The Busy Dog Blog

BASEMENT FLOODING ALERT: How to Prepare your Basement for Hurricane Irene

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James Pratt of Basement Technologies delivers a public service announcement regarding the steps you should take to prepare your home for the upcoming weather event:  

EMERGENCY CREWS STANDING BY:  GET A FREE BASEMENT INSPECTION TODAY

Basement Technologies Official Waterproofing Specialists of the Boston Red Sox

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Strategic Sports Marketing Agreement Co-Brands With Red Sox Fans Nationwide

BOSTON, April 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Basement Technologies, Inc. (www.basementtechnologies.com), a leader in products, systems and services for the basement waterproofing industry, today announced a partnership with the Boston Red Sox making the Brockton-based firm the Official Waterproofing Specialists of the Boston Red Sox.

"We are thrilled to have Basement Technologies as an official corporate partner of the Boston Red Sox," states Sam Kennedy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Red Sox, "and to help promote their industry leading basement waterproofing systems to the Red Sox Nation."

As part of the program, Basement Technologies will have dedicated space within Fenway Park's concourse during each regular season home game. Fans will have the opportunity to engage with representatives of Basement Technologies and to learn more about their entire range of industry-leading waterproofing products and services.

The four-year sponsorship agreement provides comprehensive on-site and off-site joint branded advertising that includes new custom tailored versions of the 1-800-BUSY DOG radio and TV ads – that are already being seen and heard throughout New England – and that will continue to air throughout the year. 

In addition to brand ambassadors and signage at Fenway Park, and an extensive joint branding campaign for all Company advertising, the vast fleet of Basement Technologies trucks and vehicles will also display the Red Sox Brand.

In honor of Fenway Park's 99th Anniversary this year, Basement Technologies will also launch a highly-publicized "Busy Dog Red Sox $99,000 Sweepstakes" on opening day featuring a host of prizes for fans – including VIP tickets, special souvenirs and autographed team memorabilia – in addition to a $99,000 Grand Prize winner.

In all, affiliated advertising, radio and TV spots and both on-site and off-site signage – supported by special events and campaigns – will reach millions of fans throughout the New England states during the 2011-2012 baseball season.

"We are extremely pleased to be designated as the Official Waterproofing Company of the Boston Red Sox," notes James Pratt, CEO and Founder of Basement Technologies, "and at the opportunity to feature our innovative patented waterproofing systems and basement remodeling products at Fenway Park."

"Bringing these two championship winning teams together," Pratt adds, "is truly exciting. It matches every baseball metaphor imaginable... home run, hitting one out of the park and batting a thousand... to name but a few."

About Basement Technologies Inc.

Formed in 1984 by founder and CEO, James Pratt, Basement Technologies is today recognized as the leader in developing and offering some of the most creative and efficient products, services and systems for the waterproofing industry. This includes 10 Federal patents, with another seven pending, and 26 registered trademarks. From its world headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts – staffed by over 300 employees – the company currently operates a rapidly growing International Dealer Network with more than 100 exclusive Licensed Dealers operating throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Over the last 26 years, Basement Technologies has installed proprietary products and systems in more than 325,000 homes in Massachusetts alone and over one million homes nationwide. For more information visitwww.basementtechnologies.com or call 1-877-627-2957.

How Much Does A Sump Pump Cost?

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The cost of a sump pump can vary considerably depending on its design, power and quality.  Most are sold at home improvement stores for the do-it-yourself customer. Higher end models can be obtained from plumbing supply houses and from waterproofing product dealers and contractors.  In general, sump pumps will range in price from around $60 up to $500 or greater depending on the situation.

There are two basic sump pump designs.  A pedestal style pump is a less expensive type and a submersible will generally cost more.  The submersible type will sit under the water and inside an enclosed sump pit, while a pedestal style pump contains a motor that sits up out of the water.

Pedestal sump pumps involve a motor that remains dry, up and out of the water.  These pumps are generally known to last longer than submersible pumps because they are not subject to the deterioration that can occur underwater.  The pump motor sits atop a shaft that connects to an impeller unit at the base, which is under the water. 

Submersible pumps are a self-contained unit, usually of cast iron that sits in the crock and can exist completely under water.  Because these units are always under water their life span may not be as long as a good pedestal unless you opt for a high-end model.

You will find that standard warranties for sump pumps are generally for one year, whether the unit is submersible or not.

There are different types of switches to activate sump pumps.  All of them rely on water level to trip a switch to turn the pump on, using different methods to achieve this.  The use of a float of some type is the most common method.  One type of float switch popular with pedestal style pumps involves a float attached to a metal rod that is allowed to slide up and down.  There are stops attached to the rod that flips the pump switch on and off.  Another type of switch involves a float that has a mercury switch inside.  When the float assumes a certain position, the mercury flows to a point where contact can be made inside the switch and the unit is turned on.  Yet another style of switch involves a diaphragm that senses water pressure to turn the switch on or off.

Good quality pumps will have a reliable on/off switch.  Pay close attention to the style of switch on your pump, and whether or not it is adjustable.  This is important so that you can control how often the pump runs.  It is important that the unit turns off because a pump that is allowed to run while dry will burn itself out very quickly.

Look for high quality materials when selecting a sump pump as well.  Cast bronze, metal alloys and epoxy-coated cast iron are the best choices for submersible pumps.  Avoid submersible pumps with plastic housings.  Although plastics won’t corrode, they do have a tendency to become brittle over time.  A cracked housing on a submersible pump will cause severe damage to its electric motor.

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About James Pratt:

Buying A Home With Water Damage In The Basement?

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In many cases, potential homebuyers will come across a home that is priced well below market value because of some type of damage or deficiency.  Often, this involves a flooded basement.  A finished basement that has flooded can be very costly to repair, and there are some important considerations to take into account.  Finished basements provide many opportunities and locations for mold and mildew to take over, which can cause severe problems that you should take into consideration before you purchase a home that has sustained water damage in the basement.

A finished basement will typically consist of wood or metal stud framed walls built just inside the foundation walls, or with some type of wood framing attached to the concrete so that finished wallboard can be installed.  These wall cavities are particularly susceptible to damage by flooding, as the area will become saturated very quickly and it will be difficult to dry out.  In most cases, removal of the wallboard and any insulation will be required in order to dry the area properly.  If left alone, various types of mold and mildew growth will occur within the wall.

Floors in finished basements are either concrete, or concrete with a sub floor built over it.  These sub floors are often wood “sleepers” or strips of wood attached to the concrete and serve to support a plywood deck that finished flooring can be applied to.  There are other modular floor decking systems designed for basements that utilize a grid of interlocking plywood squares that have a plastic moisture barrier attached to the bottom.  Both of these types of flooring become a problem in the event of a flooded basement.  They both tend to trap water below making it difficult to dry out.  In most cases, a sub floor of this type will have to be removed entirely in the event of a basement flood because of the high risk of mold and mildew damage.

Mold and mildew growth is a serious problem that not only places your home at risk, but also your health.  Structural members will succumb to rotting if mold is left unattended which can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home.  In addition to the risks posed for your home, your health is at risk too.  Health problems associated with mold growth include immune system suppression, respiratory problems, asthma infections and coughing just to name a few.

Once the removal of affected areas is completed, it is time to focus on the cause of the water entering the home.  A good drainage system that addresses drainage problems on the exterior and the interior of the basement is necessary.  You may also find that a high quality dehumidification system is required to keep the area truly dry.

If you are considering the purchase of a home that has had a flooded basement, you can expect that there will be thousands of dollars required to remove and restore the affected areas.  Moreover, there will also be a significant cost associated with repairs that may be required to stop the water problem from happening again.

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About James Pratt:

4 Ways You Can Test for Black Mold

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There are several types of home mold test kits you can buy, either online or at a home and building retail outlet such as a Home Depot or Lowe’s. Test kits can analyze what kind of mold may be in your home, to check if a certain substance is indeed mold, to test the air in your home for mold particles, and to test heating and air conditioning units. Testing methods can even be used to find particles in settled dust.

However, these tests, even when directions are followed to the letter, only give a “moment-in-time” estimate of what may be happening in your home – they can’t provide a complete picture of a potential mold problem because the amounts and types of mold are ever-changing. Airborne molds, for example, can undergo changes every few hours.

The safest way to check for mold is to have a qualified professional thoroughly inspect your home. These tests can be used to justify the cost of potential mold remediation and may produce evidence of hidden mold that over-the-counter tests won’t find. Professional testing can be quite expensive, however. Ethical investigators will determine whether testing is even warranted, and will likely advise against it whenever a mold problem can be alleviated without it.

Testing can be useful in some instances, but it is never a substitute for a thorough visual inspection, which you should have done every few years. In between those professional inspections, there are several things you can do around your home to check for mold. 

• Inspect closely any places around your home for signs of potential water damage, such as your ceiling, baseboards and walls. Look for discoloration, bulging spots and peeling paint.

• Replace your shower curtain often, since that is one of the prime breeding spots for mold. It is recommended you change it as often as you change your toothbrush.

• Make sure you closely check the inside of your cabinets, and completely dry your dishes before putting them up. Food cabinets are especially susceptible to mold accumulation, so clean them out on a regular basis.

• Check your refrigerator often for moldy food, and clean the drain pan at the bottom of the appliance at regular intervals as well. The drain pan catches food particles as well as condensation from the refrigerator, and is another ideal environment for mold growth.

Following these simple steps, in addition to scheduling regular professional inspections, can help prevent costly mold problems.

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About James Pratt:

Keeping Water Out Of Your Basement With An Emergency Sump Pump

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Sump pumps are excellent at removing unwanted water from under your basement floor.  This naturally occurring water could otherwise flood your basement rendering the space unusable.  In many cases, a sump pump cycles on and off several times daily, removing hundreds of gallons of water per day.  During a wet season, there is no doubt that a sump pump failure will result in a basement full of water.  If you have concerns about your basement succumbing to this fate, consider an emergency sump pump powered by a battery as a backup.

A battery powered backup emergency sump pump is designed to operate as an auxiliary pump to a regularly powered sump pump.  Regular sump pumps are not infallible and can fail for many reasons.  Often they wear out due to age, depending on how often they run.  Even high quality units will wear out over time.  Power outages are another cause of sump pump failure.  A battery backup pump can serve to ease you through a short period of lost power and maintain water removal for your basement.  Another type of failure is a mechanical failure of the float switch, often caused by debris getting caught in the switch mechanism.  Sometimes, the natural vibration of the pump will cause it to shift slightly in the sump liner causing the float to bump into the side of the liner, which prevents it from moving properly.   

An emergency battery backup sump pump works similarly to a regular pump, in that it comes on automatically when the water rises to a certain level.  This is a necessary feature and usually involves a float switch similar to the corded main pump.  The battery is best suited for times when power goes out and these pumps require that the battery is charged on a regular basis, so an automatic charging unit is usually included.

When considering if you need a backup sump pump or not, consider the potential for water damage in your own home.  If your pump runs more than once per hour, you could experience very high water levels in your basement in just a short period if the main pump ceases to work properly.  As noted above, there are many reasons that a pump can fail, and if it does you will need to react quickly to prevent water from flooding your basement if you do not have some backup pump ready.  Imagine having to replace a sump pump in a rush to prevent water damage.  This would be a difficult prospect, and an emergency plumber service may have to be called to pump out your basement.  An emergency sump pump will by you a lot of valuable time to address the failure of the main pump.

Another great device to consider with the purchase of an emergency sump pump is a high water alert.  This device uses a water sensor that triggers an audible alarm when it gets wet.  This can be placed in a position so that it will sound a warning when water reaches a certain level, notifying you of a problem.

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About James Pratt:

Prevent Basement Mold By Installing A Complete Basement System

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A complete basement system is the best answer to prevent basement mold and mildew that is often found in basements. 

Basement mold and mildew can be caused by a leak, high humidity, or a combination of these conditions.  Basement mold and mildew is a biological growth that requires a food source, moisture, and adequate temperature.  A significant buildup of basement mold and mildew can cause rotting, structural damage, damage to paint and significant health problems.  Water can enter a basement through windows, cracks in walls, or through the floor when the water pressure outside the wall becomes too great.  Plumbing leaks can also cause significant moisture that can lead to basement mold and mildew, but most often the moisture or standing water in a basement is caused by long-term seepage or leakage through the basement walls.  Often, there is no clear indication that anything is wet, as moisture enters the basement atmosphere through damp walls.  This also occurs during hot and humid summer months when condensation causes problems in a cool basement.

Aside from structural problems to your home, mold can also cause health problems that everyone should be aware of.  Most often, these health issues are caused by inflammation, allergy or infections.  There are also toxic mold spores that can cause a variety of ailments including immune system suppression, asthma, eye, nose and throat irritations and many other health problems, particularly for those with weak immune systems.

A complete basement system can waterproof and dry the basement, eliminating the moisture and humidity levels required to support the growth of mold and mildew. Basement mold and mildew can be stopped completely if the water or moisture source is removed and if the air is properly dried.  One of the first steps in this process is to determine if any water can be removed from the yard surrounding the house in order to prevent it getting to the basement in the first place.  This may involve drainage or some other water collection system such as the Lawn Magnum™ water removal system.  Once this is addressed, it is time to determine if water that does enter the interior of the home can be routed with a Water Trek Aqua Route® to a Water Grabber Bull Dog™ sump pump so it can be efficiently removed from the basement.

Once the water source has been addressed, the humidity level needs attention.  The best products to control humidity levels within a basement to prevent basement mold and mildew are powerful dehumidifiers like the Humid-Evac® which can process the air within the basement, converting heavy humid air to dry air that safely prevents the growth of basement mold and mildew.

If you have a wet, damp or humid basement, do not take the chance that moisture levels could ever reach the point where basement mold and mildew can grow, potentially causing structural problems and health issues in your household.  Look to a professional basement contractor that can install a complete basement system that will keep your basement dry and damage free for many years.

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About James Pratt:

How To Hire A Waterproofing Contractor

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There are several steps that homeowners should take when considering the hire of a basement waterproofing contractor.  Caution should be exercised to ensure that you hire a reputable contractor that can get the job done in a way that will prevent future problems and address your situation in as comprehensive a way as possible.  This means that all potential sources of moisture, humidity, mold and mildew are addressed to the extent that they are eliminated in total.  Failure to accomplish this will merely result in additional problems down the road costing you more in the long run.

Of course you will also want to verify the legitimacy of the contractor you hire by checking references and doing a simple background check with the Better Business Bureau.

A quality basement foundation waterproofing contractor will first visit your home to inspect it and analyze the problems.  If a contractor tells you an estimate can be done simply by phone, you may want to move on to another contractor.  It is imperative for an inspection to be done in order to determine the source of water that is leaking into a foundation as well as the volume of water involved.  There may also be problems visible to a highly trained contractor that you were not aware of.  More importantly, the trained contractor is able to offer solutions that you may not have been aware of.

Gutters, the slope of your landscaping, and standing water are all issues that need to be addressed before a waterproofing system can be installed and a good waterproofing contractor will identify these problem areas and offer practical suggestions.  The contractor should also be able to identify moisture problems within the basement itself and offer solutions to that as well.

Locating a waterproofing contractor is often a straightforward process as they are usually listed in phone directories.  A simple Internet search should also produce several names.  To go a step further, contact friends and family regarding their recommendations, as they are more likely to give an honest, straightforward opinion regarding the quality of contractors they may have used in the past.

Another great resource for finding a basement waterproofing contractor is to consult the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), which is a consumer based organization that offers a list of contractors by region.  The organization proudly asserts that it only promotes contractors that are “good enough to uphold the Standards and Ethics of the NAWSRC”.

Be sure to obtain several competitive quotes as well and ask for references.  Bear in mind however that a contractor would not volunteer references that had anything bad to say about them, but it is prudent to ask for them anyway and call each one to talk about their experiences.  Your decision should not be based on price alone.  Use the contractor that you feel is best for the job given all of your concerns, and the water situation at your particular home.  Finally, always verify a contractor’s insurance by obtaining a certificate of insurance from their agent, and verify their customer service standards by checking them out with the Better Business Bureau.

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About James Pratt:

How to Install a Sump Pump

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For those with water problems in their basement, a sump pump is one of the most comprehensive water removal devices that can be installed, and it can create a strong foundation for an overall basement waterproofing system.  If your home is built in a low-lying area where ground saturation is high, it is very likely that you have, or will have problems keeping your basement dry.  Water in the soil around a basement creates water pressure within the soil that pushes water into cracks and crevices, and which eventually enters the basement.

A sump pump consists of a pit dug into a basement floor, with drainage pipes underneath the floor that channel water into the pit.  Inside this pit is a pump that sucks water out of the pit and discharges it through pipes to the outside, away from the house.

A project like this involves heavy lifting and some masonry skills.  While not complicated, it does take some planning and a lot of hard work.

You will first want to gather some tools and materials to tackle this job.  Tools will include a jackhammer, shovels, heavy duty buckets for removing debris, saws for cutting pipe, a tape measure, a level, a drill with a bit big enough for the diameter of the discharge pipe, and a masonry trowel.  Materials will include PVC pipe, a sump crock, some mortar and a sump pump.  More involved installations would also include drain tile to be installed around the perimeter but for this discussion we will focus on the installation of just the sump pump and pit.

You will first want to determine a location for your sump pump.  It should be at the lowest point in your floor, preferably near an exterior wall, and near an outlet.  It should also be located away from any drain lines that might interfere.

Once you have a location established, you will want to determine where the discharge pipe will be located and where it will discharge.  You will want to make sure the water is discharged far enough from the house so that it does not migrate back into the soil and back into the basement.

Using the sump crock as a template, trace around it to determine where you will begin to cut and break the floor to begin digging the hole.  Once you have carefully selected the location and determined now the discharge will be run it is time to begin breaking the concrete out and to dig the hole.  This is where the hard work starts.  Break the concrete in to small pieces that you can carry out of the basement in the buckets.  As you remove the concrete you will notice a layer of stone with mud below that.  You will want to start digging once the concrete is removed.  As you dig, you will find that the hole will fill with water making the job muddy and messy.  You will have to remove enough earth to be able to fit the entire sump crock in the hole.  Since it is usually plastic, it will float so it will take some effort to actually get it to sit in the hole properly.

Once the sump crock is set in place, you will want to fill in the area between the top edge of the sump crock and the top edge of the floor with mortar.  After the mortar sets you will be able to install the pump.

The pump will sit in the bottom of the crock, and it will need a check valve to prevent water from flowing back down the discharge pipe into the sump crock. Make sure the pump is sitting level and the float is clear. Then the PVC discharge pipe will be connected and run up out of the house.  Use a drill to cut a hole in the rim joist to run the pipe outside.  A coupling should also be installed so the discharge can be easily disconnected if maintenance is required. 

Once all of the plumbing connections are tight, it is time to power the pump and it should be removing water right away. 

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About James Pratt:

Patented Basement Drainage Systems

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There are several non-proprietary methods to attempt to waterproof a basement that has leaks.  Most of these standard systems will fail over time for various reasons.  For example, systems that attempt to seal a foundation to keep water out tend to fail because the water pressure over time is simply too great to hold back.  Small cracks will eventually open up large enough to allow the water to flow.  Other methods utilize a standard drain tile installed under the basement floor, which is routed to a standard sump pump.  Although this is a better alternative to sealing the exterior, this system is less than perfect in that it is prone to clogging with silt over time, and standard sump pumps and sump crocks have problems with allowing dangerous radon gas into the home, as well as being open to things that might fall in and cause a blockage.

Basement Technologies installs a patented product called the Water Trek Aqua Route in answer to the above-mentioned problems.  This system will take care of water intrusion that enters from both sides of the footing, floors and walls.  This system is designed to be very adaptable to almost any foundation type and consists of a two-piece system of conduit that has holes on the bottom to allow water to flow through the channel.  Once water enters the channel, it is routed to a sealed sump pump.

There are various cove base designs that integrate with the Water Trek Aqua Route and allow for a finished look that is designed to capture any water that may enter through the walls above the floor.  There are 5 different cove base options that can be used to ensure a tight fit on almost any type of foundation wall.

In addition to being versatile, the Water Trek Aqua Route system and associated cove base is designed to provide a nearly airtight fit against the foundation wall to prevent radon gas, odors, or insects from entering from below.  The system is also designed to be self-cleaning and nearly clog free.

Since the foundation and soil conditions at every home is different, each installation of the Water Trek Aqua Route is custom designed by specially trained Basement Technologies’ professional installers.  In most cases, the technicians will have to determine the best installation strategy after the floor is opened to begin the installation process.  Once this is done and the layout is complete the installation will proceed. 

A Water Trek Aqua Route system is installed by trained professionals and in conjunction with the best possible designs including the Water Grabber Bull Dog, which is a patented sump pit that is designed to look and function like no other sump pump.  Its square lid may be one of the first unique features that you may notice bout this unit but it has a few more very important features.  First, the lid on this unit is sealed to keep out dangerous Radon gas.  You can also opt for a flush top design to allow carpet or other flooring to go over the top of the unit.

Do not trust the integrity of your most valuable asset to standard solutions that don’t solve the problem properly.  Instead check out a patented basement drainage system like the Water Trek Aqua Route, professionally designed and installed by a trained Basement Technologies technician. 

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About James Pratt: