Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
Originally posted 12/5/19, updated 12/14/22 When a basement wall cracks, it needs to be repaired, much like a broken bone. Having been broken, it must be set back in place and held firm to heal. Depending on how severe the break, it may take metal plates and pins for the bone to regain strength. The […]
No matter how much you’d like to avoid it, mold is everywhere. You can’t always control your exposure to it out in the world, and it’s a common issue inside of a lot of homes. While mold isn’t always dangerous, it can cause health problems and serious damage to your home if left unchecked. The […]
Originally posted 7/30/19; revised by Kelly Kater on 7/23/20 Your home is an investment, your refuge, your place of belonging. It should be a safe, healthy space when you and your family can flourish, while also being a place where you can express yourself and your personal style. If you have a basement, you […]
Originally posted 7/30/19; revised 12/15/22 Homebuying is a stressful process; purchasing a home that has a moldy basement is certainly not going to reduce that stress. Is it worth the headache (both literal and metaphorical) to buy a home with an existing mold problem? Should you walk away now, and look somewhere else? The […]
Your sump pump works hard to protect your home from basement flooding. A sump part is an indispensable part of any basement waterproofing solution: just because your basement has never flooded or always been dry doesn’t mean that it’ll stay that way in the future. It also means that you need to be prepared for […]
Unless rain is pouring into an open window, it’s not easy to identify where water is coming into your basement. It could be leaky pipes, or it could be structural damage to your foundation that is allowing moisture to seep in. There are some ways to pinpoint more obvious leaks. Plumbing Check all the pipes […]
When water enters your basement, it can cause everything from minor to major damage. Small hairline cracks might appear, as might wet spots. If water has been present for an extended period of time, those cracks might be wide, concrete may crumble, mold could start growing, and basement or crawl space walls might bow. Saturated […]
Spring has sprung, which means it is time for heavy rains, flooding, and all the not-so-fun basement water damage that often accompanies the rainy season in much of the Midwest. For those homeowners with full basements or larger crawl spaces, you likely have sump pumps. If you don’t, it might be a good idea to […]
Originally posted 3/29/19, updated 3/7/22 If you’ve ever read any articles about spring cleaning, you’re probably familiar with the stereotypical suggestions: organize your books by color! Throw out anything that doesn't bring you joy! Make your own cleaning solutions out of household items! This guide is different. We don’t want to tell you how […]
Originally published 1/18/2019; updated 5/3/2021 In the Midwest, we endure some pretty extreme weather variations. Summers are filled with high humidity, severe thunderstorms, and temperatures in the 90s. Winters bring snow, painfully dry air, and frigid temperatures that can drop into the negative. It’s a challenge to build a house that will endure such a […]
