When your home settles, cracks form in the foundation walls. Its important to repair these cracks when you find them, because little cracks can become large cracks, and lead to big problems. Crack injection is the most widely accepted method of repairing foundation cracks. This is because crack injection is cost-effective, reliable, and permanent. Mar-flex offers many crack repair solutions to fit any job, all of them epoxy based to adhere to concrete, allowing for further expansion and contraction, whilst stopping water from eroding concrete down further.

When your basement has water leak into it, it causes damage to everything. Whether its carpet, walls, or personal possessions, these need to be cleaned to eliminate potential mold issues. It’s important to find the leak first before you clean up. Its difficult to repair something if you don’t have a clue about the cause or source of the problem. After finding the cause of the leak make sure to clean the area as thoroughly as possible. Use a bucket of water and disinfectant to wipe the area completely. Its important to never drill into cracks in the foundation wall in an attempt to fix them. Instead, fill the cracks with epoxy and polyurethane. Once the mixture has thoroughly dried, peal off the crack-seal glue and use a waterproofing kit to keep cracks dry. If your basement damage is too much for a DIY project, call a professional remediation company, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol.

Sump pumps are an important tool in keeping your basement dry and free from mold and mildew. There are standards you must follow when utilizing a sump pump, in order for it to be effective.

First, sump pumps must be drained far from the home, because draining too close causes unsanitary conditions that lead to bacteria growth and health risks. Also, water is readily able to seep back into your basement if it isn’t displaced far enough from the home. For this reason, you must assure that the sump pump drains at least twenty feet from your home, and in a place where the water will drain away from your home.

Sump pumps do not have filtering systems. They do have screens that collect large pieces of material which may become cause the pump to become clogged. Periodically clean these components to help keep your drainage system working efficiently.

When you find that your basement is damp, you know its a serious problem. Moisture not only causes the degradation of your foundation, but mold and mildew. There are a few common causes of basement moisture.

Condensation happens because concrete is porous and allows water through it. Condensation is extremely common in basements, and without proper treatment can become an extremely costly problem. To prevent the concrete from allowing moisture into your basement, apply a concrete sealer to any cracks that form in your foundation wall or floor.

As your home grows older, the concrete foundation will settle, causing cracks. These cracks can allow water to leak in. If the cracks are large enough you’ll need to call a foundation repair service, but for small cracks, epoxy-based crack injection should solve the issue.

Another common issue in basements is plumbing leaks that lead large amounts of water into the space in a short period of time. Water heaters are notorious for this type of issue. If you find that your basement is flooded, professional water remediation companies can help restore your basement and repair any damage. Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol for these type of issues.

Mar-flex CEO Brett Oakley appeared last week on talk radio, with Michael King the “Cajun Contractor”. The radio show is rated in the Top 3 home improvement programs and is heard weekly by more than 1.2 million listeners nationwide. Oakley told the now-famous story of how the company came into being, as well as described some of the things Mar-flex is doing to try to change the industry for the better. Anyone who is interested in green products, Mar-flex, or anything to do with waterproofing should check out this awesome special.

To hear the podcast simply press the link below
BRETT OAKLEY_HOME TALK USA

Finishing your basement not only adds space to your home but also gives you the opportunity to use the extra space in unique and cool ways that add value to your home. Many people that finish their basements turn this space into a game room. If you want a game room anywhere in your home, the basement would be the best place for it, as it can contain noise that may otherwise disturb the life of everyone upstairs. Many people utilize finished basements for offices. Having your home office in your basement allows you to have a designated space to work, as well as offering a quiet and peaceful space to focus on tasks. Some people even change their finished basements into apartments, with full kitchen and bath. This is good if you have in-laws that must move in with you. Finally, the most popular use for a basement, is to use it as a bar. Why go out, when you can stay in and have your friends over for the big game and sip brews in style! Finishing your basement today adds the ability to utilize these spaces and adds value to your home, so finish your basement today!

You have a sump pump and you know you should install a pump liner, to make the pump more effective, but how do you go about it? The work is simple and by following the steps it can be a good DIY project.

First, when digging the sump pump pit, make sure its located  in the lowest part of your basement or crawl space. It should also be located near an exterior wall and a power outlet. Remember, sump pumps require a GFCI equipped outlet.

Next follow our list of steps to easily install and build the fixture required.

-Use the top of the sump pump liner as a template and mark the ground for digging. The hole should be three to four inches larger than the sump pump liner.

-Dig the hole at least two and a half feet deep.

-Line the bottom of the hole with gravel, about six inches deep.

-Level out the gravel and set the liner in the hole.

-Cut and attach a discharge pipe before setting the pump in the hole. Pipe should extend at least two or three inches above floor level at this point.

-Backfill the ole with coarse gravel to about eight inches from the top of the liner.

-Fill in dirt up to four inches from the top of the liner.

-Seal the pump liner in with concrete. Trowel the concrete around the pump liner lid and level it with the rest of the floor.

-Cut a length of PVC pipe eight inches in length and push through a header hole you need to drill to fit the diameter of the pipe.

-Route te piping from discharge pipe to pipe through header and secure with studs and brackets.

-Discharge pipe should end at least six feet away from the foundation of the structure.

Mar-flex Waterproofing & Building Products CEO Brett Oakley sits with host Michael King for a national radio broadcast of Home Talk. 10:00 am EST.

Mar-flex CEO Brett Oakley will be giving a rare radio interview this week, but that’s not all. Oakley will be appearing on TV Middletown for an exclusive interview talking about each of BAO Production’s companies and will be telling his story to the entire city of Middletown and Hamilton. Look for this ultra rare TV spot on local television and stay tuned to our website and Facebook for more details.

When you find a leak in your basement, you know the problem needs to be fixed quickly. There are many different concrete sealers made to solve these issues, but you must solve the initial problem first. Its futile to apply sealants when you haven’t fixed the initial issues. One cause of water penetration could be the gutters, so make sure to keep them clean throughout the rainy seasons. Once you have solved the issues choose a good basement sealer. Mar-flex offers several basement sealant solutions which are proven effective and durable enough to last for years. The sealant should be applied immediately, and each sealant is a little different so make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle.