Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Air Ventilation Steps To Help Protect Against Leaky Basements

By: Tom Leiss


An average family of four creates between two and four gallons of moisture per day through cooking, cleaning, showering, and breathing. Some of this moisture finds its way to the cooler, drier surfaces.

If the attic is not properly vented, the moisture can condense as water or frost inside the attic when it hits the cooler attic surfaces. As a result, mold, wood rot, and poor air quality can form. These are all problems that ultimately cost the homeowner in terms of money and health as well.

Installing a proper venitilation system is a measure that will stave off this condition and pay for itself, helping to keep your family healthy and your property valuable.

Home ventilation is a system of components. It is more than just blowing air through the home. It involves a process that yeilds steady, high volume movement. It provides the right amount of both intake and exhaust. A properly vented system includes vents at the peak of the roof and a good deal of airflow from the soffits. Always balance the attic ventilation system with 50% of the required air high on the roof for exhaust and 50% of the required ventilation low on the roof for intake. This allows the system to be balanced in terms of cool dry air entering and moist air exiting.

A home that retains excess moisture will develop problems such as wood rot, basement mold, basement seepage and poor air quality in basements and crawlspaces. It is important to retain an experienced basement waterproofing contractor to fix these issues.Waterproofing Contractor Lake County.Thomas Leiss is a home and basement waterproofing expert. He founded and runs WaterPro Basement Waterproofing of Lake County Illinois ==>http://www.waterprobasement.com

Window Well Corrective Steps to Avoid Basement Leaking Problems

Author: Tom Leiss


Basement window leakage is caused by either a leaking window well or a missing window well. A window well is an outside retainer that holds dirt and water away from thew window. In both cases water builds up to the bottom of the window sill and pours under the sill or through the window. Window wells can be corrected by filling voids and stabilizing the soil under the ground and around the window well. They can also be corrected by installing window well drains.

Once a window well has become a problem, the result is water entering the structure. A whole basement can be flooded. Even with minimum leakage in a basement, the foundation can be weakened and the wood floor joists and wall joists can become moldy. Drywall acts as a powerful sponge and readily soaks up water. Drywall becomes very moldy and when this occurs, it must be replaced. Of course any material in the basement such as furniture and personal property are often ruined as well. It is obvious that a basement leakage can bring an enormous cost to the homeowner.

Window wells can be corrected at a comparatively low cost. It is necessary and highly adviseable to secure the services of a liscensed basement waterproofing contractor. He will design and implement the necessary corrective action to mitigate leaking window wells. Typical job completion depends on the number of window wells to be corrected. As a general rule of thumb, 8 windows would require a day. But considering the consequences of water in your basement, having a day or less depending on your number of windows is well worth your attention.

The process of securing a basement waterproofing contractor begins with securing an estimate which can usually be accomplished with a phone call. Also be certain to contact only experienced contractors whose work can be verified.