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Serving New England Since 1972
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"You and your team were truly responsive. We want to thank you and your dedicated team for a job well done with respect to the waterproofing, concrete work and rebuilt retaining wall.“
Excavation consists of digging out all the dirt that sits by the walls down to footer level; replacing the footer tiles, sealing the walls, covering that with gravel and backfilling with soil to grade level.
In this scenario, work is performed from the inside of the basement. The floor is opened next to the outside walls, and drain tile is installed and surrounded by gravel. The pipe is connected to a sump pump, which discharges the water.
Musty odors are merely the result of the decay process associated with mold, mildew and dry rot. It is the odor given off by the decaying material. Once you smell it, look for the source, and try cleaning any item that has the smell. If it returns, you'll need to replace it.
This can appear as a brownish-black fungus growth on walls, clothing and other surfaces; it typically grows on wood surfaces. Keep in mind that dry rot is a byproduct of the decaying process - you'll need to not only replace whatever is damaged, but also find and cure the cause of the dry rot forming in the first place.
An unpainted block will turn dark gray when it is wet. A painted wall will show discoloration, or a darkening of the paint. A poured wall might show discoloration. In any case, there might be white or dark outlines surrounding the area, which means that either it has leaked before, or substantial moisture has come through in that area.
Mold and mildew are living, breathing organisms that grow and multiply anywhere there is excessive moisture. For those of us exploring our basement, mold and mildew can grow in the walls, carpeting, furniture, or anywhere else it can find a food source.
Cracks can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and directions. For example, you may see step-cracks on the wall. You might find vertical cracks, or horizontal cracks. In any of these cases, something is causing this to happen - cracks don't usually appear naturally. It could be from settling, pressure on the walls or under the floor, or any number of other causes.
Wood is porous. It absorbs moisture. Warped paneling is a sign that excessive moisture exists, and you need to find out why. The good news: if you find the source, you can fix it so that your new paneling won't warp. The bad news: you can't repair warped paneling, you have to replace it.
Concrete is made up of limestone, clay and mortar, and aggregate (stone). That white outline or spot you see is the calcium in the block leaching out. Its an indication of water, excessive moisture, and is something you should pay attention to. It's called efflorescence.
Keller Waterproofing has been waterproofing basements in Massachusetts since 1972. Our unique exterior & interior waterproofing process and lifetime warranty ensures that
you'll never worry about water in your basement again.