Upon discovering that your basement is saturated with water, or even just damp, there are a few steps that any DIY friendly homeowner can take to rectify the situation. The first step that needs to be taken is to measure how deep the water is. Deep water requires a pump to remove, this can be bought or rented at a DIY store. Puddles of water can be dried with a wet-dry vac, or a shop-vac. Tiny amounts of water can be removed with a mop and a squeegee, while dampness can be removed by opening basement windows and setting up fans.

If there are objects damaged by water, such as flooring in the basement, this needs to be removed. Removing and carpet and underlays, as well as drywall and wood paneling guarantees safety from mold and mildew. Make sure to remove any clothing or furniture, to be washed and reupholstered if necessary.

Drying out your basement can be accomplished by running a dehumidifier for several days to a week to ensure complete dryness. After this is complete, your basement should be inspected for mold and mildew saturation. Any affected items should be replaced.

Lastly, finding the source of the leaking water is imperative. Check for burst pipes or leaking appliances such as washing machines. Also, check for cracks in the foundation/basement wall. If you are unsure where the leak is coming from be sure to employ a professional.
Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol for any basement water cleanup job, as they are the most cost-effective in the region, and work with your insurance agent to save you money, and help you to pay a very low deductible. DryPatrol also offers excellent service and an expeditious response time.

There are several easy steps, as a homeowner, that can be taken to reduce the risk of water penetration into your structure. The first thing most homeowners forget is that waterproof coatings on exterior walls fade over time. An inspection of this membrane to see if it needs replaced is imperative as time goes on after installation. This waterproofing membrane minimizes the entry of water into a structure, so functionality is paramount.

Gutters and downspouts need to be checked often to make sure they are directing water away from basements. Gutters become cluttered with debris such as leaves and sticks and need to be cleaned often to ensure effectiveness.

Correcting ground sloping around basement walls is also vital to reducing the risk of water penetration. The ground slope should be at least 10 degrees and at a distance of five feet away from exterior walls to provide optimum protection.

Cracking occurs naturally as a home settles into its foundation. Some cracking is inevitable, but for large cracks, corrective action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of water penetration. There are many crack repair solutions that are simple enough for any homeowner to use.

That damp basement smell is unpleasant and should be prevented, as it is unbearable once it happens and curing it is more difficult. Using air bricks in your home allows fresh air to circulate through the basement, before trying this solution make sure to visit your local hardware store or DIY center and make sure your home can support these bricks. Also, painting on a dampproofing course can significantly decrease the risk of this damp basement smell, again visit your local hardware store to get advice on which to choose. Keeping your basement heated to at least sixty degrees fahrenheit can also greatly reduce the risk of that musty damp basement smell. Make sure to do this all year round.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products egress window well solutions are some of the most popular in the industry. Many do-it-yourselfers recommend our products and recognize Mar-flex’s dedication to quality, durability, and reliability. You can see our products recommended on web forums all across the net, as evidenced by this post from doityourself.com.

Mar-flex announced on Thursday evening that they have entered into a partnership with Southwestern Ohio Ryan Homes to begin offering their products to perspective home buyers throughout the region. The deal was closed early Thursday afternoon and will feature Mar-flex Waterproofing & Building products on all of their homes in the district. A special thanks to Tom Kurtz of Wall Masters and Mar-flex’s Randy Cornett for bringing the deal to the table. Look for our new GEO-MAT 100% Green drainage board advertisement in model homes offered by Ryan Homes and be sure to ask for it by name when making your final decision on the foundation of your new home.

If you notice cracks in the concrete of your basement floor, this problem should be taken care of as fast as possible. Luckily, there are several DIY solutions to this common problem. The best way to repair any cracks in your basement floor is to use Concrete Floor Filler. This product is not actually concrete, but a very similar substance that bonds to concrete and seals cracks, its also widely available in home improvement stores. Concrete filler makes sure the cracks won’t expand and protects against further cracking by adhering to the existing concrete. This product can be easily applied with a spade/trowel or if the crack is small enough, a caulk gun. If you notice water seeping up through these cracks, the problem is serious and may require professional help. Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol for these problems.

Moisture prevention is essential in any basement environment, because of the harmful effects of mold, mildew, and water damage to any structure. There are a few products which can help keep below-grade environments moisture-free.

Sumps Pumps are useful in home where the local water table is above the foundation, causing regular basement flooding. There are two types of sump pumps, pedestal pumps are located above ground for easy access, and submersible pumps are located below ground and usually sealed off. Sump pumps operate by pumping excess water collected in below-grade environments to a location outside the structure.

Drainage tiles such as french drains are common waterproofing solutions in many below-grade environments. Traditional french drains aren’t effective, using PVC pipe to channel out water from the structure. Mar-flex offers more effective drainage tile solutions relying on modern technology to guarantee reliability.

Its also integral when keeping your basement free of moisture that you fix, fill, and repair all cracks and holes in the foundation walls. These are the most common sources of water penetration, and there are many cost-effective solutions to fix these problems before they require extensive and costly repairs.

As a structure settles, inevitable cracks occur in the foundation walls. These cracks are referred to as “random shrinkage cracks”. If these issues are not repaired, serious structural problems can escalate, which will require costly and time-consuming repairs. Crack injection is the most widely accepted method of repairing these problems, because it is cost-effective, reliable, and permanent. Mar-flex offers products for these issues, including a simple DIY crack repair kit for consumers as well as the professional ProKit Crack Repair Solution. Check out our effective emulsions, and discover why Mar-flex is one of the most preferred names in the industry for crack repair.

Damp, dark basements are susceptible to the dangers of mold growth. Mold is a fungus, which prefers damp, humid environments and once it saturates a basement, is particularly difficult to remove. Mold causes health problems in pets and occupants including asthma, allergies, cough, infections, and even congestion. Using a basement dehumidifier can help control humidity in below-grade living environments, which is essential to protecting against mold growth.

Another tip is to keep basements free of clutter and well lit. Make sure that objects don’t block the free-flow and circulation of air around a basement. Also, quickly clean up any spills or basement leaks, as standing water directly contributes to mold growth. On temperate days, open the basement windows and/or the door to assure the flow of fresh air.

Control joints are needed in a foundation to counter “Random shrinkage cracks”, which are inevitable cracks that happen in foundation walls over the life of a structure. These are due to the “settling” of a structure and are generally unavoidable. Mar-flex has developed a Control Joint System to counter this issue by creating vertical control-joints on both sides of the foundation walls. To ensure more comprehensive protection, we also offer a watertight, outside control-joint that further reinforces the foundation wall. Mar-flex’s Control Joint System is an economical and easy to use product that helps protect against random shrinkage cracks which can degrade structures and allow moisture to seep through foundation walls and into basements.