Re: Water proofing basements?Carl

[Guest guest]

Carl, I can't thank you enough for taking your time to respond to my

concerns. My husband will remove the white powder crystals and we will wait to

see

if they return. I hope and pray that they won't. I find myself running to the

basement constantly to see if there is any change but so far nothing. I hate

that I get so worried but sincerely appreciate you help and support.

Sue

Sue,

There are two main parts to your concerns: 1. What are you being

exposed to? and, 2. How do you handle your fearful concerns?

1. Others have already identified efflorescence and that is what the

whitish crystals are. It is not mold and is no problem in terms of

exposure. However, because it comes from moisture, there is usually

some mold associated with it, meaning there MAY be a concern. It

depends on how much and how susceptible you are to it. With what you

described there is probably a small concern.

The remedies you describe are somewhat okay but most are not really

necessary. First, don't use a shop vac because there is no effective

filtration on the exhaust so you'll just blow stuff into the air.

Because it sounds like a small area, have someone (not you) wipe or

gently brush the crystals into a container and carry outside. You

don't need to absolutely clean, kill, remove and seal the area. If

the moisture stops coming in this event won't happen again. If the

moisture continues it will either push the Dry Lock off the wall or

go around it. The key is to stop the moisture from coming in; which

is a good possibility on its own considering the history you gave.

2. How do you handle your concerns? This is a bigger topic than I can

address right now but suffice it to say that you are doing one key

thing very well: Getting information from sources worthy of your

trust.

When anyone is faced with any danger they tend to react at one of two

extremes: they either deny the danger or they become so vigilent they

perceive danger whether it exists or not. (It took me more than a

year to be comfortable around dogs after I was attacked. My brain

said I was okay but my body reacted on its own!). EITHER extreme

easily leads to a continuation of the harm. Gathering information,

and using it to evaluate the situation is key to how one begins to

attain a place of " vigilence " rather than " hyper-vigilence " or

" denial. " Your brain and your body both need to be sure.

This doesn't specifically solve your problem but hopefully helps to

understand how your fears both alert you and can interfere with being

safe so you and your family can take a more productive approach.

Your situation illustrates, again, how important this group can be to

people and how their giving to others can be so healing to both. Let

me know if you have more questions.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

<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]

Sue,

There are two main parts to your concerns: 1. What are you being

exposed to? and, 2. How do you handle your fearful concerns?

1. Others have already identified efflorescence and that is what the

whitish crystals are. It is not mold and is no problem in terms of

exposure. However, because it comes from moisture, there is usually

some mold associated with it, meaning there MAY be a concern. It

depends on how much and how susceptible you are to it. With what you

described there is probably a small concern.

The remedies you describe are somewhat okay but most are not really

necessary. First, don't use a shop vac because there is no effective

filtration on the exhaust so you'll just blow stuff into the air.

Because it sounds like a small area, have someone (not you) wipe or

gently brush the crystals into a container and carry outside. You

don't need to absolutely clean, kill, remove and seal the area. If

the moisture stops coming in this event won't happen again. If the

moisture continues it will either push the Dry Lock off the wall or

go around it. The key is to stop the moisture from coming in; which

is a good possibility on its own considering the history you gave.

2. How do you handle your concerns? This is a bigger topic than I can

address right now but suffice it to say that you are doing one key

thing very well: Getting information from sources worthy of your

trust.

When anyone is faced with any danger they tend to react at one of two

extremes: they either deny the danger or they become so vigilent they

perceive danger whether it exists or not. (It took me more than a

year to be comfortable around dogs after I was attacked. My brain

said I was okay but my body reacted on its own!). EITHER extreme

easily leads to a continuation of the harm. Gathering information,

and using it to evaluate the situation is key to how one begins to

attain a place of " vigilence " rather than " hyper-vigilence " or

" denial. " Your brain and your body both need to be sure.

This doesn't specifically solve your problem but hopefully helps to

understand how your fears both alert you and can interfere with being

safe so you and your family can take a more productive approach.

Your situation illustrates, again, how important this group can be to

people and how their giving to others can be so healing to both. Let

me know if you have more questions.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Carl, We have never had any water in our basement, always dry. but we have

> always run a dehumidifier to be safe. Just last week after severe cold and

> high winds we had some lime (white chalky like crystals) that formed on some

> cinder blocks about 1/4 quarter way down. This area is on a wall that faces

> the concrete front porch.They are not wet or damp and wood is completely dry.

> Not even a pipe in that area of the house. He said to spray with a product

> called CRL, brush it on then use a shop vac to remove it from the floor. Then

> suggested using 2 coats of Ugl Dry Lock.

> Does this sound like the correct thing to do. Of course I am worried sick

> about it to the point it is consuming me.

> It's horrible getting so worked up, but I certainly want to to take care of

> it correctly. House is well built & about 41 yrs. old.

> I have talked to 2 other guys one is a plumber who said it is common and

> another who said it's a moisture issue. Can you calm my fears before I drive

my

> entire family crazy and make myself sick over it all.

>

> Thanks very much for your advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> Sue

>

>

>

>

> 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

>

>

>

>

>

>

> <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.

>

>

>