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As a homeowner, knowing what to do when your basement floods can feel overwhelming.
But it’s important to act fast to prevent permanent damage to your belongings and mold growth. If you are currently dealing with a flooded basement due to things like burst pipes, a sewage backup, or heavy rainfall that found its way through cracks in your foundation , this guide is here to help you to begin the remediation process fast. The steps you should take during a basement flood include:
Safety Note: If you’re dealing with a sewage backup, do not enter floodwater in your basement—even with protective gear. This water is contaminated, which means it could put you at risk of contracting dangerous diseases. In this scenario, it’s important to call a plumber immediately to get to the bottom of your problem. As well as a professional restoration company to safely handle the contaminated black water and sanitization process.
Before getting near your basement, you must ensure that all electrical power is shut off to prevent electrocution. Regardless of how much standing water there is. If your home’s circuit breaker is located inside your garage (or you have an outdoor fuse box), be sure to cut the power to your entire home right away. If your circuit breaker is inaccessible because it’s located within your basement, you must call a licensed electrician before moving forward with the next steps.
No matter the source of your basement flooding, it’s important to put on protective gear like rain boots, waterproof gloves, and/or a mask before entering your basement and following the next steps. In extreme cases of flooding, hip or chest waders may be useful if you own them.
Now that the power to your house is shut off and you’re equipped with protective gear, you can enter your basement. If you’re dealing with controllable flooding sources like burst pipes, it’s important to stop the flooding as quickly as possible. So be sure to turn off your water main right away. If rainwater is the cause of your basement flooding, you’ll have to wait until the rain or storm stops before the flooding will stop.
During this stage, do your best to remove any important items as quickly as you can to minimize damage to your belongings. Be cautious when moving throughout the flooded area, as surfaces will be slick.
You can now begin the water removal process. To remove standing water, you can utilize tools like a water-safe wet vacuum, pool pump, or a sump pump. If some water is still left over after using these tools, you can use a mop or towels to soak up the rest (just be sure to thoroughly wash and dry your mop head and/or towels afterward). During this stage, it’s important to eliminate standing water as quickly as possible to prevent the possibility of mold growth.
Tip: If you have an old or under-powered sump pump that can’t keep up with basement flooding, ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing can help. Our team has meticulously tested numerous makes and models of sump pumps to ensure we provide the most reliable, long-lasting, and durable sump pumps on the market.
After standing water has been eliminated, it’s time to get started removing and drying out all your remaining belongings. To begin, remove all water-damaged property that was affected by the flood (e.g., furniture, books, storage containers, etc.) and place them in a well-ventilated area where they can dry out. Damp objects that cannot be cleaned with a liquid-based disinfectant—such as cardboard boxes—should be thrown away to avoid mold growth.
If you have any valuable documents, paperwork, or photographs that have been dampened, try placing them between waxed paper or wrap them in a non-woven polyester cloth before putting them in the freezer. This may work to stop water damage and prevent mildew growth.
It’s also important to remove heavily soiled drywall, insulation, or flooring such as carpeting. The presence of these damp items can prevent your basement from fully drying out and promote mold growth. While it’s sometimes possible to salvage wet drywall, insulation, or to dry wet carpet, they can easily harbor mold and mildew if they aren’t dried properly. The same goes for basements that use hardwood floors or wood tile; it is important to dry them as best as possible and survey for damage. Depending on how damaged your wood flooring is, you might not need to replace it (or maybe replace just a little) and only need to refinish it.
Safety Note: As you’re removing damp objects, be sure to leave electrical items like televisions, gaming consoles, or lamps in place. Even if the electrical power to your home is disconnected. For your safety, it’s best to let electrical items dry in place.
With all damp objects removed from your basement, you can begin to dry out the area and minimize the chance of mold growth. Utilize a dehumidifier or dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air and large, high-powered fans to encourage air circulation. (These tools can be rented if you don’t already have them). Don’t forget to empty your dehumidifier and clean out its filter often and be sure to run your air conditioning as much as possible as things dry out.
After you’ve given your basement several days to dry out, it’s time to sanitize the entire area. While wearing rubber gloves, protective eye wear, and a mask, be sure to scrub all hard surfaces with a solution of one cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water to remove mold and bacteria. Don’t forget to ventilate the space as much as possible during this process. For extra assurance, you can also set up a HEPA air purifier to eliminate airborne mold spores and other allergens.
Tip: Still finding mold or suspicious spots in your basement even after sanitizing? At ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, our professional mold remediation services can help. During a free mold inspection, we can help you locate sources of mold, and work with you to contain and eliminate them quickly.
It’s never a good time to deal with a flooded basement. Thankfully, with this guide from ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, you will know what to do if your basement floods again. Additionally, our team can work with you to ensure the proper precautions are in place to mitigate damage in your basement in the event of a flood.
Our basement waterproofing solutions—which include our specially-engineered Channel ’58 drain channels installed around the perimeter of your basement floor, our high-power Workhorse sump pump, and sump pit—will actively work to move more water faster out of your basement. Ultimately, this will provide the protection your basement needs to prevent future flooding.
For extra protection to your basement, we also provide waterproofing for basement walls. This includes the installation of a heavyweight vinyl waterproof membrane or rigid plastic panels on your basement walls. Combined, these solutions provide the ultimate protection against basement flooding. We also offer foundation repair solutions to address problems that may be connected to your wet basement problem.
In addition, if you’re dealing with flooding or moisture problems in your crawl space, we also offer professional crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing services. We even offer mold removal services to keep your home safe and healthy.
With over 64 years of experience in basement waterproofing, you can always depend on ’58 to keep your basement safe and dry. To provide extra peace of mind, we also offer a life-of-the-structure warranty and a money-back guarantee. Give us a call today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! We look forward to helping you with all your basement flooding repair needs!
So, you’ve had drainage channels laid down along the perimeter of your basement or your crawl space. Once installed, they should all be ready to begin guiding any surrounding groundwater to a collection point where the sump pump awaits. But what is a sump pump for? There needs to be something to help make sure the water moves away from your home, and not just flow back up into your lower level. That’s where the sump pump comes in. If you’re wondering “what is a sump pump and how does it work?” Read on to learn about a key part of any basement or crawl space waterproofing system.
A sump pump is installed in what’s called a sump pit, where water collects to be then pushed out and away from your house via a discharge pipe. Whether it’s during a heavy rain or when a lot of snow begins to melt, water starts to collect in your sump pit as they run around your lower level’s drainage channels. Once the water reaches a certain level, typically this is when your sump pump will go from stand-by to activation. The water gets pumped into the discharge pipe and from there it is pushed to a distant location away from your foundation and home. The aim is to get the water far enough from your home that it doesn’t return to erode your foundation. Including surrounding soil, and put further work on your sump pump. There are several kinds of sump pumps out there, which activate based on different conditions.
If you’re looking to waterproofing your basement or crawl space against the rainy and snowy weather in your area, investing in a sump pump can provide added protection and benefits that will both help your lower level as well as your wallet…
Depending on where you live, you ultimately may or may not need a sump pump. Some areas have climates with more humidity and moisture than others. Depending on your area’s unique climate, it might or might not be necessary. But getting an expert opinion can help you make a more educated choice. Here are some conditions that might make a sump pump necessary…
For many homeowners, their home is one of the greatest investments of time and money. The condition of their home can have a direct impact on their quality of life. This also includes the condition of the lower level of your home, whether it’s a basement or crawl space. Keep your basement or crawl space dry and free of groundwater to help ensure the longevity of your foundation, your lower level, and the rest of your home. Since 1958, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been providing long-lasting waterproofing solutions for basements and crawl spaces just like yours.
We have local offices all throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you live near Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, or Winston-Salem, NC, there’s a team of ’58 experts ready to help.
Whether you need sump pump maintenance or your waterproofing system needs one of our high-power Workhorse sump pumps, you can always lean on ’58! We also offer our own Workhorse OT battery backup sump pump to keep your waterproofing working in the case of primary pump failure or a power outage. Give us a call today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! When we’re on the scene, you can say goodbye to groundwater troubles!
As a homeowner, dealing with a wet basement or a soggy yard after heavy rain can be a frustrating experience—especially when it leads to damaged belongings, mold growth , or a dead, muddy lawn. Fortunately, there’s a tried-and-true solution that can help keep your home and your landscaping dry: the French drain system.
If you’re wondering, “Why is it called a French drain?” the answer may surprise you. While the word “French” might evoke thoughts of eloquence, the truth is quite the opposite. Coined and popularized by Henry Flagg French in his book Farm Drainage (published in 1859), a French drain system features a sloped trench that is filled with gravel or rock and a perforated pipe. This system diverts surface water and groundwater away from a specific area—such as your foundation or an area with heavy landscaping. The water then runs to designated areas like drainage ditches or a low-lying area of your property.
If you’re new to the concept of French drain systems, this guide is here to help. Below, you’ll learn of the different circumstances when you might need one and how ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing can help.
Installing a French drain system can be beneficial if you’re constantly experiencing these problems after heavy rainfall:
Depending upon which of these problems you’re experiencing, there are two different types of French drain systems that can help. Let’s examine both the outdoor and indoor French drain systems.
The gutter system on your home collects rainfall from your roof and diverts that water away from your foundation. Similarly, an outdoor French drain system collects rainfall from the ground level to achieve the same goal. For example, if water pools in low spots throughout your yard, an outdoor French drain system would ensure this water drains and flows away to a designated area. Another example is if water is making its way through your foundation and into your basement. Rather than allowing groundwater to put hydrostatic pressure on your foundation and seep indoors, an outdoor French drain system can help reroute that water away from your foundation.
Outdoor French drain systems might work well to funnel water away from low-lying areas in your yard. But they aren’t a 100% effective or cost-efficient solution to fixing a leaky or moisture-prone basement. It requires a lot of effort to install an outdoor system to alleviate hydrostatic pressure around your foundation. You must remove a significant amount of the soil—as well as any decks, patios, driveways, or landscaping—that surrounds your foundation’s perimeter. This process typically requires heavy machinery and a great deal of labor, which can be extremely costly.
The drain lines of an outdoor system can also clog with silt over time. This reduces their ability to eliminate water pressure against your foundation. When an outdoor system needs to be repaired or unclogged, the whole system must be dug up and replaced. For this reason, outdoor French drain system warranties are typically much shorter than other basement waterproofing solutions.
To ensure a basement stays dry even after heavy rainfall, an interior French drain system should be installed. With an interior waterproofing system, drainage channels are installed along the perimeter of your basement, where your basement floor meets the walls. As rainwater seeps into the soil and the water table rises to meet the foundation, perforations along the length of these drainage channels capture the water. These drainage channels then guide any captured water to a sump pit where a sump pump is installed. As water reaches the sump pit, a float valve is triggered and turns on the sump pump. The sump pump then pushes the water through a discharge pipe where the water will be deposited safely away from your foundation. This type of indoor basement waterproofing solution actively works to push water out of your basement 24/7.
Since 1958, hundreds of thousands of homeowners have depended on ’58 to waterproof their basements. Compared to outdoor French drain systems, our interior basement waterproofing systems are more cost-efficient and effective in the long run. With products like our own specially-engineered Channel ’58 drainage channels and high-power Workhorse sump pump, you can move more water faster out of your house! What’s more, they do not require extensive digging around the exterior of your foundation.
For even more moisture prevention for homes with crawl spaces, our company also offers industry-leading crawl space encapsulation services. During the encapsulation process, our experienced team will seal all crawl space vents, as well as seal the ground, walls, and support columns with a 20-mil thick vapor barrier.
With over 64 years in the waterproofing business, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing knows how to protect your home from moisture problems and groundwater intrusion. Call us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate!
It is impossible to give an accurate cost estimate without seeing your home’s basement or crawlspace. Our professional experts have gone to many different homes—some where the solution was simple and inexpensive, while others required more extensive work. In the industry, basement waterproofing ranges in cost depending on the method that a contractor offers. Oftentimes, the cheaper methods end up costing more in the long run since they are almost always temporary fixes that need constant repair and upkeep. Luckily, it costs you nothing for a ’58 basement waterproofing expert to visit, inspect, and to put together a cost estimate based on a customized basement waterproofing solution.
The key is value. No matter what the cost is to repair your problem, if it doesn’t work properly, it has no real value because the problem still exists. The basement waterproofing solution you get must address the problem source or sources. There are several ways that groundwater can invade your basement. Without a solution that can address these various ways, your problem isn’t fixed. True value lies in the results that your basement waterproofing system gives.
Every interior basement waterproofing system that ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing installs is completed with only quality products and honest methods. Our drainage channels are specially-engineered, providing several advantages that other drainage channel products do not offer when it comes to handling incoming groundwater. Our sump pumps are also designed to provide more power. Additionally, with our battery backup sump pump, you can relax knowing that not even a power outage can stop our ’58 basement waterproofing system from doing its job!
Every home is unique and no two wet basement situations are the same. The price is different for everyone because ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing offers a customizable interior basement waterproofing system designed to fit each unique situation, providing the best outcomes for your basement. The cost for a ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing solution is based on factors such as linear feet and the square footage of the area you need protected, as well as the severity of the problem. There may be financing* options available.
The benefits of finding a specific solution to your waterproofing problems are:
Along with the benefits mentioned above, you’ll have a healthier home with a ’58 basement waterproofing system in place.
This isn’t just about keeping your basement and home safe from structural damage, some of these problems can also directly affect the health of you and your loved ones. When a basement has a water or moisture problem, it can lead to problems that will require further repairs. Some of these complications include…
These problems will not only worsen but also lead to additional problems for you and your house. Mold spores can worsen allergies and even trigger asthma symptoms. Dust mites are another known allergen and they need enough moisture to thrive. Meanwhile, wood rot and termites can devastate the wooden support structures of your home.
From bowing basement walls to water leaking from the corners of your basement, these are the result of hydrostatic pressure against your foundation. This immense pressure is created as groundwater comes to rest against the foundation’s walls and/or floor. Usually, this happens when it rains, which causes the water table to rise until it reaches the foundation. That hydrostatic pressure is what pushes the water through the cold joints of your foundation and into your basement. It is also what can weaken your basement wall and/or floor until it cracks.
By keeping these problems away, you can breathe easier with a safe and dry home.
An interior basement waterproofing system involves the installation of drainage channels along the perimeter of your basement. These drainage channels will be placed beside the footer where they will collect incoming groundwater and direct them to a sump pit. Then a sump pump will push that water out through a discharge pipe, depositing the water far enough away that it shouldn’t return to your foundation. Other products may be used depending on your unique situation. Some other components may include a vapor barrier, rigid sealers, or even a dehumidifier.
In some situations, basement waterproofing may be all you need. But if you have a bowing basement wall or a crack in your basement floor that’s leaking, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the quality services you need to make those wet basement problems go away. We offer our expertise in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawlspace encapsulation, and even mold removal. From our specially-designed Channel ’58 drainage channels to our Workhorse OT+ battery backup sump pump, we only use quality products to ensure lasting outcomes. Whatever water or moisture problems you have going on in your home’s lower level, we’ll have the solution that’ll restore your peace of mind.
When you need an experienced contractor in basement waterproofing, you can always count on ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing! Whether you are a Chattanooga, TN resident or you’re living in Alpharetta, GA, we have local offices situated throughout the Eastern Seaboard to ensure that you have a ’58 team close-by and ready to help. When you call us, we’ll help schedule you for a free inspection and provide you with a no-obligation price quote. Contact your nearest ‘58 location today!
*Check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations location for available financing options.
When homeowners are looking for wet basement repair contractors, usually they look for a company who will help keep their basement dry. Known as basement waterproofing contractors, these companies can install a waterproofing solution that aids in keeping groundwater out of your basement.
But of all the basement waterproofing contractors in the nation, one stands out amongst the rest: ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We are a basement and crawlspace waterproofing contractor that helps homeowners repair their basements, keeping them safe and dry for years.
With over 63 years of being in business, we know how crucial it is to offer a basement waterproofing system that accounts for all six common ways that water can enter the basement. Here are the six ways that water and moisture can invade your basement…
These wet basement problems are nothing to ignore. Water leaking into the basement is an indication that there’s a lot of hydrostatic pressure. This tremendous amount of pressure is created when too much groundwater is pressing against the foundation walls or floor. This can lead to further foundation damage such as bowing or tilting basement walls along with growing cracks in the concrete. Should that invasive water or moisture linger for too long in your basement, it can lead to more problems in the basement such as mold, wood rot, and uncomfortable humidity in the house. It will take proper basement waterproofing to prevent these kinds of problems from occurring. Otherwise, these wet basement problems will likely result in costly repairs.
If there is a way for water to penetrate your foundation and enter your basement, you can count on ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing to know how to stop it. Our basement waterproofing system was first patented in 1966. Our quality products and honest methods have helped thousands upon thousands of customers like you, keeping countless basements and crawlspaces safe and dry. Since 1958, we’ve been continually perfecting our products and techniques. In this way, we can make sure we always provide a basement waterproofing solution that’s effective and long-lasting.
We begin our waterproofing services by completing a comprehensive investigation of the basement and land surrounding the home. Once we’ve located the source or sources of the groundwater intrusion and surveyed the area, we’ll provide you with a detailed estimate. Then, to waterproof your basement, a five-star ’58 crew will install our ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing Basement Waterproofing System.
Every home and basement is unique, which is why our interior basement waterproofing system is designed to be customizable. In this way, we can properly address each of your basement’s problem sources the right way, creating a solution that truly protects your basement and foundation from intrusive groundwater and moisture. Depending on your wet basement problem, here are some of the components that may be included in your ’58 basement waterproofing system…
Our drainage channels are specially engineered to address the limitations of other drainage channels. Meanwhile, we offer a sump pump that boasts more horsepower than typical models. We also offer options for battery backup sump pumps, to provide that extra layer of protection during bad storms. Not even a power outage can stop a ’58 basement waterproofing system from protecting your basement and home!
We’re so confident in our basement waterproofing system that we gladly back it with an industry-leading warranty. At ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we want you to have the peace of mind that you’re investing in a system that works and is protected.
To learn why we’re one of the most sought-after wet basement repair contractors, contact ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing today. One of our helpful and knowledgeable associates will be glad to assist you. We have local offices available throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you are in Knoxville, TN, Newark, DE, Concord, NC, or Atlanta, GA, you can count on ’58 to be there to protect your home against invasive groundwater and excess moisture. Also, be sure to ask about the financing* options that may be available to you. We can help you determine a solution that works with your budget.
*For specific information regarding financing options, please check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location.
If you are having wet basement problems, you fully understand the trouble it can cause. Once the water has been removed from your basement, the next people to contact should be the basement waterproofing experts at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We have been in business since 1958, and we have spent decades perfecting our methods of basement and crawlspace waterproofing.
To begin our services, we have one of our experts conduct a free inspection of your basement and other areas around your house. This is to determine the source of water intrusion and see how your basement got wet in the first place. Then, we will provide a detailed estimate that is designed to address the problems that may have been detected.
There are many ways that water can enter the lowest level of a home and cause a wet basement. The six most common ways include:
Whenever it rains, water can soak into the soil that’s next to your foundation. As more rainwater seeps down and collects against your foundation, more hydrostatic pressure is created. As that pressure builds, moisture can start seeping into the concrete. Meanwhile groundwater can leak through cold joints and existing foundation cracks. That hydrostatic pressure can also lead to bowing basement walls and even more cracks in your foundation walls and basement floors. Unaddressed, these cracks can allow groundwater to leak into your basement.
A flooded basement would mean costly repairs and a lot of cleanup. But a basement flooding scenario can be prevented!
Waterproofing your basement can help relieve your foundation of that hydrostatic pressure. Without that pressure to push water and moisture into your lower level, you can enjoy a drier and more comfortable home.
It’s important to have more than just any waterproofing system. You will want to make sure that the waterproofing solution you’re getting will address all six ways that water can infiltrate your basement. A wet basement will do more than just increase the humidity of your basement. That excess water and moisture can lead to problems like wood rot on your floor joists, mold growth, and moisture-loving pests like dust mites.
As every home is different, our basement waterproofing solutions may vary depending on your needs. Your basement waterproofing system may include components such as our Channel ’58 drainage channels, vapor barriers, our Workhorse sump pump, and rigid sealers. Your unique situation will determine what ultimately is used as part of the solution. For example, if your home is in Greensboro, NC or maybe Spartanburg, SC, our ’58 experts might recommend a dehumidifier along with our waterproofing system to help account for those humid summers.
With our quality products and honest methods, we will always install a basement waterproofing system that is designed to keep basements dry for years on end.
If you would like more information on how we can help keep wet basement problems from happening, contact the basement waterproofing experts at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We would love the opportunity to serve you and help determine the best solution for your wet basement problem. Furthermore, when you turn to ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, your basement waterproofing system will be backed by an industry-leading warranty. We offer free in-home basement waterproofing estimates and some availability on the weekends. When you call, be sure to ask about the financing* options we have available to qualified homeowners.
*Check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location for more information on financing** options.
Do you have water leaking through a crack or cracks in your basement or crawlspace floor? There are many possible causes for this kind of leak. Most commonly, after a day of rain, water pressure on the outside of your foundation (either next to it or below it) can build up. This pressure is also called hydrostatic pressure.
But water wants to find the path of least resistance. Unfortunately for that outside water, that path can be into your home through a crack in the floor slab. Many times, this crack is actually a joint of two pieces of concrete that have dried at different rates/times. Cold joints are another name for these cracks or seams. While cold joints are standard in the building process, water could also be entering through a different kind of crack in the concrete.
Whether if the water is coming through a cold joint or an actual crack in the floor, the water pressure could be building on the outside for a variety of reasons. There could be a high water table, a perched water table, or the clay bowl effect from virgin soil excavated for the home’s basement or crawlspace. The last one is also called the clay bowl effect. To prevent groundwater from becoming a problem for your basement or crawlspace, it is crucial to redirect that water away from your home. This will help prevent hydrostatic pressure from affecting your foundation.
Hydrostatic pressure can also cause damage to your foundation floor. For example, it is how a crack may appear in your basement floor, and why it may leak with water whenever it rains.
There could also be grading problems on the surface above: either the yard, or changes to the driveway or patio. Improper grading can allow water to flow towards the home instead of away from the home. There are also other possible causes for water leaking into your basement or crawlspace to consider.
Maintaining your gutters and downspouts is an important part of protecting your home. Regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts can keep rainwater moving properly from your roof to a location away from your foundation. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts can cause water to fall next to the foundation. Consider extending your downspouts as well.
A ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing interior basement or crawlspace waterproofing system can protect your basement or crawlspace from incoming water. Our waterproofing experts will install our specially-engineered Channel ’58 drainage channels beside the footer along the perimeter of your lower level. These drainage channels will lead any collected water to a sump pit. Then our Workhorse sump pump will push the water out and away from your home via a discharge pipe. Other products may be used depending on your unique situation. Components such as vapor barriers, our Footer Shield, and rigid sealers may be installed to help further protect your lower level from invasive water and moisture.
Ultimately, with a customizable ’58 waterproofing solution, you can take control of the groundwater around your foundation and keep hydrostatic pressure from becoming a problem.
However, it can be very difficult to determine the exact cause(s) of water leaking through a crack in the floor. There’s also always a chance of other causes developing in the future. That’s why it’s important to find a waterproofing solution that addresses the six most common ways water can infiltrate a basement or crawlspace. Whether you live in Chattanooga, TN, Philadelphia, PA, or Washington, DC, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing is there to help homeowners throughout the Eastern Seaboard.
For a solution that’s backed by over 63 years of experience, call upon the experts at ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing! We’ll help protect your home from water leaks and from cracks in your basement or crawlspace floor.
We offer the lasting solutions you need to solve your basement or crawlspace groundwater problems. Contact your ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing office today to learn more and get a free estimate.
Food, water, and shelter, these are all vital things for us and for many other living things on this planet. That also includes the smaller creatures that live around us. But as humans spread across the globe and began building more and more homes and communities, it’s easy for nature to clash with humanity. Whether it’s insects, rodents, or any other kind of small animal—if pests can find an easy place to nest, grow, and breed, they’ll take advantage of it. That’s where your home comes into play: an already-made place of safety, food sources, and of course, water and moisture.
When we think of pests, we often think of the common offenders such as ants, termites, dust mites, and rats. But depending on your area of the United States, the list of pests in your area could be quite expansive, and they all have their reasons for wanting to invade your home. Aside from being unwanted guests and making for an unsightly presence in the house, pests can do a variety of damages to both your health and to your home itself. The key to conquering a pest problem is to understand the pest, its behavior, and how to counteract their methods of invasion.
Let’s take a deep dive into some of the most common pests you may encounter, what their presence can do to you and your home, and how to keep them out of your house…
From the family Formicidae, ants are a colony-based insect that exists on almost every part of our Earth. While an individual ant may be nothing much to consider, it is the organized performance of the colony as a whole that makes them a smart and formidable pest in the house. It’s why an ant colony can sometimes be referred to as a superorganism—they can carry out actions and react to threats in a seemingly unified manner, as if it were a single entity. A colony is typically managed by a single queen, though there are species that can have multiple queens to form a joint super colony, and other species have been known to willfully cohabitate with a separate colony. Here are some species of ants that live in the Eastern US, for example:
Ants in your area may either be indigenous or invasive, but they all follow roughly the same protocols when invading your home. After a queen has mated, it will attempt to find a place that’s safe to start its brood. This could be outside of your home, or it may find a crack or a crevice in which to enter your home, such as through a foundation crack leading to your basement. Once it has found a place with comfortable humidity levels, made of suitable material such as wood, where a colony can properly tunnel and branch out, it will begin producing eggs and nurturing its first generation of workers. These workers will tend to the queen and scout for food. This is where ants become a proper pest.
As soon as a scouting worker has found food or water, it will consume some for itself, store some in its social stomach, and return to the colony while leaving a pheromone trail. This trail alerts the colony that there’s food if they should follow that trail, and the queen will be informed of that food when the worker returns to share food with her. This will encourage more workers to set out, and the queen will likely be encouraged to produce more brood as it has found a place to grow her colony and survive. This is when the ants transition into becoming a real pest. Property damage is a real possibility, especially when colonies grow larger. Some species like Carpenter Ants are prone to seeking out wooden structures within a home to build their tunnels and grow their colony, causing damage to your home’s walls and supports.
Trying to physically root out their colony can also be hazardous as the workers and soldiers of the colony are willing to bite an intruder, no matter their size. Some species of ants are also capable of stinging or spraying formic acid. But fortunately, there are multiple ways in which to deal with them without risking your own safety.
When many think of ants or other insects, their first reaction may be to use the insecticide spray and go for the quick and easy kill. But as the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture mentions, “The mistake most people make when attempting to control ants is only spraying the ones they see. This approach usually fails because the ants seen foraging over exposed surfaces is only a small portion of the colony.”
Killing the ants that you see on the kitchen floor is only a temporary solution. On any given day, an ant queen can produce around 800 eggs, and those eggs can become full grown adult workers within 38 to 60 days depending on the species. Once a colony has reached a mature stage, it’s akin to facing a situation of 800 new ants per day that you’d have to kill just to stop the colony from growing larger.
That’s where ant bait comes in. Ant bait may contain varying formulations of insecticide that is mixed into a kind of food material that will attract the ants. The bait only works if it happens to be in the path of foraging workers. But when a foraging worker discovers the bait, typically they will consume some of the bait and return to the colony to share it. From there, the insecticide is shared from the worker’s social stomach to other workers and even the queen. This creates the possibility of crippling an ant colony and even getting rid of it entirely. Here are some tips on how to effectively use ant bait:
Unlike an insecticide spray, the process of controlling ant populations in or around your home with ant bait is a slow process. As advised in a publication by the NC Cooperative Extension, “Patience is important to successful baiting. Most ant baits are slow-acting and do not kill the ants quickly. Therefore, you may continue to see ants for a week or more after baiting.” It is a part of the ant bait’s design because the bait is meant to be consumed and shared around the colony before the ants start dying off—this is to ensure maximum effect.
Microscopic in size, dust mites are incredibly hard to spot, and they can be found virtually anywhere where people live except the continent of Antarctica. When observed under a microscope, they look white and translucent, with an appearance that might be described as almost spider-like since they have eight legs. We typically know them to eat our dead skin cells, which is why they are so prevalent in the homes of people. But they also feed on dead skin cells of animals and even some forms of mold. There are over 20 species of dust mites that we are aware of.
It is likely that there are millions of dust mites present in your home. For a sense of scale, on average, you will shed as much as 1.5 grams of skin in a single day. That’s enough to feed one million dust mites, giving them a chance to breed and further propagate throughout your home.
Dust mites are innumerable, and they can live on average around 65-100 days. When a female dust mite has mated, it can lay as many as 100 eggs within five weeks. What’s more, during the course of a dust mite’s life, it will produce around 2,000 particles of fecal matter, which in turn can cause allergic reactions. As stated by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), “Both the body parts and the waste of dust mites are allergens for many people. Most dust mites die in low humidity levels or extreme temperatures. But they leave their dead bodies and waste behind. These can continue to cause allergic reactions. In a warm, humid house, dust mites can survive all year.”
Here is a list of allergy symptoms that dust mites can cause:
For those who have asthma, dust mites may also cause the following symptoms:
Dust mites can also cause eczema flare-ups and exasperate asthma symptoms that you may already be experiencing. The AAFA also believes that dust mites, due to their prevalence, may possibly be one of the most common triggers of both year-round allergies as well as asthma. This is why it is important to take measures to keep dust mite populations in check. It’s likely impossible to be completely free of dust mites, but the fewer the better.
As the Mayo Clinic advises, “Avoiding exposure to dust mites is the best strategy for controlling dust mite allergy. While you can’t completely eliminate dust mites from your home, you can significantly reduce their number.” By controlling the presence of dust mites in your home, you can reduce the frequency of allergic reactions that can be caused and help control your asthma if you have it.
Here are some ways that you can adjust your lifestyle to counter the presence of dust mites:
Across the North American continent there are over 70 species of native rodents living in the wild. But when “rodents” and “pests” come up in the same sentence, it’s often referring to three species of rodents in particular: the black rat, Norway rat, and the house mouse.
These creatures may look small and not threatening. But the EPA warns that as pests they can “infest houses, threaten public health, and destroy property. They can damage or destroy critical habitats, native plants and animals, crops, property, and food supplies.” That’s why it is crucial to know how they can be a pest and what to do about them.
Whether they are rats or mice, they both follow similar goals, which are to seek shelter, find near food sources, and breed. Human population centers and dwellings provide ample amounts of shelter from the elements and predators, meanwhile our pantries and food stores provide plenty of nutrition for the rodents to feed themselves and provide for their young. But it’s not just their presence that makes them a pest, it’s what they leave behind as they wander your home: feces, urine, and the potential to transport fleas, ticks, and mites into your home. They can also contaminate food or water that they’ve come into contact with, and their waste products can even contaminate the dust that you may breathe.
It is important to address rodent problems promptly to prevent the spread of disease in your home. Rodent feces, urine, blood, and saliva are all ways that diseases can be transmitted to human beings. There are around 35 diseases that rats, and mice can spread to humans. Here are just a few of the diseases that are known to be transmitted directly or indirectly by rodents to humans:
By taking proper measures, you can keep rodent pests out of your home and maintain a safe and healthy environment for you and your loved ones.
Rodents invade our homes because they’re looking for a means to survive. A human household is perfect for shelter, food, and a place to breed without natural predators. As the CDC advises, “The primary strategy for preventing human exposure to rodent diseases is effective rodent control in and around the home.” The measures required to make this strategy successful can be summarized in three steps: Seal, Trap, and Clean.
Termites are an insect that lives in colonies much like ants, bees, and wasps do. While they have earned the nickname of “white ants”, they are not related to ants at all and belong in the same order as cockroaches. With the support of workers and soldiers, a termite colony grows with a king and a queen at its head. Termites are generally small, with the queen being the biggest in a colony.
In nature, termites play an important role. They’re an organized species of decomposers. Termites are known as detritivores, which means they live off consuming dead plant matter, whether it’s dead wood, woodland plants, or even feces containing plant matter. Some species of termites are also known to cultivate “gardens” of particular fungi as food. Meanwhile, other species of termites prefer to eat grass, leaves, and plant roots instead. But what many of these termites all enjoy is darkness, warmth, and humidity, even if it’s the wooden support structures of your home. But that doesn’t mean they should be welcome guests. According to the EPA, “Every year termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage, and property owners spend over two billion dollars to treat them.”
In North America, there are at least 18 species of termites that count as pests. Termites also come in three varieties depending on their preference for dwelling: drywood, dampwood, and subterranean. But for many of them the wooden structures within people’s homes provides both bountiful amounts of food and shelter from predators and the elements. Once termites have moved into a home, they will begin tunneling through the wooden structures within your home. They tend to stay away from the surface of the wooden structures, creating their tunnels and galleries hidden from prying eyes. This can make detection difficult until much damage has already been done. But for every tunnel or gallery they create, they add to the further weakening of that wooden structure, which can lead to a compromising of your home’s structural integrity.
There are ways to detect possible infestations, however, especially when a termite mating season comes around. As the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture explains, “Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as ‘swarmers,’ emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air.” If you happen to notice swarms of winged termites in or around your home, there’s a good chance that an infestation is already happening and requires professional assistance.
But there are other ways that you can detect a termite infestation without having to wait until Spring arrives. Here are some signs in your home that can indicate an infestation of termites:
If you notice termites flying out from woodpiles or tree stumps in your yard, be cautious and on the lookout. If swarmers are emerging near your home’s foundation, such as around your wooden porch, there might be an infestation.
For prevention, it is important to keep trees, wood piles, and other sources of wood away from the sides of your home. The more distance the better because it will reduce the chances of termites wandering into your home. Termites are not just drawn to wood—they also require a source of moisture. If there is lingering excess moisture in your home, the termites will see it as a favorable place to colonize.
Here are some measures you can take to control moisture in your home and prevent termites from wanting to invade:
But if you should have an infestation, there are termite baits which may be used to slowly kill off a termite colony, much like ant baits. There are also liquid termiticides which may be placed into the soil surrounding your home. These can either repel termites or outright kill them as they tunnel through the affected soil area. Consult with a pest control professional about these options.
From insects to rodents, pests are like all other living things—they’re seeking shelter, food, and water. When a home is having a moisture problem, pests see it as a place that satisfies their living requirements. But moisture control can keep the pests at bay. If the moisture isn’t present, pests will feel discouraged and will search elsewhere to live or forage.
There are many ways to get rid of pests. But efforts should be made to prevent the pests from invading your home in the first place. As Building Science explains, “Pests inside homes can lead to allergic reactions. Pests often lead to the use of pesticides that are not good for people to breathe or ingest (eat). Pests can damage or destroy building materials.”
Some of these may sound familiar from the pest descriptions above. But here are some ways that you can make your home more pest resistant:
All pests are living creatures trying to survive. But it’s important to discourage them from using your home as their means of survival. Moisture control is a crucial factor in defending your home from pests. Measures such as basement waterproofing or crawlspace encapsulation can help you manage the water or moisture in your lower level. A dry home also means enjoying your home while nature remains outdoors where it belongs. Moisture control and the other pest prevention methods mentioned in this article can save you from having to use more invasive pest control measures. Invasive pest control solutions can involve the use of harmful chemicals in your home. By understanding these pests and how they behave, you can deflect their attempts to make your home into their own.
Sources for Links:
Ant Control for Householders
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef619
Tips for Effective Ant Baiting
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tips-for-effective-ant-baiting
AAFA: Dust Mite Allergy
https://www.aafa.org/dust-mite-allergy/
Mayo Clinic: Dust Mite Allergy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dust-mites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352178
CDC: Rodents
EPA: About Rats and Mice
https://www.epa.gov/rodenticides/about-rats-and-mice
Termite Control: Answers for Homeowners
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef604
Termites: How to Identify and Control Them
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
BSI-127: Pests Can Really Bug You
https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/building-science-insights/bsi-127-pests-can-really-bug-you
It happens to many homeowners. A crack in your basement wall may seem harmless at first. What’s wrong with a little humidity in the crawl space, right? But either of these scenarios can be a sign of more trouble ahead. Especially when there’s heavy rain, a lot of water can begin to soak into the soil around your home. When the collective weight of that water and soil presses against the walls of your foundation, that hydrostatic pressure can lead to cracks, eventually creating a pathway for groundwater to enter your basement or crawl space. If allowed to continue, that water leaking into your lower-level space can lead to further damage of your home’s structure and it can even draw pests and encourage mold growth. But with the proper measures, you can help your basement or crawl space remain dry, safe, and useable!
Let’s take a dive into some methods to protect your basement or crawl space from invading moisture!
While both have their own unique needs, whether you have a basement or a crawl space, there are some things that you should take into consideration for either one. Taking measures to keep water away from your foundation can help prevent moisture from infiltrating your basement or crawl space. Here are a few ways that you can do this whether you have a basement or a crawl space:
Along with the measures suggested above, there are other measures that you can take to protect your basement. A lot of damage to your foundation walls occurs because of there being too much water sitting against the foundation—the tremendous amounts of pressure can lead to basement wall cracks and bowing walls.
So, taking measures to divert that water away will help relieve the hydrostatic pressure and take the stress off your foundation walls. This is where waterproofing comes into play.
Basement waterproofing can involve a variety of measures, but they usually involve the installation of French drains, sump pumps, drainage pipes, and even a vapor barrier or a dehumidifier if the situation calls for it. Along with waterproofing measures, it’s also important to seal any gaps in your basement where pipes may run to the outside.
Should your basement wall or basement floor have cracks that are leaking, it is also important to have those cracks repaired so that water has no easy way into your basement. With the proper foundation repairs done in conjunction with your basement waterproofing, your basement will be kept protected against groundwater intrusion.
Crawl spaces are a little different from basements. Meant to act as a barrier between your home and the earth beneath it, usually crawl spaces just have a dirt floor where moisture can potentially seep up. From water seeping up through the soil when the water table rises to moisture creeping in through crawlspace vents, crawl spaces lacking the proper waterproofing or encapsulation can become humid or flooded and cause problems for you and your home.
For some crawl spaces, you may just need to seal your crawl space vents and install a durable vapor barrier. But for others that may be in areas that experience a lot of heavy rains, it may be necessary to waterproof your crawl space along with your crawl space encapsulation. Here are some of the measures that might be required to keep moisture out of your crawlspace…
You may also need to seal any gaps that exist around any piping that’s going out through the crawlspace wall. But with these measures in place, your crawlspace will be kept secure against moisture, which can benefit both your house structure and your air quality.
It may seem like a crack in your basement floor or a little humidity in the crawl space is okay to overlook, but these are both signs of moisture threatening to invade your home, or it’s already in the process. When moisture is allowed to enter your lower-level and wreak havoc, it can lead to further problems such as:
Preventing moisture from entering your lower level not only saves your home from damage, but it also benefits your health, wellbeing, and comfort. Allowing any of these problems to take place can lead to additional costs to repair and return your home to normal.
With the global climate changing, the way that rain comes and goes is also changing. As reported by USA Today in January 2022, in regions “East of the Rockies, more rain is falling, and it’s coming in more intense bursts.” Heavier rain seasons in certain parts of the United States are becoming more commonplace, and many of those regions are not properly prepared. The same USA Today article mentions that “a dozen states, including Iowa, Ohio and Rhode Island, saw five of their 10 wettest years in history over the past two decades”.
With many states experiencing unprecedented amounts of rain, it is more important than ever to be prepared for that water eventually finding its way to the soil around your home. By having your basement or crawl space properly waterproofed, you can help keep all that water moving out and away from your home, giving you a better chance at protecting your home’s lower level from groundwater intrusion.
Since 1958, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been helping homeowners like you keep moisture out of their lower levels, so that their homes can remain safe, dry, and healthy places to be. With over 60 years of experience in developing the quality products and honest methods that we use today, you can rest assured that we’ll keep groundwater moving out and away from your home, keeping your lower level dry and helping preserve the value of your home against water-related damages to your foundation and lower-level space. Give us a call today to schedule for a free inspection of your foundation and lower-level space. We’ll be happy to provide you with a detailed cost estimate and answer any questions you may have!
People haven’t just made the planet hotter. We’ve changed the way it rains.
Interior basement waterproofing is our specialty at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. Since 1958, we have continually improved on our ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing Basement Waterproofing System and our waterproofing methods, remaining a company that people can rely on for quality products and honest methods. Since our founding over 60 years ago, we’ve helped countless homeowners keep their basements dry for many years.
Our basement waterproofing services begin with a comprehensive waterproofing inspection. A trusted and knowledgeable ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing representative will come to your home and perform a multipoint inspection of your basement and the area surrounding your home, looking to pinpoint the source of groundwater intrusion. Once we’ve found the source, we’ll provide a detailed estimate, and offer to install our ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing Basement Waterproofing System. This system is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry, so you can rest assured that your investment will be protected.
We like to say that we’re experts at interior basement waterproofing, but don’t just take our word for it. We have an excellent reputation for providing premium-quality basement waterproofing solutions, and we’re proud to display the many testimonials that we’ve received from our happy customers.
If you would like more information on interior basement waterproofing, contact your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location today. One of our helpful representatives will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you have!
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