Its estimated that one in fifteen homes experiences high levels of radon gas. This gas is known to cause cancer and claims 21,000 lives a year nationally. There is no national requirement to test for radon, though it can be found in every state. Radon gas is colorless and odorless and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US alone. Published studies have concluded that your chances of contracting lung cancer from minute radon concentrations increased by 11 to 21 percent over an exposure period of 5 to 30 years. The gas finds its way into your living environment from cracks and holes in foundations. Every homeowner should test for radon, this can be done professionally or through home testing kits available at DIY stores. Mar-flex offers the new UltriSeal product to combat this serious threat. UltriSeal can be applied to any concrete surface and is guaranteed to protect against radon gas penetration through your foundation.

When dampproofing your structure, you don’t have to spend too much money on waterproofing materials. During the rainy season, basements grow humid, making them wet and difficult to clean. This humidity also promotes the growth of harmful mold and mildew. Simple tools and objects from around the house can be effective in dampproofing your structure when you don’t have extra money to spend on waterproofing materials.

The first step in this process is to ensure there is no further leaking in your basement. Use a sealant like epoxy on pipes and other sources of water leakage.

The next step is to remove anything from the basement that may impede the task of dampproofing, which means completely clearing out your basement. Use a broom and brush to sweep the floors clean, which help reveal sources of moisture. These should be repaired when found with cement.

Outside of your home, you may find gravel and rocks laying about. These can be effective in absorbing moisture. Use a shovel and bucket to collect some rocks and gravel and spread them out evenly near the walls of your basement. This way, if leaks occur these materials can absorb the moisture before its allowed to seep further into your basement.

Another useful DIY tip is to take a lump of coal and put it an old sock which you can hang from your basement ceiling. The coal will help get rid of any odors as well as moisture that may build up in the surrounding basement environment.

For humid times of year, use rock salt to reduce moisture. Fill a 6 gallon bucket with rock salt halfway and place a fan over the bucket. With air circulating over the substance, the rock salt can soak up any excess water in the air and when the salt because fully saturated set it out in the sun to dry. Repeat this problem until your moisture level is back to normal.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products offers a brand new approach to waterproofing with the Mar-flex System. Mar-flex Waterproofing Systems can transform the ordinary basement into a living environment, ideal for a home office, playroom, media room, exercise room, and more. Mar-flex is known for superior water-based and solvent-based waterproofing membranes, an extensive Green product line, and many drainage board solutions to complete the job based on your budget and needs. Mar-flex also offers accessories to speed up installation, spray equipment to make application simple, some of the best window wells in the marketplace, telescopic vents, control-joints, and much more. Mar-flex is the choice of architects, builders, distributors, and contractors alike for the ease of acquiring technical specifications, hands-on training, 24/7 job site support, equipment installation, sales support, LEED friendly products, and products manufactured for quality, durability, and versatility.

When you discover standing water, dampness, and water damage in your basement, estimating the cost of repairs can be a real headache. The repairs and the cost of basement waterproofing can get expensive and even complicated. There are various evaluations that should be carried out as well as other factors which contribute to the damage that should be taken care of.

The first step in this process is to determine the source of water penetration, whether it be through poor drainage in gutters and around the home, poor ventilation, or standing water from heavy rainfall. Each of these issues has associated repair costs that can vary depending on severity and quality of repair materials.

For condensation issues that deal with poor ventilation, heating and air conditioning may ease the problem. The water pipes should be properly insulated at all times of year. If there are condensation issues, a dehumidifier should be running in the area to help lessen the dampness. The cost of insulating the pipes and buying a dehumidifier can be as low as $50, though we recommend a heavy-duty dehumidifier which could increase costs at or above $300.

For issues involving inadequate drainage conditions, the costs are associated with repairs needed. Often, ensuring gutters and downspouts have proper drainage and aren’t clogged is enough, as well as ensuring the ground slopes away from the foundation. Gutter repair costs can be over $200, and costs will increase depending upon whether the foundation slope needs more rock or dirt.

Repairing basement leaks is often considered the most expensive of all the aforementioned repairs. Repairs to leaks should be handled by a professional especially waterproofing the basement because this is a delicate and complicated procedure. The cost for minor leak repairs and the application of sealants runs around $350, whereas installation of drains and sump pumps could be $1000 or more. Foundation repairs, the most costly of these repairs, could run much more than $5000. This is why it is important to ensure proper drainage conditions, and that your basement does not accumulate water, which causes this damage.

If you seek professional help for these issues, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol. This is because they are quick, affordable, thorough, and the company is ran by certified technicians and even environmental scientists that can do the most for your repairs of any company in the region.

If you notice dampness in your basement floor, and its made of organic flooring like wood, this can lead to mold and that musty smell. There are several options to replace the affected flooring.

Some carpet tiles are composed of inorganic materials, which can provide a vapor barrier and insulation. This also protects against mold, as mold only grows on organic material.

Vinyl flooring is another great option for replacing a floor cheaply. Choose vinyl that is designed specifically for basement flooring, with the ability to act as a vapor barrier as well as provide insulation.

Laying extruded polystyrene foam directly onto your basement floor is another economical replacement solution. Polystyrene will not rot and even insulates against cold while keeping any organic materials safe from mold. Make sure to apply a sheet of plywood to the top of the foam, then firmly screw through the plywood and polystyrene directly onto the concrete using fasteners. Finally, the job can be finished with your choice of flooring.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products recently began testing their products against the competitor’s specs using the American Society for Testing and Material’s ASTM D-5385. This test consists of three precast concrete patio blocks set up with waterproofing membranes to test head pressure. The official results are in, and Tremco’s Tuff-N-Dri H8 doesn’t stand up to the protection QuickSeal WB offers. The test shows Tuff-N-Dri H8 at 8′ of water (head pressure) at 40 mil dry. The QuickSeal WB tests came up superior, with 11.6′ of water (head pressure) at 40 mil dry. Mar-flex is awaiting the test results on the popular Mar-flex 5000 solution, and will be posting these results as they come in.

Mar-flex has introduced its first continuing education course as part of its ongoing effort to implement Mar-flex University, a program teaching architects and engineers about the future of the construction industry, as well as emerging techniques and solutions to common construction issues. Mar-flex University’s first course focuses on Sustainable Design and Development and has been AIA/SD and United States Green Building Council approved. There are many courses coming in the near future to broaden professionals’ understanding of the current construction climate. Our courses have been taken by many reputable public and private companies, including NASA, the FAA, and HUD. We look forward to presenting many new courses for our students, and plan on implementing this wide-reaching objective by 2012.

When you find water in your basement, you must act quickly to prevent structural damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. The source of the leak must be found first, which means tracing the water back until you find the point where it emerges from the wall. There can be several entry points, so a thorough examination is required. When you find the entry points of water, use a hammer and chisel to open up any cracks and inspect them for holes or damage points. You can also use a small brush to clear and debris, once that is finished use a can of compressed air for a cleaning the area. After putting on protective equipment, apply hydraulic cement to the affected area, making sure it is level with the wall, most of the time this can be done with a mortar trowel. Once you have repaired any cracks, apply waterproofing sealant to the concrete to protect against future problems. Make sure, after all repairs are finished and sealant is applied, to check the landscaping and gutters around your home to assure the water isn’t building up and that these things aren’t attributing to the leaks. If you feel professional help is needed, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol, because of their ability to work with your insurance company to remain affordable and their attention to detail with quality technicians and environmental scientists.

Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products continues its research and development operations to bring new products to our customers that are more functional, versatile, and durable than anything else on the market. The newest innovation Mar-flex recently invented is the UltriSeal solution. UltriSeal is built to protect against radon and other harmful chemicals in the environment. UltriSeal can be applied to any concrete surface, even driveways. UltriSeal was designed to be efficient and dependable, offering great sealant protection while simultaneously protecting your family and your customers against the harmful chemicals which can seep into a home through the surrounding environment.

When you own a home with a basement, its important to assure that the waterproofing protects your investment against water penetration. Two common products which help in this task are waterproofing paint and epoxy. Epoxy is a plastic-like material that has the consistency of honey and dries hard, shiny, and smooth. Several coats of epoxy are often required in order for it to be effective. Waterproofing paint has the consistency of any other paint a homeowner would buy at the paint/hardware store. This makes it easier to apply to surfaces than epoxy. While both products are effective at protecting the inside of a basement from water penetration, outside the home epoxy is not a realistic choice. When waterproofing the outside of your basement walls, you should use waterproofing paint, as it is designed specifically for outside applications. Epoxy is effective at protecting concrete from internal water damage, but offers no added protection beyond that. Waterproofing paint is versatile, acting as a sealant, preventing mold and mildew from forming, and as a deterrent against insect infestation.