Basement Flooding — More Than “Once In A Lifetime”!

Posted by cynthia in Basement Flood, Basement Waterproofing, Featured, Sump Pumps | 0 comments

by Jacques Bouchard

Homeowners can go years without using their battery backup sump pump system. But, as is being discovered in the Northeast these past few months, when you DO need a battery backup — you really need it!

Between Hurricane Irene last August and the freak snowstorm that knocked out power for more than three million homes this week, residents from Maryland to Maine have seen firsthand just how easily a major storm can shut down the power for hours, days, or more.

6 Common Sump Pump Problems and What to Do About Them

Posted by cynthia in Basement Flood, Basement Leaks, Basement Waterproofing, Drainage, Featured, Sump Pumps, Uncategorized, Wet Basement Repair | 0 comments

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.

Basement Systems to be Inducted into CT Business Hall of Fame

Posted by Francine in Basement Systems Inc., Basement Waterproofing Contractors, Community, Company News, Larry Janesky | 0 comments

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

Posted by cynthia in Basement Flood, Basement Leaks, Basement Waterproofing, Drainage, Uncategorized, Wet Basement Repair | 0 comments

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.

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

Posted by cynthia in Basement Wall Cracks, Basement Waterproofing, Drainage, Foundation Repair, Foundation Settlement, Foundation Underpining, Structural Damages, Uncategorized | 0 comments

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.