken.
Because the sump pump is installed below grade, the discharge line go upwards until it can exit the basement at some point above grade, when the pipe is then pitched downhill, relying on gravity to discharge the water. The check valve, installed in the discharge line, prevents the water from coming back into the pit before it reaches the point in which it begins to roll downhill. A broken or missing check valve will cause 1/3 to 2/3 of that water to flow right back into the pit, overworking the pump.
Continually flooding sump pit.
In very rare cases, there is just a continuous flow of water into the sump pit due to a high water table or an underground spring. If the water table is too high, raising the sump pit a bit might help. Upgrading the system or adding an extra sump pump on another corner of the basement might help.

If the sump pump is running non-stop under normal conditions, there is a chance that it will fail when you need it most: during a heavy rain. Get a technician to look at it before bad weather strikes, because that is when the technicians will most likely be extremely busy, and you might not be able to schedule service until it is too late.

If your sump pump is not running properly or needs and upgrade, contact us for a free Sump Pump evaluation.

Basement Systems to be Inducted into CT Business Hall of Fame

Francine — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:23:15 +0000

Basement Systems, Inc., will be joining the ranks of prestigious businesses and business leaders throughout the state as inductees in the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame.

The international basement waterproofing company, based in Seymour, was selected to be a part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place on May 20 at the Connecticut Laborers’ Offices in Hartford from 8 to 10 a.m.

Each year, the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders throughout the state that have demonstrated a long record of successful management, expertise and business skills along with notable achievements.

Several Connecticut-based companies are also inducted that have demonstrated an exceptional role as a business entity in the state. The qualifications for companies to be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame include operations for 10 or more years, community involvement, and being a proven industry leader.

“This is a humbling award that our great company is honored to receive, and I can tell you we have only just begun,” said Larry Janesky, founder and owner of Basement Systems. “We truly have something special going on here at Team Basement Systems.”

Basement Systems is an international network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and basement finishing contractors. The international headquarters, based in Seymour, Connecticut, also provides sales and service throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, NY.

Larry Janesky’s Basement Systems has been helping homeowners increase their usable living space for over 20 years across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. They have 27 patented basement and crawl space products, designed to help homeowners get more out of their basements and increase their home’s value.

Yard Drainage Solutions

cynthia — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:13:27 +0000

Many basement leak problems can be prevented or, at least helped, with simple and inexpensive measures.

First, make sure that the soil around the foundation is properly graded. It should slope away from the walls.

If you have concrete sidewalks, a driveway make sure they too are diverting the water away and not towards the house.

Keep in mind that that soil, which was once dug out in order for the basement to be built, is not as compact as the undisturbed portion of the terrain surrounding the area, and tends to settle overtime and might need to be re-graded. It also soaks up more water than the surrounding soil, creating a false water table. In the industry, we call it the “clay bowl effect”, which is the main cause of most basement leaks.

This is why it is very important to keep that area as dry as possible, by providing adequate foundation drainage and properly managing the rain water.

Flowerbeds should not cause the water to pool close to the wall, and plants that need regular watering should be avoided, sprinklers should never be too close, and

Downspout extensions keep gutters from discharging water too close to the foundation walls.

If you have a basement, not having any gutters is a very bad idea. They need to be installed, and kept clean, free of debris and in good working condition.

Likewise, having gutters to capture all the water and snow melt falling from the roof, only to have them pour all that water next to your basement walls is not exactly a good idea if you want a dry basement.

Although we specialize in foundation drainage, we also provide yard drainage solutions, such as downspout extensions and discharge outlets as part of our set of comprehensive solutions to keep your basement dry all the time!

Contact us for a free in-home estimate and ask our home representative for information in all the yard drainage options we offer.

Foundation Water Damage: What to Do When It’s More Than Just a Basement Leak.

cynthia — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:17:36 +0000

Water on expanding soil caused this basement wall to bow.

Bill Loden, a seasoned home inspector from Madison, AL tells Consumer Reports: “If there are 10 things that can go wrong with a house, 15 of them have to do with water.”

Having dealt with water intrusion problems for the past 20 years we know that he is not exaggerating.

Water can be especially hard on foundations because, being entirely or partially buried in wet soil, they are the areas of the house that are in constant contact with water. Rain water, if not properly controlled and diverted, can inflict an enormous amount of damage in a home’s foundation, sometimes compromising its structural integrity.

Water affects foundation in three main ways:

Hydrostatic Pressure:

It can cause more than just basement leaks. When the soil around the foundation is over saturated with water, the resulting hydrostatic pressure can push the walls inward, causing them to crack and bow. This can happen all of a sudden, during a period of heavy rains, or overtime.

Expanding Soils:

In some areas of the country, the clay-rich soil will expand when saturated with water, applying an enormous pressure against the foundation walls, causing them to bow, crack or shift.

Erosion:

Rain water or underground springs can slowly wash away the soil that supports the foundation, causing foundation settlement. Early foundation settlement signs aren’t sometimes obvious and can be easily dismissed by the homeowner until they become serious enough to demand professional intervention. Signs include sinking, uneven or unleveled floors, doors and windows that do not close properly, drywall cracks, tilting chimneys.

Don’t Panic!

A puddle on the floor or a small crack on the basement wall is usually something homeowners feel like they can deal with, and many actually put up with for many years, before they consider calling a pro.

On the other hand, a sinking foundation, or a bowing, cracking basement wall can rob many of their sleep. Understandably so: the very structure that keeps the whole house standing, is seriously compromised, and that is nothing to be taken lightly.

Fortunately, in many cases, the structural damage is not as bad as it looks, and thanks to modern foundation repair technologies, most problems can be solved.

Basement Systems, through our sister company Foundation Supportworks, offers the most advanced and reliable foundation repair solutions, for all types of foundation problems. With products ranging from foundation piers, to wall anchors, and crawl space jacks, there is hardly any type of structural damage that can’t be solved.

Are you Flood Smart?

cynthia — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:37:37 +0000

This was the year in which many homeowners, especially in the Northeast, learned a tough lesson the hard way.

When it comes to flood safety, there is hardly a home in the U.S. that sits in an absolutely flood-free zone. And if the home happens to have a basement, it is not even a matter of if, but when the basement is going to flood. Mother nature is not the only one that can get it under water.

A single inch of water in a basement, especially in a finished one, can cause thousands of dollars in damages.

How much? This little calculator, from Floodsmart.gov, will give you an idea of just how much a flooded basement can cost.

To make matters worse, many times homeowners are faced with a harsh reality: typical homeowners insurance doesn’t pay for flood damage. Unless they have flood insurance, the homeowners will have to cough up the money themselves. In zones that are at high risk for floods, flood insurance is mandatory.

However, keep in mind that, according to FEMA, about 25% of all claims paid by the NFIP were for policies in moderate-to-low risk communities, last year. Reason why every one who owns a home should invest in flood insurance.

Mother Nature is growing more unpredictable every year, and although, in most cases you can apply for Federal assistance, if victimized by a natural disaster, it is hardly the best course of action. Floodsmart.gov explains why:

“Federal disaster assistance is usually a loan that must be paid back with interest. For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. Compare that to a $100,000 flood insurance premium, which is about $400 a year ($33 a month).”

Keep in mind that there is 30 days waiting period after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it’s important to buy insurance before the floodwaters start to rise.

Having your basement waterproofed and flood protected with a good drainage and sump pump system is also a great way to prevent basement flooding from ruining your finances. For a fraction of the cost you would pay to have your flooded basement cleaned up and restored, you can have a WaterGuard internal perimeter drainage system installed, complete with a TripleSafe Sump Pump System: the only system in the industry capable of reducing the odds of a basement flood to statistical insignificance.

Available only through your Basement Systems Dealership Network.

Recovering from a Basement Flood

cynthia — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:47:07 +0000

One day, you go down in the basement after a heavy rain and find it under water. Your possessions soaking or drifting in the pool it now became.

You look at the picture with a mix of disbelief and dismay. It might take a minute before you become overwhelmed by worry, contemplating cleanup costs, losses, damages, the hard work ahead, the mess.

Will the furnace still work? How about the water heater?

You decide you need to do something, but you don’t know what or where to start. You need to call for help but doesn’t know who to call.

This article will give you a step-by-step guide to recovering from basement flooding and taking all the necessary steps to prevent that from happening again.

1 – Turn off power.

Do not enter the basement or touch the flood water without turning off power.

2 – Call your insurance company.

Regular homeowner policies usually don’t cover water damage, which is why FEMA recommends Flood Insurance even if you don’t live in a flood plain. About a quarter of all the flood claims filed every year, are for homes in areas with low to moderate flood risk.

However, even if you do have Flood Insurance, you might find out that there are coverage limits when it comes to basements, and that it will only pay for the damages in there is a qualified flood: which means there is either two acres of flooded land around your property, or a few of your neighbors were affected as well.

3 – Get the water out.

If your basement is flooded, chances are you don’t have a sump pump, or the one you have isn’t working properly. That means you will need to remove the water by other means. There are basically four ways to do that:

Call a Basement Waterproofing company. Some basement waterproofing companies offer emergency services and will pump out the water for you. You can then schedule with them the installation of a drainage and sump pump system that will prevent future floods as well.

If there is a lot of water and a lot of damage, for example, in a finished basement, your best choice is to call a Disaster Restoration Company. They will bring in industrial equipment to suck out the water as quick as possible.

In extreme flooding situations, the Fire Department will help get the water out. However keep in mind that, when flood disaster strikes, they might be overwhelmed by requests.

If there isn’t a lot of water and damage or you can’t get any of the above to help you, you can try to buy or rent a “floor sucker” : a shop vac or a hardware store bought sump pump. Keep in mind that there sump pumps are usually of a lower quality and should only be used as a temporary solution.

4 – Get rid of soaked organic materials that can’t be completely dried out in 48 hours.

48 hours is how long it takes for mold to start growing in porous, organic and absorbent surfaces. And according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control, once the mold settles in such materials (wood, fabric, carpets, mattress and upholstery, drywall and fiberglass insulation) there is no 100% effective or safe way to completely remove it. They need to be removed and discarded.

If your basement is finished with carpet and drywall, you will have to strip out every inch that came in contact with water and everything in the surroundings that feels damp, because the water infiltrates these materials through capillary action. Of course, if you hired a Disaster Restoration Company, they will do that for you.

5 – Dehumidify the basement.

You got rid of the water, but if your basement was flooded because of the weather, chances are that the ground around the basement is still very wet, that water will keep seeping through the concrete. And it will happen again every time it rains making your basement damp and mold prone. If your basement flooded because of a plumbing accident, that moisture too infiltrated the concrete.

Do yourself a favor to prevent mold now and in the future: get a good basement dehumidifier. Program it to keep the basement RH levels at or below 60% and you won’t have to worry about mold.

7 – Waterproof and Flood Protect Your Basement

After dealing with a basement flood for the first time, the last thing you want is to see it happening again. Even if your basement never flooded before, consider all the visible climate changes: record rain falls, wild storms. Let’s face it: the weather isn’t getting any better. Are you willing to risk another basement flood, knowing that there are technologies that will help prevent it? Call a waterproofing company and get them to install an internal drain tile, and a good sump pump system with a battery operated backup pump. This will prevent future floods from happening. Good basement flood prevention systems are backed with a Transferable Lifetime Warranty, which makes it a great investment even if you are going to sell the house in the future.

8 – Consider finishes that will not get ruined by water.

After cleaning and waterproofing the basement, if you plan to refinish it, consider using products that will not get ruined by water. An internal drainage system with sump pump will keep ground water from coming in and will take care of the water from internal plumbing accidents, but fiberglass insulation against the concrete will still soak up ground water and a carpet will get wet by a plumbing leak for example. Save yourself some future headaches by choosing flooring and basement wall solutions that are 100% waterproof, inorganic and non-absorbent.

The bottom line is: basements are prone to flood and water damage, and the cost of restoring and replacing damaged property can be very high, even if you only use the basement to house appliances, laundry and storage. Yet, basement floods are also preventable, and for a fraction of the cost of cleaning up the flood mess!

via knol.google.com

Posted via web from basementsystemsinc’s posterous

Can You Afford a Wet Basement?

cynthia — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:20:40 +0000

A Wet Basement can be a huge financial burden

Your Wet Basement May Be Costing You More Money Than You Would Pay to Have it Fixed

Your basement is unsightly, unpleasant, and uncomfortable. It is dark, dingy and smells horribly. However, since you only use it to store some items or as a laundry room, you don’t really care much about how your
basement looks and feels like. You only go there when strictly necessary and rarely spend more than a few minutes in it.

Truth is that your cave-like basement is more than just an eye sore. It might be costing you a lot of money as well, and in more than one way.

Wet Basements Increase Heating and Cooling Costs

Humid air costs much more to both heat and cool and, if you think that it is only a problem if you want to cool or heat the basement, think twice.

Due to a physics phenomenon known as “stack effect” – which refers to the way the air moves in a building – 1/3 of the air you breathe on the upper floors of your home is coming straight from your basement. That means that the moisture in that basement air is consistently being carried upstairs, making your whole house more difficult to cool and heat.

How difficult? According to a U.S. Department of Energy’s Report, an insulated basement can save homeowners across the U.S. anywhere between $250 and $450 dollars a year in energy bills. Therefore, keeping your basement humid and not providing any kind of moisture or thermal protection is costing you at least that much.

Wet Basements Ruin your Indoor Air Quality

Moisture is not the only undesirable thing being carried from the basement into the above floors. Mold and dust mites thrive in wet basements, therefore mold spores and dust mite pellets, the two main triggers of most indoor allergies, are also finding their way into your home.

Your wet basement is not only costing you more money in utilities; it is ruining your indoor air quality. It might even be making someone in your family sick or uncomfortable. That alone can be burden on your budget in times of soaring healthcare costs.

Wet Basements Decrease Property Value and Make a Home Hard to Sell

No one likes a wet basement and home buyers know that if they buy a home with one such basement, the seller’s problem will become their own. The water stains, puddles, wall cracks or even mold smells can render a home very difficult, if not impossible to sell.

According to Builder Magazine 19% of home buyers won’t even consider a fixer-upper.

In addition, a wet basement is counted within the 12 Red Flags, Realty Times recommend home buyers to watch out for,and About.com counts wet basements among the top ten reasons buyers will hate your home.

Anyone willing to buy a home with a leaky basement will probably expect a substantial discount. A wet basement decreases property value by 10 to 25% and there is no way to cover it up. In most states, sellers are required to disclose basement water problems and can be held liable if they don’t, even after the property is sold.

Even if you are going to sell your home in the near future, having the basement waterproofed is the best course of action. Not only you can ask for full price on your property, but good waterproofing companies will offer a Transferable Lifetime Warranty that will cover the buyer. That alone is a great selling point for your home.

Wet Basement = Flood Prone Basement

When it comes to basements, today’s water stains are tomorrow’s flood. During heavy rains the faulty ground drainage that is now causing the water to seep through the wall and floors will cause your basement to flood. It is not a matter of if, but when and how much.

Experience shows that one can never be prepared enough for a basement flood. Even if you only use it for storage, laundry or to house utilities. Even if you have all your appliances and belongings raised from the floor to minimize damage, a basement flood is always a hassle, and a costly one most of the time. According to Floodsmart.gov, 2 inches of flood water can cost you around $7,800 USD.

There is the messy cleanup, the damaged property, the common hazards (electricity, fire, contamination), the potential for mold growth in the aftermath. If you don’t have flood insurance, none of the damage is covered. Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.

In addition, according to FEMA and Floodsmart.gov, even if you do have flood insurance, not every flood qualifies for coverage under these policies. The flooded area must be of at least 2 acres or at least a couple of your neighbors must have been affected as well, for your claim to be considered.

Also, in these policies, the coverage is very limited when it comes to basements. Some finishing material and some of your property may not be covered at all.

Affordable Basement Flood Prevention Technologies

For much less than you might think, you can get all these problems solved for good. Modern internal basement drainage systems, and state-of-the-art sump pump systems – which include battery operated back up pump, alarm, and an automatic switch that will cause another pump to kick in when the main pump is having problems – will reduce the odds of a basement flood to statistical insignificance. Powerful and energy efficient basement dehumidifiers will reduce RH levels to prevent mold problems.

These can be installed in a couple of days, with minimal disruption, for a fraction of the cost of a conventional drainage system or external french drain.

Unlike external french drains which are buried by the footing and can only be fixed by digging out the foundation, good internal drainage systems remain serviceable throughout the years. They can be fitted with service ports that allow them to be examined and flushed as needed. Which is why they are usually backed by a Transferable Lifetime Warranty, by the companies that install them.

Having your basement protected is one of the the best investments you can make on your home. The energy savings alone will pay for the cost of the repairs, overtime.

As an extra incentive, if you decide to insulate or finish your basement after waterproofing it, you might qualify for one or more of the federal government loans or tax incentive programs, recently made available to homeowners seeking to improve their home’s energy efficiency.

So as you consider home maintenance and repairs priorities and try to budget accordingly, consider this: can you really afford to keep that basement wet?

via associatedcontent.com

Posted via web from basementsystemsinc’s posterous

Big rains and wet basements in Wisconsin and Minnesota

richard — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:13:07 +0000

Following up on my last post, “After it rains, basement waterproofers should be busy,” there are a few Basement Systems dealers that are busy.

Badger Basement Systems, the basement waterproofing contractor in Milwaukee and Madison, WI and surrounding areas has had a lot of rain and their company, prepared for these events from their more than 30 years of experience, is ready, handling emergencies and drying wet basements.

East of Badger is Sure-Dry Basement Systems, the wet basement contractor in Green Bay, WI and surrounding areas. Sure-Dry has been the local Basement Systems dealer for 14 years, and really know waterproofing.

Complete Basement Systems of Minnesota is another local basement waterproofer in St. Paul, MN and Minneapolis, MN and surrounding areas, including Mankato, that has their machine up and running.

Just north of these three Basement Systems dealers is Northern States Basement Systems, the local waterproofing contractor in Duluth, MN and northern Wisconsin. Northern States is one of the first Basement Systems dealers since 1991, and owners Dwight and Nancy Gruetzmacher are well-known in their area.

Expect all of these dealers to be busy. With the amount of referrals they get when it rains from home owners with existing systems, Real Estate agents, and Home Inspectors, they really help a lot of people. So although they may not be able to get out to your house for a couple days or even a week, it’s worth the wait to work with the best.