Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Repair in NJ

Understanding crawl spaces

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:05:43 -0500

There is a popular belief concerning crawl spaces that, being supported by many building codes and general contractors across the US, is greatly contributing to transform the problem of damp, moldy and decaying crawl spaces into a true housing epidemic.

According to this belief, crawl spaces need to be protected from ground moisture by the way of a ground vapor barrier (usually a 6 mil plastic sheet) and should be allowed to "breath" through open vents.

They believe that the open vents, by allowing in the air from the outside to circulate within the crawl space, will dry out the space.

It may sound like it makes sense, after all the air is known to dry things. A breeze will dry the clothes on the line and opening a window in the house will help dry out your freshly shampooed carpet, right?

However, in a crawl space environment things work a bit differently that they would in open air or at the above floors.

At any given season, there is always a significant difference between the temperatures in the crawl space and the temperatures outside and on the floors above.

Such differences in temperature cause the moisture present in the air that comes from the outside to condense all over the surfaces within the crawl space. The wooden joists and insulation will soak up the moisture, grow mold and rot as you can see in the picture that illustrates this post.

The only proven method to protect crawl spaces from moisture is encapsulation and conditioning. Conditioned crawl spaces also help improve indoor air quality and make your home more energy efficient. The savings on energy bills alone will pay for the cost of encapsulation overtime.

Contact us for more information, a free estimate and a free book on Crawl Space Science.

Learn how our CleanSpace system can protect your home and save you money.

New Guidelines for Green Home Renovation

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:56:33 -0400

The Green Home Guide, from the U.S. Green Building Council, released new guidelines for homeowners interested in green remodeling and energy efficiency.

Their website offers a PDF version of the Guidelines, along with other interesting PDF documentation, such as a Green Product Checklist.

The Green Home Guide website is a relevant source of information for homeowners, contractors and builders researching green and sustainable building and remodeling, as well as energy efficiency.

The look and feel of hardwood in a waterproof flooring solution

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:50:45 -0400

Hardwood floors are usually a poor choice for basements. They soak in moisture, harbor mold and rot. However, how can you resist the cool, warm, classy look of hardwood flooring?

Many homeowners, aiming for that look in their finished basement projects, will try to replicate it with hardware store laminate flooring, which are usually great alternatives for upstairs, but will not work in the basement. Many of the available solutions are not waterproof or need to be laid over a subfloor that is not waterproof either. Some are made with organic compounds, meaning mold food.

If your dream basement remodel plan includes the classic look of a hardwood floor, the best option is MillCreek Flooring, by Total Basement Finishing. It has the look and feel of hardwood, and it is completely waterproof. It can be laid directly over concrete as an interlocking floating floor option. Easy to clean, durable, mold and mildew resistant MillCreek acts like a thermal and vapor barrier, and is suitable for radiant heated basement floors up to a 120 degrees.

MillCreek Flooring is offered in 3 colors: Rosewood, Natural Oak and Mahogany, so that you'll find an option that will fit in your basement remodeling ideas.

Contact us for a free basement remodeling estimate!

NJ Property Tax Rebate

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:36:11 -0400

Just a friendly reminder from DryGuys Basement Systems: the forms to apply for the NJ Property Tax Rebate are due by August 15, 2008. Checks are scheduled to go out this fall.
This year, households earning between $100,001 and $150,000 will receive an average $665 rebate.

Source: Bob Ingle Blog

Freeze your property taxes if you are over 65

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:30:49 -0400

New Jersey Home Owners over 65 can take advantage of a program aimed to keep long time homeowners from being forced to move by rising taxes.

The main prerequisite is to have lived in your home for at least 10 years, but there are also income requirements.

To see if you qualify, read the information and income guidelines available at the NJ Taxation website and fill out a form provided in this page.

Source: EcoRealty

Save energy remodeling your basement

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:56:01 -0400

According to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website, from the U.S. Department of Energy a finished, insulated and properly waterproofed basement can save you a lot of money in energy bills.

Data compiled by the EERE shows that the annual average savings for a 1,500 square-foot home, with a conditioned basement heated by natural gas ($0.72/therm) can amount to $250 in places like Washington DC for a 10 R-Value., and as much as $400 in a home with the same characteristics in Minneapolis, MN.

In other words, the energy savings alone, will pay for your basement finishing project, overtime.

In addition you will be able to use your dry, insulated basement as valuable living space. Your family will enjoy the health benefits of a better indoor air quality, because you will be getting rid of mold and its airborne spores.

In conclusion, basement remodeling is one of the best investments you can make because a finished basement benefits your home, your family, your health and your pocket.

What are you waiting for? Contact us for a free estimate!

South Jersey Rains To Become More Steady

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:14:56 -0400

With more rains forecast for the mid week, compiled onto the recent heavy rains of a week ago, Dry Guys Basement Systems has been working around the clock on maintenance calls and the installation of new basement waterproofing systems in New Jersey to keep home's dry.

Certainly there are worse things that can happen, but a flooded basement is no fun no matter what. In basements that get wet all the time, the homeowners have to store there items high up on shelves or in plastic bins raised off the floor. This is a waste of space, let alone all the moisture that permeates into everything and the mold and mildew that thrive as a result.

If it's the fist time the basement gets wet, this could be worse. All the items that were on the floor in boxes get soaked and ruined. And if the basement is finished then the carpet is ruined, furniture gets wet... it's awful.

NBC40.net stated that county emergency management departments had prepared for the storms.

"We're monitoring the waterways," said Kevin Tuno, emergency management coordinator for Burlington County. "Everything right now is looking on the low side, so we're not overly concerned about the rain."

Tuno said Medford opened Kirby's Mill Dam to release some of the water from the southwest branch of the Rancocas Creek as a precautionary measure.

"We think the streams can absorb the amount of water they're predicting," he said.

On NBC40.net, Roy Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Westampton, says residents should expect more of the steady rain showers and thunderstorms that will be more widespread than scattered as they have been.

Although busy with dealing with the heavy rains South Jersey has seen lately and the elevated levels of relative humidity, if your basement or crawl space in South Jersey needs waterproofing, it's better to do it before the late summer and fall rains come.

In South Jersey, including Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, and Ocean Counties, Dry Guys Basement Systems offers free waterproofing quotes and inspections.