Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products offers the green drainage board solutions that fit any environment. At Mar-flex, we understand that the best way to assure dry foundations for our customers is through taking water and backfill pressures off the waterproofing membrane. Mar-flex offers 3 superior drainage board solutions, with up to 3 thicknesses and insulation ratings. These are designed to fit various roles in sand, clay, and rocky soil building conditions. Each Mar-flex drainage board is designed to channel water to the footer drain tiles, protect the membrane during backfill, and divert the water from the grade to the drainage system. Mar-flex even offers several “Green” drainage board solutions that help GC’s and building professionals attain LEED credits. Check out our selection today!

Don’t forget, you can contact Mar-flex by phone at (800) 498-1411, emailing us at info@mar-flex.com or visiting our website and utilizing our new chat tool. Also, you can view our specification information online in a simple to use database managed by ARCAT or by downloading our Mar-flex SpecMaster app for Android phones and tablets. Our cross-trained customer service professionals are on-hand to answer any questions you may have, as well as give helpful advice, installation instructions, and more. Contact us today!

Damp basement floors, in combination with organic materials like wood, breed mold that causes a musty smell and releases harmful airborne contaminants. If your basement floor becomes saturated, there are several options for replacing it that will be more durable, and more reliable than your old basement floor.

A good option for replacing your basement floor is inorganic carpet tiles. Organic material is mold food, so choose carpet tiles composed of inorganic materials. Options exist that can be individually removed for cleaning and also provide a good vapor barrier and insulation.

Another popular option is to use vinyl. All vinyl isn’t created equal, and what works upstairs will not work well in your basement. Choose vinyl flooring specifically designed for basement flooring. The ideal option provides insulation as well as a vapor barrier.

If you have enough headroom, you should consider installing a false floor by laying 1.5″ to 2″ extruded polystyrene foam directly onto the basement floor. Polystyrene will not rot and insulates against the cold, while keeping organic materials away from moisture. To install, apply 5/8″ plywood atop the polystyrene, then screw through the plywood and polystyrene directly into the concrete using fasteners. Finish the job with your choice of floor coverings.

At Mar-flex, we offer a comprehensive selection of the world’s most innovative and effective waterproofing products. Now, we offer the safest way to apply these products, with Mar-flex’s new selection of safety equipment. Peruse our offerings today, and keep yourself and your employees safe on that next job. Remember, Mar-flex can be contacted by phone at (800) 498-1411, by email at info@mar-flex.com, or by visiting our brand new customer service chat tool as soon as you enter our website.

Sump pumps prevent the problem of basement flooding, by moving excess water out of your basement, and away from your home. Choosing the right system for your home will save you money and hassle. There are several factors to consider when choosing which sump pump you’ll use in your basement. Follow our guide and you will find that choosing the right pump has never been easier.

A major determining factor when choosing sump pumps is the amount of power you’ll need. The best pumps will discharge about one gallon per second while maintaining adequate pumping capacity based on the height of the basement. Measure the size of your basement from floor to ceiling, and you’ll need to be able to discharge enough water to fill the basement. The odds of your basement flooding all the way to the ceiling are extremely remote but you want to be sure your pump can handle the problem if it occurs.

Another determining factor is case housing. Sump pumps come in a variety of case housings, with the most common being a thin sheet metal type. While this will help out over a short period of time, thin housings aren’t permanent solutions. Cast iron housings will be more expensive, but will last a lifetime. Plastic housing should only be used in areas with low flood risk, or as temporary solutions.

Sump pumps protect your home from flooding, even if you live in dry areas. So it is an investment worth considering.

Mar-flex is the leading innovator in the building product and waterproofing industry. Mar-flex continues with its reputation for innovation and the manufacture of durable, reliable solutions with the introduction of the Mar-flex Green line of products. Mar-flex makes it easier than ever to get LEED credits for your next build, with easy to install products that outperform the competition’s selection and are made of recycled materials. Mar-flex started this initiative with the popular ShockWave and Geo-Mat drainage products, and continues with its commitment to Green solutions with the introduction of the Ecose Drain & Dry board. Check out our product catalog today, or email us info@mar-flex.com. We’re also available by phone at (800) 498-1411 or by visiting our website and using the brand new customer service chat interface.

Hydraulic cement is a patching compound that can be used to fight basement moisture. The process is simple, jus trowel the hydraulic cement over any cracks in your basement floor or walls, and make sure to pack it tightly into the deepest and widest areas.

Hydraulic cement is particularly sticky and will adhere itself onto nearly any type of concrete, new or old. However, to create the longest lasting and most waterproof bond, the concrete should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned, before applying any cement.

We recommend that you apply hydraulic cement at least 1 to 2 inches deep and a half inch wide. Thin amounts are okay, but the most effective way is to apply heavily. For this reason, any medium sized cracks need to be widened with a chisel or masonry drill.

When the cement is ready to be mixed, make sure you have everything you’ll need. There is only about 2 to 3 minutes of time before the concrete will begin to harden, so you need to be ready to work as fast as possible.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products has become known for advancing the science of waterproofing, as well as creating techniques and products which have changed the waterproofing world. Continuing with a reputation for innovation, Mar-flex unveils the 362 Mastic All Season heavy-bodied trowel grade coating. This coating is perfect for patching tieholes, filling in honeycombed areas in both rough and smooth masonry surfaces, and fixing surface flaws. The 362 Mastic is known for remaining flexible, no matter how rough the freeze/thaw cycle is in your local environment. This product can be applied any time of the year, no matter what the temperature is outside, and its manufactured in a ready to use rubber coating.

Check out our catalog today, or contact us via email at info@mar-flex.com. We can also be contacted by phone at (800) 498-1411, or by visiting our website and using the brand new chat interface – where cross-trained customer service professionals are on hand to answer your questions.

While stopping a leak, or repairing a hose down in your basement might be an easy job, there are forms of moisture penetration that happen during the winter, that involve much more hassle. Unless you are a frequent visitor to your attic during frigid winter months, this damage might even evade your notice.

The first type of water damage issue caused by wintry weather is an ice dam. When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, the snow on your roof will melt. When this runs down the roof and hits the colder levels, it refreezes. If this cycle repeats over and over, the freezing snow builds up and forms a dam of ice. This causes water to pond, and this ponding water then backs up under the roof covering and leaks into the attic or along exterior walls. The right weather conditions already exist during winter, which include temperatures in the 20’s for a few days, with several inches of snow on your roof.

Another common issue is attic condensation. Condensation of water vapor on cold surfaces in attics can cause wood to rot, which leads to extremely expensive structural repairs. Condensation typically occurs when warm, moist air migrates into your attic from the living spaces below. This is especially true if you have high humidity content in your living spaces.

Local building codes may have requirements that attempt to prevent the problem of ice dams and attic condensation. But codes don’t address all the issues, and many homes are built without following codes. The designer who designed your home has to know about the relationship between humidity and air movement, when they are designing and constructing homes, so issues like these don’t occur. You can also take several steps to prevent ice dams and condensation in your attic –

• Prevent warm air, coming from downstairs, from infiltrating your attic by appropriately insulating your attic’s floor and using a dehumidifier to control water vapor.
• You should seal all openings allowing water vapor into the attic.
• Heat your attic or install a small heater to keep your attic above freezing temperatures.
• Assure good attic ventilation, replacing warm air with cold air from outside.

Its tempting to just climb up and attempt to break up that ice dam. We don’t recommend this, because its dangerous on your roof during this time of year, and you can cause large amounts of damage to your roof in the pursuit of breaking up that annoyance. This means you shouldn’t do things like routinely remove snow from the roof or attempt to “chip away” the ice of an ice dam – as this will damage your shingles. You shouldn’t install large mechanical equipment, or water heaters in your attic, especially if it snows where you live. Not only does this present a fire hazard, but it increase the temperature in your attic. Also, never use salt or calcium chloride to melt snow on your roof, because these chemicals are corrosive and will destroy your metal gutters, downspouts, and flashings. Runoff water containing these chemicals damage nearby grass and plants.

Following these simple do’s and don’ts will help exponentially in the fight against winter-month water penetration. If you find your home is water damaged, call the local experts at DryPatrol!

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products makes it easier than ever to browse our products, get product information and instructions, and get the job done right. Click here to browse our brand new online catalog – right in your web browser – no downloads necessary. If you have questions or comments you can email us at info@mar-flex.com or call us anytime at (800) 498-1411. Also, you can use the online customer service tool just by visiting our website. Whenever you visit us, a small window will appear asking if you need assistance, and our customer service representatives will be standing by to help you! Take advantage of the best and most thoroughly cross-trained support team and the only waterproofing company that delivers quality, durable, and efficient products.

When you find that your basement is soaked, no matter what the cause, it is a hassle. One of the most vulnerable, and often affected places is the basement carpet. Carpet that has become wet must be dried out within 48 hours, or mold will begin to grow. If you need to clean a carpet that has become wet, then follow our guide, or call DryPatrol today!

Whether your entire basement is soaked, or it just has a few damp spots, you must determine exactly what areas of your basement have been damaged. Examine your carpet carefully for mold or mildew, even if the carpet is only damp.

Call for some help. DryPatrol is the reputable name in water restoration and mold remediation. You can also enlist the help of friends or family members to help you cleanup your basement, which is most often a job too big to handle on your own.

Before doing any drying, move all furniture to the dry side of the room, or just off the carpet. This is because you’ll need to pull the carpet up, unless you enlist professional help.

If you find items that have been damaged (such as newspaper, magazines, books, toys, etc) then you need to get rid of them. You won’t want to take the chance that flood waters contaminated them. If you think some of your possessions might be salvageable, have them cleaned professionally. Mold or mildew may have begun to grow on them, depending on when you caught the dampness, and will have to be discarded.

Next, you should focus on getting rid of the water. Pull up as much as possible with sponges, or rags. If there is a high-degree of flooding then you’ll need to rent a vacuum specifically designed to pull water from your floor.

You will need to pull up any areas of carpeting that have been soaked or are wet. You’ll also need to pull up the padding if that is wet. If possible, move your entire wet carpet outside or a well-ventilated space. Make a tent out of your carpet, so dry air will reach both top and bottom layers and dry it more thoroughly.

Once the carpet and padding have been hung and completely dried, lay them on the floor. You will need professional carpet cleaning help to be sure your carpet is as clean as possible. Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol!