Re: Water proofing basements

[Guest guest]

I've seen some good stuff on the web that describes the process of water

sealing basements. Again and again Ive read that the best way to prevent

water from penetrating through concrete from the outside into a basement is

by preventing the water from getting there in the first place.

That means (if you are in a house) extending drainpipes to drain at least

six feet from your foundation and also sloping the ground away from your

house even if it means bringing in a bunch of dirt to do it. And of course,

making sure that no streams or brooks are in the vicinity.. esp. on uphill

sides of houses..

If your house has been built somewhere with a high water table then I get

the impression that curing those situations can be really difficult.

Another culprit is condensation from moist interior air onto cold walls in

winter. I think that in that situation its crucial to avoid any situation

where sheetrock comes into contact with the concrete..

[Guest guest]

There are MANY questions that need to be answered - including

moisture and mold - but not by the company that installs the

waterproofing. You need someone else to help you determine what needs

to be done (and what doesn't) and then the waterproofing company can

perform the waterproofing in the proper sequence with other actions

involving moisture removal and mold remediation.

By also conducting and charging for the moisture measurements and

mold testing they are in a conflict of interest by performing both

the assessment and the remediation.

Even if don't hire a consultant independent from the contractor, get

at least 2 other bids and sets of opinions.

Finally, not all plastic sheeting is waterproof, especially the less

expensive ones. You need to know the specifications.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> I would like to water proof my basement with the plastic liner people

> use. Is there a less cost effective way to do this? Can we purchase

> this material at a place like Lowes or Home Depo? Should we test or

> treat the beams and under flooring before hand? I can use any info

> possible.

> Also, does anyone know of reputable companies that may do this. I

> called one local company and they wanted 2000.00 just to come out and

> check for moisture, mold and give an estimate. This did not include

> treating the wood with a sealer or laying the plastic on the dirt

> floor! I don't know enough about this to judge but that seemed like a

> rip off in my non-professional opinion!!

>

>

>

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE:

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We have a pond which worried me a little at first. We are up on a

high hill and the pond is way below the house. The basement is dry

but I really don't like bare dirt under my house.

--- In , LiveSimply <quackadillian@...>

wrote:

>

> I've seen some good stuff on the web that describes the process of

water

> sealing basements. Again and again Ive read that the best way to

prevent

> water from penetrating through concrete from the outside into a

basement is

> by preventing the water from getting there in the first place.

>

> That means (if you are in a house) extending drainpipes to drain at

least

> six feet from your foundation and also sloping the ground away from

your

> house even if it means bringing in a bunch of dirt to do it. And of

course,

> making sure that no streams or brooks are in the vicinity.. esp. on

uphill

> sides of houses..

>

> If your house has been built somewhere with a high water table then

I get

> the impression that curing those situations can be really difficult.

>

> Another culprit is condensation from moist interior air onto cold

walls in

> winter. I think that in that situation its crucial to avoid any

situation

> where sheetrock comes into contact with the concrete..

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this information. When looking for a professional to do

this work, what do I look under in the phone book? One person

said " pest control " but I am sure most pest control companies around

here only deal with bugs.

I am glad you told me this about the same company doing the assesment

and the work. This would be a conflict of interest.

--- In , " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...>

wrote:

>

> There are MANY questions that need to be answered - including

> moisture and mold - but not by the company that installs the

> waterproofing. You need someone else to help you determine what

needs

> to be done (and what doesn't) and then the waterproofing company

can

> perform the waterproofing in the proper sequence with other actions

> involving moisture removal and mold remediation.

>

> By also conducting and charging for the moisture measurements and

> mold testing they are in a conflict of interest by performing both

> the assessment and the remediation.

>

> Even if don't hire a consultant independent from the contractor,

get

> at least 2 other bids and sets of opinions.

>

> Finally, not all plastic sheeting is waterproof, especially the

less

> expensive ones. You need to know the specifications.

>

> Carl Grimes

> Healthy Habitats LLC

>

> -----

> > I would like to water proof my basement with the plastic liner

people

> > use. Is there a less cost effective way to do this? Can we

purchase

> > this material at a place like Lowes or Home Depo? Should we test

or

> > treat the beams and under flooring before hand? I can use any

info

> > possible.

> > Also, does anyone know of reputable companies that may do this. I

> > called one local company and they wanted 2000.00 just to come out

and

> > check for moisture, mold and give an estimate. This did not

include

> > treating the wood with a sealer or laying the plastic on the dirt

> > floor! I don't know enough about this to judge but that seemed

like a

> > rip off in my non-professional opinion!!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > FAIR USE NOTICE:

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Finding the appropriate person is a challenge because sealing

crawlspace floors and waterproofing basements has not become a major

catetgory like " mold " or Consultant or Remediator.

For example, until about 5 years ago my Yellow Pages listing was

under Environmental Services & Testing (mostly landfill and toxic

waste companies). When they finally created a " Mold " category there

were about 3 of us the first year. Now there are over 60 and most

don't realize they aren't properly trained and experienced. Many that

are trained use the training for sales promotion and continue their

practices despite what they learned. Sad and dangerous, but all too

often true.

Anyone interested can send me a private e-mail and I'll send you a

photo of what I specify as a proper soil barrier along with materials

that work.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Thanks for this information. When looking for a professional to do

> this work, what do I look under in the phone book? One person

> said " pest control " but I am sure most pest control companies around

> here only deal with bugs.

> I am glad you told me this about the same company doing the assesment

> and the work. This would be a conflict of interest.

>

>

>

> >

> > There are MANY questions that need to be answered - including

> > moisture and mold - but not by the company that installs the

> > waterproofing. You need someone else to help you determine what

> needs

> > to be done (and what doesn't) and then the waterproofing company

> can

> > perform the waterproofing in the proper sequence with other actions

> > involving moisture removal and mold remediation.

> >

> > By also conducting and charging for the moisture measurements and

> > mold testing they are in a conflict of interest by performing both

> > the assessment and the remediation.

> >

> > Even if don't hire a consultant independent from the contractor,

> get

> > at least 2 other bids and sets of opinions.

> >

> > Finally, not all plastic sheeting is waterproof, especially the

> less

> > expensive ones. You need to know the specifications.

> >

> > Carl Grimes

> > Healthy Habitats LLC

> >

> > -----

> > > I would like to water proof my basement with the plastic liner

> people

> > > use. Is there a less cost effective way to do this? Can we

> purchase

> > > this material at a place like Lowes or Home Depo? Should we test

> or

> > > treat the beams and under flooring before hand? I can use any

> info

> > > possible.

> > > Also, does anyone know of reputable companies that may do this. I

> > > called one local company and they wanted 2000.00 just to come out

> and

> > > check for moisture, mold and give an estimate. This did not

> include

> > > treating the wood with a sealer or laying the plastic on the dirt

> > > floor! I don't know enough about this to judge but that seemed

> like a

> > > rip off in my non-professional opinion!!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > FAIR USE NOTICE:

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi,

There is not a mold section in my phone book. I live in , SC.

I tried the internet but that is where I found the guy 30 miles away

who wanted to do the inspection and the work. He wanted 2000.00 just

to inspect!

Thanks Carl for all you do for Sick Building group!!

My Best,

Jackie

PS

One of my most recent concerns is part of my home might had been

buily in the mids 1700's! I recently moved in a log cabin. The

older part of my home seems to be the safest part but it being that

old, makes me wonder if it is OK...LOL..us mold people tend to get

all freaky at these kind of things!!

> > >

> > > There are MANY questions that need to be answered - including

> > > moisture and mold - but not by the company that installs the

> > > waterproofing. You need someone else to help you determine what

> > needs

> > > to be done (and what doesn't) and then the waterproofing

company

> > can

> > > perform the waterproofing in the proper sequence with other

actions

> > > involving moisture removal and mold remediation.

> > >

> > > By also conducting and charging for the moisture measurements

and

> > > mold testing they are in a conflict of interest by performing

both

> > > the assessment and the remediation.

> > >

> > > Even if don't hire a consultant independent from the

contractor,

> > get

> > > at least 2 other bids and sets of opinions.

> > >

> > > Finally, not all plastic sheeting is waterproof, especially the

> > less

> > > expensive ones. You need to know the specifications.

> > >

> > > Carl Grimes

> > > Healthy Habitats LLC

> > >

> > > -----

> > > > I would like to water proof my basement with the plastic

liner

> > people

> > > > use. Is there a less cost effective way to do this? Can we

> > purchase

> > > > this material at a place like Lowes or Home Depo? Should we

test

> > or

> > > > treat the beams and under flooring before hand? I can use

any

> > info

> > > > possible.

> > > > Also, does anyone know of reputable companies that may do

this. I

> > > > called one local company and they wanted 2000.00 just to come

out

> > and

> > > > check for moisture, mold and give an estimate. This did not

> > include

> > > > treating the wood with a sealer or laying the plastic on the

dirt

> > > > floor! I don't know enough about this to judge but that

seemed

> > like a

> > > > rip off in my non-professional opinion!!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > FAIR USE NOTICE:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I can't remember how the company I hired was listed and will have to

look in the book and see. I do know that I found that companies that

are license to Remove Abestos are removing Mold and should be doing

it the correct way. My company removed abestos before now also

removing mold. They know mold should be removed under containment

like abestos. The company I hired had A Million $$ insurance and

that is something to look for also which will show they are

certified. That was a mold remediation/abestos removal company and

they didn't inspect. I decided to put my money into removing

mold/waterproofing b/c the Industrial Hygenist charged thousands of

$$ to inspect and so called identify the mold. I knew I had to

remove the mold and waterproof and it wasn't cheap.... but a job well

done! I'm in NC and I think the company I hired will travel. They

will look for the mold but they do not identify it they just will

remove it and let you know you have to waterproof to prevent further

contamination. Cost was $2,500 for the removal and treatment and

they took out my contaminated airducts and insulation and disposed of

them and sealed off my contaminated airhandler.

I haven't read all your postings so not sure your whole story but the

waterproofing company I hired did a great job also.

Rhonda

> > > >

> > > > There are MANY questions that need to be answered - including

> > > > moisture and mold - but not by the company that installs the

> > > > waterproofing. You need someone else to help you determine

what

> > > needs

> > > > to be done (and what doesn't) and then the waterproofing

> company

> > > can

> > > > perform the waterproofing in the proper sequence with other

> actions

> > > > involving moisture removal and mold remediation.

> > > >

> > > > By also conducting and charging for the moisture measurements

> and

> > > > mold testing they are in a conflict of interest by performing

> both

> > > > the assessment and the remediation.

> > > >

> > > > Even if don't hire a consultant independent from the

> contractor,

> > > get

> > > > at least 2 other bids and sets of opinions.

> > > >

> > > > Finally, not all plastic sheeting is waterproof, especially

the

> > > less

> > > > expensive ones. You need to know the specifications.

> > > >

> > > > Carl Grimes

> > > > Healthy Habitats LLC

> > > >

> > > > -----

> > > > > I would like to water proof my basement with the plastic

> liner

> > > people

> > > > > use. Is there a less cost effective way to do this? Can

we

> > > purchase

> > > > > this material at a place like Lowes or Home Depo? Should

we

> test

> > > or

> > > > > treat the beams and under flooring before hand? I can use

> any

> > > info

> > > > > possible.

> > > > > Also, does anyone know of reputable companies that may do

> this. I

> > > > > called one local company and they wanted 2000.00 just to

come

> out

> > > and

> > > > > check for moisture, mold and give an estimate. This did

not

> > > include

> > > > > treating the wood with a sealer or laying the plastic on

the

> dirt

> > > > > floor! I don't know enough about this to judge but that

> seemed

> > > like a

> > > > > rip off in my non-professional opinion!!

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE:

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi, Rhonda.

I'm in NC too. Would you mind sharing the name of the companies you

used for mold removal and waterproofing?

If it's not appropriate to post company names, feel free to send it

privately. Thanks!

Judith

>

> I can't remember how the company I hired was listed and will have

to

> look in the book and see. I do know that I found that companies

that

> are license to Remove Abestos are removing Mold and should be doing

> it the correct way. My company removed abestos before now also

> removing mold. They know mold should be removed under containment

> like abestos. The company I hired had A Million $$ insurance and

> that is something to look for also which will show they are

> certified. That was a mold remediation/abestos removal company and

> they didn't inspect. I decided to put my money into removing

> mold/waterproofing b/c the Industrial Hygenist charged thousands of

> $$ to inspect and so called identify the mold. I knew I had to

> remove the mold and waterproof and it wasn't cheap.... but a job

well

> done! I'm in NC and I think the company I hired will travel. They

> will look for the mold but they do not identify it they just will

> remove it and let you know you have to waterproof to prevent

further

> contamination. Cost was $2,500 for the removal and treatment and

> they took out my contaminated airducts and insulation and disposed

of

> them and sealed off my contaminated airhandler.

>

> I haven't read all your postings so not sure your whole story but

the

> waterproofing company I hired did a great job also.

>

> Rhonda

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, I would be interested in the name of the company. May be they have

a company in land or would know of a good one.

Sue

I can't remember how the company I hired was listed and will have to

look in the book and see. I do know that I found that companies that

are license to Remove Abestos are removing Mold and should be doing

it the correct way. My company removed abestos before now also

removing mold. They know mold should be removed under containment

like abestos.

<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free

email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at

http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Rhonda, when you say they did waterproofing what did they actually do? Did

they paint with a sealer or dig the drainage system all around the floor? The

digging in the concrete would really make me nervous although they advertise

and guarantee for life and some even say that guarantee is transferable to

next owner. I also just read that you should avoid clay injection but don't

know

anymore about it.

Sue

I haven't looked in yellow pages yet to see where I found this

company listed but here is what his card says?

AB Control, Inc., P.O. Box 505, Cary, NC 27512

Abatement Specialists

Beck, President

Office (919)363-7575

Mobile (919)604-7178

Fax (919)363-7676

www.abcontrolinc.www

I can say a year later with the proper waterproofing I'm Mold Free in

my crawlspace and I recommend AB Control but I'm not sure how far

they travel. Out of all the places I called in my area(and believe me

I called around) AB Control was the only company that qualified and

I'm pleased at how they did the job. They had to deal with two other

companies at my home at the same time. Looked like a mini Extreme

Crawlspace Makeover. Hard to believe a year has passed by....Feel

free to use my name as a reference when you contact them. Rhonda

<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free

email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at

http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

I haven't looked in yellow pages yet to see where I found this

company listed but here is what his card says?

AB Control, Inc., P.O. Box 505, Cary, NC 27512

Abatement Specialists

Beck, President

Office (919)363-7575

Mobile (919)604-7178

Fax (919)363-7676

www.abcontrolinc.com

I can say a year later with the proper waterproofing I'm Mold Free in

my crawlspace and I recommend AB Control but I'm not sure how far

they travel. Out of all the places I called in my area(and believe me

I called around) AB Control was the only company that qualified and

I'm pleased at how they did the job. They had to deal with two other

companies at my home at the same time. Looked like a mini Extreme

Crawlspace Makeover. Hard to believe a year has passed by....Feel

free to use my name as a reference when you contact them. Rhonda

>

>

> Thanks, I would be interested in the name of the company. May be

they have

> a company in land or would know of a good one.

> Sue

>

> I can't remember how the company I hired was listed and will have

to

> look in the book and see. I do know that I found that companies

that

> are license to Remove Abestos are removing Mold and should be

doing

> it the correct way. My company removed abestos before now also

> removing mold. They know mold should be removed under containment

> like abestos.

>

>

>

> <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now

offers free

> email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at

> http://www.aol.com.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Check out www.RegionalWaterproofing.com and also look at photos on

Rhonda's pics and you will see the encapsulation of my

crawlspace. There was no digging.

First I had the Mold Remediation company REMOVE mold, Hepa Vac, then

they had to sandblast some floor joist and they used some type of

treatment(can't remember name) on the parts of wood that needed

treating. They also removed the airducts/insulation under

Containment to suck out all the nasties they stirred up. The

Containment is Big, Negative Air Hepa filters pulling out air from my

crawlspace. They hooked them up thru the crawlspace vents and just

to show me later how it sucks out air, they had me unwrapped one of

my plastic, sealed vents inside and feel the air pulling out so

nothing blows indoors. It was amazing. They sealed off the

airhandler then came the hvac man and he took out the air handler.

the mold remediation company also put two LOUD Air Scrubbers in my

house to clean up the air and if anyone does this DO NOT STAY IN THE

HOUSE LIKE I DID OVERNIGHT! It made me suck in probably 12 more

years of toxins overnight and I got immediate symptoms and new ones.

I got disoriented within 1 minute of them turning them on but I

thought it would clean my air and if probably did along with me

inhaling everything it was sucking up!

Then the waterproofing company came and they encapsulate the

crawlspace, install an industrial strength Sanidry de-

humidifier/airpurifier and a Super Sump pump in the crawlspace or

Basement or where anyones needs this. The Sanidry de-humidifier has

a drain that goes to the Super Sump pump and the Super Sump pump has

a drain to drain any water out thru the line to the back of my lot.

Regional Waterproofing use to use french drains in the OLD days.

Those drains clog up eventually and are no longer used even tho some

companies still use them. The company I used also has a way to

waterproof the outside of foundations. I would never waste money on

french drains b/c they are not a long term solution to the problem. I

had called this company out to my home within the first year living

here(12yrs ago) after finding a wet crawlspace and declined their

expensive french drains and made a remark to them I'd wish I had done

something 12 years ago and they said wouldn't have helped much b/c

they found those drains clog up and do not work to solve the long

term problem. Bet they had lawsuits to figure that one out but I

think their encapsulation is a very good solution and takes care of

the problem long term. It's 20 mil polyethylene and isn't like cheap

plastic and goes up the side of crawlspace. I shouldn't have a

problem with a damp crawlspace every again with the super sump pump,

de-humidifier and the encapsulation. I recommend Regional

Waterproofing BUT I do not recommend what they were going to treat my

contaminated WOOD and INSULAITON with ANABECand leave it there(yuck)

and that is where AB Control came in to REMOVE the insualtion and

Remove any MOLD. You DO NOT SPRAY MOLD WITH ANYTHING AND THINK IT

WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. And, I did give Regional my Lecture on that

one and I think they UNDERSTOOD and they found it amazing I had found

AB Control....So I told them they should be working together with AB

Control to REMOVE MOLD and not be Spraying Anabec on MOLD and leaving

it there even tho they say 10 years guarantee. blah blah blah...

I would not feel safe knowing that contaminated insulation and mold

on everything in crawlspace was still there and just sprayed with

something and I believe recontamination may occur if done that way.

Everything I had done was done the right way in the end but I sure

made sure I showed my face and was there the whole time inspecting

myself.

Oh, if you have new air ducts anything else with that replaced, TELL

THE HVAC GUY NOT TO DRAG THE NEW ONES ACROSS THE GRASS/DIRT. I had a

FIT on that one and my grass was damp at the time. Conditions under

my house now should be where mold can't grow but I still plan to go

under there soon and wipe off my ducts. I still do not like that he

did that with all the Expensive work I was having done.. Just tell

them you don't want anything touching the dirt/ground. They surely

can wrap it in plastic and drag it to wherever. My guy just wasn't

use to a NEW, Expensive, encapsulation since it's not what you

normally see under a house...

Now when I have to get a new hot water heater I dread it...they have

to use a TORCH, and the hvac guy had to use something like that to

seal all my airducts..

Whew, guess all my experience learning and lots from this group will

help others now...hope so..

Now waterproofing the outside foundation is another story I haven't

done....but Regional does that.

Rhonda

>

>

> Rhonda, when you say they did waterproofing what did they actually

do? Did

> they paint with a sealer or dig the drainage system all around the

floor? The

> digging in the concrete would really make me nervous although they

advertise

> and guarantee for life and some even say that guarantee is

transferable to

> next owner. I also just read that you should avoid clay injection

but don't know

> anymore about it.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

> I haven't looked in yellow pages yet to see where I found this

> company listed but here is what his card says?

>

> AB Control, Inc., P.O. Box 505, Cary, NC 27512

> Abatement Specialists

> Beck, President

> Office (919)363-7575

> Mobile (919)604-7178

> Fax (919)363-7676

> www.abcontrolinc.www

>

> I can say a year later with the proper waterproofing I'm Mold Free

in

> my crawlspace and I recommend AB Control but I'm not sure how far

> they travel. Out of all the places I called in my area(and believe

me

> I called around) AB Control was the only company that qualified

and

> I'm pleased at how they did the job. They had to deal with two

other

> companies at my home at the same time. Looked like a mini Extreme

> Crawlspace Makeover. Hard to believe a year has passed by....Feel

> free to use my name as a reference when you contact them. Rhonda

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for ALL the info! Sounds like they did an excellent job.

_www.RegionalWaterprwww.Region_ (http://www.RegionalWaterproofing.com)

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email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at

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