Ohio Basement Waterproofing Information

February 21, 2023February 21, 2023 by admin

Time to Call Pioneer Basement Solutions?

A leaky basement can be a common problem for many homeowners, but it’s essential to recognize when a basement leak is severe enough to require professional help. A wet basement can cause significant damage to the foundation and structure of the home, leading to costly repairs and potential safety hazards. Here are some signs that indicate you may need to call a professional waterproofer for your basement.

The first and most obvious sign is the presence of water in the basement. Water can seep through cracks in the walls and floors, making it difficult to determine the source of the leak. Water may also come from the ground, which can be a sign of poor drainage around the foundation. If you notice water in your basement, it’s important to act quickly and call a professional waterproofer to assess the problem.

Another sign that indicates a significant basement leak is the presence of mold or mildew. These growths thrive in damp, dark environments and can cause serious health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and infections. If you notice mold or mildew growing in your basement, it’s crucial to call a professional waterproofer to eliminate the source of the moisture and prevent it from returning.

A musty smell is also a sign that your basement has a significant water problem. The smell is caused by the growth of mold and mildew and indicates high humidity levels in the basement. A professional waterproofer can identify the source of the problem and provide solutions to reduce humidity levels and eliminate the smell.

Cracks in the foundation and walls of the basement can also indicate a significant water problem. Water can seep through these cracks, leading to serious structural damage and potentially causing the foundation to weaken. A professional waterproofer can identify the cause of the cracks and provide a solution that prevents water from entering and further damaging the foundation.

Remember a leaky basement can be a severe problem that requires professional help. Signs such as water, mold, and musty smells are indications that your basement has a significant water problem. Cracks in the foundation and walls can also indicate serious damage. It’s crucial to call a professional waterproofer as soon as possible to assess the situation and provide solutions to prevent further damage to the foundation and structure of your home. By acting quickly and calling in a professional waterproofer, you can prevent costly repairs and ensure the safety of your home and family.

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 by admin

Foundation Repair in Ohio

There are several reasons why you should fix your house foundation in Ohio:

To maintain the structural integrity of your home: A foundation is the foundation of your home, and if it is not in good repair, it can compromise the structural integrity of the entire building.
To prevent costly repairs: Ignoring foundation problems can lead to more extensive and costly repairs down the line. It is much more cost-effective to fix foundation problems as soon as they are discovered.
To preserve the value of your home: A home with a damaged foundation can be difficult to sell, as buyers are often wary of purchasing a home that may have significant underlying problems. Fixing your foundation can help preserve the value of your home.
To improve energy efficiency: A foundation that is not in good repair can allow drafts and leaks, which can lead to higher energy bills. Fixing your foundation can help improve energy efficiency and lower your energy costs.
To ensure the safety of your home: A damaged foundation can lead to safety hazards such as uneven floors, cracking walls, and doors and windows that are difficult to open and close. Fixing your foundation can help ensure the safety of your home.

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January 24, 2022 by Ron Lee

Basement foundation repair and replacement

Pioneer Basement Solutions is a basement foundation repair and replacement contractor offering permanent solutions with lifetime guarantees. There is help if you have a bowing, cracking, and or deteriorating foundation. Our inspectors will start with identifying the cause of your foundation problem. We will explain how your basement got to it’s current state and review your foundation repair options.

There are several different types of structural basement foundation problems. Here are a the most common:

Bowing basement walls

Bowing basement walls are a result of a weakened foundation that becomes susceptible to soil pressure. When water gets into the foundation it will cause deterioration or weakening of the mortar joints. This compromised foundation will crack when soils expand and deflect inward. Sometimes this is due to poor construction methods. Block walls that were not reinforced during construction are not strong enough to resist soil pressure.

Settling foundation

Settling foundations are a result of poor soil conditions underneath the foundation. Sometimes this soil condition is caused by poor drainage. Sometimes poor soil conditions existed from the beginning of construction and the result is gradual settlement over time.

Shifting basement walls

Shifting basement walls are a result of a weakened foundation that becomes susceptible to soil pressure. Weak mortar joints can become loose from the blocks and result in a shifting basement wall. This happens because of increasing soil pressure against weak mortar joints.

Which basement foundation repair and replacement method is best?

Contact us today for a free evaluation of you basement foundation repair and replacement needs. Our experienced inspectors will get to the point and give you the answers you need. They will start with identifying the cause of your problem, then review the repair options, and finally leave you with a quote. We offer carbon fiber reinforcement, steel I Beam reinforcement, foundation Piering, and foundation replacement.

We never ask for a commitment on our first visit, no sales games or pressure tactics. Check out our online reviews to see what our customer say about us. Contact us today for a visit

We look forward to helping with your basement foundation repair and replacement needs!

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January 31, 2021 by admin

Winter Foundation Cracking

The weather can be very unpredictable in Ohio. January can have freezing ice and snow, or a warm spell can mean rain and a lot of water leaking into your basement. The freezing and then flooding can really cause cracks in a foundation to get much worse.

For the United States, unpredictable weather is not uncommon. Northeast Ohio homeowners experience many weather changes throughout the year. From freezing temperatures to torrential rains, the region can experience all the high and lows of weather changes.

As a homeowner, the unpredictability of the seasons can be enjoyable if your house is a new construction or a fairly new house. For the older home, where the foundation sealant has all but disappear, and the contraction and expansion of the soil have made crevices along the foundation, torrential rains do not have the same level of enjoyment.

Many families around the country have woken up to a flooded basement. The water level is dangerous, and the fear of electrocution is very real. How did this happen? They ask. The reasons can be numerous.

Drainage problems
Spouting and gutter problems
Lack of a foundation sealant
Bursting pipes
Unleveled drainage

A torrential rain can become a problem right away if your gutters and spouting are damaged. A pool of water can sit by the foundation in a manner of minutes and eventually find its way to the basement of your home.

What are some of the things you need to do in case of water seeping to the basement?

If there is a damaged gutter, you need to replace it right away, and you need to make sure the water flow is uninterrupted. If there are missing spouts, replace them, making sure the water drainage is at least ten feet away from the foundation of the home. Cleaning the gutters once a year should be enough to maintain them clean of leaves, twigs or other debris.
Many houses have great drainage. The front and backyard slopes take the majority of rain water away from the foundation. If you have issues with water sitting around the foundation of the home, leveling and creating a slope can be done to fix the problem.
A damaged pipe leaking slowly in the basement or from any other part of the home can cause tremendous damage quickly. If you have a leaky faucet in the kitchen or bathroom, you can be sure the water is going down to the basement and causing damage.
Flower beds that trap water around the foundation are a common occurrence with horrible consequences. Leveling the flower beds and allowing the water to flow away from the foundation is not a difficult chore for homeowners to do.
Testing the sump pump to make sure it’s working properly should be done yearly. Is the battery back up in working order? Have you tested it to make sure it is? The tests you can do are simple and quick. The damage done to the basement is costly and can take time to repair and replace.

The extra living space a nice waterproof basement can give you and your family are endless. If you are thinking about finishing the basement for a home office, a playroom for the kids, or a nice family room, waterproofing the basement and then finishing it can give you those rooms to enjoy for many years to come.

At Pioneer Basement Solutions, we have an experienced team to waterproof the basement of your home. We can provide you with a hassle-free consultation and quote. With an A+ accreditation at the BBB and a long history in the community, we are the team to call for all you basement waterproofing needs.

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May 9, 2020May 10, 2020 by Ron Lee

Basement Wall Repair

How do you know what the best basement wall repair is for your basement? There are several types of foundation repair methods available and each is designed to solve a specific issue. There are basement walls that are tipping in at the top and basement walls that are bowing in along a horizontal crack. Then there are foundations that are crumbling or have severe mortar rot. Some basements have settling issues which result in vertical cracks in basement walls or stair step cracking in the walls. And then there are basement walls that have a sheer break in them resulting in the wall sliding inwards along the break.

Danger: Basement foundation problems can be dangerous. Please call 1 (330) 454-8066 to schedule an inspection by a basement professional.

Interviewing foundation repair companies can add to the confusion because you may get differing proposals. The reason this may happen is due to the numerous foundation repair companies that hire and train salespeople to sell a specific product or method. Foundation repair contractors that are part of a national chain or franchise will only propose (quote) the solutions they have contractual agreements to sell. These contractors often present many solutions and go through a sales process to bring you to a conclusion that the one product they install is the one you need. So look for locally owned and operated foundation repair contractors who can not only offer different solutions but also install any of them when you need basement wall repair.

bowing basement wall needing basement wall repair

Bowing basement walls

Basement wall shifting off base / sheering

Basement wall collapse

Basement wall with mortar rotting and block decaying

As a rule of thumb, basement walls that are bowing in can be reinforced to prevent further movement. Note: up to 2″ of inward bowing or less is required, anything beyond that and your wall is no longer structurally sound and should be replaced. Some basement walls can be straightened, but only if there are open cracks that have never been filled in. Continuing the thought of straightening bowing basement walls, to do it properly you must excavate the soil away on the outside first to relieve the pressure allowing the wall to go back to its best position. Walls that have the cracks caulked or filled in will not straighten up. The filler binds the joint and prevents the crack that opened from closing back up which is what straightening the wall is actually doing.

Back to reinforcing bowing basement walls. Steel I beams as a basement wall repair method can be used. Steel I beams are to be buried below the floor and cemented in at the bottom and properly attached to the wood structure above. In this scenario the floor below and the wood structure above are actually holding the I beam in place. Steel beams are straight so they only touch the wall where it is bowed out. The gaps at top and bottom between the wall and beam should be filled in to prevent the wall from shifting behind the beam. Downsides are steel beams are unsightly, can rust, and still can flex. Also if the soil conditions outside push on the wall it can cause the beam to put pressure on the wood structure causing it to shift or twist.

The latest basement wall repair method for bowing basement walls is carbon fiber mesh “straps” which are embedded into the face of your foundation walls. And the latest of those are made by Fortress Stabilization who has developed a system made of both carbon fiber and Kevlar meshed together giving them the ultimate in tensile and shear strength. These straps are smooth to the wall and paintable making them barely noticeable. Carbon fiber / Kevlar mesh straps are embedded into the face of the wall with a two part epoxy becoming part of the structure. How this method works is that the straps are inflexible / do not stretch so they create tension on the wall preventing movement. Soil pressure outside is diffused and the wall is permanently stabilized.

If your basement wall has a sheer, meaning a row of block has slid inward off of the row below it a half inch or more, it needs to be replaced. Some basement walls with a sheer less than a half inch can be stabilized with steel beams to prevent further movement but for the most part this is an indication of severe drainage problems resulting in water build up at the bottom of the basement wall outside. This build up results in the foundation and or mortar rotting out, becoming weak, and resulting in the shift. Often times this results in dirt and/or mud coming into the basement through the broken areas.

Tipping basement walls are a result of them not being well attached to the structure above during construction. This is a wall that is straight from bottom to top but leaning inward at the top. This is different from bowing as you will not see a horizontal crack that is opened up. Fixing tipping basement walls involves first removing the soil outside to relieve pressure. Then a system of steel beams and screws / jacks are used to slowly push the wall back into its best possible position. The steel beams can be left in place to hold the wall from further movement or other methods can be used to secure the structure above to the foundation to prevent movement.

Obviously if you have a collapsed basement wall, it would need full replacement, enough said.

Crumbling and rotting foundations occur due to the original waterproofing seal failing, allowing water into the basement wall. In many cases, if this is caught early enough the wall can be excavated, repaired, reinforced, waterproofed, and ultimately saved. The cost of going through all of that may be getting very close to replacing the basement wall and some walls with rot and decay should simply be replaced.

Settling foundations are those that are sinking into poor soil conditions. Signs of a sinking foundation include stair-step cracks, vertical cracks, and issues in the living space above such as cracked walls, ceilings, and doors that do not close properly. To stop a settling foundation it requires installing reinforcement below the foundation installed into a solid substrate. This method is often called underpinning or piering. We favor the Stabil-Loc Foundation Piering System. Its patent-pending load-bearing design installs directly under the wall being lifted. Its unique interlocking high strength steel construction can support up to 300,000 lbs. There are no bolts, no brackets, no breaking the footing, and no off-set loads. This pier carries an Engineer Certified safety factor of more than 10 to 1.

Contact Pioneer today to schedule a no-pressure visit to evaluate your foundation and the basement wall repair methods available.

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April 22, 2020February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Basement leaks where the wall meets the floor

If your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor you could have a few issues.

Roof water is the number one enemy of your basement. Check your gutters and downspout to be sure they are working properly. If water is cascading off of your gutters near your foundation it can overwhelm your basement drainage system.

Many people try adding dirt to the side of the foundation to stop basement leaks where the wall meets the floor. Often times that does not stop the leak. Fixing the dirt along your foundation may help surface water issues or damp wall issues. If your foundation walls are dry but you are leaking onto the floor the grade outside is not likely the issue.

Seepage at the base of the walls and or through floor cracks…

Ground water can enter your basement through the seam where the walls meet the floor and up through cracks or weak points in the floor. These are signs the original foundation drainage has failed and or there is water building up under the floor.

A buildup of water around your foundation due to failing drainage causes water pressure commonly referred to as hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is what pushes the water through the weakest points which is usually the seam where the wall meets the floor.

Failing foundation drainage occurs when the original drains collapse or fill with soil and or roots. Foundation drains can also clog around the outside so that no water can enter the pipe. Improperly or inefficiently installed foundation drainage can also cause water to build up and create pressure resulting in basement leaks where the wall meet the floor.

How to stop leak at wall and floor seam

There are two ways to dry up your basement. Either way it involves installing new foundation drainage. The new drains are either installed outside or inside. Interior basement waterproofing systems are installed under the basement floor to relieve “hydrostatic pressure”. This is water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation when water has no where to go. Many homeowners have mixed feelings on whether waterproofing a basement from the inside actually fixes the problem. After all, water comes from outside, right? True, but it is not always possible to fix basement water seepage from the outside. If your basement has water under the floor, interior basement waterproofing may be the only fix. Without interior drains, water gets trapped under the floor. This is because your foundation separates the inside from the outside.

Exterior basement waterproofing may be overkill for some basement leaks. If you have wet basement walls up high or at ground level, and/or signs of water running down basement walls, exterior basement waterproofing may be the best solution. The original seal on the exterior of your foundation deteriorates over time resulting in chronic paint bubbling, wet basement walls or chronically damp basement walls. If you see these symptoms you should consider exterior basement waterproofing.

Get a few professional evaluations

Getting estimates for basement waterproofing can be frustrating. Many customers tell us they have three estimates and three different solutions. The issue is most basement waterproofing contractors only offer one method. Naturally the one size fits all contractors will be certain their option is best for your basement. Never the less it is valuable to be educated and explore your options if your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor.

Pioneer offers all solutions. We start with identifying the cause of your problem. We will then review the solutions and the costs.

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Home Advisor Screened and Approved

Call today at 330-454-8066 and your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor will be a thing of the past

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February 16, 2020March 2, 2020 by admin

To Do Before Basement Finishing

Many people ask us about what they need to do before basement finishing. Many homes in Ohio are older and have old basements. Finishing the basement can add a lot of livable space to your home. There are a lot of things to consider before basement finishing whether you are going to DIY or hire a professional.

1) Bring in a basement waterproofing company to do an inspection. If you have slight leaks or cracks that could get worse, they could quickly ruin your basement refinishing effort. Always start with an inspection of your foundation walls and flooring.

2) Have the electrical inspected. If you are going to be finishing walls that are currently not finished, now is the time to replace or add any wiring that might need work. It is much easier to do before you finish the basement.

3) Check beams for insect or water damage before basement finishing. You do not want to cover up support beams that might have termite or other types of damage. This kind of damage can weaken the core support of your home and be a serious safety issue.

4) Inspect the entire foundation for cracks, holes or ways that animals, water or dirt can get in. Have these things fixed before you cover the area up. A bee’s nest in the wall is not a welcome find.

5) Clean and fumigate the entire space before basement finishing. Make sure it is dirt, mold and bug free before you begin your project. Mold or mildew growing behind your new walls is going to make the newly refinished basement musty and moldy again if you do not solve these issues.

6) Choose materials wisely. Carpet is most likely not a great choice in the basement. Instead, a tile floor and an area carpet is safer and can be a very similar environment.

7) Replace bowed basement walls before basement finishing. If your walls are bowing, usually due to water issues, you need the walls replaced and supported better. Covering them with a frame and drywall will not stop the basement wall from collapsing. This can be a very serious risk to your home and safety.

Pioneer is an award winning company with over 40 years in the basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry. Check out reviews by clicking on the logos below

Many basements in Ohio can be refinished to be beautiful extensions of a home. However, make sure you go through our checklist of things to consider and inspect before basement finishing.

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January 21, 2020 by admin

Is Your Basement Dangerous?

Depending on where you live in the US, your home may or may not have a basement. This below ground area under homes is very convenient for storage and as a place to work on things or do laundry. It can also be finished into a beautiful extension of the home, often having a home theater or rec room.

Basements are more common in the Northern portions of the United States. We have been in thousands of basements in Northeast Ohio and have seen some great ones, as well as some that are very dangerous to the people living in the home. If you are in an older home, or even a newer home that might have leaks or dampness, then you could be exposed to risks and dangers in your basement that can be fixed. Here are some of the common issues.

Rotting Beams – When you have moisture in your basement, it can lead to warping of wood beams and walls. It can even lead to rotting wood over time if the wood is getting damp enough. While in the short term this is not an issue, over a longer period of time, it can cause significant danger to the structure of the home.

Black Mold – Any mold and mildew is not pleasant and can damage your belongings. Black mold is actually toxic to humans and is dangerous for a family living in a home with it. Sometimes it is out in the open, and other times it can be behind walls or in ceilings when things are damp. If you are not sure about mold or mildew, call a specialist to take a look. Basement waterproofing companies can assess the risk but they might not be experts on different types of risks. Always work with someone who has a lot of experience.

Insects – Insects attract other insects. Keeping your basement dry and clean will minimize the insects in your home. The last thing you want is carpenter ants eating your support beams or brown recluse spiders nesting in your walls. Reducing these risks begins with reducing the moisture and food sources for these pests, and call an exterminator if you see insects in any significant number.

Flooding – If your basement floods, there are all kinds of dangers. You can have electrical shorts. You can have damage to walls and belongings. You can have moisture that will keep things damp, making rot, softness, insects and mold all more common. The best way to not have this kind of issue it to take care of small leads before they cause a floor.

Foundation Collapsing – Bowing basement walls is a major danger. At any time, a wall that is bowing or damaged can simply collapse. Since the basement walls support the house, this puts the whole house at risk and is dangerous to be around for anyone. If you have bowing basement walls, call a basement waterproofing company that also does foundation repair right away.

Pioneer Basement Solutions is a NE Ohio basement waterproofing company with over 40 years of experience waterproofing basements and repairing home foundations. If you have any water or foundation problems with your Ohio basement, give us a call today and we will get it inspected.

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December 2, 2019May 8, 2020 by admin

Basement Waterproofing in Suffield Ohio

Around Ohio, there are many old residential homes that, eventually, will start to have leaks and foundation issues. A damp basement is most noticeable during the rainier seasons, but it is a serious concern year-round.

A lot of family homes in Suffield, Ohio should have their basement carefully looked at and made waterproof because they are over 10 years old. Even newer family homes can occasionally have basement issues if the foundation was not laid properly or the house has moved.

If you have a Suffield home with basement problems, call Pioneer Basement Solutions at (888) 420-9900 right away and schedule an appointment. Frequently, you can get your basement waterproofed or have the house foundation repaired quickly and your basement will be more safe and pleasant.

Basement Issues To Watch For The house can have increased mold spores that can harm your heath and your family’s health. This can even make allergies worse. The danger could be something as serious as black mold, which is a serious danger, or less serious like basic mold and mildew, which is still not good to be around and can stain things you keep in the basement. If left unaddressed, minor basement leaks can turn into major waterproofing issue or eventually cause an issue with the foundation of the home bowing or becoming a bigger project. Get the leak looked at quickly.

Unexpected larger flooding after there is severe weather might cause water damage to belongings kept in your basement. Frequently it is stuff like board games, photo albums, tax records or expensive furniture that are kept in your basement safely as you assumed you did not have a leak in the basement and you felt it was safe.

You are not the first one. Even a small leak can get worse and you might not know it until it is too late.

Ohio Homes Will Need Waterproofing

Suffield basement waterproofing is important to consider because the Ohio houses in most communities are frequently older and need to have professional basement waterproofing specialists inspect your basement to verify there are not issues that could need to be repaired, and to let you know what could be done to repair any leaks or mustiness. Suffield, Ohio is located in Portage County, Ohio and was founded in 1836, which means there are many old homes around the area and there is no doubt more than a few basements leaking badly. The city is near Mogadore and Randolph and Pioneer provides Mogadore, Ohio and Randolph, Ohio waterproofing services also.

Who Can Help?

If you own a home with basement waterproofing concerns in Suffield township Ohio, contact us by calling 1 (888) 420-9900 and set up a good time for Pioneer Basement Solutions to come inspect your basement. Pioneer has over 40 years of waterproofing experience in Ohio.

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November 12, 2019 by admin

Copley, Ohio Basement Waterproofing Company

In the state of Ohio, there are a lot of older homes that, at some point, begin to have water leaks or foundation issues.

A wet, leaky basement will often appear at the beginning of the wet seasons, but is a major issue year-round.

Many family homes in Copley, Ohio should have their basement and foundation carefully looked at and fully waterproofed when it is over twenty years old. Even less old houses can occasionally have issues if the foundation was not laid properly or the home has settled. If you own a home in Copley with water in the basement, contact Pioneer Basement Solutions at 1 (888) 420-9900 while you are thinking about it and schedule an appointment.

Usually, you can get a basement waterproofed or get the basement foundation repaired fairly fast and your house will be more clean and pleasant. There are many problems you can experience if you do not have a flooding basement waterproofed.

You can have increased mold and mildew that might degrade the health of your family. This can sometimes make allergies flair up. The issue could be something as concerning as black mold, or less serious like everyday mildew or mold, which is not good to breath and can stain items you might have boxed up in the basement.

If left unaddressed, small basement leaks can grow into major waterproofing issue or even cause a bigger issue with the foun

dation of the house bowing and becoming dangerous. Have the leak inspected by a professional. Surprise wet basement floors the next time there is severe weather can also get wet and ruin belongings in your basement. This could be valuable things including antiques, family photos, important documents or cherished furniture that are kept in the basement because there was not a any basement issues and you assumed the basement was the best place to put things you did not need at the moment. This can happen to anyone but with some prevention it will not happen to you. Even a small water issue can become worse and you might not know it until it is too late.

Ohio Basements Eventually Need Waterproofing

Copley basement waterproofing is an important thing to pay attention to, considering Ohio residential homes throughout the state are frequently older and need to have professional basement waterproofing specialists inspect the basements to verify there are not problems which might need to be repaired, and to let you know what can be done to repair any water problems or mildew.

Copley, Ohio is is part of Summit County, Ohio and was founded in 1819, which means there are quit a few aging homes in the area and there are certainly more than a few basements needing waterproofing. Copley is around Fairlawn and Medina and Pioneer provides Fairlawn and Medina waterproofing services as well. If you own a home with basement waterproofing issues in Copley Ohio, give us a call at (888) 420-9900 and arrange the best time and date for Pioneer Basement Solutions to come out and have their experts inspect your basement.

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