Yesterday, we talked about damp basements, there dangers and that damp basement smell. We described how to remove that musty, dank smell from your basement, and all the methods available to you. Did you know there are eco-friendly ways to get rid of that smell?

Cleaning everything in your basement can go a long way to eliminating that damp basement smell. Rid yourself of all the damp carpet and cardboard that’s contributing to the smell. Move everything into the backyard so it can dry in the sun. Vinegar is another useful tool, by using vinegar, you can get rid of mold and mildew in minutes. Pour vinegar on areas with heavy mold buildup and then scrub to remove the traces. You can mix lemon juice with water for a strong, sweet cleaning solution. It can eliminate many forms of mold, and will clean unaffected areas and take out the smell, replacing it with a fresh lemon scent. Baking soda can also help. Sprinkle some over the affected area and wait a little while before vacuuming it up. Finally, you can finish up with a good natural soap and some water. This will remove the last of the mold, and take away your damp basement smell permanently.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is the leading innovator in the waterproofing industry, and as such offers products all over the United States, and even to Canada. Check out our brand new distributors page to find the location nearest you, where you can experience what makes Mar-flex so well known – and such a leader in quality, durability, and customer service.

If you experience that unpleasant, musty and dank damp basement smell, you know it should have been prevented in the first place. Every single basement needs good ventilation, no matter the size, this is paramount. If your home is brick built, you can insert air bricks into your basement. Its simple enough if they aren’t already fitted. Air bricks have small holes which allow fresh air to circulate the basement and keeps it from becoming damp. If your home is timber structured, you can still use these ventilation bricks, professionals at your local DIY store will know what to get, so ask for their advice when you are unsure. Also, you can fight the damp basement smell by applying a dampproofing course around the floor and lower foundations of your basement which prevents much of the dampness creeping in. Finally, keeping a regular temperature in your basement will also help dry out any dampness. When an atmosphere is cold it will attract dampness, so if you keep your basement heated to at least sixty degrees throughout the year, you’ll stop the spread of dampness.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products is one of the lead innovators in the entire marketplace, offering Green solutions, as well as quality products built with the professional and homeowner in mind. Proper basement waterproofing, including the correct installation of any footer drains, is paramount in any area with significant amounts of annual rainfall. This is because ground-water saturation causes hydrostatic pressure on foundation walls. Even dry and arid areas need minimal drainage solutions to prevent flooding. Ground water penetration leads to problems such as cracks, foundation shifting, water damage, mold, mildew, flooding, and a host of other serious issues. For this reason, Mar-flex has developed some of the best foundation drainage tiles in the industry, with the ability to fit any job. Check out our selection today!

When you find your basement soaked, it is always a disaster. Many basements have carpet, so this further adds to your problems. Carpet that has become wet must be dried out within 48 hours, or mold will begin to propagate. First, examine your carpet carefully, determining if mold and mildew have begun growing. Then, move your furniture to a dry side of the room to allow you to pull up the carpet. If you have damaged items, get rid of them. If you need to salvage some possessions, have them cleaned professionally. If they are moldy, they must be discarded. Next, get rid of as much water as possible by either vacuuming it up, or soaking it up with sponges and rags. Pull up the areas of carpet that have been soaked or that are wet. You will also need to pull up the carpet padding. Then, move your carpet to a place where it will get plenty of air, such as outside. Once they have completed dried out, set them on the floor. Once they are in place again, clean them thoroughly with a carpet cleaning machine. If small odors remain after the carpet is cleaned, sprinkle baking soda on areas where the odor isn’t as strong. Let the soda sit for a while then vacuum it up. If you still have problems, call a professionally water damage company such as DryPatrol.

Basement flooding is a serious problem for any homeowner. Many people don’t take basement flooding seriously and the result is structural degradation, mold and mildew propagation, and permanent foundation damage. One of the most typical causes of basement flooding is the house has been constructed on an unsuitable site. Usually, homes are planned to be built on a slope so that water runs away from your home, however sometimes construction professionals don’t take this into account and build the home on a low point in the property. Leveling out these slopes can fix your problem. Another common reason for flooding is poor floor and wall sealing. If the basement tiles have not been sealed properly, water will seep into the basement, especially in extreme weather conditions. Gutters are another notorious culprit when it comes to basement flooding. When the manifold connecting your home to the public sewer network gets plugged up, it will cause flooding on your property. If such is the case, call the city and water professionals as soon as possible. If your gutters often clog up, you may need to replace them with larger ones that fit the local conditions better. Finally, if your home is equipped with a sump pump pit and drainage system, you should remove the pump and thoroughly clean and test our pump at least once a year.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products has a reputation for quality and innovation that is well deserved. Mar-flex is the first company in the industry to offer a 100% recycled drainage board,as well as truly “Green” solutions for homes. Mar-flex even raises the bar for waterproofing membranes with the Mar-flex 5000 membrane. This heavy duty, elastomeric emulsion membrane is versatile, it can be applied to any poured foundation wall. Its special formulation sprays easily, predictably, and produces a viscous, flexible, and seamless seal that resists freeze/thaw cycles. This means homeowners no longer have to put up with wet basements. 5000 is another great Mar-flex product, meaning its backed by an industry leading warranty when you combine it with one of Mar-flex’s quality drainage boards. Check out 5000 today!

Houses without basements usually have crawl spaces under the main structure, and this is often overlooked as an essential part of the structure that needs protection. The first type of crawl space is located within the home and is located between the walls. The second type is usually located under the home and around the foundation. This type is often filled with soil and usually covered with plastic. Homeowners with crawl spaces will often find that, during the rainy months, these spaces will become flooded. One way to fix this is to use a sump pump to push the water away from the foundation and the home. Another solution that is a bit more time-consuming is to buy a wet and dry vacuum. This is best when there isn’t much water that fills up in the crawl space. Because concrete remains five to ten degrees cooler than other materials, the moisture will remain longer. This moisture causes the propagation of mold and mildew, which makes it essential to keep the space dry. Using a dehumidifier can help with this, and will keep your crawl space free of moisture and allow you piece of mind.

When there is heavy rainfall, a crawl space can flood. If you find yourself in that situation, where the water remains standing in your crawl space; then removing it before it can erode your foundation is your first priority. Its extremely tough to remove it in any other way than with a pump. Place the pump in a safe place, then put one hose inside the crawl space and the second outside the home. If the pump doesn’t get all the water, a wet and dry vacuum can be your best bet. The vacuum will suck up the water and place it inside the drum, which you can dump outside. If the situation is 100% resolved with a wet and dry vacuum, a push broom will help with the rest. Use the push broom to pull the excess water with it. Finally, because concrete is 5 to 10 degrees cooler than other materials, the moisture remains longer. This lingering moisture causes mold and mildew to propagate, so drying your crawlspace quickly is imperative. By using a dehumidifier you can assure the moisture is literally sucked out of the air in your crawl space. If you need more help, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol – the experts in water remediation.

Moisture Block 361 is a water based asphalt emulsion coating that is patented and designed to dampproof and protect concrete and concrete masonry surfaces. This single component liquid applied coating has good resistance to temperature changes and is flexible at low temperatures. It also has excellent resistance to changes in weather and water penetration. All surfaces that are to be coated with Moisture Block need to be clean, dry, and free from oil, grease, rust, scale, loose paint and dirt. Moisture Block 361 should be applied with Mar-flex drainage or insulation boards. Moisture Block is incredibly versatile, it can be used for below grade dampproofing of precast concrete, poured concrete, concrete masonry surfaces, a vapor barrier on the exterior face of the interior wall of above-grade walls, and even excels as a utility coating on wooden posts, pilings, and other metal surfaces set into the ground. Try Moisture Block with your next job today!

During the rainy season, water levels rise and if your sump pump fails, it comes down to whether you will repair or replace your unit. The ease of fixing the issue has to balance with the overall cost. If the repairs needed are a power issue, replacing parts or the internal pump won’t fix your problem. If there is a wiring or a circuit breaker issue, fixing the problem is your only option. However, if your problem is a broken motor, replacing it may be more time consuming and costly than replacing the entire unit. There are many times where replacement will be your only option. If the pump has been rebuilt or refurbished, there is probably too much wear on the parts to make repairs an option. Replacement may be the only logical choice to make. The final choice comes down to if you have the tools and are a frequent DIY-er or comfortable with doing the work required.