Basements get a bad rap.  For most people, the word basement conjures up images of dark, dank spaces best left alone.  When the basement is ventured into, it is often only to throw something on the pile of stuff stored there or maybe to check the boiler and then run back up the stairs lest the monsters that live in the dungeon basement get you.

And yet a basement can be as much a part of your home as any other room in your house.  With the right design, you can transform your basement into a warm, spacious, inviting space that you and your family will actually want to spend time in.  Some things you will want to think about are:

- Lighting – Due to the lack of natural light in most basements, you will want to add a lot of artificial light, more than you would use upstairs.  Keep in mind, however, that you must think about what kind of space you’ll be lighting.  Is it an office?  Then you’ll want bright lighting.  Is it a family room?  Than perhaps several softer lights.  And because basement ceilings are so low, you’ll want to use recessed lights so you don’t waste any of that limited head space.

- Warm Flooring – Ceramic tile may look beautiful, but it is very cold and hard, two traits you’ll want to keep out of your basement.  Carpet is warm, but unless your basement is very dry, you’ll want to stay away from it as damp carpet can be a wonderful breeding ground for fungi and mold.   You want to avoid anything that uses adhesives, because the moisture in many basements will cause it to fail; in addition, adhesives can be a food source for fungi.  You want a flooring that is warm, attractive, interlocking and waterproof.  Place N’ Go flooring has all these features and is very easy to install.

- French Doors – You want to keep your basement as open and airy as possible so consider using French doors to adjoin these rooms as they will allow more light flow and make the rooms seem a bit larger.

- Light Colors – Because light is often at a premium in basements, you don’t want to use dark colors.  So when painting walls and decorating, keep your colors light to contribute to the airy effect you’re trying to achieve. 

- Drop vs. Hard Ceiling? – Many people prefer the look of a hard, drywall ceiling because it makes the basement look more like the other rooms in the house.  Another plus is that a drywall ceiling uses up less head-space.  However, if you are ever going to need access your home’s wiring and plumbing (and you probably will!), it will be much easier if you have a drop ceiling.  And ceiling tiles have gotten more attractive over the years; check out Armstrong’s selection of ceiling tiles.

- Keep It Warm and Dry – Your new basement should have a separate heating zone, with its own thermostat.  And because basements tend to be damp, use a dehumidifier.  Check out this post to see our recommendations on how to choose the right dehumidifier for your space.

Photos Courtesy of JAGwired, karindalziel and Randy Pertiet

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Kalat

With the widespread flooding being experienced in the Northeast due to Hurricane Irene, I’d like to direct you to a post from last year outlining what to do if your basement gets flooded.  It’s a bit more complicated than just getting that water out; if you don’t follow the right steps you can actually end up doing more harm to your home.  So check out what the experts have to say and good luck!

The colors for this floor were chosen from Sherwin Williams color swatches of Crabby Apple, Earthen Jug, Toasty, Familiar Beige and Sable. The benefit of using a colored epoxy is that colors can be chosen from any color (Yes, Actually any color at all!). On this basement project we cleaned and prepared the floor, cut in our designs, applied a water-based primer, 2-coats of the epoxy w/color, and then an aqueous urethane topcoat. The cuts that were put into the floor to define the design were also filled in with a dark brown filler to create sharp lines and give the floor a seamless feel. An interior cement overlay was applied as a 10’’ border to fill in holes left by tack strips from previous carpeting.

The floor will last many years with minimal maintenance and be a great conversation piece while entertaining. The space still needs base trim and some other minimal finishing but the pictures below show how this floor turned out.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to feed us; but we do want to come over and talk. Schedule a free estimate for your stained concrete floor project by emailing getconcrete@nickdancerconcrete.com or call 260.748.2252. We will choose a system that is best for your space, help you choose colors, and discuss design options.

Nick Dancer

www.NickDancerConcrete.com

Fort Wayne, IN -260-748-2252

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Today, Many people all over the world have complained that the external drainage destroyed their basement flooring badly. The water from outside of the House sometimes penetrates into their basement. The fact is that the most external drainage problems are very hard to resolve, therefore, it is advisable that if you suffer from the wet or damp basement floors, just change them when you just can’t fix the cause of the moisture.

The first thing that you need to do is to find out quickly what exactly is the cause of the problem when you start to realize that your basement is constantly wet. Water could be sipped through the windows, or simply through the walls. If there is a lot of water in your basement, you may need to take drastic measures, because this type of situation is too dangerous. If it is only a little water there, maybe it’s a good choice to change your flooring.

There are a number of ways to change your basement flooring. You can paint your wooden floor if you have. In this way you can prevent the water from getting into the wood. Another good way is staining the basement floor. This is a good method, and it is better than just painting the wood floor, and you can get various designs for your floor. Another good way is to change your floor by tiling. Maybe it is the best ways in the whole world to change the floor. With tiles, you will have a variety of designs and if the floor gets wet, you can easily wipe it. It is important to have a good basement flooring, you will save lots of time.

The thing is….projects like this are the ones I enjoy the most.  On a project like this, we can take a floor that looks like it needs to be covered up and forgotten about, into a surface that draws the attention of guest and always ends up as a conversation over some drinks. The project below was transformed in just over a week. The floor also features a design that catches your eye, breaks up the space, and welcomes you into a great looking basement.

How it all happens. The steps to transform this floor

• We started by using a soy-based product to remove the paint from the concrete. The product we used has no harmful odors and works by breaking the bond between the concrete and paint. It then encapsulates the paint in the matrix of the product which then can be easily scraped up and disposed of. The product is call Soy gel and can be purchased online here.
• The next step was to clean the concrete with automatic scrubbers and specialty chemicals until the concrete was porous and would accept concrete stain.
• The 10’’ border was then tapped off and a thin (1/16^’’) overlay was applied to fix the tack strip holes and add visual interest in the room.  The bathroom and walk-in closet also received an overlay to the entire surface.
• We then laid out the design with pencil, cut the design into the floor, and filled the new cuts with a colored urethane fill.
• Then 2 coats of concrete stain were applied to the floor. The colors used on this project were Kona Brown, Weathered Bronze, Taupe and Cordovan Leather.
• The final process includes using our high performance concrete sealing system. The process involves using a catalyzed primer that penetrates into the porous concrete to limit the moisture emissions of the floor, add color enhancement, and act as “glue” between the concrete and final finish. The final finish is then applied which is a catalyzed urethane that adds excellent scratch and wear resistance to the floor.  This water-based system works excellent inside the home with very little odor when applied and little maintenance to keep looking like new.

The Coliseum

The Coliseum.  Ancient Roman aqueducts.  The Baths of Caracalla.  Your basement.  What do they have in common?  They would be impossible without concrete.

Concrete is a “composite construction material”; it is composed of aggregate, water and cement.  Through hydration, a chemical process in which the water reacts with the cement, the various materials are bonded together, producing a building material that can last thousands of years.

And yet, while concrete has insured that even today we can visit ancient sites such as the Pantheon, it is not impervious.  The substance that makes concrete strong can also weaken it: water.

The Pantheon

When constructed perfectly and under perfect conditions, the concrete slab in your basement will perform, well, perfectly.  But most of the time, we end up with moisture in our basements, either from broken or leaking pipes under the concrete, condensation or moisture coming through the concrete from the earth underneath it.  When these things happen your basement can be host to many problems:

- Health Issues – Moist areas are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, fungus, mold and mildew.  As I have posted about before, these can lead to many problems such as headaches and nausea and they can irritate allergies.

- Rotting – All that mold and mildew will eat away at papers, fabrics, wood and anything else organic.  And then there’s the smell that will be accompanying your new funky fungi.

- Wet Insulation

- Insect Infestation

- Cracking – this tends to happen when the concrete slab was not cured properly.  If there was too much moisture during the curing process, small cracks could form, quite possibly even inside the concrete where they will remain hidden until they grow enough to make their way to the surface leading to…

- Spalling – When a piece of concrete breaks off from a crack, you’ve got spalling.

- Darkening – Moisture should be able to evaporate out of the concrete freely, but when carpeting is installed, it can’t escape as easily and will cause the concrete to darken.

Roman Aqueduct

While moisture is the worst problem most basement floors will face, age must also be contended with.  Cracking, breaking and flaking can occur as a concrete slab ages and it can be especially common in cold climates because the concrete endures many severe temperature fluctuations.  If you are careful and diligent, you can catch most of these problems before they get out of control.  For flaking and chips, you can use a patch compound.  For holes or cracks, it’s best to use expansive cement so the open space gets entirely filled, then use a patching compound to cover the area.

Another common problem with concrete slab is the surface is often not flat.  That can create issues when flooring materials are installed over it.

So if you are looking for flooring to put over the concrete in your basement, what are some of the best choices?  Let’s look at the pros and cons of a few:

- Vinyl Floor Tiles – These are very unsuitable for a basement because the vinyl does not allow the slab to dry.  And while the vinyl itself may remain unaffected, the adhesive used will fail and your tiles will peel up.

- Hardwood – Generally discouraged for basement floors because any moisture will cause the hardwood to buckle or twist and possibly rot; again, if adhesive is used, it will probably fail.  And if the slab is uneven, you will have difficulty installing the hardwood.  If you are absolutely dead set on hardwood floors in your basement and your slab is above grade, you will want to hire someone for the installation as the floor will need to be leveled, a moisture barrier must be laid over the slab and a subfloor made from exterior grade plywood will have to be installed.  Furring strips will have to be used to raise the floor by at least 2”; this can be an issue since many basements have low ceilings already and you will be losing more headspace.  I also suggest using engineered wood flooring as it has higher tolerance to moisture.

- Ceramic Tiles –If your slab is flat, ceramic can be a good option; it’s low maintenance and unaffected by moisture.  If the floor is not flat, however, the tiles will crack and break.  Installation can be difficult and you may want to hire a professional.  Another downside for some people is the discomfort of such a hard material, as well as the coldness of ceramic.

- Carpeting – Definitely a no-go.  Carpeting uses adhesive and as we know, the adhesive can fail if there is moisture in the slab.  In addition, carpeting can get moldy and rot when exposed to moisture.

- Laminate Tiles – Easy to install, low maintenance, durable and available in many different finishes.  You’ll want to use a floating type of laminate in order to avoid using adhesive.  Again, you need to make sure your slab is flat and use a moisture barrier because most laminates are not water-proof.

- Water-proof Interlocking Vinyl Tiles – Probably the best choice as these tiles are unaffected by moisture, there is no adhesive to fail, and they are flexible enough to be forgiving on an uneven floor.  They are durable and available in several attractive finishes.  Installation is easy enough that most homeowners do it themselves.

Photo Courtesy of Domenic

Cork flooring is becoming very popular with people that want an attractive floor that is also considered “green”.  Cork flooring has many benefits as well as a few drawbacks.

Benefits of Cork:

- Renewable Resource.  It is harvested from the bark of the cork tree which grows in the Mediterranean.  Done every 9 to 10 years, there is no harm done to the tree if harvested properly.  In addition, cork is easily recyclable.

- Anti-allergenic – Suberin is a naturally occurring substance present in cork.  It repels mold and pests and keeps cork from rotting.

- Fire Resistant –Suberin at work again.

- Honeycomb Structure.  This means it’s filled with a lot of air.  This makes cork resilient enough that it can be compressed (up to 40%) and still remain undamaged, in time returning to its previous state. 

- Great Insulator.  Cork retains heat and warm floors can help reduce your energy usage during the winter.  Cork also insulates against sound.

- Soft Underfoot.  It’s a great choice for an area where you’ll be doing a lot of standing.  

Cork Tree

Photo Courtesy of notfrancois’

Drawbacks:

- Easily Damaged – While cork can heal itself from minor cuts, it can be easily gouged by heavy or sharp items dropped on it, by pet’s claws, kids or even high heels.  You also don’t want heavy furniture on it, as permanent dents can be left behind; if you must put heavy furniture on it, use coasters under the legs to distribute the weight a bit.  And never drag anything over cork.

- Naturally Absorbent – Cork is not ideal for bathrooms, kitchens or wet basement.  While the polyurethane will repel most water, if exposed to significant amounts of water, cork can warp and peel up.  Spills must be cleaned promptly.  When cleaning the floor, you CAN NOT use a wet mop.

- Must be Sealed – You must seal the floor with a few layers of polyurethane and this must be redone after 5 to 10 years.  When sanding, extra care must be taken because the cork pieces are very thin and brittle.

- Color will Change – Cork will naturally fade when exposed to sunlight.  Even when protected from sunlight, the color will change over time.

- Cork can be Expensive – There are more affordable brands available, but quality will vary and some brands may have additives you don’t want, such as formaldehyde and phenol.  So do research the various brands.  In addition, cheap cork flooring will be thinner which means it will not be as durable.

- Comes from Europe/Northern Africa – This is a drawback because the cork has to travel such a long way, increasing its embodied energy.

FreeStyle/Place N' Go Cork Flooring

If you love the look of cork but don’t think you have the right location for it, our Place N’ Go free-floating floor tiles are available in a cork finish.  With these tiles you can have the look of cork and the durability, ease of maintenance, and waterproof quality that Place N’ Go offers, all while knowing your flooring has one of the highest recycled content of any flooring product available!

Photo Courtesy of John RH4

Did you know “moist” is one of the most hated words in the English language? Just take a look!  And it’s really no wonder people dislike it so much, the only time we want something to be moist is when that something is cake.  We certainly don’t want moist clothes or linens or…basements!

Photo Courtesy of Thoth

One of the things we’ve talked about before is using a dehumidifier to keep your basement dry.  A dehumidifier can prevent mold and mildew growth while making your basement more comfortable by eliminating that sticky, damp feeling.  As an added bonus in the summer, a dry room is a cooler room, so you’ll use less energy on temperature control.  

Dehumidifiers work to remove moisture by drawing in warm, moist air and cooling it by pushing it over cold coils.  The moisture condenses and then collects in a drip pan.  The now dry air is then pushed over warmer coils to bring it to room temperature before being pushed back out.

Choosing a dehumidifier can be tricky; there are a lot of options and sizes to choose from.  In this post, I’ve gathered some tips and guidelines to help you choose one more easily.

Size Counts

Dehumidifiers are usually rated according to how much water they can take out of the air every 24 hours and how many square feet they can keep dry.  Most people don’t know how much water they need removed from the air, so choose a dehumidifier based on the size of the area it needs to keep dry.  It’s usually a good idea to go a little bigger because the larger the dehumidifier is, the more efficient it is at taking water out of the air.  In addition, it can run at a lower fan speed than a smaller model and that means it will be quieter, too.  Don’t try to save money by buying a smaller unit than recommended; a small unit will need to run constantly and still may not remove enough moisture.

Photo Courtesy of JAGwired

Frost Control

 The coils in a dehumidifier can freeze if it’s in a cool place, so make sure you choose a model with frost control to prevent this.  If the coils freeze, your dehumidifier will run without actually dehumidifying.

Controls

Some models have simple controls that let you choose a humidity level (normal, dry, etc.) while digital controls let you choose a more specific humidity level.

Easy to Clean Air Filter

The air filter needs to be cleaned regularly because bacteria can build up in it.  Make sure your model has one that is easy to remove and easy to clean.

Timers

A timer is a nice feature allowing you to program when you want the dehumidifier on or off.

Auto Restart

In case of power outages, a model with auto restart will turn back on by itself, an important feature if you spend a lot of time out of the house and might not be there to restart it.

Automatic Shutoff

When the drip pan is full, the unit automatically shuts off.

Energy Star

Dehumidifiers that qualify for Energy Star ratings use 10% to 23% less energy than other comparably sized units.

Hopefully these guidelines will make shopping for a dehumidifier a lot easier.  Do you have  a dehumidifier you’re particularly happy with or maybe you’ve had one you hated?  Let us know in the comments!

Liquid Interactive Flooring By Holographic Effects

I do not believe in consistency, normal OR boring.  I was recently introduced to Holographic Effects™and let me tell you, this company will bring your home spizzazz.   Normally known for its commercial dance floors, their tiles are shaking the residential industry standards for trendy home interior design options in the USA.  What I don’t understand, my conservative Canadian friends, if why on earth you are falling for the bla-dome of typical, especially being we suffer through the eternity of the frozen tundra 8 months of the year.  If you are a mother, then let me put it to you this way.  How many “supermoms” do we see doing rounds around the school yard volunteering for recess supervision…”oh, well, they needed help this week, and I thought I would whip up a batch of these for the school…it was nothing you know…”…she shows the tray of  (nut-free/gluten-free/taste-free bran muffins…yum) ohhhh…pullleeeassssee and lets not forget (gag).  You know what you do?  Play hard ball…mommy style.

Bring in Liquid Floor Tiles by Holographic Effects™ at the next birthday party.   Hand out some white shirts, screw in some black lighting, and bust out the Plasma cars you bought at Indigo last Christmas.  You will pump up a toddler party like never before….”Wiggles” style.  Or, rip out the carpet in your teen’s room and install an Interactive Liquid Dance Floor with backlighting….and suddenly you went from 0-60 at the local high school after your daughter comes home to find her transformed bedroom.  It will go something like this…“AHHH, OMG…like….seriously mom…like….AHHHH…my BFF’s are going to LOVE THIS!!”

The flooring is easy to install, it is available in light/dark blue OR purple/orange.  Essentially they are floor tiles, with opposing color mixture, similar to a lava lamp, except the liquid is sandwiched between 2 sheets of PVC with an anti-slip surface for safety.  These are durable…very, (remember they are used in commercial venues).  They are pressure sensitive so when they are walked on the liquid is transferred throughout the tiles as they are walked/driven on.  This flooring has been wowing commercial establishments, bars & restaurants in Las Vegas, Amsterdam & Paris for years… so why not residential??  Who’s to say you have to put carpet downstairs or in bedrooms.  Who’s saying paint is the only option for walls?  Play it safe on the main floor, sure, but kick it up a notch people, in the kids’ playroom.  Don’t play by the rules in home decor, EVER!

Go visit their website here:

http://www.holographiceffects.com

Like an invading alien force, fungus, mold and mildew can invade your home, destroy structures and wreak havoc on your health.

Mold, mildew and fungus thrive in moist environments and for that reason can often be found in basements.  They grow on organic or porous material (paper, cloth, carpet, wood, insulation, etc.) and can usually be found in white, black, or blue colors.  They can look like streaks or clumps and they can be flat or raised.

This axis of basement evil can eat through the material they grow on, causing structural damage to your home.  To top it all off, they can also damage your health, giving you headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory loss and many other problems.  To find out more about how mold, mildew and fungus can affect your health, go the CDC’s website.

Fortunately, it’s possible to push back the invaders and prevent their return.

Photo courtesy of Nojhan

To remove existing mold:

1. It is very important to wear protective gear when removing mold, mildew or fungus.  Becuase of the possible health problems you must wear a mask or respirator as well as gloves and eye protection.
2. Open windows and doors to improve ventilation.
3. To minimize the amount of airborne spores, dampen the affected areas.
4. Clean affected areas:

-The best solution we’ve found is a product called Concrobium.  It does not contain bleach or any other irritating chemicals.  “Unlike traditional “wet kill” products, Concrobium works as it dries – hardening over the moldy surface to form an invisible film that physically crushes the mold micro-organism underneath.”  It also makes the surface mold-resistant.  You can also use it in a fogger making very large or inaccessible places easy to clean.  We’ve had a lot of success with this product.

-The traditional cleaning method usually involves bleach and water.  Porous materials are the hardest to clean.  The University of Georgia has instructions on how to clean the different items potentially affected.  It is best, though, to simply discard any porous materials that have been colonized.  Non-porous materials (metals, glass, hard plastic, etc) can be scrubbed clean with detergent, non-ammonia soap or a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.  (Remember to never mix ammonia and bleach as doing so can result in toxic fumes.)  After cleaning, dry all surfaces and run a dehumidifier.

       5.  Make sure the area is DRY before repainting and refurnishing.

To prevent future invaders:

1. Control dampness; use your dehumidifier frequently and make sure you clean up any spills promptly.  Repair any leaky pipes, wall cracks or faulty window seals.
2. Circulate the air.  Open windows when the air outside is drier then the air inside.  During humid weather, use electric fans.  Closets can trap moisture, so you may want to leave closet doors open and install fans.  It may also be necessary to install a ventilation fan for the whole area.  If you already have one, make sure the outside vent hasn’t become blocked.
3. Keep the area as clean as possible.  Dirt and grease are nutritious for fungus, mold and mildew.

Click on Energy Star’s page for more information on how to prevent mold, mildew and fungus.

So, while fungus, mold and mildew may seem like formidable opponents, if you follow these guidelines, you won’t need to be Will Smith to fight these aliens.

If you are looking to trap mold and like your basement to smell musty, then install some carpet and just wait….. At first glance it seems like the good choice; it’s cheap, last 5-10 years, and you think you can install it yourself (maybe not), but carpet may be the worst option for your basement floor. When the soil surrounding your home becomes very wet, moisture can enter your basement through cracks in the walls or flaws in the water protection layer of your foundation. Water can also enter your basement by hydrostatic pressure that will cause water to be pulled up through the floor. Even if your basement does not get enough water to have visible flooding, high levels of moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow under your carpet or cause glues and adhesives used in other hard surface flooring to fail.

One of the best flooring options for basement floors is without a doubt a finished concrete floor. Although the initial cost of concrete floors can surpass cheaper flooring alternatives such as carpet, vinyl, and linoleum, the long-term value far exceeds these materials. With concrete you do not have to worry about mold, mildew or the floor being damaged by occasional water presence.  Staining your basement floor concrete is a great way to have a floor will last the life of your home. The concrete stains and sealers used by my company are manufactured and installed to last the life of your home with minimal maintenance and worries.

So, the next time it rains don’t worry about reading through your home insurance to see if they will cover damages. Be assured, if you have a floor installed by Nick Dancer Concrete, when water enters your basement, all it will take is a quick wipe with a mop to make the floor look brand new again. Contact getconcrete@nickdancerconcrete.com with questions about your basement flooring projects.

The pictures below are of a stained concrete project we just finished in Lima, OH. The floor previously had carpet, but when the basement flooded early this spring the homeowners knew they wanted a flooring option that would not be damaged from another water intrusion. The landing was full of cracks but was easily repaired and covered with a thin cement overlay to hide all the imperfections. The project is still to receive some minor drywall and trim work.

Nick Dancer

Place N' Go Travertine Beige

When the ceramic tile in my basement kitchen started cracking due to an imperfect sub floor, I always knew I was going to replace it with Place N’ Go interlocking, free-floating floor tiles.  Due to their flexible nature, they are a great solution for problematic basement floors.  I did keep putting it off but when our plumbing recently sprung a leak and water seeped under the tiles, I couldn’t procrastinate any longer.  I got my hands on Selectech’s new Place N’ Go flooring - now available online at the Home Depot - and dedicated the weekend to my new floor.

Of course, it didn’t actually take the whole weekend, just one Saturday.  The tiles were much easier to install than ceramic, they look fantastic and we could walk on them as soon as they were down because there’s no waiting for grout or adhesive to dry.  In fact, the kids were scampering all over the floor before the installation was even complete!

The floor looks beautiful and we’ve gotten many compliments on it already.  And while we hope we won’t have any more leaky pipes, even if we do, we can just pull up the tiles, dry the area and the tiles, and then put them back down.  Place N’ Go tiles also added a bit of warmth to the floor; while the rest of the basement has icy cold floors, the kitchen is quite comfortable to walk on barefoot, and here in New England that’s wicked awesome.

We are very excited to announce that SelecTech’s residential flooring, Place N’ Go tiles, is now available at the Home Depot’s website!

Place N’ Go are interlocking, free-floating vinyl floor tiles.  Because these tiles are flexible, they can be installed over uneven or rough subfloors making them ideal for basements.  Place N’ Go can also be installed directly over most old flooring, saving time and money!  Place N’ Go tiles are water-proof, antimicrobial and antifungal, making them a great choice for any area that has moisture problems and they’re backed by a 25 year warranty.

Basement with Place N' Go Red Oak

Everyone loves getting praised now and then and we at SelecTech are no different!  So we were just tickled when we heard this from one of our customers, Paul P. from MA:

” The Place-N-Go flooring product lived up to every promise or claim on the website.  The installation fell to responsibility of my wife and 5 year daughter.  K. (my wife) laid out, cut, and placed the tiles (scribing to my not so square walls, with the greatest of ease.) while L. secured the joints with her new favorite tool the deadblow hammer.  From our experience, this is a great product with great color choices, that makes a weekend makeover or any larger project, very easy. “

Wow! Thanks, Paul!

Jean and Brian W. from WI had this to say:

“We have been showing off our kitchen and the flooring is a smash hit with everyone.”

Thanks, Jean and Brian!

It certainly seems like this has been quite a year for flooding.  The Northeast was pummeled last spring and the Midwest was hit hard this autumn.  I’ve been told again and again by homeowners that had never had a drop of water in their basements that this year that all changed.

So what can you do if your basement is flooded?  First of all, act quickly: you don’t want to let that water linger in your basement because the longer it sits, the more damage it will do.

Cut Off Power to Your Basement

There is always the chance that there is electricity coursing through the water.  If your breakers are not in the basement, just switch them off.  If they are in the basement, you will have to get the power to your entire house shut off so you can reach the breakers without getting zapped.  You will probably have to call the electric company for that or you may have to call an electrician.

Get Rid of the Water

There are so many ways to do this, ranging from the time-consuming method of using a bucket, using a shop vac or sump pump or hiring a Disaster Restoration Company.   Some basement water-proofing companies have emergency services and can also be hired to remove the water.  If you do decide to do it yourself, one important thing to remember is that it must be done slowly; done too quickly and you may cause the soil and foundation to shift, resulting in collapsed basement walls, floors or foundation.   You must never pump more than three feet of water every 24 hours.

FEMA  recommends the following steps:

• Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside.
• Pump out one foot of water. Mark the water level and wait overnight.
• Check the water level the next day. If the level went back up (covered your mark) it is still too early to drain your basement.
• Wait 24 hours, and then pump the water down one foot again. Check the level the next day.
• When the water in the basement stops returning to your mark, pump out two to three feet and wait overnight.
• Repeat daily until all the water is out of the basement.

Mass Department of Environmental Protection   

Dry It Out

Open all the windows and doors, set up fans and get as much air circulation into your basement as possible.  The more air movement you have, the faster the basement will dry.

Sort Through the Wreckage

Now you can start deciding what you can keep and what you must throw away.  Handy Homeowners suggests the following steps:

1.  First move out the furniture and carpets/rugs and clean and dry what you can save.  Remember, if there was any sewage in the water, you must get rid of everything.  Then, sort through all the smaller items.

2.  After everything has been removed, clean the basement floors and walls using bleach and water.  All that ventilation you set up earlier will help here to keep you from getting sick due to fumes from chemical cleaners.  You can also use bleach to wash any clothes or rugs.

Now that you’ve cleaned and sanitized, give it time to fully dry.  When it’s dry you can start moving furniture and other items back in.

Protect Your Home From the Next Great Flood

You don’t want to go through that again, so what can you do to prevent it?  The easiest thing to do is to get a sump pump system with a battery operated backup pump.  If you want to go even further, there are basement waterproofing companies that will install sub-floor drainage systems.

Even if you water-proof your basement, you may still get seepage through the concrete or water from a plumbing leak.  That’s why you should also think about using flooring that is water-proof.  Carpet will get ruined and most hard flooring surfaces that use adhesives will fail because of moisture.

Having a basement full of water can be downright heartbreaking.  Knowing what to do when it happens and how to prevent it from happening again can help you deal with whatever deluge Mother Nature may throw at you!

According to the EPA there are thousands of products that emit VOCs.  Fuels, cleaning, disinfecting and cosmetic products, as well as paints and varnishes, are made with organic solvents. “All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.”  These products and their use in our homes and offices result in indoor concentrations of VOCs that are much higher than outdoors, up to ten times higher!

How can we minimize our exposure to these chemicals?

One of the easiest ways is to make sure your home has adequate ventilation. Open your windows and let that fresh air in!

There are some safe products on the market today, but if you want to save some money you can easily make your own cleaners with some common household items. Worldwatch Institute has some great “recipes” for everyday cleaners:

“-Stock up on a few safe, simple ingredients that can be used in most cleaning situations. Soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and a coarse scrubbing sponge can take care of most household cleaning needs.
-Instead of using a standard drain cleaner, which likely contains lye, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid, try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.
-For an effective glass cleaner, use a mixture of half white vinegar and half water.
-Baking soda and cornstarch are both good carpet deodorizers.
-To clean up mildew and mold, use a mixture of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.
-A paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water makes a great oven cleaner.”

By using homemade cleaners we not only minimize our indoor exposure to VOCs, but we also minimize the amount of VOCs that get into our water and soil.

When it comes to carpeting, in addition to becoming a home to dust mites and mold, new carpets emit VOCs from the solvents used to make the carpet and the adhesives used during installation. Air Quality Sciences suggests that if you are having new carpet installed you should schedule the installation at a time when the building will be unoccupied; if that’s not possible, try to leave the building immediately after the installation.  Instead of using an adhesive, ask your installers to use carpet tacks to affix the carpeting.  Ventilate the area as much as you can: open doors and windows, use air conditioners and fans and get the air moving; do this for at least 48 hours after the installation is complete.

Or you could avoid carpeting all together and consider a hard surface floor material.

These are just a few ways we can keep ourselves and our planet healthier…leave us a comment and tell us: what are some things you do to help yourself and the environment?

Done in good order, basement insulant will not exclusively reduce heating red ink, but it will create your cellar warmer, drier and a great deal more prosperous.

There are two main directions to isolate your basement — national insulating material and outside insulating material.

For interior cellar insulating material, you can apply any of the main types of domicile DoI insulation, including fiberglass batts, set foam board and spray froth. Having a metallic element or wood flesh of macho men will aid stomach the insulant and give you a berth to attach wallboard or pane.

You should instal a wet barrier over the bare wall before adding the stud poker systema skeletale and insulation. Likewise, add a vaporisation barrier over the set up scantling flesh and insulation before supplying dry wall and pane.

For exterior cellar insulating material, you must dig the dirt around your dwelling house so you can get to the extraneous surfaces of your basement walls. Covering the integral surface of the wall with a layer of sealing fabric before adding rigid insulation. Metallic element showing off and a protective covering must be put in over the insulation to make sure wet does not get between the insulation and the cellar wall.

Before setting up any sort of basement insulant, you take to fasten any scissures, leaks or other wet troubles. Wet can gravely damage your completed cellar and the problem is far more unmanageable and expensive to secure after a cellar is finished.

On the interior, wet and vaporization barriers will assist trim back condensate, but they do not keep body of water leaking through wall crackings. A cellar sealing system is the best agency to make sure you do not have wet problems from any reference.

On the outside, put in a drainage system when isolating the wall. Over again, waterproofing your cellar will protect you from body of water legal injury.

The trained basement waterproofing masters at Clarke Basement Systems know how to pass water your cellar ironic and get it quick for your cellar insulating material — inside and out.

What Office Does Your Basement Manoeuvre in Your Home? .
That’s the first head that demands to be responded before determining on your best basement floor choice.

A Spot for Your Things.
If your cellar is utilized for the most part for computer storage, and not for extra lebensraum, then a couple of good coats of paint will give you a good looking and easy to clean trading floor. If you desire to utilize your resourcefulness, habituate magnetic tape or masks and make practices in the trading floor. In any case, picture is believably the least expensive floor options and, if you don’t care the effects, merely paint it once more! .

Populating Spaces.
Many householders cease their cellars to supply more lebensraum to their rest homes. Here over again, how you use your cellar can mold the type of floor you need.

Manoeuvre spaces for your children demand a long lived, but rather softer trading floor. Rug is oft not recommended for cellars because of the high hazard of wet or rising tides. However, if your cellar is decent waterproofed, carpeting and underpadding render great padding and proceed the cellar warmer.

Floor for folk amusement rooms can depend on dйcor. In a right waterproof basement, hardwood stories will create the room experience warmer and more like other rooms in your rest home. Ceramic roofing tile is lasting and easy to make clean, but can be passably cold to the touching, so an expanse carpeting might be utilitarian.

A sub-floor is oft worked up to cut the cold from cement levels and the price that might be stimulated by wet. It is of import to think of that even a vapor barrier does not protect your cellar from terms had by flood tides. On going wet under your basement sub-floor can have wood putrefaction and make a dwelling for cast and mildew.

Waterproofing.
Regardless of the cellar flooring method you select, you will better protect your story, domicile and belongings if you waterproof your cellar before setting up your trading floor. If you have discovered doubled wet problems, or have ever so had a leak or deluge, it is best to confer a cellar waterproofing professional to get a good word for the best sealing method acting for your billet.

The medical specialists at Clarke Basement Systems will not entirely recommend and put in the best basement sealing system for your domicile, they can too recommend and set up your best basement floor choice.

It’s not hard to add a immense measure of lebensraum to your abode by finishing your cellar. But, if your basement isn’t teetotal, and doesn’t quell ironic, then your finished cellar could be the rootage of on going repair head aches.

Even if your cellar appears teetotal, there might stock still be a wet trouble and it could touch your whole house. The smallest measure of moistness could go a abode for cast and mildew, which can exacerbate allergic reactions and causa external respiration problems, thence preserving your basement teetotal is not some wrong to your wallboard.

The trouble is that there are a number of rootages of wet and you necessitate to make sure they are beat bank check if you desire o preserve your cellar dry.

The biggest foe of a teetotal basement is body of water that leaks in through gaps in the cellar walls and trading floors. It is the nature of concrete to crack over time and still your fresh basement walls and trading floors will crack finally.

If you have not notwithstanding stood a water leak from a cracked wall, it doesn’t intend your cellar will appease teetotal. When the warmer melodic phrase in your abode tangencies cold basement walls, condensate shapes and you have wet in your basement.

Thus, what if you make out to seal and isolate ramparts so you don’t have to vex about leaks or condensate — then would you have a teetotal cellar? Perhaps awhile, but, as inescapably as scissures will shape in concrete, the plumbing system in your habitation will leak. A plumbing system leakage anyplace in your house can affect your basement.

Fortuitously, while it looks that it might be impossible to preserve your cellar teetotal, there is a solution. Waterproofing your cellar will halt body of water from recording your cellar and it will drain away any body of water from condensate and bathymetry outflows. Applying a combining of sealers, drain and pumps, waterproofing can hold still the wettest basement teetotal.

The cellar waterproofing experts at Clarke cellar Systems know how to preserve your cellar dry.

Finished Basements

Those who have basements that can be transformed into living space are essentially sitting on a goldmine. They have the advantage to expand their living space into the basement which is often economical than adding another room or floor onto an existing place. The new family room may include an exercise room, hobby zone, recreational space; office that can be updated with minor adjustments as the family and needs grow. You need a professional help of the basement floor contractor to make your basement an inviting and practical place.

No spacing problem with concrete basement flooring

With concrete basement flooring, it is possible to overcome a confined living space with a smart concrete basement floors design. Meet some creative people who can make the most out of your basement spaces. Discover how a professional and experienced contractor can make a well appointed basement floor. Having a small space doesn’t mean you can’t be whimsical in design. Meet a professional company who is expert to mix and match to create a custom color to make you feel good about your space.

Basements Turned to Living Space

Big ideas can expand any space. Your basement space needs a unified style to make it more inviting and welcoming. The place is revived with concrete basement flooring, fresh colors and innovative planning that double the space. Working with an expert company like XtremePolishingSystems.com, you can feel the difference by your own. You will love your basement that’s easy on the eyes, functional and more relaxing.

Finishing a basement is an extremely intricate undertaking and only a professionally-trained basement finishing contractor XtremePolishing.com can avoid the mistakes commonly made by those less experienced. Now is the time to assume that enhancing the concrete rather than covering it up is fast becoming the gold standard in basement floor treatments, with benefits that extend well beyond aesthetics.

See some  more Polished Concrete Pictures here…

There are several reasons for renovating your basement flooring-

You can convert your basement into a comfortable living space and enjoy certain advantages-

• It usually costs less to renovate a basement than to build an addition
• Basements are generally cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter due to their naturally insulated nature.
• Renovating a full-height basement can add value and extra living space to your place. If one does not have room for a home office, or kids’ room, one can built economically in the basement.
• It augments real estate value of your home.
• Basement renovation projects can drastically increase the value of your place, and basement flooring is one of the most important aspects of every basement renovation project.
• It provides the perfect place for parties and entertaining.
• Moving the home entertainment center, fitness center, home office, or children playroom to the basement frees up additional space in the living area, which can mean an expanded kitchen, a master bedroom, or an additional area for guests.
• When you place a home entertainment center, fitness center, home office, or other activity room in the basement, the rest of the place can be quieter and stress free.
• It offers a safe, stimulating environment for children and teens.

XtremePolishing.com- Your All-in-one Reliable Contractor

Xtreme Polishing can utilize a basement space and optimized it without the enormous expense of constructing a new addition to your place.

One is recommended to delay or not to undertake the renovation at all if they can’t afford to do it properly.   Every successful basement flooring project begins with a detailed plan. Once you have the final detailed plans, it is the time to contact the experienced contractor.

Contact Xtreme Polishing Systems now for all your polished concrete floors needs.

 Before you begin with you interior fix make sure you check that your gutters & downspouts are clear all the way out to the curb. If you downspouts stop at the foundation you’ll need to get an extension to divert the water away from the foundation. Make sure the grade around the foundation slopes away from the house. Check for more tips at National Association of waterproofing http://www.nawsrc.org/tipsTips.php

 When fixing interior walls one cheap and easy solution is a paint product called DRYLOCK made by UGL. You can just use a brush and heavy nap roller to apply the product to the masonry walls. They have many different products available depending on your situation.

 You can see if this product is right for you by taping a 12inx12in piece of aluminum foil to the suspected wall. leave it for a few days. When you come back if there is moisture on the room side you have a condensation problem. If its wet on the inside that was facing the wall you have a seepage problem. Remember both problems can occur at the same time. If you have a condensation problem a dehumidifier should help.

 If your basement is fairly dry and you just have a few damp spots or walls you might get by with the latex Drylock masonry waterproofer. You can buy it by the or the This formula is for waterproofing all interior, exterior, above or below grade masonry walls, cinder and concrete blocks, stucco, brick, retaining walls, basements, concrete swimming pools and foundations. No pre-mixing or pre-wetting necessary. You can even tint it to colors if you’d like.

 If your basement walls are moist or leaky you might want to consider the Drylock Extreme Masonry PaintThis contains synthetic rubber and Portland cement which helps give the walls a much tougher barrier. It is a little more expensive and the fumes are much more intense. You’ll want to wear a respirator when using this stuff.

 Both products can be applied to damp surfaces. First you want to make sure the walls are clean from rust, dirt, grease, or oil. Then make sure there are no Efflorescence, a (white, powdery, crystal-like deposit on the masonry surface). This must be removed with a wire brush and sometimes an acid wash. You will also need to patch any cracks or holes in the wall joints or floor. For this you can use <strong>DRYLOK® FAST PLUG </strong>a fast setting hydraulic cement. Make sure you dampen the area before applying the fast plug for a stronger patch. After thats all done your ready to paint. The coverage of the Drylock is about 50-75 sq ft per gallon. Ex. An eight foot tall wall that is 10 ft long is 80sq ft and would likely use more than one gallon.

For more information on Basement Remodeling visit:  BasementSource.com

by: David Michael

Do you want to change your home?

Thousands of people everyday think about just that. They decide they want a change. So instead of buying a new home, they decide to remodel the one that they have.

Other people who consider remodeling have just outgrown the space that they have and need more. When you are planning a home remodelingproject, it can be a very stressful time. There are so many things to consider. You can eliminate the majority of the stress of home remodeling by hiring a remodeling contractor. A remodeling contractor is a professional trained in remodeling a room or an entire home. They have knowledge and expertise to complete the job quickly and to your satisfaction. He or she often has sub-contractors that they work with to ensure the job is done properly.It is important that you find a remodeling contractor that you have something in common with. Finding someone who has the same tastes as you will lessen any stress that you may have. Take the time to talk to and get to know several different contractors. Tell them what your plans for the remodeling project are and listen to what they come up with. A good contractor will pick up on what you want even if you do not know how to describe it. After you have hired a contractor for remodeling your house, he or she will design a very detailed plan for your home. The details will include estimates, introduce you to the sub-contractors that will be assisting on your remodeling projectand how long the project should take to complete.

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The easiest way to finish your basement if you don’t have all of the skills is to hire a basement remodeling contractor.  You can find one in the Yellow pages or join a service like Angie’s list. Just make sure whom ever you choose can show you samples of finished basements they have done and references from previous customers. It is always best to get at least two estimates before making your final decision. Ask your contractors to break down the costs items by item so you have a clear view of where the money is being spent.  I always tell my clients to call me after they have all of their quotes in and I will come back and go over the quotes with them.  This helps make sure the quotes are apples to apples and they are getting everything they want.

Before you get started with your basement remodeling project make sure you have a clear vision on what you want the space to be.  A good basement remodeling contractor will be able to help you through the process by giving you ideas and tell you what may or may not work in your space.  Decide what your requirements are for the basement.  Do you want a home theater, bathroom, bedroom, home gym or a gameroom for the kids? Do you have leaks or moisture issues and need waterproofing done?  What type of finish materials do you want for plumbing fixtures, trim, lighting, flooring, etc?  A good place to start is looking at basement remodeling magazines or finding pictures of finished basements on the internet. Google Images has hundreds of pictures from basement contractors across the globe. You can find excellent tips, pictures, plans and ideas in the book Basement Ideas. Its a must have for any homeowner finishing a basment on thier own.

Having the answers to most of these questions will help your contractor give you a more accurate quote for the final basement remodeling costs.  If your in Columbus Ohio contact us for a free estimate on your basement remodeling project. We would love to help you complete the basement of your dreams.

basement remodeling