Perma Dry Waterproofing Blog
Do you have water in your basement or crawl space? Is there mold or mildew affecting the air quality in your home? It's likely you need basement or crawl space drainage. Perma Dry offers a wide variety of common sense solutions to your wet basement or crawl space problems. Learn more here in our blog. When you're ready, give us a call and schedule an appointment.
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Crawl Space Problems? Save Energy and Your Home With Concrete Encapsulation
Issues with crawl spaces in Washington State affect the homeowner, contractor, remodeler, and property manager. Whether you live along the coast or in a drier area of the Pacific Northwest, excess moisture, poor ventilation, mold, rodents, and insect damage in the crawl space are all enemies of your building’s structural elements. These problems also contaminate the air you breathe inside the structure.
If you’re facing any of the above problems with your building’s crawl space in Seattle, Snohomish, Tacoma, or surrounding areas, you should know that concrete encapsulation is a solid solution. Concrete encapsulation is simply installing a three- to four-inch concrete barrier over the crawlspace floor. Here are some of the benefits of choosing this method:
A Concrete Barrier Is Cheaper Than Conditioning the Crawl Space
Crawl spaces in Washington State are generally unconditioned spaces that rely on vapor barriers and passive ventilation to reduce moisture and move stagnant air from underneath structures. Some buildings have conditioned crawl spaces, which are mechanically ventilated or heated in the hope that this will solve crawl space issues.
The problem with conditioned Valium without prescription crawl spaces is that they require energy to operate. Concrete encapsulation requires no energy to work once it’s installed. There are also additional maintenance and repair requirements when you install mechanical conditioning. With the concrete-encapsulation solution, your routine operating and maintenance costs are non-existent or minimal.
Conditioned crawl spaces are not permitted in some structures, and they are not easy to retrofit onto existing buildings. Compare the expenses and difficulties of installing a conditioned system to the ease and one-time cost of a concrete-encapsulation solution.
Concrete Encapsulation Eliminates Pest and Mold Issues
When we install your crawl-space concrete barrier, we are ensuring your crawl space floor is completely sealed and impervious to rodents. The concrete barrier also seals in the dirt layers under the crawl space that subterranean termites and other insects use to tunnel into your crawl space. Additionally, encapsulation works to eliminate the moist conditions that pests seek out under homes in damp areas.
Even with a vapor or plastic barrier over your dirt crawl-space floor, the floor itself provides many spores and nutrients that allow mold and mildew to grow. All it takes to develop unhealthy levels of mold under your crawl space is a bit of moisture mixing with the dirt flooring.
Up to 40 percent of your building’s air may be coming up through the crawl space. When you have the crawl space sealed in concrete, the air you breathe is healthier and cleaner.
Concrete Encapsulation Looks Great and Puts You at Ease
While plastic sheeting makes a suitable and reliable vapor barrier when installed professionally by our team, concrete encapsulation offers a much more attractive “finish” to your floor space than plastic vapor barriers. The seamless, clean look of the concrete layer gives your crawl space a custom appearance. Remember, too, that it’s not difficult for animals or tools to tear or rip a plastic barrier, but the concrete barrier is tough and durable.
Concrete encapsulation also offers a much easier surface on which to work if you or your contractor must repair plumbing, ductwork, or other systems under your building. The surface makes it easy to see where pipes or other leaks are happening. With a dirt floor covered in plastic, it may be difficult to see where a leak is occurring without closer inspection.
Retired homeowners appreciate the looks and ease of installing concrete encapsulation under their buildings. The reduction of mold, rodents, and moisture gives them peace of mind and healthier living spaces without the bother of constant monitoring of their crawl spaces.
No matter which smelly or damp issues you’re facing with your crawl space, give us a call at Perma-Dry Waterproofing and Drainage to discuss the solutions. We offer a full range of services to waterproof, seal, and protect your crawl space. Let us do the hard work to keep your valuable property free from crawl-space invaders including rats, bugs, and mold.
Waterproof Your Foundation Now to Avoid Dealing With Flood Damage Later
Recently, Seattle and Tacoma residents and officials watched helplessly as torrential rains caused flooding in many neighborhoods. Parts of Washington saw rain and snow totals that were 200 to 600 percent over normal precipitation amounts. The fact is, homes all over the state are at risk of or already suffering flood damage.
Additionally, due to the increased chance of flooding in coastal areas across the US, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has redrawn flood maps. FEMA recently raised the base flood elevations in the Tacoma area by several feet, meaning a new area of homes along Washington’s shoreline are expected to be vulnerable to intermittent flooding.
No matter where you live in Washington, climate extremes and flood-plain changes are your signal to act now to flood-proof your home.
Flood-Proofing Takes Many Forms
How best to flood-proof your home depends on your property’s elevation, topography, and drainage. The type of home foundation you have is also key. Whether you have a basement, crawlspace, or slab, there are specific methods to waterproof your foundation. No method is guaranteed to prevent all flooding, but most methods will protect a home in the average heavy-rainfall situation.
New drainage tiles may need to be installed where water pools in your basement or crawlspace. Your foundation pillars may need to be waterproofed, and the area around the pillars may need to be graded and drained. Repairs should be made to any leaks or degraded mortar in foundation masonry. The area around your foundation should be landscaped and drained to divert water away from the home.
Doing Nothing Could Cost You
In some areas of Washington’s coast, homes that are now effectively in official flood plains will be grandfathered in and allowed to be inhabited. That special Tramadol 100mg status changes if the newly designated homes are damaged, rebuilt, or renovated. In those cases, the homes must be built at a higher elevation to reflect the new base flood elevation.
It’s wise to stop severe flood damage to your home now by flood-proofing your basement or crawlspace. Then, your home will be more likely to withstand high waters, and you won’t be required to completely rebuild your home sooner than you can afford to. When you have taken the proper precautions such as these preventive measures, you can buy yourself time, especially if you live on the edge of a floodplain.
Insurance Issues Are Compounding the Storm
Many parcels in Pierce County were actually removed from the flood zones in the new maps. This change ends a mandatory requirement to carry flood insurance, which FEMA must provide if the home is in a flood plain and has a mortgage. Some mortgage lenders will still demand that you continue carrying flood insurance even if your property is removed from the flood zone. Flood-proofing your home may help lower your monthly insurance premiums in that case.
Flood insurance premiums have risen drastically in recent years. FEMA is advising that its premiums will increase by 25 percent each year as it phases out the coverage. Property owners will need to spend $1,000 on an elevation certificate if they want to prove their structures are not at a high risk of flooding.
If you do no waterproofing, thinking your insurance will cover you in case of a deluge, you may be in for a rude awakening. Your “flood” insurance may not compensate you for flood damage due to tidal surges or storms. Read the fine print and make sure you’re actually covered for flood damage with your current policy before you forgo the installation of proper flood protection.
Selling Your Home Is a Big Consideration
Even if your property is not in a flood plain, waterproofing and draining your basement or crawlspace adds value to your home. You won’t have to spend time mopping up pools of water or pulling up ruined carpet. Your home will be more valuable to the buyer who wants all of the safeguards possible in a new home.
Basement and crawlspace flood-proofing, when done by professionals, makes a home more secure. When your floor sills and joists are kept dry and sound, your home is on a more solid foundation. The work also makes the home’s foundation look well-maintained and tidy.
Shrewd home buyers love to tour homes on rainy days to check out leaks and drainage issues. When you have your home’s foundation waterproofed or encapsulated by the pros, buyers are going to choose your home over other properties with musty basements and wet crawl spaces. By making the necessary changes now, you ensure that you get the highest return on your investment.
The experts at Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc are ready to help you flood-proof your Tacoma area residence. Contact us today to schedule an inspection of your property and a discussion of all the options to keep it dry and secure.
The Four Types of People Who Benefit the Most From Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation completely transforms an often neglected area of the home. Instead of dreading the dark, mysterious area under your home, you don’t have to worry about your bright new crawl space.
There are four types of people who benefit the most from crawl space encapsulation. Keep reading so learn what encapsulation means and find out if you’re someone who needs this upgrade to improve your quality of life.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Is Done in Steps
The first step is a scheduled inspection of your crawl space. Professionals evaluate the under-house area, testing for the following:
- Drainage issues
- Humidity levels
- Integrity of sills and joists
- Cracks or leaks in foundation
- Collapse of foundation sections
- Infestation of pests and mold
You must address any pest, mildew, and structural issues and have repairs and treatments done by the proper professionals. Then, you must empty the crawl space of all debris and storage.
You may need to hire a remodeling contractor to replace or brace floor joists and a pest control firm to treat your home for anything living in your crawl space. Additionally, you may need a mason to repair or replace concrete block or stone before you install the actual encapsulation system.
Many companies that install encapsulation systems also repair crawl space drainage issues. This may be as simple a fix as replacing an outdated sump pump, or it may be a more complicated process that includes regrading the crawl space floor and adding a new drainage tile with buried drain lines.
Once all of the crawl space issues are resolved, your crawl space is ready to be encapsulated. Depending on the dimensions and depth of your crawl space, it will have a primary covering placed on the floor. This may be gravel, gas-dispersing fabric, foam, or a combination of all of the above. Some encapsulation methods require no underlayment.
Next, professionals roll out a very strong layer of white material to completely cover the floors, posts, and walls of your crawl space. The edges of each rolled out section overlap on the next, and the overlapping edges are sealed.
The Four Kinds of People Who Need Crawl Space Encapsulation
There are some people who need crawl space encapsulation yet may not realize it. If you’re one of the following people, now you know what you’re missing.
You Live Where Radon’s a Risk
The Northwest has issues with radon, so your home should be tested for this dangerous gas every two years. Homes in risky areas of Washington State should also practice routine radon mitigation.
One important component of mitigation is sealing Tramadol from Canada the crawl space to prevent the colorless, odorless radon gas from entering the living areas via the bare ground under the house. Standard rolled vapor barrier doesn’t seal your home as effectively as encapsulation does.
You or a Family Member Has Asthma or Allergies
Allergies and asthma are exacerbated by stale air that comes into the home. Since a large percentage of your home’s air quality depends on the air quality in your crawl space, it’s important to make sure the under-house space is as clean and free of mold, mildew, dust, and pollen as possible.
Animal droppings, old paint and chemicals, and rotting batt insulation make air dangerous for people with breathing sensitivities. Anything that prevents bad air from entering the home should be done when asthma attacks or allergic reactions pose a risk to someone in the home.
You Fear the Great Unknown
If you have an intense fear or dislike of your crawl space, you’re not alone. Many people have a phobia or two relating to the crawl space. There are even horror stories written about crawl space nightmares. When you’re terrified of spiders, snakes, or dark, confined spaces, your crawl space is the last place on earth you want to enter, even in a home emergency.
Once encapsulation is done, your crawl space is clean and visible. The bright encapsulation material keeps creepy crawly things out, and you don’t need a lot of light to make your way around under the house. Even your clothes stay clean.
You Need the Storage Space
In smaller homes, or those with many household members, space is at a premium. You may need the crawl space area for overflow storage. Without encapsulation, a moldy or leaking crawl space is no place to store anything a person intends to preserve. When it’s time to retrieve any stored items from the crawl space, it’s hard to maneuver around in the dark, shallow space to locate items.
Once encapsulation is completed, you have a clean surface on which to set non-sharp items like boxed goods. You can easily locate the items later in your clean, bright new crawl space.
Trust Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc. to install your crawl space encapsulation and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and facelift for your grungy crawl space.
Old Houses and Basement Water Problems: What You Need to Know
If you live in a historic home, you enjoy the character and craftsmanship of quality artisans from an era long past. The old walls and beautiful woodwork may speak of the home’s history, but the basement is often a different story. Water and moisture problems are unfortunately common in older houses.
There are solutions to help you make and keep your basement just as dry and beautiful as the rest of your historic home
Common Causes of Old House Water Problems
Basements in old houses were not designed to be living areas as they are now. Old basements were used to store food for the winter, keep coal or other fuel sources, and store tools and gadgets that were essential to the pre-modern lifestyle. Some basements may even have old cellars for wine or ice.
Extensive waterproofing was not needed. The bricks or rubble of a “flexible” foundation allowed for water to seep into the basement in very wet conditions, where it flowed to a floor drain. So a small amount of seepage is often par for the course in older basements.
However, inches or even feet of water are another story. There weren’t wet-vacuums or sump pumps to remove flood water. The ground may have shifted, city planning may have changed ground topography, or the water table may have risen since your home was built.
If you’re hoping to finish your old basement or use it for storing items that could be permanently damaged with water, you’ll need to invest in Ambien Pharmacy more waterproofing than the old design originally allowed for.
The Challenge of External Repairs
Older homes have sturdy foundations, but they were not built like homes are today. Rarely will an old foundation have footings below the walls you see and the floors you walk on. Modern footings provide foundational stability to concrete basements.
Waterproofing by digging around the exterior foundation can upset the delicate strength of older homes. They rely on the pressure of the ground to remain structurally sound. Because of the lack of footings, you risk causing foundational damage to a home by prematurely digging to lay weeping tile or apply trenching with backfill.
It’s best to seek help from a professional waterproofing company before concluding that digging will fix your leaky basement. If digging and trenching is the only solution, make sure to use a professional who has experience with preserving the integrity of old foundations.
Solutions for Leaky Old Basements
Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions you can try to reduce your water problem and make the basement fit for finishing and modern storage. Here are just a few of the waterproofing methods that are effective for older homes.
Improve Your Home’s Natural Drainage
Check your downspouts and the slope of the ground around your home. All water should be directed several feet away from your foundation. If the ground slopes toward your house, you can look into grading the yard for better flow.
Check Your Crawl Space
Some homes have a crawlspace and a basement. If you have more moisture toward the crawlspace end of your basement, installing a waterproofing lining in your crawlspace can help to prevent additional water flow into the basement.
Seal the Cracks
Many older homes have weak or permeable mortar in brick and rubble foundations. Seal these cracks to help reduce the flow of water. Seal them from the outside or have them professionally injected.
Use an Interior Sealer
For small amounts of leaching, you can use a paintable waterproofing sealant on the interior of your home that can withstand the gentle pressure of extra water during rainstorms or spring run-off. It’s not a solution for full-on floods, but for damp walls, it will provide protection against mold growth and gradual water damage.
Install an Interior Sump Pump
For more severe water problems, you do need an active removal solution. Sump pumps sit below the grade of your basement. They collect water as it rises. When the water gets above a certain point, the pump activates and pumps the water away from your home.
Snake Your Gravity Drain
Many older homes have original gravity drains meant to divert the flow of water in the basement. If these are not draining well, a small trickle can become a flood. Even though you want to prevent even a trickle, your gravity drain is what protects your finishing’s and belongings from severe flood damage.
Seal and Improve Your Window Wells
Over time, the window wells in old basements can fill with silt and debris. Many times, the brick retainers are no longer functioning. Windows can become a source of leaks.
Sometimes it take a combination of several methods to fully moisture-proof an old basement. It’s better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to waterproofing.
For more information on how you can improve the waterproofing in your historic home, contact us at Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc.
Investigating and Eliminating Common Causes of Basement Flooding
If a fierce storm causes nearby waters to rise to record levels or a neighborhood sewer-line unexpectedly breaks down, you know the cause of the subsequent flood in your basement. It’s a mess and a misfortune, but, hopefully, the situation is a one-time occurrence.
Determining the cause of chronic, repeated basement flooding often takes a bit of detective work. Flooding is caused by any of a host of system failures, so you or your contractor must investigate. You may even find more than one problem is adding to the basement puddles. Below are the most common causes of basement flooding and how you can eliminate them.
Detect the Cause of Your Basement Flooding
There are a number of issues that can contribute to basement flooding, including the following.
Plugged Upper Floor Drains
If water appears to be running down a wall before ending up in the basement, suspect a leak from a shower, sink, or toilet. This may likely be the cause if the water appears to originate close to one of these plumbing fixtures. A leaky dishwasher, washing machine, or refrigerator should be suspected if one of these appliances is located close to the leak’s starting spot.
You may have to tear out sheetrock or do other demolition to walls in order to locate the source and path of an upper-floor leak. Many times, you’ll find that a drain under a shower or sink is clogged or collapsed. Water from the sink or shower either backs up and spills over or leaks from pipes that have cracked from the strain of backed up water. The water pours down along walls, saturating floors, ceilings and, eventually, your basement.
Fixture and Pipe Leaks
Small cracks in pipes and fixtures also cause similar basement waterlogging. The pan under your shower may have small cracks or may bend under the weight of people, letting water spill between the pan and the shower surround. The floor or wall adjacent to the shower becomes saturated, and the excess water drips down to the basement.
Sinks, tubs, and toilets may have leaks in the seals, basins, or hot and cold control knobs. Loose shower tiles, caulking, or pipe fittings may be inviting water to flow in a constant stream down to the lowest floor of your home. Pipes that freeze and thaw can crack and leak for a while before being detected. You may need to listen in order to hear some leaks located behind walls or underneath flooring.
Foundation Cracks
If basement flooding is coming from the foundation, you most likely have a crack in your foundation. Water will find a way inside cracks in your basement if the foundation isn’t properly sealed and waterproofed. Whether your foundation is cinder block, cement, concrete, or stone, small cracks develop for all sorts of reasons.
Earthquakes, storm runoff, landscaping, and nearby construction may cause settling and cracks. Aging foundations may crack as the home settles Zolpidem online over time. Pests can infiltrate insulation around openings in the foundation, allowing water to pool, freeze, and crack the underlying material.
Clogged Yard Drains
Groundwater drains around your home are a smart investment since they’re designed to divert water away from your home’s foundation. If they become clogged or damaged, however, the backed-up drains will allow water to pool next to your basement, increasing the chances water will flood your home. If water is flooding the basement from a ground-level window or foundation crack and the ground outside the area is saturated, suspect your yard drains.
Leaves, trash, mud, and even animals can get stuck in the drains, causing them to back up. Either end of a groundwater drain may become clogged by toys or by vehicles parked on top of the grates or drain ends.
Prevent Future Floods Now
Resolving your basement flooding issues is much easier when you know the source of the problem. Be aware that some of the causes of basement flooding may remain even after you repair your basement and fix the source of the unwanted water. To keep water out of your basement, follow the steps below.
Replace Old Plumbing Fixtures and Pipes
If your fixtures are aging, and prone to cracks, leaks, and clogged drains, it’s time to have the entire plumbing system examined and overhauled where necessary. Replace leaking taps and shower heads; remove, clean, and replace drain screens; and have a professional inspect, clean, and repair all of your older pipes and drains.
Repair Foundation Cracks
If your home’s foundation has one crack, there may be more cracks you haven’t noticed yet. Dig around under the dirt next to the foundation to see if you spot any more cracks that could spell future trouble. Have cracks repaired, and have your basement sealed to prevent external water from penetrating the foundation.
Hydro-Jet Stubborn Drains
Outside drains should be fitted with grates over the ends to keep out debris. After heavy storms and whenever necessary, have the drains hydro-jetted to remove large debris and muck.
The hydro-jet method is an efficient way to clean all sorts of pipes, from vent stacks to floor drains, because technicians have the ability to shoot water both ways at high pressure inside the pipe. Combined with the large variety of nozzles for scraping and scrubbing, the high water pressure gets pipes much cleaner than snaking or rooting does.
The experts at Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc are here to help you solve your basement flooding issues. Whether you need waterproofing, basement sealing, or drain clean-out, call us today to schedule our professional, skilled home services.
Tips for Maintaining a Sump Pump
How to Explain the Benefits of Crawl Space Ventilation to Homeowners
As you remodel homes in Washington, don’t neglect the crawl spaces of those homes. Trouble-free crawl spaces allow homeowners to relax and enjoy their homes rather than worrying about radon, termites, or mold. When you hire a crew to ventilate the crawl space in a remodel, it’s a major selling point for people who want to know that every system and part of the home is under control.
Buyers and homeowners may need you to explain why adequate ventilation if necessary for their crawl spaces. Remember, when they understand the benefits of having the right cross-ventilation between their homes and the earth, your handiwork in their homes lasts much longer, because their homes will be less susceptible to rot, insect damage, and air-quality issues.
Use the following information as a guide to help explain crawl space integrity to people who want to make sure their home stays in great condition.
The Crawl Space Affects the Foundation
A home is only as sturdy as the foundation on which it rests. If support members like posts, joists, fasteners, and brick are exposed to mold, termites, and moisture, those support members may rot and fail. Floors may cave or sink, and wooden beams may break. Even some types of cement block will begin to break down under repeated flood conditions.
Unless the crawl space is inspected on a regular basis, these disastrous results may go unnoticed until it’s too late. Having a crawl space expert examine the space and make repairs is a key to the long-term stability of the home for those who are aging in place. Ventilating and improving the crawl space before a remodel is a wise idea to ensure that the foundation of the home is solid and protected.
A Crawl Space Exam Finds the Moisture
Most moisture found in Washington crawl spaces is due to what’s called bulk water. This is improperly channeled water from storms or other runoff. There may be irrigation that’s directed the wrong way, a high water table, or snowmelt that takes the path of least resistance into the crawl space.
A crawl space expert knows how to drain that water away from the home. When they also take steps to ventilate the crawl space to remove any water vapor from inside or outside of the home, there is additional dampness protection provided for the foundation of the home. Drainage and ventilation installed the correct way ensures that the residents get to enjoy their homes with less maintenance and worry in the future.
Ventilated Crawl Spaces Reduce Radon Risks
While King County and surrounding areas generally have low risks of radon in the underlying soil, residents of all Washington counties must still do all they can to protect themselves from the risk of radon exposure.
Older residents and people with suppressed immune systems should be especially on guard, since they may be more vulnerable to the effects of radon and other gases that accumulate in crawl spaces. All homes should be tested for the presence of this odorless, tasteless, invisible gas, and you, as a contractor, are a trusted advisor who should strongly encourage testing at all homes you service.
A proper vapor barrier over the ground in the crawl space is one way to reduce radon exposure. The plastic or other ground-covering barrier must be overlapped at least six inches at the joints and extend to the edges of the foundation. This requirement is waived if there is at least two inches of concrete slab installed over the floor of the crawl space.
Open and free-flowing cross ventilation reduces levels of radon in the crawl space. The ideal placement of vents depends on the location and style of the home’s foundation. In some older homes, new vents may need to be placed where there is a need for more airflow. Older vents may need repair, cleaning, or replacement.
Future Repair Crews Appreciate Fresh Air
If plumbing, wiring, or other infrastructure is located in the crawl space, future repair crews appreciate knowing they’re in safe, well-ventilated surroundings as they work. Plumbers, cable installers, and electricians must sometimes shimmy into tight spots in crawl spaces. This work proves dangerous or unhealthy when there’s mold or gas accumulating in the crawl spaces.
Ensure that proper crawl-space ventilation is taken seriously by the homeowners. By improving the crawl space now, you help make repair professionals’ jobs in the future safer and easier. You also make it easier for residents to hire workers and avoid potential liability for unsafe working conditions.
Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc. has all of the evaluation and diagnostic equipment necessary to inspect crawl spaces and drainage systems. We have the experience and tools necessary to do repairs, restorations, insulation, waterproofing, and ventilation of crawl spaces and basements in any home you’re remodeling. Contact our team today to set up our crawl-space ventilation services for those who want to keep their homes in great condition.
7 Steps to Prevent Lawn and Driveway-Related Water Damage
Due to the amount of rain we get in Seattle, homeowners are understandably concerned about preventing water damage to their homes. Water can easily sneak through openings in the foundation and crawl spaces, leaving water stains, mold, and damaged walls and floors behind.
There are two main places where this water enters: your driveway and your yard. Water can destroy both of these areas. It can also seep through from these areas to damage the structure of your home.
You can prevent water from destroying your driveway and yard—and your home—by following these tips.
1. Request Driveway Repairs
When they installed your driveway, construction workers should have added sealcoating to the asphalt surface. This coating protects water from seeping through and eroding your driveway. If your driveway has cracks, potholes, or other types of damage, you may need new sealcoating.
Before applying new sealcoating, though, professionals should repair the cracks and potholes. Otherwise, water can continue to cause damage to your driveway.
2. Adjust the Slope
Do your driveway and lawn slope toward your home? If so, water probably runs down them towards your home. You may want to consider getting your landscaping rebuilt to promote better drainage. Landscaping professionals can rebuild the driveway and yard so it slopes away from your home. To prevent standing water, they can fill in various depressions in your lawn with topsoil.
3. Improve the Soil
The type of soil you use can also affect your yard’s drainage. You might see drainage trouble if your soil is too shallow, compacted, or high in clay. Ask landscaping professionals about how to best improve the soil quality in your yard. If the soil is too compacted, try aerating your lawn twice a year. Aerating creates holes in the soil so water can soak in. Adding mulch will also help you loosen the clay in your soil.
4. Avoid Over-Watering
Watering your lawn may be crucial to its survival. But if you water for so long that the water starts to run down your driveway and into your street, you’re watering too much. Not only is this unnecessary, but it can also cause drainage problems that lead to water damage.
Experts recommend that you water your lawn no more than two or three times a week. This promotes a stronger root system in your lawn. You can check whether you’re giving your lawn enough water by pushing a screwdriver into your lawn. If you can’t push it in, you’re not watering enough. You can make sure you only water your lawn a little by setting your hose or sprinkler on a timer.
5. Wash the Car Elsewhere
If you wash your car in the driveway, notice which way the water flows. If water is flowing toward your home, it’s best to avoid washing your car in the driveway. Washing your car in the driveway is a bad idea for other reasons as well. No matter which way the water flows, chemicals in the soap can flow into storm drains, harming fish and other wildlife.
It’s best to wash your car on grass or gravel instead. Or, use a commercial car wash that recycles the water.
6. Inspect Gutters and Downspouts
After you’ve addressed the slope of your driveway, look closely at your gutters and downspouts. Watch what happens after it rains. Does the water flow out of the downspouts, down your driveway, and away from your home? Or does it stop near your home or driveway or even flow toward your home? Your gutters should carry water at least 10 feet from your home, or better yet, they should connect the water directly to the municipal storm water system.
If your gutters and downspouts are not properly configured, water could get trapped near your home. This water can cause serious water damage to your home’s foundation and walls. Have a roofing professional repair or reconfigure your gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage to your home. Remember that you should clean your gutters every year to prevent damage.
7. Install a Drainage System
The most important of all these steps is to install a new drainage system in your driveway— if you already have an old system, it could be rusted, broken, or clogged, which makes it useless.
Try removing the debris and cleaning it, but if that doesn’t do the trick, call for help.
Professionals will install a long strip drain, also called a trench drain, at the top of your driveway. Alternatively, French drains installed in your driveway or your yard can remove water during rainy seasons when the ground is oversaturated. Water will enter your drain, where it should move to a lower point away from your home. Ask about a catch basin as well. A catch basin can trap debris so it doesn’t back up the drains or enter the local water source.
If the slope of your driveway does not allow water to move away from your home, you may need to redo your landscape. A professional can make your driveway and yard slope away from your house, helping the water drain. Alternatively, you may require a sump pump. A sump pump is a device that manually removes water and directs it away from your home.
Another way to deal with the problem is a yard drainage system. Professionals dig a trench and install a drainage pipe below the soil. They also place rock near the pipe, which allows water to flow freely. Yet another solution is a footing drain. These drains are placed near your home’s foundation to re-route water from the crawl space, foundation wall, or basement. You can also have drainage systems installed in your basement or crawl space to direct water away from these areas.
Don’t let your yard and driveway sustain water damage. To learn about specific drainage solutions that can protect your home, talk to the waterproofing specialists at Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc.
What to Do When Your Basement Leaks
A leaky basement is no laughing matter. Water can contribute to mold growth after just two days, which means you need to dry out the house and get rid of moldy items as soon as possible. Follow these tips to restore your basement to its original condition.
Put safety first.
Before you trek down to your basement to find out where the water is coming from, put on a pair of rubber boots. They will not only prevent your feet from getting wet with possibly dirty or even sewage laden water, they will also protect you from electric shock. Do not try to touch electrical wires, devices, or outlets that may be wet.
Remove wet items.
Carpet and wood flooring, need to be removed.
1. Peel back carpets and remove the pad underneath by cutting it in to pieces and hauling out of the basement. Carpet pads hold most of the water, and in order to salvage the carpet itself and prevent mold or mildew growth, the carpet needs to dry out. Place something under the carpet (paint cans, chairs) anything to raise it up off the floow and start blowing COLD air under and around the carpet. DO NOT USE HEAT! Hot air and water make MOLD!
2. If the issue is severe enough use a dehumidifier to help remove the moisture form the air. If the flooding is severe enough, a professional water removal company should be called in to get the job done. But taking these extra steps will ensure you salve as much as possible while you wait for their response.
3. Sheet rock and finished walls should be cut, opened, and removed for proper air flow. If you get to the water fast enough and remove the carpet from direct contact with the walls, you may be able to dry it out in time before mold begins to grow. But in order to get maximum ventilation and air flow behind walls, sheet rock should be removed 2′ feet up from the floor. This is not a requirement, just a recommendation if the water has sat for more than 48 hours.
4. Take remaining furniture, important papers, or items of sentimental value out of your basement and to a dryer area in the house. Even moisture in the air (or dehumidification of the space) can damage personal items, papers and photos.
Drain the excess water.
If you have access to a wet-dry vacuum, plug it in to a dry electrical outlet to suck out the standing water. If you don’t, call a professional disaster cleanup crew. They have the proper equipment to remove the water and dry any wet surfaces so the basement doesn’t develop mold.
Find the cause of the leak.
A basement leak may come from a variety of sources. Check your water main pipe, water heater, and boiler valves to see if they are leaking. If they are, you should call a plumber to stop the leak.
If water is in multiple areas, then there is likely a lot of water under the slab of the basement and a draiange proffesional should be called. IF there is water in one main area, or this has happened in the same area repeatedly, then there could be a crack or . If the Check below grade windows to see if water is seeping through the walls. Sometimes a downspout dumps water close to your foundation and it enters the basement. Arrange the downspout so it drains well away from your house.
Sometimes water enters through gaps or cracks in windows. Seal your windows with professional grade caulking. If water is entering through a window well, invest in a clear plastic well cover to keep water from filling it up.
Check your walls for cracks and holes. You can use plaster, cement, or caulking to seal any openings in the basement walls.
Call a professional waterproofer.
If you can’t determine the source of the leak, or the leak continues despite your efforts, it’s time to call in the professionals. Waterproofing surfaces seals your basement so no water enters. They can also install an interior drain and sump pump system that drains excess water during an emergency.
If you find yourself in a leaky basement emergency, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Perma Dry Waterproofing. Call toll-free at 1-800-584-9118 today.
Combating Potential Seattle Home Hazards
If you’ve lived in Seattle for any amount of time, you’re probably familiar with getting a little wet. Whether you’ve frequented the dripping streets or own a home on the waterfront, water is no stranger to you.
After all, Seattle receives an average annual precipitation of over 36 inches per year. This rainfall contributes to many important water sources. One of these includes ground water, the source of well water for many Seattle area residents.
Additionally, high ground water yields high water tables and a moist environment. Seattle’s proximity to the sea also allows for increased humidity levels.
What does all this mean for you? If you own home in the Seattle area, it may be vulnerable to water damage. As a result, you’ll need to take steps to protect your home from condensation, leaks, flooding, humidity, and mold.
Potential Home Hazards
Where there’s moisture, there’s usually mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can work their way into the cracks of your home and eat away at the wood and other materials. Mold and mildew result from a variety of conditions. Some of these include:
- Flooding
- Messy and unkempt crawl spaces
- Poor air circulation and condensation
- Unchecked leaks
- Wet or humid indoor air
Additionally, your home’s exterior can affect how much moisture and mold build up in your home’s interior. Keep an eye out for the following issues:
- Downhill or uneven home placement
- Poor yard or gutter drainage
- Rising sea levels for waterfront homes
- Sump pump and other irrigation problems
- Well deterioration or leakage
Sometimes multiple issues can arise at the same time, making it difficult to identify the true cause behind leaks, floods, and mold. So how can you combat such potential home hazards?
Use the following information to guide you, so you can seek professional help as needed.
Ways to Minimize and Prevent Water Damage
Mold and water damage are often difficult to spot at a glance. They like to live in the darker, damper corners of your home, where you’re not likely to look for them.
To prevent water damage, regularly inspect your home for leaks, humidity, and condensation. The most likely places for water buildup include the basement, exposed pipes, bathroom walls and floors, etc. But you’ll want to be thorough—leave no corner or cabinet unseen.
Be On the Lookout for These Telltale Signs
As you investigate various parts of your home, be on the lookout for telltale signs of water damage and moisture buildup:
- Bubbling walls or flooring
- Cracked walls
- Discoloration
- Loose pipe connections
- Mildew
- Rusted or corroded pipes
- Slow or clogged drains
If you spot any of these signs in your home, it’s time to call in the professionals. Plumbers can repair leaking pipes, rusted plumbing, and many other issues in your home, so they’re often the first people you should call.
However, if your plumber continually fixes the same areas, you may need to dig a little deeper to find the reason for the water buildup. Your home’s crawl space is a good place to start.
Crawl Space Considerations
Crawl spaces are notorious contributors to and hosts of mold, pests, and condensation buildup. Any one of these problems create an unhealthy environment in your crawl space. And because crawl spaces are out of sight, their condition usually remains out of mind.
But you shouldn’t ever ignore the state of your home’s crawl space. Over 40% of your air supply comes from this area. This means that the mold or other contaminants hiding beneath your home can put your family at risk of allergies and other respiratory conditions.
The best way to minimize this risk is by preventing it in the first place. One way you can keep your crawl space free of moisture and rot is through a crawl space encapsulation, or sealed crawl space. This involves installing a concrete or plastic covering to seal any gaps.
Your crawl space coverings shouldn’t just be run-of-the-mill, though. It’s essential to obtain a reliable reinforced liner system to guarantee moisture prevention. While you’re at it, consider purchasing new or original vapor barriers to provide additional protection.
Also, have a professional waterproofing provider to check the state of your crawl space insulation. Ask him or her if your home has adequate drainage systems installed. This will help maintain the appropriate crawl space condition to keep your home and family safe and dry.
Safe Seattle Living
To optimize the protection of your home and family, stay informed on the latest water issues in your area. Read up on the recent precipitation averages, sea levels, and water table measurements.
Keeping track of all these factors will help protect and preserve the work you’ve put into waterproofing your home. And if you ever have a problem you don’t quite know how to diagnose or fix, contact your local waterproofing provider.
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