Vortex vent wells are the most revolutionary venting products on the market. Vortex vents are equipped with turnbuckle adjusters, allowing you to telescope them to fit whatever size you need. This reduces the inventory and storage headaches most contractors and distributors must go through. Vortex vents are built from high-density polyethylene construction, which means they are built to last. With these vents unique and proprietary telescopic capabilities, you’ll be able to eliminate the need for many different sized vents, and even to control the airflow entering your structure. Check out Vortex today!

Wet basements often occur because water leaks in from the outside environment. Waterproofing your foundation will minimize water’s potential to penetrate into your basement. Since the waterproof coating will fade over time, make sure you inspect the walls and replace when necessary. You can invest in water sealer to add extra protection. Another important tip for waterproofing the exterior of your home is to ensure the roof has been fitted with gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts lead water to an efficient external drainage system which ensures it won’t get into your basement. If there is a roof drainage system installed, periodically check for any damages or blockages. It might also help to install an exterior drainage system, which is a system comprised of boards and pipes fitted to your foundation wall to drain water away. An alternative to this would be to correct ground slopes that surround the walls of the basement. The ground should slope at least 10 degrees and at a distance of 5 feet away from the exterior basement walls. This angle reduces the chance of pooling water. Such water will eventually seep into the ground and into your basement through the walls. If you find cracks in your basement walls, repair the issue quickly, as this contributes to the penetration of water. You can inject the cracks with an epoxy solution or mortar.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is the leading innovator in the waterproofing industry, and continues with their reputation with the new UltriSeal Concrete Radon Sealer. UltriSeal is built to protect against radon and other harmful chemicals in the local environment. UltriSeal is versatile, able to be applied to any concrete surface, including walls and even driveways. UltriSeal is the most effective sealant when you need protection from the harmful effects of radon exposure. Check out UltriSeal today!

Many basements have a sump pump installed, to pump out excess water. What do you when you notice problems with your pump? These problems can include electrical issues, excessive noise coming from the unit, or that the unit ceases to function completely. If your sump pump makes a load noise the entire time its running, there is something wrong. Turn your unit over and remove the screen with a screwdriver. If the impeller is bent, you have to replace your pump. If your pump doesn’t turn on at all, make sure the unit is plugged in and receiving power. Make sure the breaker didn’t trip in the main panel box. If you have power to the unit, manually operate the float to see if the unit turns on. If the float checks out, your motor is most likely burnt out, and needs replacement. If your unit gets power, but refuses to function, it may mean it has a broken wire inside, or a loose connection. Electrical problems are extremely dangerous, especially around water. Mar-flex recommends replacing the unit instead of doing electrical work on it, because its a serious safety issue.

Contractors and building professionals everywhere love Mar-flex for their commitment to quality products and outstanding customer service. Its easier than ever to use Mar-flex products on your next build, our spec sheets are all online! Check them out today, and put the best products in the waterproofing industry on your next build.

The freezing of a sump pump is a serious problem that will cause extensive damage to the pump, therefore you must take a few steps to ensure the pump’s continuing operating efficiency. The discharge hose attached to the end of your pump is likely to become blocked with ice, if the water has a limited amount of space to pass through. This means, you should buy a discharge hose larger than average, so that the water won’t be able to freeze. Its also a good idea to bury the end of the discharge hose in the ground before insulating the section that remains above ground. When the hose begins to freeze because its too small, it causes the pump to work that much harder. This causes operating failure over time, so make sure to clear your gutters and downspouts, lay gravel, and generally try to not put any undue stress on your pump. Also, you can connect a freeze-resistant hose to the end of the discharge hose, so that there is a much greater distance between the property and point where waste water is flushed away. Finally, heating your basement to a temperature where water will be continually allowed to flow freely is imperative. This won’t allow for the water to freeze.

For years, building contractors just used a dampproofing solution in basements, and called that a finished job. Nowadays, consumers deal with flooded basements so often that a new way of thinking had to be introduced. Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products, the innovators in the waterproofing industry, developed several solutions for these serious issues.

With a complete Mar-flex System, you can be assured that your structure will be safe from the harmful effects of water penetration and damage. Mar-flex membranes are the best in the marketplace, backed by an incredible warranty, durable and efficient products, and a quality of service that broad corporate institutions couldn’t hope to match. Our drainage boards, which protect the membrane, are effortlessly reliable.

For the toughest conditions, Mar-flex developed the Shockwave drainage board. Shockwave is unique, in that its built from 100% post-consumer recycled content. This means you are saving space in landfills, and qualifying for LEED credits. This drainage board is the most efficient in the industry, it soaks up 101.11 gallons per hour per lineal foot of groundwater. This eliminates the possibility of hydrostatic pressure. Also, this board can stand up to as much pressure as you can throw at it, with a compressive strength of 283.72 PSI, it even stands up to bulldozers. This means Shockwave will always bounce back to its original shape and configuration, no matter what the conditions. When you need a board that can perform above all others, you need Shockwave! Check out our product line today!

As a homeowner or business owner, there are several reasons to use a basement vapor barrier. A simple protective sheet over the basement floor helps prevent moisture from rising up into the walls. This vapor barrier inhibits the production of rot, mold, and water damage in your walls.

If you have to replace your insulation because of mold saturation, water penetration, or any other moisture related issue, you’ll find a basement vapor barrier extremely useful. The plastic sheeting will protect the walls from dampness, which stops moisture from rising into the rest of the house.

Unfortunately, you’ll experience problems with fitting the plastic barrier if you have a lot of electrical outlets, ducts, and other connections. If you install insulation that is pre-fitted with a barrier, it usually faces upwards, meaning that the barrier will be less effective than usual.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products offers the best value and quality waterproofing solutions. You can find Mar-flex products on buildings across the nation, and even the world. Mar-flex makes it easier than ever to find a local distributor of our great products, through the Mar-flex Distribution Portal. Check out our selection today!

Basement wall leaks happen, and if you’re a homeowner you will experience this problem at least once. The problem with these leaks is that they lead to bigger issues, such as mold and mildew growth, and foundation degradation. There are several reasons why these leaks happen, the craftsmanship could have been bad, cracks could have appeared as your home settles, and hydrostatic may have built up outside your walls and forced the water through.

The first step to fixing these problems is to make preventative repairs. Repair any holes or cracks in the foundation walls, small cracks can be repaired with epoxy, larger ones need professional assistance. After repairs are complete, make sure to apply a waterproofing compound to your walls. Make sure to moisten the walls with a spray before applying the mix, and assure that there is no water seeping through the walls when you apply it. Use a stiff brush in circular movements to apply the mix, and fill every pore in the wall in thoroughly where there is a seepage problem. Waterproofing is the most effective, and the most common solution, to these types of leaks.

The issue with leaks in your basement, besides structural degrading, is the propagation of mold spores. When you encounter a leak, you must take action and repair the problem as quickly as possible. Fixing the leak isn’t an easy job, so if you have too much trouble, call water damage experts like DryPatrol. There are several reasons wall leaks occur, either the original workmanship is insufficient, or cracking in floors and walls appeared when the structure settled, or water pressure from the outside environment built up, forcing itself through the walls. To prevent this serious problem, you should practice regular maintenance, including repairing all holes and cracks in a structure, then use a waterproofing compound to ensure your wall is fully leak proof. Hair line cracks can be filled with regular waterproofing mix, while larger cracks need to be cleaned out and patched. Use mortar for filling in cracks or holes in cement. Before filling the cracks, its better to enlarge the cracked area, as this will help the mortar hold to the wall better. Once the crack has been successfully filled with mortar, smooth it out with an ordinary towel and ensure there are no air pockets present. To prevent leaks that occur due to water pressure, its easiest to get professional plumbing done. If you find that pressure is building up, use a weep pipe to divert the force of the water. Once that is done, check for cracks, which will definitely be present due to water pressure. Mortar can be used to patch up any cracks, starting from the top and down to the point where the weep pipe is installed. Once the repairs have been complete, you need to waterproof the wall with a mix. Moisten the walls with spray before applying any mix, and ensure no water is seeping through the wall when you apply it. Use a stiff brush in circular movements to apply the mix, and fill in every pore in the wall thoroughly. Wait for the coating to dry, and spray the area with water and let it set overnight. In the morning, wet the area with water again and apply a second coat of waterproofing paint while the wall is wet. This method will save you and your basement wall from any serious issues. Remember, if a waterproofing job is ever too much to handle, make sure to contact a water damage service, such as DryPatrol.