The best way to waterproof a basement

The best way to waterproof a basement

Ever wonder what is the best way to waterproof a basement?  If you have googled the question you have seen many DIY products.  You also certainly have seen several ads from basement waterproofing contractors.  It can be a daunting task to identify the best solution for your specific issue.

The answer to the question of the best way to waterproof a basement depends on the specific problem.  There are two components to an original basement waterproofing system.  The builder would have sealed the foundation wall and installed foundation drains during construction.  Therefore all dampness or seepage issue are related to a failure of the original waterproofing system.

The best way to waterproof a basement  Do you have wet basement walls?  Wet basement walls indicate seal failure.  Paint failure and mold on basement walls are also indicators of seal failure.  Because the original coating applied to the foundation eventually erodes away, all basement walls eventually need to be resealed from the outside.

Do you have dry basement walls but water on the floor?  This is an indication of drain failure.  Often times the bottom row of block may get wet with drain failure as well.  These foundation drains are referred to as footer drains because they are installed next to the footer.  The footer is like a cement sidewalk that is installed first.   The foundation blocks are then stacked on top of the footer.  The footer drains collect ground water and moves it away from the footer.

Can you waterproof from the inside?

First identify what type of problem you have and then look for a solution that directly addresses that problem.  The best way to waterproof a basement that has water coming up from the floor may be an interior solution.  Interior basement waterproofing consists of installing interior footer drains.  These drains collect and move the water to a sump pump.  The water that is collected is then pumped up and away from the foundation.

You can achieve a dry basement from the inside even if walls are wet.  Installing full wall waterproof panels keeps the water and dampness out of your basement.

Exterior basement waterproofing

Exterior basement waterproofing is often the best solution.  Installing exterior waterproofing stops the water from getting to your foundation from the outside.  This method involves restoring the seal on your foundation with sealers and a membrane to keep the foundation permanently dry.  New footer drains keep ground water from building up and leaking into your basement.

Either method will result in a dry basement, they just work differently.  Interior systems are often referred to as “pressure relief” systems.  Because theses systems do not keep water out of the foundation from the outside they are not true waterproofing systems.

How to find a good contractor

Check out referral sites. You may have a neighborhood site or forum.  Angie’s List and Home Advisor are great resources. 

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved


You can read verified reviews on Home Advisor and Angie’s List.  Ask friends and relatives if they have experience with and waterproofing contractors.  The BBB is a good place to see data on companies like when they opened for business and if there are any complaints against them.  Keep in mind that the BBB gives all contractors A or A+ as long as they abide by the protocols, even after a history of multiple complaints.

Contact Pioneer today for  free consultation

exterior basement waterproofing or interior basement waterproofing?

Wet Basement? What is the Cause and Best Solution?

Wet Basement? What is the Cause and Best Solution?

Ever wonder what causes a wet basement or what the best solution is? Having a wet basement and trying to figure out the best solution can be quite stressful to a homeowner.  First of all, lets discuss what causes a wet basement.  To put it simply, there are two sources of basement seepage; ground water and surface water.  How can you tell the difference between the two?

Some basements may have wet walls, which includes moisture on more than just the bottom row of block.  This is an indication of water getting into the foundation from surface water activity.  The best way to dry out the basement in this case is to restore the waterproofing seal on the outside of the basement walls by installing an exterior basement waterproofing system.

fixing a wet basement

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

On the other hand, if your basement walls are dry but there is seepage where the floor and wall meet, it is most likely a ground water problem under the foundation.  You may notice heaved floor cracks or discoloration in the cement.  When ground water builds up under a basement floor, the best way to fix a wet basement in this case is with interior sub floor footer drains.  This allows diversion of the water before it builds up to floor level.

Fixing a wet basement

Interior Basement Waterproofing

How Can You Find the Right Contractor?

Look for a basement waterproofing contractor that offers all methods of basement waterproofing.  Beware of companies that tell you that there is only one way to fix a wet basement.  They may claim to be a full service waterproofing company, yet they only offer their “patented system” and tell you that this is the best and only option.  Many of these companies claim to be full service.  They train their sales force to review the options they don’t actually install in a way that would cause you to say you do not want them, such as exaggerating the cost or minimizing the benefits.

There is no “one size fits all” solution that works for everyone.  Each type of basement waterproofing system works differently so it is important to know what the cause of your issue is.

Call Pioneer Basement Solutions for a zero-obligation quote and basement evaluation.  We can offer a no-nonsense solution to fix your wet basement.  We do not use pushy sales techniques nor try to use scare tactics in order to intimidate homeowners.  Contact us today and learn more about fixing your wet basement permanently and correctly!

Angie's List Super Service Award

Basement Waterproofing Company Reviews, What To Look For

Basement Waterproofing Company Reviews, What To Look For

Searching for basement waterproofing company reviews may not result in a clear picture. So how do you know which basement waterproofing companies will be a good fit for your basement problems?  As in any business there are different models out there.  There is the sales and marketing organization that offers a product or service, usually “unique to only them”.  There is the one trick pony that touts “there is only one way to fix a problem”.  There is the cafeteria style offering many options to choose from.  Then of course there are variations in size and age: working out of the home to national franchise and newbie to decades old.

The sales and marketing organization basement waterproofing company usually trains a team of sales people (we’re skipping the marketing team that gets the sales person in your door for sake of this conversation) on just enough of a few things to be convincing when selling their unique system.  Funny thing is, every customer they meet is a perfect fit for their unique system.  So they sell that system to every customer regardless of the need.  And there is the agreement the company had to sign on a corporate level to sell that system…and only that system to every customer.  If you hear “franchise” or “national” you know you are dealing with this type of company.

The one trick pony basement waterproofing company is similar in nature to the sales and marketing organization in that they sell the same thing to every customer they meet.  After all, there is only one way to really fix the problem…right?  Why then do you get different opinions from each company?  Confusing to most people without construction knowledge.  The truth is there are different types/ sources of basement water seepage and they require different solutions.

So if you have wet basement walls, the outside solution will stop water from entering the foundation.  But the interior system company says that by draining all the water from the bottom that will dry out the foundation…problem, solved a lot cheaper and easier.  But the water is still going through your foundation to get to the drain.

If you have ground water under your floor, installing drainage under your floor will stop the water from ever building up again.  But sealing the walls on the outside is the “right way to fix it” according to some.  Problem is new drains on the outside of the foundation will not get the water building up under the basement floor and no company will guarantee it will.

The cafeteria style basement waterproofing company will offer exterior only, interior only, combinations of both etc…  BUT BEWARE there are companies in the other categories that want to look like a cafeteria style so they walk you through the different solutions in a way that manipulates you to believe their “system” is the best one.  Common sense tells most homeowners if they have wet basement walls the best way fix that is to stop the seepage on the outside.  But they also have areas where water is seeping in at the floor level that is behind a garage or front porch, enclosed patio and you are not going to tear those out!  this is where combining solutions makes sense.  Or maybe all walls are dry and the original seal to the foundation does not need to be redone.  or maybe there is evidence of water under the basement floor.

So when looking through basement waterproofing company reviews you will undoubtedly look for reports like Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, The Attorney General etc…  What you want to look for is actual complaint records.  Organizations that give a letter grade A through F have criteria for those grades that might not align with your criteria.  For example, a basement waterproofing company may have an A+ with the Better Business Bureau but have over 30 complaints.  There is no excuse for a pattern of complaints whether there are 5 or 30.  Read the complaints for a good idea on how companies respond.

You will be able to find basement waterproofing with not only no complaints but positive reviews as well.  You will have to dig to get to them though but the search is worth the effort to get a reputable company that will solve your basement leaking, and have a record of standing behind their work.

Call Pioneer Basement Solutions for a free evaluation and project quote.  Pioneer is a “cafeteria style” basement waterproofing company offering all solutions and combinations.  And we use employee labor, we do not work out of the home and are not held to any restricting contract from a franchise or national agreement.  Since 1979 Pioneer has a record of perfect customer service. 

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

water under basement floor

Water under basement floor best fixed from inside

 

exterior basement waterproofing

Wet basement wall best fixed from the outside

Hope this article helped you with basement waterproofing company reviews, what to look for

basement waterproofing systems

Frustrated by Comparing Basement Waterproofing Systems

Frustrated by Comparing Basement Waterproofing Systems

frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systemsMany customers tell me they are confused that they hear different recommendations from different basement waterproofing contractors and frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems. The frustration is that they feel if they interview three contractors they should have similar recommendations.  The problem is they don’t.  Each contractor can potentially suggest a different solution.  That can be very confusing for a homeowner who isn’t familiar with the different basement waterproofing systems and how they function.

What can cause you to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems is most basement waterproofing contractors are set up to “sell a system”.  They have a solution they like to promote, easy to train the field labor to install the same thing over and over.  And it is easy to train salespeople how to sell that system.  Or maybe you get a contractor that has a personal preference and they simply only want to do the one solution.

Let’s first discuss the contractor who simply has a preference for one solution.  Obviously they want to have work to do so every customer they visit gets a very convincing story of why their solution is the one for them.  For example, basement waterproofing contractors who only do exterior basement waterproofing tell their prospective clients that it is the only way to fix the problem “the right way”.  It make sense that restoring the original basement waterproofing system would solve the problem.  In a lot of cases that is true.  But depending on the problem it may not be necessary. (Hang with me and we’ll look at how to diagnose your problem and point to the best fix for your basement…which is probably why you are reading this.)

Another factor that can cause you to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems is many basement waterproofing companies have strategically constructed a unique “system” that no one else can offer (so they say).  They have a great sales pitch about how it works better than all the rest like “no clogging” “water table lowering” “super duper…”etc… and they have patents!  The patented system should be a red flag.   You can go to any manufacturer and have your drain pipe made a special color or shape, patent it and say no one else can offer the same thing.  But its still a drain.

Many basement waterproofing companies are really good at convincing their prospects they are “full service”.  They go through the routine of describing different options making two out of three either sound ridiculously expensive or inadequate.  So logically their “fill in the blank SYSTEM” is the best choice.  Its a card trick.

exterior basement waterproofing

Exterior basement waterproofing with dimpled membrane

Let’s talk problem = solution. If you have wet basement walls up high at or around ground level and or signs of water running down basement walls, exterior basement waterproofing may be the solution that is best for your foundation.  If you have chronic paint bubbling/ failure on your basement walls or chronically damp basement walls your best option may be exterior basement waterproofing.  These are signs your original coating on the exterior of the foundation walls is failing and dampness or actual water is seeping into the foundation itself.  Stopping that process from the outside is the best way to actually fix the problem. If your basement walls are dry for the most part or show signs of dampness in lower areas only, if you have water seepage up through the floor, exterior waterproofing may not be the best solution for your basement issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System

Typical signs that indicate an interior basement waterproofing system would be a good solution are if you have basement floor leaks, cracks in your basement floor that are heaved up, and or water seeps in through the seam where the wall meets the floor. Interior basement waterproofing drainage installed under the basement floor relieve the “hydrostatic pressure” or water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation when the water has no where to go. There are mixed feelings from homeowners on whether waterproofing a basement from the inside actually fixes the problem.  After all, water comes from outside, right? Well not all basement water seepage can be fixed from the outside.  If your basement has water under the floor, interior basement waterproofing may be the only fix.  Water under the floor gets stuck there with out interior drains because the inside and outside are separated by your foundation.

Some customers choose a combination of some exterior and some interior basement waterproofing systems.  Maybe there is a wet wall or two that need exterior work but the wall between the basement and garage is leaking too.  Or maybe there is a large enclosed patio outside, deck or the like.  In these cases the garage, patio etc… block all surface water from getting to the foundation so the walls are dry. So no need to tear up the garage or pull the enclosed patio in most cases in order to end up with a smart fix by using a combination of solutions.

 

Hopefully thins information will help you be less frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems.

 

Pioneer basement solutions takes a diagnostic approach to first identify the cause of your basement’s problem(s).  get-arrow We will then review with you what we recommend to fix the problem along with any alternative solutions that will give you the desired result.  Then the ball is in your court to choose from the basement waterproofing systems which best fits your goals and your budget.

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

Click on logo above to read Angie’s List reviews

No need to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems!

sump pump battery backup

Sump pump battery backup system

Sump pump battery backup system

Sump pump battery backup system now available from PumpSpy is newest addition in smart home technology

sump pump battery backup system

If you have a sump pump in your basement or crawl space then you have probably wondered about the need to install a sump pump battery backup system. The thought of a power outage during a heavy rain or snow melt (or even worse both!) and a sump pump that doesn’t work resulting in a flooded space is a real nightmare.  Sump pumps will eventually fail simply due to mechanical issues too… and you never know when that will happen.

So how do you protect yourself from a sump pump failure whether it is a power outage or mechanical failure?  Consider the PumpSpy smart sump pump battery backup system. PumpSpy’s smart backup pump is a system that constantly monitors your primary sump pump, backup pump and battery. If any problem is detected, homeowners receive alerts through text messages, email and the PumpSpy app on your phone.

So How Does it Work?

The PumpSpy battery backup sump pump uses cellular technology to constantly monitor your entire sump pump system and uses predictive maintenance to alert you of any potential problem. This is also known as “model based” condition monitoring. This method involves spectral analysis on your pump(s) current and voltage signals and then compares the measured parameters to a known and learned model of the pump(s) to diagnose various electrical and mechanical anomalies. This process of “model based” condition monitoring was originally designed and used on NASA’s space shuttle to monitor and detect developing faults in the space shuttle’s main engine.

pumpspy sump pump battery backup systemMany people ask about how long the battery will last before needing to be replaced.  Just like the battery in your car your backup battery will eventually need to be replaced, and often times we do that after our car doesn’t start!  The PumpSpy monitors the battery output during routine self-testing.  This information will help you to know when your battery is still okay, but is ready to be replaced.  Your typical off the shelf battery backup systems do not do this… so what can happen is when you experience a pump failure your basic off the shelf system switches to battery mode but a dead battery means no back up!

In the event your primary pump fails due to a mechanical issue, the PumpSpy system automatically switches over to the backup pump allowing you the time you need to fix the problem.  But again, being a smart system…the PumpSpy actually monitors the output of your primary sump pump.  So you will be able to see when your pump is starting to go bad buying you the time to replace it before it fails!

Again, your typical “off the shelf” smart home / connected home products use your Wi-Fi to report data.  This is great, except when there is a power outage!  So when you are relaxing on a warm sunny beach somewhere and back at home there is rain on top of snow melting with a power outage, PumpSpy’s cellular technology is still alive and well giving you the data you need when you need it.

Let’s review the benefits of PumpSpy’s sump pump battery backup system

  • PumpSpy monitors your primary pump, backup pump and battery – testing them three times a week!
  • Text message, email, and PumpSpy app alerts
  • Smart Predictive Maintenance feature alerts you to the end of life expectancy of your primary sump pump based on its performance history
  • Going out of town? Great! Send alerts to your house sitter, neighbor, handyman, or whoever and however many people you like
  • Cellular data works when Wi-Fi doesn’t
  • PumpSpy has a support line where you speak to a real waterproofing expert 7:30am-7:30pm weekdays, just call the toll free number printed on the backup system
  • When you activate your PumpSpy Monitoring, Pioneer Basement Solutions can log into your system as a contractor and see your history, allowing us to better serve you!
  • PumpSpy pumps more water and lasts longer than  “off the shelf” backup systems
pumpspy data

Sump pump battery backup self monitors giving you reports on performance

Call Pioneer get-arrow for more info on installing your sump pump battery backup system today!

basement waterproofing warranty

Waterproofing a basement

Waterproofing a basement

When looking at options for waterproofing a basement there are only three.  You can waterproof your basement from the outside, from the inside or a combination of both to some degree.

You should start by identifying what type of problem you have.  Most basements have either a problem with surface water getting to the walls or ground water building up from below.  The symptoms of each are quite different.  For the most part surface water problems will lead to wet basement walls and ground water problems lead to wet basement floors.

If you have wet basement walls that are wet more than just at the bottom row or two you likely have a surface water intrusion into the basement wall from the outside.  This causes bubbling paint, white powder on the walls, mortar rot and can lead to weakness and cracking of the foundation. Waterproofing a basement from the outside will restore the exterior seal of the basement / foundation wall preventing water and dampness from getting to it.  Our multi step process starts with excavation of the basement walls to the bottom of the footer exposing the entire foundation.  Next we clean the surfaces for a thorough inspection looking for weak points and cracks. We them repair the basement foundation cracks and weak points before applying a full seal coating to your basement walls.   The “icing on the cake” is the unique dimpled air gap basement waterproofing membrane that is bonded to your foundation walls resulting in a guaranteed dry foundation wall.  New PVC footer drains are installed with gravel and the soil is put back with a nice positive grade away from the foundation walls.

Waterproofing a basement from the outside

Exterior basement waterproofing membrane for permanently dry foundation

 

Note: It is very important that your roof water is directed away from the foundation.  Overflowing gutters and improperly draining downspouts are major contributors to wet basements and wet basement walls.

You may not need exterior basement waterproofing if you have paint on your basement walls that is more than a year old and it still looks like it did when you painted it.  Basements that leak water on to the floor through the seam where the wall meets the floor typically are a result of ground water build up.  These issues may result in wet basement walls at the bottom row or two but the remainder of the wall is all or mostly dry.  Waterproofing a basement from the inside may be a great option if this is your basement.  In fact, if you have water under the basement floor the only way to dry that up is from the inside.  Exterior drains will not get water under the floor since the foundation separates the two areas.

On top of footer gutter

Level water trough installed on top of footer has no slope to drainage point and holds water

Waterproofing a basement from the inside, commonly called interior basement systems, involve drainage installed under the basement floor relieve the “hydro-static pressure” or water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation. There are many companies that offer this type of solution for wet basements but they can vary greatly in design and performance.  Look out for systems that are level.  Level water trough systems that are installed on top of the footer or next to the footer hold water.  Only when water fills the trough can it build up movement as it seeks a level and make its way to the drain point.

Look for a system that is a true interior footer drain.  A true interior footer drain is installed in a trench down next to the footer and it slopes down hill towards the drainage point, usually a sump pump system.  There should be about 1/2″ fall for every 10 feet of drain pipe to promote a good flowing drain and many municipalities actually require this method.

 

 

 

If your basement has mostly ground water issue and some areas of the basement walls are wet, a combination of interior and exterior basement waterproofing may be a good solution.  In some cases there is a wet spot on a basement wall that is not reasonably accessible from the outside.  An interior waterproofing system for the wall may be a good alternative in this case.  Interior basement waterproofing panels are non permeable, meaning non porous.  So they will not grow mold or mildew in them and they are a vapor barrier as well.  This stops any wicking or transmission of exterior dampness into your basement space and it is a permanent, maintenance free solution.

Waterproofing a basement from the inside with waterproof wall panels

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System brightens up your space and is maintenance free!

 

No two basements are identical and there is no one size fits all solutions for wet basements.  Be on the look out for basement waterproofing companies that have a “system” that they are promoting.  Typically they are patented or the sales person says they are the only ones who install a particular product or technique.  This is a marketing ploy to attempt to stand out in the crowd. The best companies will have capability to customize any solution to fit your needs and solve your wet basement problems whether waterproofing a basement from the inside or the outside.

Call Pioneer today for a free consultation with no sales pressure and no gimmicks. get-arrow

Award winning service since 1979.  No other basement waterproofing company has a better reputation than Pioneer when it comes to waterproofing a basement

Basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio

Basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio

You may find that doing a search on Google for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio returns a long list of results and wonder how do you qualify a handful of companies for a visit.  There are some easy qualifiers you may already have considered but to play it safe will will cover them.

When was the company established?  You will need to look at a third party resource to find the answer, or to confirm the claims of the contractors.  The Better Business Bureau is a good place to go for this.  The Better Business Bureau will list the date the business was established, when the business joined the BBB and if they are Accredited Members.  Watch out for a claim like “75 years experience” because this usually means it is a young company that is adding up the employees’ years of service in the industry to get one big number and get you eye off of their actual years in business.

Another great qualifier would be what type of labor is used by the contractors listed under the search for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio.  Employee labor can mean better consistency of quality work, better “ownership” of the finished product and better protection under insurance coverage.  Be sure to check for Workman’s Compensation insurance and liability insurance before hiring a basement waterproofing contractor.  By scanning the company websites you should be able to spot this in the “About Us” area as any contractor having these qualities will want to point them out.

Look for any awards or special recognition from third party organizations such as Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau.  Read customer reviews and or complaints to get a good idea about how the basement waterproofing company deals with customer service and honoring warranties.

If you have leaky basement and have done a search for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio give Pioneer call today!

 

How to fix a wet basement

water seepage through bottom of basement walls

water seepage through bottom of basement walls

Searching Google for how to fix a wet basement you will find several basement waterproofing companies pop up. It may be confusing to know what basement systems or which one specifically would be the best solution for your leaky basement.  Or maybe you are not looking for the best solution, you just want to stop the water from coming in so you can sell the house.  Let’s review the different basement systems and what each one accomplishes to help you determine how you can fix your leaky basement.

All basement waterproofing companies fundamentally do one thing the same; they all collect water into some type of drain and direct it away from your foundation to keep your basement dry.  Those drains can be installed (I know captain obvious!) either on the outside, or the inside, or a combination of both.

Not all drains are created equal though, so be aware of two basic categories of foundation drains: footer drains, and drainage troughs of some kind.  Footer drains are installed below floor level NEXT to your footer.  For those who don’t know, the footer is like a cement sidewalk that is below your basement walls…the basement walls are built on “footers” so they have a solid base.

Footer drains can be installed with a pitch so that water can drain down hill towards the collection or evacuation point.

There are several companies out there that install interior drains ON TOP of the footer, even if they are installed under the concrete floor, they are NOT footer drains.  Installing drains on top of the footer means they are installed on a LEVEL base.  Your footer is level.  In this type of system, water enters the drain at the base of the wall, as the water fills the drains it will naturally seek to be level.  As this leveling occurs of the water it will spread out and fill the drains until it reaches the final collection point (sump pump) or evacuation point like a floor drain.

So on that note, interior basement waterproofing systems can be installed to dry up your leaky basement.  These systems are best suited for those basements with water coming in at the bottom of the basement walls and the basement walls are otherwise dry.  Interior systems collect ground water that can build up around your foundation and drain it away relieving the hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise build up and cause the basement water leaks.

If your basement walls are damp further up that the bottom row or two of block, you might better off with exterior basement waterproofing.  With an exterior system the walls are excavated to the bottom of the footer on the outside, then the walls are waterproofed and new exterior footer drains are installed.  This system will restore your original basement waterproofing… or in most cases “damp proofing” to better than new.  Damp proofing is the minimum building code in many areas and has been for decades.  This can be as simple as a thin coating of mortar and some “black tar” painted over the walls.  This black coating if exposed to the soil will biodegrade in a few years and you are left with the thin coating of mortar which is susceptible to cracking and leaking.  Today’s technology for waterproofing basement walls on the outside is far superior to methods used even just a few years ago.

There may be obstacles that you do not want to remove or other conditions occurring with your basement that would make it a good candidate for a combination of interior and exterior basement waterproofing.   For example you have one area where the wall is wet but the rest of the basement water leaks are coming from the base where the wall meets the floor.  You could excavate and seal the problem wall on the outside and do the rest on the inside.

Look for a basement waterproofing company that is a true full service contractor able to do any and all types of basement waterproofing so that you are sure to get the best fit for your problem. Companies offering “patented” systems are marketing their same system over and over to every customer they meet, and they can have pretty impressive sales presentations to convince you theirs is the best.  Be weary of that and use the guidelines above.

In northeast Ohio contact Pioneer Basement Solutions by clicking the “get information” button for a free no hassle, no sales gimmicks consultation.

Get-Info

Contact us today to learn more on how to fix a wet basement!

Basement Waterproofing Contractors Akron Oh Awarded Angie’s List Award

Basement Waterproofing Contractors Pioneer Basement Solutions serving North East Ohio since 1979 awarded the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award and the BBB’s Gold Star Award several consecutive years in a row for perfect customer service with zero complaints.

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

No basement waterproofing contractors in the Akron, Medina, Kent, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls and surrounding areas can compare to the customer service record of Pioneer Basement Solutions.  Founded in 1979 on principle of integrity, honesty and fair pricing, Pioneer Basement Solutions offers a no sales pitch, no sales pressure straight forward approach and never recommends more than what is required to fix a leaky basement or foundation repair needs.

Locally owned and operated, Pioneer is licensed insured and bonded.  All work is performed by Pioneer Basement Solutions’ employees, all work is insured and all customers are protected against the potential nightmares of dealing with basement waterproofing contractors that subcontract the work or use temporary labor.

Having problems with your basement such as water leaking in, mold, basement wall cracks or bowing basement walls?  We take a straight forward approach to inspect your basement foundation problems to identify causes and then review with you the solution options.

We are a full service basement waterproofing company offering all types of basement waterproofing including full exterior excavation and basement waterproofing membrane system, interior basement waterproofing systems and unlimited combinations in between.

We offer all types of foundation repair including foundation replacement, stabilization, and piering.

One sized solutions do not fit all basement waterproofing or foundation repair needs.  Be cautions of basement waterproofing companies who go through a fancy presentation and end up with a patented “one of a kind” basement waterproofing solution.

Fill out our online contact form or call 1-877-321-4889 for a free no obligation review of your basement waterproofing and foundation repair needs.

Mold in the Basement -Musty Basement Smell

Often times people tell me that they have some mold in the basement or a musty basement smell and so they want to get their basement waterproofed. Most people believe that basement mold is due to a leaky basement but many times it is not. There are many factors that can contribute to mold in the basement and that nasty musty basement smell.

High humidity is natural in basement spaces. Basements are the lowest point in the home and humidity in the air is heavy. This heavy humidity will naturally settle into the basement space and it lays at the bottom like a fog with no where to go. With no ventilation the humidity creates an ideal environment for the mold to grow on things that are fibrous in nature. Boxes, painted walls, wood and other stored items especially those stored on the floor will be great food for the mold and mildew to grow developing that unwanted odor.

If you have water held in your basement walls this may contribute to the mold growth as well. This would not usually happen with unpainted walls however. Mold needs something fibrous to grow into, and that is usually the paint on the walls. Mold due to water in basement walls is obviously more serious than mold due to high humidity levels.

Installing a ventilation system to eliminate the conditions allowing the mold to grow in the basement like a Humidex unit may be all you need. These units will create an air exchange of the basement air up to six times per hour by drawing healthy air from upstairs and expelling stale air from the basement to the outside of the home.

More serious conditions may be solved with either interior basement waterproofing or exterior basement waterproofing. You should have a professional basement waterproofing contractor evaluate your foundation and recommend the basement solutions that fit your specific needs.

If you would like to get additional information or for a no pressure consultation call 1-877-321-4889