Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is the leading innovator of waterproofing products in the entire industry. At Mar-flex we develop quality, versatile, and easy to use products that are reliable and durable. In order to apply many of our products, safety precautions must be taken, and Mar-flex offers the equipment you need, no matter how big or small the job. We have everything you need, whether it be coveralls, respirators, shoe covers, PVC gloves, and even breakaway knives. Check out Mar-flex’s selection of safety equipment today, and make sure you stick with the brand you trust when applying our effective products.
Twip of the Day – Helpful Waterproofing Products
Basement waterproofing is essential in any structure. This is because moisture will eventually penetrate through any foundation wall, especially if waterproofing agents are not applied. When moisture accumulates in your basement, it causes water damage, as well as the propagation of hazardous mold and mildew. There are many products which help waterproof your basement including sump pumps, drain tile systems, baseboard systems, and cavity drain systems.
Sump pumps are the most useful tools in homes where the local water table is above the foundation. This causes the basement to regularly flood, and sump pumps remove this water. There are two kinds of sump pumps, pedastal and submersible pumps. A pedastal pump is mounted above the floor and can be unsightly, but easy to reach. The submersible variety of pump is located below the ground and sealed off. These pumps are usually powered by pressurized water in the home, or by the structure’s electrical supply.
Another useful tool in the fight against moisture penetration is a drain tile system. Traditional drain tile systems (commonly known as “French Drains”) use regular PVC pipe to channel out water. This is a common system in many homes, but will need to be upgraded if it doesn’t perform adequately. There are many upgrades to these systems, including new piping systems installed both inside and outside the structure.
Baseboard systems were originally utilized in the midwest, starting in the 1960’s. The design for these systems is simple and very efficient. Hollow baseboards collect water from weep holes tapped in the bottom row of blocks and channel the water to a sump pump or floor drain. This approach to waterproofing your basement can save you hundreds of dollars over certain sub-floor systems.
Another system is designed so that a pre-formed cavity within your basement intercepts water and drains it away, this is called a cavity drain. The cavity collects groundwater and drains it away, and is located entirely under the ground. When you use this type of system, you must take into account external drainage, the amount of groundwater, soil type, and even ground contamination.
The best way to prevent leaks and flooding is to fix and fill all cracks and holes in your basement. Take a careful look around your basement for signs of cracking or holes in the foundation wall. Water can easily penetrate into your basement through these problem areas. If you fill each of these with epoxy or mortar and patch each of the holes, you can assure that water will have much less of a chance to penetrate into your basement.
Mar-flex Website Temporarily Down
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products, the leading innovator in the building products industry, is moving service providers this afternoon. Our website will be down from 3:30 PM EST today for about an hour. If you cannot access the website after this time has passed, it should be ready by 6:00 PM EST. We thank all of our customers for their patience and promise this move will offer you better service. If you need assistance, or need to talk to customer service, please call our office at (800) 498-1411.
Twip of the Day – Basement Sealant?
When you have a damp basement, it might be a good idea to purchase a damp basement sealant. When you use this product, there are pros and cons that need to be considered. One of the biggest advantages of using this product is you are going to be able to keep moisture out of your basement. If you have a concrete foundation, chances are moisture can penetrate through it from the outside. The condensation that comes through the walls can cause lots of problems for any homeowner. Stopping this moisture will stop the propagation of mold, and allow you to prevent any damage to the wood structure of your home. Another advantage of using this product is that it is easy to apply, similar to painting the wall or the floor. Unfortunately, damp basement sealants are very expensive. The sealants are manufactured inside large buckets, which require a fairly large investment when bought. If you have a larger basement, you could quickly spend hundreds of dollars. Sometimes, the sealant won’t even solve your problem, so make sure you choose the right product. Many sealants are generic “knock-offs”, that will not work. The final drawback of sealants is that they are toxic. When you are working in a basement, there isn’t going to be a lot of ventilation. Care and caution should be observed at all times. Make sure you ventilate the area properly, or you wear a respirator so that you don’t breathe in the fumes.
Digital Product Catalog
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is the leader in innovation for all of the waterproofing industry. We continue on with our reputation as inventors and innovators by offering our entire product catalog in easy-to-read form, either as a downloadable PDF file, or you can even read it through our website. Mar-flex offers the quality products you need to do the job right, the first time, so check out our catalog today!
Twip of the Day – Drying Out a Crawlspace
If your home has a crawlspace instead of a basement, its important to keep it free from moisture. Damp areas are perfect areas for mold and mildew to propagate, and these areas are also prone to vermin infestation, such as termites, snakes, rates, spiders, and other unwanted guests. To keep your crawlspace free from moisture, you can improve drainage around your home, to prevent rainwater from seeping under your foundation. Make sure your soil is graded at about 1/2 inch per foot, and purchase additional soil to improve this if needed. Then, insulate your exposed foundation walls with moisture proof insulation. Another way to dry out your crawlspace is to cover the floor of your crawlspace with heavy-duty plastic known as a moisture barrier. The thicker the moisture barrier, the better. If your crawlspace has ventilation, but has become damp, you can dry it out with a large electric fan. Place this fan at the opening of the crawlspace, turn it on and leave it to run for at least 8 to 10 hours. Sometimes, ventilating the crawlspace will help it dry out much faster. Finally, many people have reported success with the use of a dehumidifier. Simply plug in the humidifier and allow it to run for several hours, and you’ll notice a substantial reduction in the amount of moisture.
Mar-flex Nationwide Distributors
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is the leader in innovation in the entire waterproofing marketplace. Mar-flex leads the way with products such as the 100% recycled Geo-Mat Plus, and the most durable drainage board in the industry, ShockWave. We continue with our reputation for innovation by rolling out a brand new way to find Mar-flex products near you. Mar-flex’s new distributor’s portal makes it easier than ever to find a local store where you can purchase Mar-flex products. Check it out today!
Twip of the Day – Mold Prevention in Drywall
Drywall is the perfect place for mold to propagate. In most cases, once the mold has taken hold, the only solution available is removing the basement drywall itself. You can prevent this by avoiding storing paper or food in areas with high humidity, and you should be aware of sources of moisture, such as clothes left in a washing machine and potted plants. If your basement is always humid, using a dehumidifier may be just the thing you need to keep your basement drywall free of mold. Before you purchase the dehumidifier, you should know that an air conditioner can remove a great deal of humidity. We recommend trying your air conditioner first before purchasing a dehumidifier. Sometimes mold in your drywall will refuse to go away, even after you attempt to clean it out. Mold that never goes away is an indicator of a much larger issue, such as problems with plumbing, leaks in your roof or problems with rainwater draining properly. If you find this issue, you should consult a professional service, such as DryPatrol.
A Sealer Built For All Seasons
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products offers the most innovative products in the marketplace, and continues with its reputation with 362 Mastic. 362 Mastic is a heavy bodied trowel grade coating, excellent for patching tie holes, and filling in honeycombed areas in both rough and smooth masonry surfaces. It remains flexible during freeze/thaw cycles and can be applied in ready-to-use form during any season of the year. Check out 362 Mastic – All Season today!
Twip of the Day – Green Odor Killing Solutions
That damp basement smell, caused by mold and mildew, is pungent and intolerable. You can get rid of it without the use of chemicals. First, clean everything out of the basement and move it to an outside environment. You’ll most likely get rid of most of the cause of the odor at this point. Then, apply vinegar to kill mold and mildew. Pour the vinegar on areas with heavy mold saturation and then scrub thoroughly to remove most of it. Mixing lemon juice and water is another useful solution. It tackles many forms of mold, and removes the damp basement smell, replacing it with a pleasant lemon scent. If that doesn’t work, baking soda can be spread over the affected area. Finally, finish up the cleaning with natural soap and water which will remove the last bits of mold. This will take that damp basement smell out of your basement permanently. If the problem is too tough to tackle on your own, call the mold remediation experts at DryPatrol! They will give you excellent advice, and offer quality service at a value price.