With spring on the way, it’s time to start working on your list of “honey-dos.” Alongside the usual chores, though, it may be time for you to clean out your crawl space. Why? Because your crawl space, while easily forgotten, has significant influence over the health of your home.

The benefits of cleaning your crawl space include but are not limited to:

• Improve Your Storage Space: Would you be surprised to know there’s another area of your home that you can use for storage? It’s your crawl space. But a dirty crawl space is going to make it more difficult for you to safely store your belongings while also limiting the amount of room you have to work with. If you take the time to clean out your space, it’ll be much easier for you to put away seasonal decorations, family heirlooms and other belongings that you only want to bring out every once in a while.
• Prevent Foundation Damage: On a more serious note, a dirty crawl space can threaten the stability of your home’s foundation. If, in forgetting to clean your crawl space, you let a leak grow too large, that water can travel down to your foundation. When your foundation is exposed to too much hydrostatic pressure as a result of ever-present rainwater, it can crack. That’ll mean more water in your home and more expenses in the long run.
• Delay or Circumvent Flooding: There’s nothing worse than trying to get something out of your crawl space and finding the entire space flooded. If you clean your crawl space, you’ll be able to protect your belongings and eliminate the cracks that eventually lead to flooding.
• Eliminate Mold Growths: Mold loves a dark and damp place to grow. If you neglect your crawl space, you’ll be giving the mold particles native to Raleigh, NC, a perfect place to spawn.
• Stop Infestations: The cracks that let water get into your home will also help animals and insects get into your home. If you want to prevent an infestation as well as a leak, you’ll need to clean your crawl space regularly and work with local contractors to repair any minor structural damage.
• Improve the Cleanliness of Your Home: Does your home have an off, mildewy smell you just can’t get rid of? If you’ve tried everything, it’s time to check your crawl space. Smells from your crawl space travel upward. If you haven’t cleaned the space in a while, you’ll likely find the course of your home’s unpleasant smell down below.
• Fluff Your Insulation: You may be using your insulation as a waterproofing measure as well as a thermal barrier. If you are, you’re going to need to keep an eye on it. If you neglect to clean your crawl space, your insulation may become damaged and transform from a protective barrier to the perfect nesting place for a bunch of little critters. Not only that, but damp and damaged insulation is a hive for mold particles. It’s best, then, to clean your crawl space regularly and keep an eye on your insulation, replacing it every three to five years or when the damage becomes substantial.
• Preserve Your Repairs Fund: Everyone has a repair fund tucked away, but no one likes to use it. If you’re looking for ways to save money in the future, or if you just want to reallocate some of your funds, give your crawl space a once-over. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch any leaks before they get larger, saving yourself some money in the process.
• Keep Your Home Valuable: It’s not impossible to sell a home that has a dirty or leaking crawl space. When you try to do so, though, you’ll find that the value of your home may drop by up to 30 percent. Cleaning your crawl space won’t seem like such a chore if you’re able to get back that much value on your home.
• Cut Electric, Heat and Water Costs: When your crawl space grows damp, it gets harder for your heater or air conditioner to keep your home at a consistent temperature. Cleaning your crawl space, then, can save you money on your energy bill. That’s not all, though. If a leak is left unattended for too long, it can cause your pipes to leak and the wires running through that part of your home to suffer damage. If you’re noticing an uptick in your water, heating and electric bills, it’s time to ask yourself: when’s the last time you cleaned the crawl space?

Don’t let your crawl space get away from you this spring. If you need help handling a leak amidst your spring cleaning, reach out to your local Raleigh, NC, contractors for assistance.

As long as you have a damp basement, you can expect problems to arise. Some of the issues may seem small and less troublesome, but over time, they can get out of hand. So it’s important to inspect your basement for moisture signs and fix them accordingly.

In this post, we’ll highlight normal basement problems and serious problems emanating from moisture build-up, then finish off by looking at what environments in Winston-Salem, NC, can lead to a damp basement.

Normal basement troubles

We’d like to refer to these as “fix me now” issues, as you’re likely to feel their impact the moment they occur. These include:

• External air: Hot, moist air from the outside that gets into the basement via cracks, openings, and porous material. When this air gets into the basement, it will diffuse into the living space causing condensation. Floors and walls may feel cold and damp. Sealing cracks and installing a dehumidifier can help control air from the outside.
• Sitting water: Clogged gutters and downspout pipes may channel rainwater to the basement. The same goes for floodwaters.
• Plumbing leaks: Sometimes, water pipes get faulty and start leaking water into the basement. This water can cause dampness and wood rot.
• Radon gases: This gas originates from the basement soil and seeps through cracks in your foundation walls. Since it mixes with water, it’s likely to sit for months with any stagnant water in the basement.

Serious moist basement Issues

Ignoring the above issues means they could mutate into serious problems over time. And these could be costly to fix. Notable issues include:

• Poor indoor air quality: Over time, mold spores will enter your home, pests will leave droppings and urinate. Add to this the stench from dead pests and you will have a smelly home. All these will reduce the quality of the air you breathe indoors.
• High energy bills: Variation between the temperature in the basement and the living space means you will have to run your heater or air conditioner for many hours to attain the desired internal temperature.
• Pests and insects: Damp and dark basements also attract pests and insects such as mice, termites, and roaches. Termites will chew your moist support beams while mice invade your locked wood cabinets as they scrounge for food. Rats will also continue the destructive work and worse, introduce fleas to your home.
• Mold growth: Moisture build-up in the basement may encourage black mold, a toxic fungus that can pollute the air in your home, causing asthma, itchy eyes, headaches, runny nose, and sinus infections.
• Wood rot: Typical of a moist basement, mold will attach itself to your wooden joists and beams and start eating them, causing them to decay. Within four weeks, they will have lost their strength.

Other than these issues, you’re also likely to experience electricity leaks and preventable house fires because of disintegrating insulation materials and radon gas exposure, which can cause lung cancer.

What Homes are Susceptible to Basement Moisture?

Basement dampness in your home can be tied to a number of things. A timely inspection can reveal what you’re up against. Homes that are likely to experience dampness include:

Home with structural cracks

Cracks in the foundation make it easy for rainwater to seep through into your basement, causing moisture build-up and internal flooding. Soil movements and hydrostatic pressure are the main culprits.

Homes with poor drain tiles or clogged drains

If your home lacks proper surface drainage, it’s going to be susceptible to basement flooding. The same holds true of homes with clogged drains, as they reduce the rate at which water goes out of your basement.

Homes in floodplains

As long as your home is located in an area that’s prone to flooding, you can expect surface water to enter the basement of your home. Flooding is likely to be a problem if you don’t have external drainage or if there are cracks in the foundation.

Homes with poor grading

In such homes, water will almost always seep through to the basement after collecting near the foundation walls after a downpour. The problem may become pronounced where there is no backfilling.

Homes with faulty gutters and pipes

Water is going to pour on the walls and seep through to the basement via cracks in the foundation walls, causing the basement to get damp.

Are you concerned about what damage a damp or moist basement could do to your Winston-Salem, NC, home? Schedule a free basement inspection today and get practical solutions to deal with your moisture issues once and for all!

For a long time, we’ve been encouraging homeowners with crawl spaces in Winston-Salem, NC, to use plastic encapsulation to lock out moisture, prevent mold growth and slash energy bills. But that’s not the only concern. Pests and rodents threaten the below-ground area under your home. Knowing how potent they are, you wouldn’t want them to establish a presence.   

Cleaning can help stop crawl space pests from infesting or gaining a foothold of your Winston-Salem home. But before that, let’s look at what draws pests in.

What attracts pests to crawl spaces?

Generally, pests are drawn to your crawl space for a number of reasons. The first is the existing humid conditions. Hot and humid summer air from the outside enters this space and creates the perfect conditions for them to breed.

The other reason is the abundance of food. Rotting wood, beetles and crawling insects make a delicious menu for many pests. When they move in, they will have more than enough to eat. And they won’t have to scrounge to get their daily bread.

Another thing is the warm conditions that exist. Temperatures here average from 50°F-60°F throughout the year, making it a paradise for nocturnal pests looking for a place they can call home. Also, this place is often secluded and dark. Rats, mice and raccoons can take shelter here without worrying that anyone will bother them.

Lastly, the crawl space is a place pests can access easily and via different ways including vents, foundation cracks, joists that reach the soil, or through tunnels on the dirt floor.

Controlling crawl space rodents

Once you notice pest activity, it’s important that you take appropriate action to curb their spread. Here are some effective ways to deal with the pest menace.

Apply biocides and pesticides

If you want to eliminate pests that play hide and seek with you, lace their favorite food with pesticides. Results are almost instant. However, you will have to keep reapplying the poison until you’re sure the crawl space is free of pests. You can source a bottle of pesticide from the local agrochemical store for a couple of bucks.

Seal the crawl space

Of all the measures you’re going to take to protect your crawl space, none is as important as encapsulation. Basically, this involves laying a plastic barrier wall to wall and across the floor and taping it down with a sealing tape. We recommend a 20-mm plastic barrier as it’s tear-proof and effective in keeping moisture out.

Seal gaps, cracks, openings

Rats and mice are likely to access the crawl space through minute cracks or gaps around crawl space doors. However, their most common point of entry is vents. Install vent covers and airtight doors in your crawl space and ask your local basement and crawl space contractor to fill up cracks.

Dehumidify the crawl space

Encapsulating the crawl space alone won’t bring down moisture levels. You have to install a dehumidifier to regulate the moisture content in this space. Ideally, it should be in the range of 45-50%. Otherwise, rats and mice will want to come in to escape the dry air outside.

Set mouse traps

When pests start playing hide and seek, go all out and catch them wherever there are. Set traps with baits, small portions of food, and leave them on their tracks or near their tunnels. You can get good traps for a couple of dollars from your local hardware store.

Clear out and clean the crawl space

If there’s a serious pest infestation, you have to clear out everything in the crawl space. Debris, branches, twigs, rocks and leaves that have collected in there have to go. When you’re through, all the rats and mice that used to trouble you won’t have anywhere to hide.

Store food away

One reason why pests crawl into this space is they can smell food. Ensure that you store food in the kitchen and pantry. Don’t bring any food item to the crawl space or store it there.

If you truly care about what happens in the crawl space of your Winston-Salem, NC, home, you wouldn’t allow pests to come in and colonize it. Schedule a free crawl space inspection and find out what ails your crawl space today! 

Raleigh, NC, is home to as many crawl spaces as it is basements. Because crawl spaces are often found in older homes, though, it may be more difficult for you to know when one is leaking and when one’s just showing its age.

This is where crawl space inspectors come into play. An experienced inspector will be able to tell you when your crawl space needs waterproofing. Is it worth it, though, to commit to a crawl space inspection?

Investing in a Crawl Space Inspection: Why Bother?

If you’re a long-time resident of Raleigh, NC, you may find yourself wondering: as a homeowner, do you even need a crawl space inspection if you’re not storing anything? And even if you do, couldn’t you handle the inspection yourself if you had a checklist on hand?

The short answer is no. Licensed crawl space repair contractors have to get approval from the state to work in the conditions that they do. Their certifications note that they’re able to detect problems with your crawl space that the untrained eye might miss. If you try to do their work for them, you may end up overlooking a substantial problem and costing yourself more money in repairs over the next few years.

If it’s cost you’re worried about, though, don’t let it get to you. Most contractors in Raleigh, NC, will perform a crawl space inspection for free. After the inspection, your inspector will note any problems they found with your crawl space and provide you with a cost quote. It’ll be up to you, after that point, to choose whether or not you want to have your crawl space repaired.

Breaking An Inspection Down

Say, then, that you schedule a crawl space inspection. What do these inspections typically look like, and what is your inspector looking for?

Crawl space inspections can be broken down into three phases: entry, superficial observations, and detailed observations.

The entry process is just what it sounds like – your inspector will look over the entry to your crawl space and make sure they can easily get inside. Your crawl space’s entry point needs to be, at a minimum, two feet by eighteen inches. If it’s any smaller, you’ll fail your crawl space inspection immediately and have to pay to widen your crawl space’s entrance.

If an inspector is able to get into your crawl space, you’ll move onto the second part of the inspection. The general inspection involves a crawl space inspector looking over your entry point and the body of your space to see if any nails are loose, any electrical wires are hanging out, or if you have standing water making your space unusable. Should any of these problems arise, you’ll fail your inspection.

Finally, should an inspector not notice any of the aforementioned problems, you’ll move on to the detailed inspection. During this process, an inspector will keep an eye out for:

• Insect infestations
• Moisture
• Mold clusters
• Wiring malfunctions
• Foundation cracks
• The presence of asbestos or other unhealthy materials
• Framing problems
• Ventilation
• Previously installed vapor barriers

As long as your crawl space is termite-free and otherwise clean, you’ll pass your inspection with flying colors. If the inspector does find something off in your space, they’ll provide you with a quote for their repair service. You won’t have to commit to repairs at the moment, but they’ll be worth addressing quickly.

Inspections and Vapor Barriers

Do you need to have a crawl space inspection, though, if you’ve already had a vapor barrier installed in your home? Yes. Vapor barriers are strong, permanent encapsulation and waterproofing solutions for your crawl space, but they can start to show their age with time. Inspectors who come into your home will be able to tell you more about the status of your vapor barrier and recommend replacements when the time comes.

Don’t let your crawl space repairs get away from you. You can schedule a free inspection with a local Raleigh, NC, inspector to keep your space in tip-top shape.

Moisture issues in your Raleigh, NC, home may force you to scour the web for solutions that will address the dampness. Like every anxious homeowner, you may look at what options are on the table or look for the most effective solution. Only one exists and you’ll find out shortly.

Contractors generally agree encapsulation is the only way out. Read on to learn more about this solution and what you can expect as far as cost, sourcing, and installation are concerned.

What is the most effective type of encapsulation?

Actually, there aren’t many options when it comes to encapsulating your crawl space, so it would be misleading to say there are many types of crawl space encapsulations. Sealing the crawl space with a plastic vapor barrier is the one and only solution available for now.

Depending on your location and the weather conditions, you can decide to seal and condition the crawl space using sump pumps and dehumidifiers or just install a plastic encapsulation only in your crawl space. If you live in a humid or flood-prone area, encapsulation alone won’t stop your moisture problems. You will have to install a dehumidifier to control moisture levels and sump pumps to control flooding.

As for the choice of a plastic barrier, we strongly recommend the thicker, stronger and tear-proof 20-mm plastic encapsulation over the thinner, tear-prone, non-durable 6-mm roll.

Where can I get encapsulation material?

After deciding you’re going to carry out an encapsulation in your crawl space, the next huddle is usually finding the place to source your crawl space encapsulation materials. Buying your materials online may seem cheaper. 

However, it is a better idea to seek the recommendation of your local basement contractor before you make a purchase. They know the finer details, and they could get you a better deal from their regular suppliers.

How long does installation take?

While encapsulation may not necessarily interfere with your daily lives, it’s good to know how long the process takes for planning purposes.

The first is whether you’re installing a barrier only or installing a barrier along with waterproofing fixtures, such as a dehumidifier or sump pumps. If the crawl space is clean, the installation will be fast. However, if the crawl space is in bad shape, you’ll have to clean it out before you encapsulate it.

Generally, a well-maintained crawl space will make work easier for the basement contractor, meaning encapsulation could take 8-10 hours. Otherwise, you may find the process may take days if it’s derelict.

How much to encapsulate the crawl space?

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re interested in knowing the cost of encapsulating your crawl space. The cost will vary depending on the size of your home, the condition of the crawl space, and the complexity of the job. Add to these the material required and the work hours. On the lower side, it can be around $5,000, but it can go as high as $20,000.

Given that there’s a range of encapsulating materials, low-cost contractors may use cheaper materials so they can increase their profit margins. Always go for the best if you can as this is a long-term investment. Labor will take up a chunk of your budget as well, starting at $100 per hour. However, some contractors may charge a fixed project fee inclusive of labor and material. Be sure to ask your contractor how much is charged for labor.

If your crawl space is in poor condition, it’s going to need some serious preparation, and that means you’ll spend more. Flooding and humidity may also add to the costs as you will have to get sump pumps and a dehumidifier.

Should I install a vapor barrier myself?

We wouldn’t advise you to attempt a do-it-yourself with your crawl space. A lot of things can go wrong. Besides, you may just waste time and money and never get to complete the encapsulation project. Since the crawl space is a sensitive place in which conditions affect that of the living area, you wouldn’t want to take chances with it. Mold, leakage, pests and other undesirable consequences including health and safety risks are very much real. It’s best if you leave it to a skilled contractor.

Need to encapsulate your crawl space but don’t know where to start? Request a free crawl space encapsulation quote from your local basement contractor in Raleigh, NC, today!

Dealing with a leak inside your home is never fun. To really stop a leak, you need to know where it’s coming from. Unfortunately, the untrained eye can’t always tell. Foundation leaks, in particular, are difficult to identify because they look so much like basement leaks. How, then, can you determine whether it’s your basement or foundation that’s leaking? Once you’ve figured it out, what can you do to keep your home stable and healthy?

Why is Your Foundation Leaking?

Sometimes, malfunctions inside your home can trigger a foundation leak. Your foundation is likely to develop a crack if your interior pipes are leaking, for example.

Other times, it’s external events or influences that allow water into your home. Did you plant a tree too close to the perimeter of your home? Is the weather changing at an unusually fast pace? Tree roots will move your foundation around, whereas abrupt changes in the weather will place an excessive amount of stress on the material making up your foundation.

Unfortunately, there are times when leaks are more severe and yet aren’t the fault of anything inside or outside of your home. In these situations, the structure of your home may be the source of your problems. If a contractor used green wood for your home supports, you may quickly notice your walls bowing due to a foundation leak. Likewise, foundations made out of brick and concrete often fall victim to extreme stress when they haven’t been waterproofed.

Finally, note that extreme weather conditions can cause even the sturdiest of foundations to leak. While North Carolina isn’t a hot spot for earthquakes, excessive flooding can still force cracks to appear in your foundation.

What Are the Symptoms of a Foundation Leak?

Basement leaks and foundation leaks look similar at first. More often than not, you’ll need to bring in a contractor to help you determine the origin of your leak. If you do suspect it’s your foundation that may be leaking, inspect the inside of your home first. Some of the most common signs of a foundation leak include:

• Gaps between the walls and your foundation
• Vertical interior cracks
• Sticking doors and windows
• Cooler temperatures
• Infestations

If you can’t spot any symptoms inside your home, head outdoors and inspect your perimeter. You’ll be able to tell if your foundation is leaking if you can spot:

• Cracks in your chimney
• Cracks along your foundation
• Visible porch or home sinkage

A foundation leak can compromise the structural integrity of your entire home, so don’t wait to reach out to a professional if you spot these symptoms. The faster you act, the more money you’ll save on repairs and the better off your home will be.

Can You Sell a Home with a Foundation Leak?

What happens if you discover a foundation leak right before you put your house on the market? The good news is that you can sell a home with a history of foundation leaks. There are, however, two ways you can approach the situation.

If you’re not interested in spending money to waterproof your foundation, you can always sell your home as-is, noting its history in your pitch. However, in doing so you risk losing upwards of 30 percent of your home’s value.

Alternatively, you can fix and waterproof your foundation, then list your home for its full value. This way, you’ll be able to break even on your sale, even though you’ll have spent some extra money up front.

The choice is yours when it comes to selling a home with foundation issues. If you’re wondering which path will serve you best, you can always reach out to a local North Carolina contractor for an inspection of your foundation and quote for possible repairs.

How Can You Waterproof Your Foundation?

If you want to waterproof your foundation, you can easily reach out to a local contractor to rid your home of water.

• Waterproof insulation – If you’re only dealing with a minor leak, you can insulate your basement with waterproof insulation. While a temporary solution, the insulation will drive water away from any belongings you have stored and keep your basement dry.
• French drains – For more severe leaks, consider installing a French drain. These drains collect and redirect water away from your home.
• Sump pumps – Like French drains, sump pumps actively move water away from your home. Any water collected by the interior French drainage system is directed to the sump pump system and then pumped out of and away from the home.
• Sealants – You can also take advantage of temporary sealants while looking for ways to waterproof your foundation. These sealants are not permanent solutions, and will need to be applied on a yearly basis, but they’ll serve as chemical barriers designed to keep water out of your house.
• Dehumidifiers – Dehumidifiers actively draw dampness out of the air and convert that moisture back into its liquid form. While not great for excessive flooding, installing a dehumidifier will help you stay on top of any dampness that might evolve into a more substantial leak later down the line. They also improve the overall air quality of your home and help curb mold growth.

Ready to reclaim your home? If you think your foundation may be leaking, reach out to a North Carolina contractor for a free quote and inspection.

Owning a home puts a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. It’s not just you, though, that’s under a lot of stress. If you live in an area that sees frequent weather fluctuations, then your foundation may be under pressure, too. That excess pressure can sometimes lead to the development of a foundational crack.

What kinds of cracks have homeowners had to contend with before, and what steps can you take to keep your foundation whole? Let’s break down your options so you can keep your home in tip-top shape.

Why Foundations Crack

Your foundation comes under a lot of stress while supporting your home. As the weather warms, the particles that make up your foundation will expand. In turn, your foundation will grow. As the weather cools, those particles will shrink, and your foundation will contract.

Unfortunately, North Carolina’s weather can be unpredictable. When the weather starts to change rapidly, your foundation will struggle to keep up with the demanded expansions and contractions. When your foundation comes under this amount of stress, it may crack in an attempt to comply with environmental demands.

That said, there are other reasons your foundation may crack. Expansive root systems from nearby trees, for example, may bully their way into your foundation, generating cracks as they go.

Types of Foundation Cracks

The good news is that, should your foundation crack, it can only crack in so many ways. More often than not, you’ll have to deal with one of the three following crack types:

• Vertical. Vertical cracks tend to appear in newer homes. Your contractors will most likely support the foundation of your home with wooden beams. Unfortunately, some contractors opt to use wooden beams that haven’t fully matured. This green wood responds poorly when exposed to standing water or dampness in the long-term. When the wood caves, you’ll start to see the walls of your crawl space or basement bow, and your foundation will vertically crack.
• Horizontal. You’re most likely to see a horizontal crack in your foundation if you have a foundation made out of brick or concrete. These foundations contract and grow in response to changes in the weather. If the weather changes too quickly or your foundation is exposed to water, the materials will crack to better keep up with the physical demands of their environment.
• Diagonal. Diagonal cracks appear in your foundation for much the same reason horizontal ones appear. However, diagonal cracks indicate that your foundation is settling unevenly. If you notice rainwater settling on one side of your basement or crawl space more frequently than the other, then you’ll need to talk to a contractor about the steps you can take to avoid the development of a diagonal crack.

Signs of a Cracked Foundation

You won’t always be able to spot a crack in your foundation, even if it’s resulted in a leak. If you think you do have a crack to contend with, though, keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Unpleasant smells
• Pest infestations
• Cooler basement temperatures
• Fogging windows
• Standing water or frequent leaks
• Water damage

While these signs are also symptoms of a leak, they can help point you toward any foundation cracks that may be letting excess water into your home.

How to Keep Your Foundation From Cracking

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for your foundation to crack to act. There are steps you can take to keep your foundation in one piece. These include:

• Waterproof your foundation. Long-term exposure to flood waters can put extra stress on your foundation. That’s why it’s important, upon construction, to talk to a professional about the different waterproofing solutions you have available to you. Tools like French drains, sump pumps, dehumidifiers, temporary sealants, and vapor barriers can all redirect water away from your foundation, ensuring that it remains structurally sound for longer.
• Clean your gutters. There are some basic chores you can do around your home to keep your foundation safe, too. Cleaning your gutters may be a pain, but doing so will help you keep water away from your foundation. A gunky gutter will spill water right out onto your perimeter, allowing precipitation to reach your foundation and add additional stress to its already heavy load.
• Be careful with your landscaping. As mentioned, expansive root networks can compromise the structure of your foundation. If you’re planting trees or bushes in your lawn, make sure the largest are at least 20 feet away from your home upon their planting.
• Water your lawn. If the soil around your home is healthy, it can help prevent the worst side effects of excessive North Carolina rainstorms. As soil is exposed to water, the particles remain hearty and hale. During droughts, however, soil particles will shrink. These shrunken particles won’t be able to absorb any excess water that arrives with the first rainstorm after a drought. When you water your lawn, you keep your soil healthy and help it absorb excess rainwater when storms do arrive.

You can work with a North Carolina contractor to reduce the amount of stress your foundation is under. Don’t let the local weather keep you from retaining the value of your home.

When you have lived comfortably in North Carolina for many years, it is easy to forget what problems a vented crawl space could cause to your home. The common ones are mold spores that trigger allergies, high energy bills, and of course, pests and crawling insects. Not sure if you’d be happy to deal with these.

Don’t be like so many people who act surprised when they notice mold or damp floors and walls in a living space. It might be too late to reverse the damage caused by high moisture levels. Encapsulate the crawl space, and you’ll never have to deal with any of the unpleasant effects.

Crawl Space Encapsulation 101 — The Basics

You’ve probably heard your neighbor talk about how their basement contractor encapsulated their crawl space and you didn’t make sense of it. Crawl space encapsulation is a protection method that entails sealing the crawl space to keep it moisture free. Unlike other techniques, the focus is on dealing with the moisture and preventing leaks. A thick plastic sheath is then used to cover the floors and the walls. If there are obstacles such as piers or pillars, foam spraying is used to seal objects. The cost of encapsulation depends on the size of the crawl space. Some contractors charge per foot, while others charge a flat project fee. Before encapsulation starts, it’s good to get a free estimate of the project cost so you can budget accordingly.

How does Encapsulation Work?

Now that you know what encapsulation is, it’s natural to ask what the process entails. Typical encapsulation projects go like this:

• Prepare the crawl space. Before the work begins, the contractor will clear and clean out this space by removing dirt, debris, and old and damaged insulation.
• Water vapor barrier installation. This entails covering the crawl space walls and floor with a polyethylene barrier, then taping it using a double-sided sealing tape.
• Seal pipes, ducts, and cabling. The contractor cuts the barrier around obstacles and mechanicals. Any gaps created are filled with extra sealing tape.

Once the crawl space has been sealed, your contractor may suggest that you install a dehumidifier to control moisture levels.

Note: Bulk water or seepage has to be addressed with solutions like interior perimeter drainage and a sump pump before the encapsulation project gets underway.

What are the Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Though it may seem costly at first, crawl space encapsulation has many lasting benefits. The first is clean indoor air. Since no toxic gases or musty smells are entering your home, you and your loved ones can live and breathe easy. Your home will be a haven of comfort and you can live, eat and sleep in peace.

Further, you won’t have to worry about mold or fungi, which is known to thrive in humid and damp homes. Mold is a toxic substance, and it’s a major cause of allergies and asthma attacks. Because the crawl space is sealed, water and moisture won’t penetrate the living space above and trigger mold growth. Your home will remain dry and free of mold all year round.

Structural issues such as rotten wood joists or rust and cracks on walls are common problems in homes with vented crawl spaces. Left unchecked, these can weaken the subsurface structure of the home and make it a dangerous place to live. Crawl space encapsulation together with waterproofing methods ensures no water from the outside gets to the crawl space. The outcome is a dry and strong structure that can hold up the home for many years.

Are you struggling with high monthly utility bills? The open crawl space below your home could be the cause. Encapsulation can help you create an energy-efficient home. Since the temperature in the living space and the crawl space will be the same, you won’t have to turn on your heater or air conditioner for long. This means less power consumption and a lower utility bill at the end of the month.

Another benefit of encapsulation is that you’re going to need fewer repairs than before. Repairing a water-damaged home or one with cracks is a costly undertaking that could run into thousands of dollars.

Since there’s no moisture to cause wood rot and pipe rust or termites to chew your joists, you will effectively not need the plumber and home repair contractor for a long time! In short, you won’t need repairs anytime soon.

No one wants to wake up at night and find uninvited guests crawling on their floorboards, walls or countertops. Encapsulation discourages pests such as mice, cockroaches, and termites from entering your home. Not only does the sealing remove the conditions that allow them to thrive but it locks these critters out too.

Whichever way you look at encapsulation, it pays off to encapsulate your crawl space. The sooner you do it, the better, as you will reap all the benefits that come with it. Call your basement contractor to arrange a same-day inspection. You will get a free crawl space estimate in writing.

When your crawl space starts to leak, you’re going to want to get rid of the water – and fast. If you don’t, you risk damaging the belongings you’ve so carefully stored away.

The good news is that there are several waterproofing solutions at your disposal, including a vapor barrier coupled with drainage and sump pump systems. What is a vapor barrier, though, and when is it time to think about installing one? Let’s dive into the details so you can determine for yourself whether or not a crawl space vapor barrier is the solution for you.

Signs of a Leaking Crawl Space

Prevention may be the best medicine when it comes to a crawl space leak, but you don’t want to spend money on a solution you don’t need. Before you install your vapor barrier, make sure your crawl space is actually leaking. Some of the symptoms to look out for include:

• Falling temperatures
• Water damage
• Pests
• Wet walls or puddles
• Mold clusters
• Bad smells

Vapor Barriers: The Basics

Vapor barriers are near-impermeable plastic-like sheets you can install in your crawl space. Not only will these sheets keep most of the water out of your crawl space, but they’ll also prevent most gases from getting in and out of the space as well.

Encapsulating your crawl space is a permanent solution that will properly seal the area from the earth. You also can make your vapor barrier last longer if you, for example, install a French drain and sump pump at the same time as your barrier installation.

How to Use a Vapor Barrier In Your Crawl Space

If you’ve decided you need to install a vapor barrier in your crawl space, never fear. The installation process, which is best left to a professional contractor, is usually fairly straightforward. Just keep an eye out for bumps in the road along the way!

In general, installing a vapor barrier as part of the encapsulation process requires the following steps:

1. Dry out your crawl space. It’s not easy to waterproof a crawl space that’s still damp from the last North Carolina rainstorm. Do what you can to get water out of your space. You may need to install a dehumidifier, French drain, or sump pump if you need help pumping the water out of your home.
2. Find and seal your leak. Once you’ve removed any standing water or dampness, you can start sealing off the leaks that let the moisture into your home in the first place. The good news is that it’s easier to find leaks that result in standing water than it is to find leaks that just result in dampness. If you can’t find the location of a leak on your own, you’re going to want to reach out to a contractor. It’s possible that water may be getting into your crawl space via your foundation. In these situations, you’re going to need to attend to any foundation cracks or other damage before moving on with the installation process.
3. Clear away old or damaged insulation. Under most circumstances, you can use insulation to further waterproof your crawl space. However, you’re going to want to remove any old or damaged insulation from your crawl space prior to installing your vapor barrier. Why? Because old and damaged insulation provides the perfect bed for mold particles. The last thing you want to deal with after you’ve installed your vapor barrier is mold clusters. You can, of course, install new insulation where the old material once was. Just be sure to have it replaced at the same time you replace your new vapor barrier.
4. Install your vapor barrier. Once the stage is set, you can move to start laying your vapor barrier. During this process, be sure to cut holes so you can continue to access any pipes or physical structures you may need to at a later date.
5. Implement additional waterproofing solutions. With the installation complete, consider stacking your vapor barrier with other waterproofing solutions. Permanently installing a dehumidifier, for example, will help your barrier last longer.

Crawl spaces are excellent hideaways for the belongings you want to put into storage. Don’t let North Carolina’s rain keep you from using yours. If you want to install a vapor barrier, reach out to a contractor to learn about your options ASAP.

Any person who values their home will naturally be alarmed to see cracks in their foundation walls. Concrete foundations are prone to cracks. The question is not if they will crack, but when. With that in mind, you should always be on the lookout for foundation cracks. They may start small like hairline cracks and widen with time, letting in water and insects.

Cosmetic Cracks Are Not Dangerous

Most cracks are cosmetic. While unsightly, hairline cracking is a normal thing in most North Carolina homes. They don’t usually indicate serious structural risks or create unsafe conditions. Such cracks are usually narrow and occur at offset corners. If you notice a crack that’s hairline to about 1/8 inch in width, don’t worry about it. An epoxy injection is all you need to fix it.

However, if you have repaired these cracks and they’re back within a short time, it’s a clear sign your foundation is on the move. Ask a structural engineer to examine your foundation.

Structural Cracks Pose Serious Risks

Any crack that’s in the range of 9/16th to 1 inch should be a real cause of concern to any homeowner. They could signal a deeper and larger problem. Because they’re wide, such cracks easily let in water, insects, pests and radon gas. Moisture causes mold problems while radon is a toxic gas. Insects and pests can infest your basement, climb up to the living area, and cause all kinds of problems from contamination to structural damage.

Telltale signs of structural cracks include:

• Diagonal cracks at corners of concrete foundation walls (poured)
• Horizontal cracks or stair-step cracks along foundation walls
• Bulging and inward bowing of walls
• Walls leaning inwards at the top
• Inward sliding of walls at the bottom
• Moist clay around the home

All these signs indicate the soil beneath the foundation is moving and your foundation is moving. In case you notice any of these, contact your local basement and foundation repair contractor to avert more foundation problems.

Pay attention to the size, direction, shape and the location of cracks. Depending on the nature or depth or seriousness of the crack, your contractor may install foundation piers, use carbon fiber reinforcement, or do concrete lifting to raise and restore sunken concrete slabs. All these require the input of a skilled and licensed professional.

What Causes Foundations to Crack?

When the foundation cracks, it’s normal to want to know what instigated the gaps. Several things can cause cracking, and the most common culprits are:

1. Contraction of concrete: As concrete slabs harden, they lose moisture. Evaporation causes them to contract and shrink. The concrete may put on some resistance for a while but it will eventually give in to the tension that pulls it apart, resulting in cracks.
2. Foundation settlement: It’s normal for the foundation of a new home to sink two or three years after construction because of its weight. The downward movement isn’t always even, resulting in cracks. After that, the foundation will stabilize. Foundation settlement repair can rectify the problem.
3. Poor construction: Before a new home is built, the soil should be tested and compacted, then the appropriate footing designed to support the home. Some builders overlook these steps or skip them. Still others use substandard materials, causing your foundation to crack.
4. Tree roots: This may come as a surprise. Roots of big trees are pretty strong. When they make their way into the soil beneath the home, they can lift sections of the foundation, causing it to crack. Make sure you don’t plant them near your home.
5. Dry soil conditions: During dry weather, the soil under the foundation tends to shrink. This creates a significant gap between your home’s foundation and the surrounding soil. Back and forth pressure on the foundation causes it to shift and fill the gap.
6. Hydrostatic pressure: After a heavy downpour, the soil around the perimeter becomes saturated and heavy. This exerts inward pressure on the foundation walls, causing it to bulge and crack.

Whether you’re dealing with hairline cracks or the more serious structural cracks, it pays to have foundation repair contractors in North Carolina inspect your basement and foundation walls. Though they may not guarantee you the cracks are harmless, they know how to tell a bad crack from a good one and how it should be repaired.

Have foundation cracks in your home or burning questions on the same? Contact your local contractor to get answers or schedule a foundation inspection today.

When you live in North Carolina, you get used to your fair share of precipitation. You shouldn’t get used to a flooded crawl space, though.

Both the encapsulation and insulation processes can help you keep your crawl space dry even after the worst of North Carolina’s rains. It’s deciding which process to use that’s the real challenge, though.

Which Process Is Better?

Before we get started, let’s get the argument out of the way. Which is the more effective process, encapsulation or insulation? That depends entirely on how much water your crawl space takes in after a storm. The encapsulation process will protect your home from excess leakage, making it ideal for homes that see frequent flooding. The insulation process, however, is ideal for homes that only see a few leaks a year.

In short, assess the state of your crawl space before committing to one of these processes. You don’t want to over- or under-commit!

Insulation: The Steps You’ll Take

With that in mind, let’s take a look at insulation and the insulating process. Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It can also play a waterproofing role in your crawl space if it is prone to leaks.

The process of insulating your crawl space typically involves the following steps:

1. Clear away the water – There’s no point in insulating a crawl space that’s full of water. Before you start replacing your old insulation, you’re going to need to pump any remaining floodwaters out of your crawl space. This could be as simple as installing a temporary dehumidifier. Alternatively, you may need a contractor to help you physically remove water from your space.
2. Take preventive steps – Once the water is out of your crawl space, you’ll need to find where it was coming from. This means finding the source of the leak. You should be able to identify leaks in your walls and joints by following the flow of water into your crawl space. However, if the leak is coming up through your foundation, you’re going to need a contractor’s help to seal it.
3. Remove old insulation – With all visible leaks plugged, you’ll need to uninstall any old insulation you have in your crawl space. Why remove it instead of reuse it? Because your old insulation may have been damaged after long-term exposure to leaks. Damaged insulation can release allergens into your home while also providing strains of mold a breeding ground. Best to get rid of it and replace it with something cleaner.
4. Install new insulation – Speaking of which, once your old insulation is out of the way, you can go about replacing it with waterproof insulation. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing a brand or type to use, be sure to discuss the matter with your contractor.
5. Protect your pipes – As you’re installing your new insulation, keep a close eye on the pipes you’re working around. You’re going to want to insulate your crawl space pipes well, as colder weather may cause them to crack and break if they go unprotected.
6. Further waterproof your crawl space – Once you’ve finished, you might want to consider using other forms of waterproofing in addition to the insulation you’ve installed. These options include temporary sealants, drainage mats, a French drain, a sump pump and more. You can even stack the insulating and encapsulating processes if your crawl space is prone to severe flooding.

As mentioned, insulation will keep your walls and joints safe, should the North Carolina rains start to get to you. However, if your crawl space is leaking through its foundation, then you’re going to need the help of a contractor to keep your belongings dry.

Encapsulation: The Steps You’ll Take

Now, let’s look at the encapsulation process for comparison. The encapsulation process involves the installation of large plastic-like sheets in your crawl space. Coupled with a perimeter drainage system and sump pump system, these sheets will help direct water away from your belonging.

The process of encapsulating your crawl space typically involves the following steps:

1. Clear away the water – As with the insulating process, you’ll need to clear water out of your crawl space before getting started.
2. Take preventative steps – Likewise, you’ll need to plug any leaks ahead of time so as not to ruin your encapsulation job while you’re in the middle of it. Again, you’ll need a contractor’s assistance if the leak is coming up through your foundation.
3. Remove old insulation – Once again, you’ll need to remove old and damaged insulation from your crawl space so as to improve the health of your home.
4. Put up a vapor barrier – Instead of replacing the old insulation with new insulation, you’re going to install a vapor barrier. This is the large white plastic sheet (or another material, depending on what you’ve agreed to with your contractor) that will keep your belongings dry the next time it rains.
5. Install a dehumidifier – Optionally, you can ask your contractor to install a dehumidifier in your crawl space. A dehumidifier will pull any excess moisture from the air and help your encapsulation last longer.
6. Further waterproof your crawl space – Finally, if you’re worried about leaks getting through your encapsulation, you can ask your contractor what additional waterproofing solutions are available to you.

Don’t let North Carolina’s weather keep you from using your crawl space. Whether you choose to encapsulate or insulate, you can take back this space for yourself.

Raleigh, NC, may not be famous for its precipitation levels – but it should be. If you live in the area, you know you’re as likely to see a rainstorm as you are a sunny day, especially in the wintertime.

While some residents enjoy the rain, no one enjoys finding standing water in their basement. Unfortunately, older homes tend to see water leaking into their basements with regularity. Even newer homes that haven’t been waterproofed may fall victim to frequent leaks.

Are your basement walls and floors damp? Don’t think you have to resign yourself to those conditions forever. In fact, choosing to leave your basement to its soggy fate can have negative effects on the value of your home, not to mention the health of your family.

What can you do, then, to drive the dampness out of your home? There are several different steps you can take, all of which will help you reclaim your space for yourself.

What to Look for In a Damp Basement

Most homeowners believe standing puddles or damp walls are the only real signs of a wet basement.

This, however, isn’t the case. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms to determine whether or not your home has fallen victim to unusually high levels of dampness:

• Cooler temperatures – Increased moisture in the air will reduce the temperature in your basement.
• Increased humidity – Likewise, as water evaporates in your home, the humidity will rise, making the air feel thicker and wetter.
• Curling paper or damaged materials – Are your stored belongings coming out of their boxes wet? Are the boxes themselves curling up at the edges? If so, you may have a leak on your hands.
• Fogged windows – If you have the heat on and notice the windows in your basement (usually gutter windows) are fogging up, you may have an unusual amount of moisture in the air. While this isn’t an immediate sign of a leak, you’ll still want to check and see if water is getting into your basement.
• Warping door frames – Wooden door frames respond poorly to the presence of excess water. If you go downstairs and notice your doors are sticking in their frames, or that your door frame looks bent out of shape, you likely have a large leak on your hands.
• Mold – Wet walls and floors are an ideal environment for basement mold. Even if your basement seems dry, keep an eye out for unusual growths. If mold has clustered in one particular part of your basement, you’ll know that area sees the most frequent leaks.

Fixing Wet Walls and Floors

There are two different paths you can take when looking to waterproof your home. You can either waterproof your home from the inside or waterproof it from the outside.

Interior waterproofing will let you use a variety of tools, including:

• French Drains: These drains, while a temporary solution, will pump the water out of your home, reducing the risk of long-term damage in your basement. You can pair these drains with a sump pump for long-term success. Whether you pair them or not, installation will typically take one to two days.
• Drainage Mats: Another temporary solution, drainage mats are tarps you can use to collect the water that would normally gather on your walls and floors.
• Sealants: Sealants are also temporary waterproofing solutions, lasting up to a year at a time, depending on the brand you’ve brought into your home. Seal the interior foundation of your home if you’re dealing with minor leaks or if you need a quick fix to a larger problem.
• Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers will help reduce the amount of humidity you see in your basement. Another temporary solution, dehumidifiers will primarily help basements that see wet walls by reducing the opportunity for water clusters to form.

You can also talk to a contractor about a dig-and-seal process, which involves the excavation of your home’s foundation. This is not a permanent fix to leaks, but it is an option worth considering if your basement floods frequently.

Note that waterproofing the exterior of your home is not a process you should take on alone. An experienced contractor will be able to get to the heart of your problem. With their help, you’ll be able to waterproof your home for up to ten years without worry.

The Benefit of an Immediate Fix

Don’t wait to have your basement leak fixed. By leaving standing water in your home, you put the value of your estate and your family’s health at risk. Standing water can:

• Compromise the security of your electrical circuits
• Damage your foundation by introducing cracks
• Damage your stored belongings
• Grow mold that negatively impacts the health of everyone in the home, but especially children

In short, don’t give up the fight against the Raleigh, NC, weather. Reach out to a professional contractor if your basement walls and floors are damp. They’ll be able to give you back your home ASAP.

Flooding and Storm Surge
Know if you are in an area that can potentially flood and be prepared. Don’t go into flood or storm surge waters. These are a drowning risk and can sweep you away. There are also invisible dangers such as hidden obstacles and health hazards from contamination in the water.

Stay Inside
Stay put indoors unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must travel, have your evacuation route planned out and don’t drive through flood waters.

Keep Updated
Use media such as your local weather station or social media to track storm and hurricane updates. This will keep you informed of the storm’s path and intensity, as well as when it may be safe to emerge and alert you on important evacuation information.

Know How to Turn Off Your Utilities
Gas and electrical fires are a major cause of property damage during storms. Make sure to turn off your utilities if you evacuate your home.

Be Ready
In the event of an evacuation, have a plan in place such that your family and pets are ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Make sure you have any food, baby formula, diapers, and pet carriers set up or packed in advance.

Additional Resources

• Find out if you are in a flood zone: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• Find a local shelter from the storm: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
• Other hurricane safety tips: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

The last thing you want is for a storm to leave permanent damage on your home. Flooding, storm surge, and intensive hurricane rain and wind can weaken the structural integrity of your home, and standing water left behind by a flood creates the ideal environment for mold, mildew, and wood rotting fungus to grow. Our home solutions can help after a storm and can prevent damage in the first place. Get a free inspection and estimate from Tar Heel Basement Systems so that you know your home is safe. Our mission is to protect, repair, and improve our customer’s greatest asset – their home.

4 Reasons Why Fixing Your Cracked Concrete is Important

Have you ever tripped in your own driveway? Luckily it isn’t a far distance for a first aid kit, in you’re in your own driveway! However, what about if you have kids or guests? You don’t want them falling or tripping, getting hurt due to your uneven concrete.

Not only will the concrete outside of your home shift and crack, but if your home is built on a concrete slab, foundational problems will cause cracks and shifting to happen. If this happens within your home, the result will be much more severe for your home.

It is important to have any concrete in or outside of your home fixed, and here are some reasons why.

Curb appeal

Let’s be honest, cracked, raised, and uneven driveways or sidewalks are not only unsafe, they are not attractive either. Many times, you can have weeds growing out from the cracks, plus once one part begins to crack it will start to spread. This major eye sore can have an affect on the cost of your home if you decide to sell.

Hazardous

The common problem is that these cracks and uneven surfaces create tripping hazardous for you, your family, and any guests that may come to your home. Scraped knees or twisted ankles aren’t fun and can be avoided if you take the time to fix the problem.

Gradually worsens

Similar to many problems, if your home’s concrete slab is cracking or sinking, just because you ignore it does not mean the problem is going to go away. Unfortunately, in this case it’s the complete opposite. The more you wait to fix these problems, the worse the cracks and unevenness will become, which will only cause worse problems for your home.

Problems in your home

When your home’s concrete slab is undergoing problems due to a foundation issue, then you will notice signs throughout your home. Windows or doors will have difficult time opening or closing, cracks can occur in other parts of your home, and the cracks in the floor allow water to enter your home and cause water damage.

Tar Heel Basement Systems offer multiple solutions for cracked concrete both on the inside and outside of your home. If you are noticing uneven or cracked concrete within your home or on your sidewalks and driveways call Tar Heel at (888) 333-1322 or click HERE to fill out a free home inspection today.

We will work to keep you and your home safe!

5 Must Do Safety Tips Before the First Hurricane Arrives

Hurricane season is here and is one of the most dangerous times for your home. After last year’s devastating hurricane season, don’t take the chance this year that your home will be safe from harm. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. With hurricane season being such a long-time frame, it only makes sense to take the extra time in caring about the safety of your home for the season. Check these 5 home safety tips off of your list before the first hurricane arrives.

Leaks
Check your home’s floors, walls, and plumbing for any possible leaking. Cracks in your home’s floors and walls allow water to enter your home, and any extra water pushing against those cracks will make them worse. Any plumbing that is showing signs of leaks should be checked by a professional, because in the case of a hurricane, those pipes may end up bursting.

Drainage
Make sure your home has a properly working drainage system to help keep water from gathering around your home’s foundation. Tar Heel Basement System’s BasementGutter system helps keep your home’s foundation safe from water. If your home already has a drainage system installed, be sure to check to make sure all debris is out so that water from a rainfall has a clear pathway away from your home.

Sump Pumps
Your home should be equipped with a sump pump system in either the basement or crawl space. Sump pumps help keep water levels at a low in both your crawl space and basement. They also will alert homeowners when the water levels become too high and work hand in hand with the BasementGutter system to efficiently keep your home dry.

Downspouts and Gutters
Your home’s gutters and downspouts help direct water away from your home and its foundation. It can easily get clogged with debris and other junk, which is why it is important to take the time to clean them before the hurricane season. Once these are clogged, the water will have no place to run and it will gather near the foundation of your home.

Doors and Windows
One common sign of foundation problems is sticking doors and windows. This just means if your doors and windows are difficult to open and close and they seem to stick while doing so then your home has a foundation issue. It is important that if you are noticing these signs to have a professional come out immediately so in the event of a hurricane, your foundation problem does not get worse.

The 2018 Hurricane season was a dangerous one. It resulted in 154 fatalities and 33 billion dollars in damages according to Weatherbug. After a season such as last year, why would you take the chance of having your home included in the damages? Take action today, call Tar Heel Basement Systems at (888) 333-1322 or Click HERE to fill out a form today to have a free inspection.

Hurricane Season 2019 Names:

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Imelda
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

*Season eight is not mentioned in this article. It has been called the world’s most popular show and with over 17 million viewers tuning in to watch season eight’s premiere, we thought sharing the similarities between our services and #got could be educating and fun.

1. Greyscale and Foundation Settlement – a once thought to be incurable disease which attacks the skin leaving it with scales and cracks (and much more), the highly contagious sickness spreads throughout the body. In season five episode two, Ser Jorah Mormont contracts greyscale and viewers watch the illness slowly debilitate Ser Jorah. Like foundations, small cracks often appear during the first signs of settlement. These cracks will often increase in size, spreading through doorframes, in the corners of windows, and may cause gaps or bowing floors. Luckily, there’s a cure!

2. Samwell Tarly, Latrine Duty, and Nasty Crawl Spaces – at the end of season six, trusted steward of the Night’s Watch, Samwell Tarly’s (whose hopes and dreams prior to the Night’s Watch included going to the Citadel to become a Maester) dreams come true, sort of. Queue season seven – as Samwell is sent to the Citadel to study to replace Maester Aemon, part of his duties to become a Maester include toilet duty. Season seven episode one shows a montage of Samwell breathing in the unpleasant odors of latrine duty. While crawl spaces don’t include toilets, the smells from a rotten, mold-infested, rodent-ridden crawl space aren’t too far off – and that air circulates throughout the first floor of your home. A nasty crawl space is 100% preventable and help is a free crawl space inspection away – you can sign up for one here.

3. Fire-Breathing Dragons, Heat, Humidity, and Destruction (#summeriscoming) – their first appearance on screen was possibly one of the most memorable scenes of the series. Season one, episode ten shows the newly hatched dragons perched on Daenerys’ shoulders after she walked out of what was left of the fire, completely unharmed. From here, we see the three dragons grow and light up the remaining seasons with their flames. Perhaps just as damaging as forceful dragon fire: – are summer heat and humidity. All foundations experience the shrink-swell impact of the heat on soil which proves to be problematic for homeowners. As soil dries, it shrinks making soils compact which causes the overall makeup of the soil to shift. Telltale signs include drywall cracks, cracks in doorframes, sticking windows and doors, and cracks on a home’s exterior. Signs that your crawl space is suffering from heat, moisture, and humidity include sagging or bouncy floors, musty or mold odors, and high electric bills. Additionally, open crawl space vents and doors are also a recipe for destruction due to the stack effect! 

4. The Night King and Transformation – the first White Walker was once a man, who, as explained in season six episode five, was turned by the Children of the Forest. The Night King, leader of the White Walkers, also leads the army of the dead, whose mission is to destroy all mankind. While in the long run, this transformation proved to be lethal, the transformation of an unkempt crawl space proves the opposite. A healthy crawl space is more important than we realize! Over 50% of the air we breathe comes from our crawl space, so if there’s mold or rat droppings, it will circulate throughout the air in our homes. Transform your crawl space into a dry, healthy space today.

5. Battle of the Blackwater and Outside Forces – defending the Red Keep inside King’s Landing from Stannis Baratheon’s army, season two episode nine allows viewers to see the depth of Tyrion Lannister’s genius. Acting Hand of the King, Tyrion, outnumbered in ships 10:1, sacrifices only one of his 20 total ships to hold off the Stannis’ army – a ship with nothing but leaking, flammable, deadly wildfire. When the single ship sails into the bay meeting the leading elements of Stannis’ army, one flaming arrow from the Lannister’s command ignites the ship and obliterates most of Stannis Baratheon’s army. Much like the Lannister’s fight against outside forces, homeowners need to defend their homes against outside elements like moisture-intrusion, pests, and rain. The best protection against these forces includes a fully sealed, encapsulated crawls space for homes built with this type of foundation. Basements benefit from an interior drainage channel, dehumidifier, and sump pump. All foundations benefit from having clean gutters and downspouts, making sure that the downspout collects water away from your home’s foundation. 

Summer time is approaching, and that means warm weather, sunny days, and lots of heat. Even though summer is a favorite time for a lot of people, it can have some harmful affects for your foundation.

If your home suffers from foundation settlement, then the hotter weather will only do more damage. Hot weather dries the soil out around your foundation, which will lead to cracks and settlement of the foundation.

Your home will show some of these foundation settlement symptoms:

• Wall cracks are a normal sign of foundation settlement you will see in your home. These cracks will resemble a stair shape design and they will run up inner and outer walls, and even the corners of your doors and windows.
• Sinking floors is another sign of foundation settlement that you will notice in your home. Your walls and floors will begin to separate from one another as the settlement worsens.
• Sticking doors and windows will happen as well when settlement occurs. It will be hard to open your doors or windows, giving it a “stuck” feeling, which will get worse as settlement continues.

Tar Heel Basement Systems offers multiple home solutions to help stabilize and support your home from settlement.

• • Push piers are a Tar Heel support system that are designed to strengthen the integrity of your home. They are installed in the bedrock beneath your home. They are then attached to the footing of your home’s foundation to help target what part of the structure needs to be lifted.
  • Slab piers, designed for homes built on slabs of concrete, are a system installed past the bedrock and down deep into the earth. They are designed to support concrete your home is built on, and they help lift your home back to its original position and close any cracks.

• Helical piers are another system installed in the bedrock under your foundation, designed to support your home’s integrity through a process called, “underpinning.” These piers are screwed down into the bedrock and attached to your home’s foundation walls for support.

If you are noticing signs of settlement foundation throughout your home, don’t waste time. Call Tar Heel Basement Systems at (888) 333-1322 or CLICK HERE to fill out a form to have a free foundation inspection completed on your home by one of our Certified Field Inspectors. Save your home for the summer!

Learn About Causes, Signs, and Solutions

Rainy season here, and if your home has any foundation settlement problems, the rainy weather will be more harm to your home. Any water damage to your basement or home’s crawl space is not only bad for those parts of your home but is dangerous to the remainder of your home as well.

When heavy rains occur, it causes pressure to push against your foundation which will add to the existing problems, making them worse.

1. Soil settlement plays a role as well by allowing water to run to your home’s foundation when soil begins to downgrade(?). This water will also cause pressure to push against your home’s foundation, resulting in cracked or bowing walls.
2. Footing drains that become clogged with dirt and debris will also increase problems of water damage to your basement or crawl space. Footing drains are designed to steer water away from your home, and when these drains clog, it steers the water towards your foundation.
3. Hydrostatic pressure is another reason why your home may have settlement leading to water damage. This is caused by large amounts of water that gather near your foundation, pushing against it, causing bowing or cracking walls. Once walls begin to crack or bow, it becomes easy for water to enter through the cracks.

Wet basement signs

Efflorescence

There are signs you will notice in your basement or crawl space if your home is victim to water damage. You will see efflorescence on your walls, which is a chalky white substance caused when concrete meets water. You will see signs of condensation, such as water droplets or corroded rusty metals due to the high levels of humidity caused by water. You will also notice damp walls and leaky cove joints in your basement if your home has become victim to water damage.

Tar Heel Basement Systems does have a solution for your home’s basement and crawl spaces!

For homes with water damaged crawl spaces, the SafeDri Pro Sump Pump is designed to control and stop high water levels that are in your crawl space. The SafeDri Pro is designed with a cast iron and epoxy material to avoid corrosion.

For homes with water damaged basements, the SafeDri Pro X and Triple Sump Pumps will help keep your basement safe from water intrusion. Both of these sump pumps are designed with the same strong outer body as the SafeDri Pro, but one helpful feature is the battery alert system. This system will alert you when water levels become too high in your basement.

Your home is important. Don’t allow water to ruin your home. Call Tar Heel Basement Systems today at (888) 333-1322 or Click Here to fill out a form to have a free crawl space or basement inspection completed today! Be ready for spring rain!

Cracked Walls? Learn How We Repair Them

Foundation Problem Signs: Stair Shaped Wall Cracks

You expect the walls of your home to keep it standing, but what you don’t know is that it is what is underneath your home that is important. Unfortunately, if your home begins to experience foundation problems, the structural integrity of your home will be in danger.

A couple of the tell-tale signs of foundation problems are wall cracks and bowing walls. These can be seen in your walls both interior and exterior, in stair shape form. There are two common reasons why these cracks form: 1) hydrostatic pressure and 2) soil expansion.

Hydrostatic pressure is caused by water build-up putting pressure against your foundation, which causes cracking. Soil expansion happens from the change in seasons, and the different levels of moisture. Together, these will increase pressure against foundation walls.

The good news is that Tar Heel Basement Systems has multiple solutions for wall repair.

• The IntelliBrace Wall System will help stabilize your home’s foundation walls, plus continue to build the strength of the walls over time. A great feature of this solution is the structural steel the system is built with, and its durability which helps stabilize walls when there is little ability to stabilize them outside of the home.
• Wall Anchors help provide permanent stability for cracking and bowing walls. The idea behind the wall anchor system is that they provide solidity to the packed soil outside of the foundation of your home creating a point to brace the wall of your foundation. This will stop all movement against your foundation, and with time this system may help move your walls back to their original position.
• The last wall repair solution Tar Heel will provide is the Carbon Fiber Wall Systems. Our system is made up of carbon fiber mixed with industrial epoxy and provides constant stability for bowing foundation walls.

It is important to trust the walls of your home, but the first step is to make sure the foundation of your home is protected. Call Tar Heel Basement Systems (888) 333-1322 or CLICK HERE to fill out the form to schedule a free foundation inspection today.

How Snow Puts Your Foundation at Risk

The holidays are over! However, winter has not left us yet. As the cold weather continues to stay, the chances of snowfall are more likely to happen. Unfortunately, the beautiful white blankets of snow we all love can be harmful to your home’s foundation.

Summertime weather causes soil to dry out, crack, and cause settlement problems for your home. As the weather changes into winter seasons, your soil is still in danger of drying out. Due to the colder air in the winter time, the moisture in your soil begins to disappear causing it to dry and crack.

Melted snow, ice, and frost will enter the cracks surrounding your foundation, applying pressure against your home, and cause foundation settlement problems.

When these cracks exist, and snow, frost, or ice begin to melt, they will seep into those cracks heading towards your foundation. This water will create pressure against the foundation causing settlement problems. Signs of settlement will be visible in your home. Doors and windows may be sticking or hard to open, your floors will sink, and there will be cracks in your outdoor and indoor walls.

Another problem which can occur is the melted snow refreezing in the cracks caused by the dry soil. If this happens, the frozen water will cause the cracks to grow and create worse settlement problems.

The melted snow, frost, and ice are also likely to cause water damage to your home’s crawl space or basement once they seep into those cracks. Water damage to crawl spaces and basements can cause major damage to your home, which can be expensive to fix.

Don’t let a beautiful blanket of snow be the reason your foundation problems happen. Call Tar Heel Basement Systems at (888) 333-1322 or click HERE to fill out a form. We’ll provide you with a free foundation inspection!

Winter is here! Warm fireplaces, holiday gatherings, and beautiful decorations are what the winter season brings; however, it can also bring foundational damage to your home. The last thing you want on your mind is if your home is safe during the holiday season.

When the weather becomes colder, the air becomes drier. This dry air causes the water and moisture in the soil around your home to disappear. When that soil doesn’t have moisture or water in it anymore, it begins to shrink, ultimately causing settlement for your foundation.

The type of your home you have depends on what kind of foundational problem signs you will see within your home.

-Slab foundation home types show signs in your home’s floors and interior walls. Cracks will form in the floors of your home, and as the settlement grows, those cracks will begin to grow and become dangerous for your family. Your interior walls will also show signs of cracking, along with pulling apart from one another, and separating from your ceiling. Just as your floors, when the settlement gets worse, so will your cracks.

-Homes that have basements will see signs of foundation settlement in their doors and windows, and their interior and exterior walls. Doors and windows will begin to stick to their frames, making it hard for household members to open and close them. Outside and inside your home, cracks will appear in a stair step pattern up through your walls. Once again, as the settlement worsens, so will those cracks.

Dry air is not the only problem that the winter season brings for your home, but snow and frost bring problems as well. Once the dry air has shrunk your soil causing cracks and open spaces, the melting snow and frost will be able to enter these cracks straight to your foundation and home. Water and moisture damage in your home’s basement or crawl space can cause more problems for your home.

Winter brings much joy and happiness, but much stress as the holidays approach. One thing you do not want to stress about is the structural integrity of your home as your family is celebrating the holidays inside it. Call Tar Heel Basement Systems today at 00000000 or click here to fill out a form to schedule a free foundation inspection today. We want your home safe and your holidays to be stress free!

Did you know that 50% of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home could be coming from your crawl space? Having a crawl space dehumidifier is a great way to help improve the air quality within your home. Here are some of the benefits of having a dehumidifier in the crawl space of your home.

Benefits:

Structural Integrity

A crawl space without a dehumidifier will experience higher humidity, which creates moisture and wet wood. Wet wood begins to rot, weakens, and jeopardizes the stability of your home’s foundation. Additionally, a wet crawl space is a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Pest Control

Moisture in your crawl space will attract unwanted pests, such as dust mites, rodents, and bugs. Having a dehumidifier in your crawl space will control the humidity which will help keep unwanted pests out of your home’s crawl space.

Energy Savings

A crawl space dehumidifier can help lessen the cost of energy bills for your home. A dehumidifier will create a controlled environment within your home’s crawl space, allowing you to keep your home at the desired temperature. This will ultimately help save money on energy bills.

Healthier Living Space

High humidity in your home can create an uncomfortable environment for your family. It will become hot and sticky, causing you to want to adjust your thermostat. When a dehumidifier is installed in your home’s crawl space, it will help control and potentially lessen the amount of humidity in your home.

If you want to make sure that your home is protected from moisture and humidity in its crawl space, call 888-333-1322 or click here to schedule a free inspection!

Basement Foundation Repair

When a basement settles, the soil around and under the foundation becomes loose. Ultimately, the weak foundation cannot support the weight of the home and creates problems which are present throughout the home but begin in the basement. Basement foundation repair solutions often begin with signs such as cracking drywall, flooding, mold growth, and musty basement odors.

If your home is showing any of the signs below, call a professional to learn more about the basement foundation repair steps you can take.

Sinking Basement Floors

Soil settles because it is not tightly compacted like untouched soil. Furthermore, resulting in the failure to support the weight of the home. When a foundation cannot support the weight, basement floors will start to sink, and cracks in drywall, bricks, and garage columns will appear.

Bowing Basement Walls

When soil settles, water will gather around the foundation of a home without a way out. This gathered water will begin to exert large amounts of pressure against the walls of a basement, resulting in bowing or tilting basement walls. Cracks will soon begin to appear in the basement walls, allowing water to enter the basement.

Wall and Floor Cracks

Bowing basement walls and sinking basement floors will create cracks throughout a home, giving an easy route for water to enter a basement. Wall and floor cracks are serious signs of foundation damage in a home, and leaving these cracks unattended will only cause greater problems in the long run.

Mold and Mildew

Water and humidity in a basement create mold growth and nasty mildew smelling odors in a basement. About half of the air a homeowner breathes in their home is from the basement, and the air coming from the basement infected with mold and mildew will affect a homeowner’s health. This process of air traveling from the basement and into a home’s living space is known as the stack effect. There are basement foundation repair solutions that will keep a basement dry and a homeowner’s health protected.

Basement foundation problems are a common issue for homeowners because all soil settles. Tar Heel Basement Systems has the ability to provide homeowners with various basement foundation repair solutions to basements healthy and safe!

If you believe your home has any of these basement foundation problems, then call 888-333-1322 to schedule your free inspection! The first step to providing your home with a basement foundation repair solution!