June 7, 2013

May 14, 2013

     If you have a crawlspace, you may have more problems than you realize.  Did you know that 50% of the air you breathe on the main level of your home comes directly from your crawlspace?  The nasty smells and pollutants are caused by a number of things such as airborne mold spores, high humidity, and high wood moisture content to say nothing about animal and bug droppings. 

Besides the musty odors that emanate from the crawlspace, high humidity levels in the crawlspace can actually cause other bad things to happen on the upper levels.  Mold and dust mites can multiply rapidly in such conditions.  A crawl space encapsulation coupled with the Blue Canyon Healthy Home System can drastically change the ecosystem in your house.  Ventilated crawlspaces are a thing of the past.  If you are still trying to dry it up with more ventilation and make it better, you are doing the exact opposite of what needs to be done and what modern building scientists have proven.  B-Dry reverses the stack effect which is causing all the bad air to be pulled up into your living areas by the concept that warm air rises.  The state of the art Blue Canyon Healthy Home System can dramatically change the environment in which you spend most of your time.

When using B-Dry Waterproofing, the crawlspace is encapsulated and all joints are taped, the musty, humidity laden air is extracted allowing conditioned air to replace it with help from the Blue Canyon Indoor Air Quality System.  The air in your entire home is turned over 6 times per day.  The air is not only extracted from above the crawl space encapsulation barrier, but is also extracted from below the crawl space encapsulation barrier, which removes unwanted soil gases such as radon to more acceptable levels.

High humidity levels cause multiple problems in a crawlspace.  Levels above 60% relative humidity cause the moisture levels of the underside of your floor system to increase which in turn support mold and deteriorate the wood causing wood rot.  The moisture content of the wood comes directly from the humidity in the air, however mold gets its moisture from the substrate (the wood) not from the air.  Remember, high humidity is not only very unhealthy for you and your family, but it can also cause major structural problems to you house if left unchecked.

Not only will it make the health of your home improve, but with a B-Dry crawl space encapsulation your crawl space is not wet or muddy like most crawlspaces are that leak.  You can actually utilize the area for extra storage if you desire.  That’s extra space within your home that most people don’t ever think about using.  Your items will be protected while sitting on top of the crawl space encapsulation. 

B-Dry has been in the waterproofing business for over 50 years and has helped nearly half a million customers with basement and crawlspace problems.  If you are interested in obtaining more information about crawlspace encapsulations, vapor barriers or any other products offered by B-Dry, gives us a call at 800-871-2379.  We are the experts when it comes to providing solutions for all things basement, crawl space and foundation issues.

Be Stable.  Be Healthy.  B-Dry!

May 5, 2013

If you are experiencing a wet or leaky basement due to the rainy weather, contact B-Dry today.

The Southeast U.S. is being hit by a large amount of rain this week, but we at B-Dry don’t need the weather report to tell us that.  Each time it rains heavily, the traffic to our website increases dramatically, the phones ring off the hook, our “Ask the B-Dry Guy is bombarded with questions and customers are all wanting to know the following:

• Water is seeping through basement walls when it rains. What can we do?
• How can we stop the water from coming in our basement?
• How is the water getting in our basement?
• Can I stop water from coming in my basement myself?
• After it rains our basement smells and that smell enters our upstairs. Will a dehumidifier take care of this?
• Our dehumidfier keeps overflowing trying to keep moisture from our basement. Is there a better solution?
• Our crawl space fills with water during large rains. Will this cause problems with our foundation or structure of our home?

Where to start? We’ll start at the beginning.   Water can enter your home in 5 common ways.  This water is entering naturally and is pushed through your foundation and basement floor by hydrostatic pressure. When it rains heavily the water is truly forced into your home with no where else to go.  In homes with water issues such as this, the only true solution that will solve the problem permenantly is to re-route that water.  It needs to be gathered and taken away from the home.  This can be a simple process or complicated process depending on the structure of your home and the amount of water entering.  The Patented B-Dry System is designed to do just that.  Yes, there are competitors with similar types of systems, but it makes you wonder after reading their warrantie closely.  B-Dry has been around since 1958.  We stand by our full life-of-structure warranty and we are always there if you need us. But in most cases, you will not.  Our weekly service calls are very low, and when customers do have a problem, it normally has to do with a sump pump battery or similar issue, or simply questions about how to test or clean their system. 

The next most common questions people often ask are “What does a B-Dry basement waterproofing cost?” or “What is the cost of having a crawl space encapsulated?”  It may seem like an expensive venture, but it is well worth it for the safety of your home and family.  Let’s discuss cost.  To encapsulate a crawl space, the average price is around $3,000-4,000.  Will that be your prices?  we have no way of knowing until we see your space!  System price has a lot to do with size of the space. So, there are some crawl spaces that have been much lower in price, and some much larger.  B-Dry offers free inspections and will be glad to come measure, find our where and how your water is entering and leave you with a professional quote and estimate of what you need to fix your problem permanently.  We will also leave you with our warranty information.  Hang on to that and make sure to compare if you’re shopping around. 

Next is basement waterproofing.  Again we have the same scenario. We have a general range that most customers fall into. This range is around $5,000-7,000.  There are basements that can be waterproofed for less. There are some that have water only entering on one wall, there are others where water is entering all five common ways! There are 400 sf basements and there are 3,000 sf basements. This is why our customer service reps will not give a quote on the phone.  They would have to be mind-readers. 

When you have water entering your home, whether in your basement or crawl space, there are some very important things you need to know.  First is that if it starts coming, even if just during rain, the problem will never, ever correct itself. In fact, it will worsen over time.  Second, this can damage the structure of your home causing some area of your foundation to be under enormous stress.  Third point has nothing to do with actual structure, it has to do with the problems the moisture causes.  Did you realize that more than 65% of the air you breathe in your home comes from your lower level?  When you have moisture down there, whether it is from a basement that floods or one that simply has seeping, bleeding or sweating walls, you have the perfect opportunity for mold to grow. Nevermind all of the other VOC’s and radon that can enter, mold and mildew grow with moisture and those spores float directly up.  That smell you have each time it rains? It’s not just a smell, it’s a sign of unhealthy air.

The B-Dry System is complicated. We have sales consultants that will schedule an appointment with you, do a complete inspection of your home, outside as well as inside.  They will walk you through the problems they see, measure and suggest a plan of action. These inspections and estimates are free to all customers.  We encourage you to have your basement or crawl space looked at by a licensed professional if you feel that any of the above problems may be occuring in your home.  We have been in business for a long time for one reason, people trust us to solve their basement and call space water issues.

And I just have to add that I hope many of you saw the episode of “Flip this House” that aired on TLC channel yesterday!  We have been getting calls and emails.  We’ll try to locate a link to the episode so that you can see a B-Dry installation and learn more about it. 

Call B-Dry today or fill out one of our online forms and we will contact you during business hours. For more information about our company and services, please visit our Learning Center. Have questions? Ask the B-Dry Guy here on our website. 

March 18, 2013

Well, it seems as though that spring is nearly upon us and with it’s arrival, so comes the rainy weather.  Most people love what spring brings…beautiful flowers, green grass and all the wildlife that have been hidden away during the winter.  Along with all these great things that come about during the spring there is one thing that most people get tired of…RAIN and the thoughts of basement waterproofing.  Even though the rains that come with the spring help develop and bring out all the things we love about the season, rain also reminds us of things that we need to do around our homes to ensure it is safe and healthy. Basement waterproofing and crawl space waterproofing are items that should be on your checklist.

Moisture in the home will cause visible damage to block walls, sheet rock and floor joists. This is very dangerous to the structural integrity of a home.  Moisture will also cause damage to the health of the inhabitants of the home. How you might ask? Mold. So, best to find out if your home needs basement waterproofing.  

Mold only needs a few things to strive and grow.  One is obviously moisture. If you haven’t had basement waterproofing or crawl space waterproofing done, this could be a problem.  Moisture needs to be present for mold growth.  Some places where mold is often seen in the home might be a bathroom, a basement or a crawl space.  Mold also needs a food source.  Porous materials, such as cotton, wood and leather, are perfect food sources for mold growth.  Think about what your home and the furniture inside your home is made of…wood and some type of material (cloth, leather, etc.).  Mold also needs the right temperature to grow.  Mold can grow in a temperature setting anywhere from 32° to 120° Fahrenheit. That temperature range will cover practically any indoor environment.  A few other things that increase the probability of mold growth in your home are areas with stagnate air/poor ventilation, high relative humidity and damp, musty areas such as basements and crawl spaces.Basement waterproofing is a certain way to prevent this moisture from entering your home.

So just remember, a little moisture in your home is not “okay”.  Any moisture in your home will have an affect on your home and your family.  All the experts say the same thing, have a qualified professional check your home to see if you need basement waterproofing.  If you want to stop mold growth in your home, you must get your moisture/water issues corrected first.  Then you can start correcting other parts of your home to ensure it isn’t a perfect environment for mold growth. Basement waterproofing can become a necessity in the blink of an eye.  If you see any signs of needing basement waterproofing, best to call a professional right away.

Thankfully, B-Dry^®  and their basement waterproofing technology not only provides the perfect solution for your homes water problems, we can help control mold growth as well with the Blue Canyon^® Total Healthy Home System.  The Blue Canyon^® is like an all purpose tool for your those areas in your home where the air is stagnate, musty and dank. A full solution basement waterproofing is combined with our Blue Canyon^® system to turnover your air.  It provides ventilation so the air in your home “turns over” multiple times throughout the day ensuring that you aren’t breathing stale air.  It helps control the humidity as well and keeps it below 60% relative humidity.  It will also due away with those awful smells that are commonly found in a basement or crawl space and makes those areas smell and feel more like a home.  If you are not sure if your home requires basement waterproofing or crawl space waterproofing, best to call a B-Dry^® professional for a free estimate.

Call today and find out how the B-Dry^®  Basement Waterproofing System and the Blue Canyon^® Total Healthy Home System can make your home safe and more livable.  Call (800) 871-2379 today and take the first step towards fixing your homes water and indoor air quality problems.  Basement waterproofing and crawl space waterproofing are problems that we don’t want you to worry about.  Call B-Dry^® today.

February 7, 2013

Ever wonder why you see that chalky substance on your basement or crawl space walls? Let B-Dry explain how it came to be, and how this can be a serious sign of basement water damage and foundation issues.

The fuzzy white material you see on the wall is called “Efflorescence” and it indicated two things:  a breakdown in the original waterproofing on the outside walls; and the presence of water in the soil immediately outside this wall.

The surface tension of the water actually “pulls” the water through the tiny pores in the cement block in a process known as “capillary action”.  As the water travels through the soil, it dissolves any water-soluble components present.  This mineral-rich water passes through the block to the interior of the basement, where it is exposed to conditioned air.  As a result, it evaporates, leaving behind these minerals as salts (most often salts of calcium and magnesium).  If you were to wet these white crystals, they would simply dissolve and disappear, although any staining or darkening of the cement block would most likely remain permanently.

When we know that water is present in the soil outside, then we also know that this water is exerting pressure on the walls at the rate of several tons per square foot, the higher the wall and the higher the grade level on the outside the greater the pressure.  This is known as “hydrostatic pressure” and it can have a damaging effect on a foundation wall.  If the lateral forces exerted on the wall by the wet soil exceeds the ability of the wall to resist, then the wall literally breaks to relieve the stresses on it.  However, the wet soil continues to exert its force and continues to stress the wall.  This can cause further movement of the wall and in a worst case scenario, the wall can collapse. 

Hydrostatic pressure is the reason so many basements and crawl spaces leak at the junction of the floor slab or soil, especially when the footing drains are clogged.  This area of leakage is known as the “cove” and is the point at which about 80% of basements and crawl spaces leak eventually.  The higher water level in the exterior soil attempts to drop, due to gravity, forcing water to travel under the footing (and sometimes over the footing, through floor cracks, and through wall cracks and penetrations).  The result is the very common wet basement and wet crawlspace.

Signs of water and foundation issues can be as simple as an unpleasant odor. If you feel that your basement or crawl space is showing signs described above, it’s time to call a professional.  B-Dry offers FREE inspections and written estimates.

January 26, 2013

B-Dry System of Metropolitan Washington provides basement & crawl space waterproofing, air quality, and foundation repairs as well as other related services such as egress windows & wells, basement floor lowering, exterior drainage and concrete work plus radon, mold, mildew and odor reduction and elimination resulting in significant air quality improvements.  We have been servicing this region since our DC, MD, & VA office opened in 1984, and have been  selected by more than 15,000 customers in the local area (YES, we can provide plenty of references).  Over the last 55 years, B-Dry’s national organization has developed and patented unique, industry leading technologies (YES, we are experienced).  We’re the folks everybody tries to copy, and often do… as soon as our patents expire (right now we have 7 patents and the exclusive right to use several other companies’ patented products).  Everybody that you will have contact with, particularly our highly skilled Design Consultants and Installation Technicians, is a B-Dry Employee- not sub-contractors.

Why do you need waterproofing?  There are surprisingly many answers suggested, but they can usually be distilled into the following reason:

Your current system failed (except for our new construction installations, 100% of the time we are responding because an existing system failed!).

Why did your system fail?

Poor design concept (water enters a building from at least 5 different directions, but most buildings are only protected by exterior systems that can only stop water from only 1 direction).

Little or no Quality Control leads to Poor installation– many contractors depend on sub-contractors to carry out the design plan.  B-Dry has stringent in-house training and control.

Deterioration due to poor quality materials and bad design implementation

Weak or non-existent building codes when the building was built (built-to-code is often NOT good enough!)

The wrong system for the environment involved – yes, even next door neighbors have different environments to deal with.  No two houses are exactly alike.  What’s perfect for one situation may be ineffective for another.

How can you be sure to get the correct answer for your home or building?

Obtain a consultation from B-Dry.  Ask questions – as many as you can think of.  BE HONEST AND FORTHCOMING WITH ALL OF THE PROBLEMS YOU BELIEVE EXIST.  Telling your consultant about a “little trickle once in a while” or a “damp spot that comes and goes” can be the crucial detail that allows him to make a proper diagnosis.  Work as a team!

Listen to professionals and evaluate their answers in light of your experience with the problems you are trying to solve.

Don’t be pressured to buy – when it is right, you’ll know it. There’s no reason to wait once you feel comfortable with the answers-things never get better by themselves.  The waterproofing industry is an “unregulated” industry.  Anybody with a contractor’s license can call themselves a “waterproofing contractor”.

Research the company before you get involved – use several sources including friends and family, the Better Business Bureau, rating services such as Angie’s List, and The Washington Consumer Checkbook Magazine.  Was the company listed in the Yellow Pages as far back as 1990? 2000? 2010? – Length of time in business serving the local community matters!

When should I consider talking to a waterproofing consultant?

At the first sign of water (you should have done it yesterday!)

At the first sign of dampness (do you need a dehumidifier?  Do you have to empty it often?)

At the first sign of mold, mildew or “that funky basement smell”

Before/during remodeling (if you find dampness during the project –STOP!!  Call B-DRY and get it checked before continuing)

Before listing the property for sale –don’t lose a contract because the buyer has concerns about the basement or crawl space.  You will save much more by fixing the problems first (yes, we can help with financing)

Before buying a property – don’t count on home inspectors to be able to find and properly interpret water/dampness, etc.

In Virginia our service area encompasses Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Stafford and Loudoun Counties including the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fredericksburg plus the Town of Clifton, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon , Centreville, Burke, Springfield, Annandale, Reston, Herndon, McLean, Town of Occoquan, Woodbridge, Dale City, Lakeridge, Hamilton, Marshall, Middleburg, Aldie, and all others in Northern Virginia.

In Maryland, we serve the Counties of Montgomery and Prince Georges, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Potomac, Takoma Park, Montgomery Village, Germantown, Colesville, Olney, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Aspen Hill, Damascus, Bladensburg, Riverdale, College Park, Fort Washington, Bowie, and all other places within the counties listed.

Of course, we service Washington, DC including all of the areas of the District of Columbia.

We pride ourselves on offering prompt, professional evaluations and consultation backed up with top installation professionals and the best warranty in the business.  Don’t settle for less – you deserve the BEST.  Call B-Dry at 1(800)737-BDRY today!

January 15, 2013

     This time of season if a perfect opportunity to have your basement, crawl space or foundation inspected for any type of damage prior to large weather events.  Home owners should prepare for the upcoming rainy season and make sure their home is prepared as well.  There is nothing worse than having to put your rain boots on before you walk into your basement…especially if it’s a finished basement!  Then not only are your floors and walls water damaged but anything existing in your basement is also going to be damaged as well.  Who wants to have to deal with that?

     People may think that if they have a crawl space then they don’t have to worry about protecting it.  That’s where you are wrong!  Crawl Spaces aren’t made to be wet.  They need to be kept dry as well.  Why you might ask?  Because whenever your crawl space is wet or even damp, then you are creating a perfect habitat for mold growth.  Over time, that mold growing in your crawl space will begin deteriorating your homes support system.  Not only will it damage your home, but the air from your crawl space (or basement for that matter) will venture into the upper part of your home as well affecting your and your families health. Who wants to be breathing that stale, moldy air?  I know I don’t and I’m sure you don’t either.

     But what about your foundation?  Do you think that those tiny cracks or holes in your foundation aren’t letting moisture, bugs and rodents into your home?  Well they are.  The worst part is that if you don’t get someone to do foundation repair on your home then it’s only going to get worse.  Unfortunately your home doesn’t have the ability to repair itself.  That’s why it’s better to get the ball rolling and have your foundation fixed before it’s too late.  The longer you wait to fix your basement, crawl space or foundation, the more likely you are going to have to pay big bucks when you finally decide to have the work done.

      Now, what if I told you that I could give you something for free?  Something that other people would charge upwards of $100 to $150?  Then, what if I told you that I will bring it to you and you didn’t even have to leave your house?  What if this “thing” could eventually help protect your biggest investment and would actually add value to it as well? 

     This “thing” is only a phone call away.  It a cost free inspection and estimate for your home’s basement, crawl space or foundation.  Call B-Dry^® today and schedule your free in home estimate to ensure that your home is safe and stable before bad weather hits.  It  will only take a few seconds of your time and you will be happy knowing that you have made the right decision for your home and your family.  Trust B-Dry^® to provide your home with the proper solution.  Nearly 1/2 million customers nationwide already have.

Be Stable.  Be Healthy.  B-Dry^®!

January 9, 2013

     Now that the holiday season is over, people can begin to get back into their everyday routine.  This is usually difficult for most of us.  After having some extended time off from work, school or whatever the norm is, people typically have to re-acclimate themselves back to what they are used to doing on a daily basis.  It’s also time to begin taking down all those decorations and lights that you put up once a year.  This is a great time to take a look around your home and do a “personal inspection” of sorts. 

     Let’s face it, holiday season decorations are typically stored somewhere where you don’t go on a regular basis.  For some it may be your attic or closets throughout the house but for the majority of people, that place is likely going to be your basement or crawl space.  While you are down there storing boxes upon boxes of decorations do yourself, your family and your home a favor and look for a few key signs of damage to your home or foundation.

                For the interior of your basement or crawl space, do the following…

Check for moisture or wet spots on the walls and floor.

Look to see if your walls are discolored. (efflorescence)

See if you notice any mold growth.

Check if there are any musty or dank smelling odors.

Look out for puddled water where the wall meets the floor and in the corners.

               For the exterior of your home, do the following…

See if you notice any cracks in the brick or cracks in the block (foundation) around your home.

Check spots where you may have noticed cracks before to see if they have worsened during the colder months.

See if windows or doors look “racked” or seem harder to open and shut.

Step back and look at your chimney; make sure that it is still plumb and not leaning away from your house.

     As stated above, this is a perfect opportunity to inspect your home and be proactive about any repairs that may need to be done.  Waiting around on a problem is that worst thing you can do for home repairs.

     If there are unsightly cracks in your home that are allowing water to enter, then that is causing your basement to smell musty or dank.  That air is now entering the upstairs of your home and its inhabitants are now breathing that musty, possibly moldy and polluted, air. 

     If you have spotted a problem with your home’s foundation or see that water is entering you basement or crawl space then the time to act is now.  Home owners seem to put these types of problems on the back burner.  Not only does it make your home’s appearance look less appealing but it will also make the value of your home decrease dramatically. 

     You have nothing to lose and you will be happier in the long run regardless of the outcome of the inspection.  Either way, you will know for certain if you have an issue or if you don’t. 

     Be proactive and take care of your most important investment…your home!  Call B-Dry® today and schedule your free in home inspection and estimate!

November 27, 2012

     Most people probably have similar opinions about water entering their basement…it’s a horrible, troublesome experience!  Let’s think about what someone has to go through after water intrusion occurs in their home… 

First, you have to remove everything from the area which alone can be a hassle.  If your downstairs is finished, you may have to remove things like couches and chairs to entertainment centers and pool tables depending on how you utilize the area.

Then you have gather all types of tools to prepare for your clean up…Vacuums, mops, dehumidifiers, towels and in some cases you have to either buy or rent a sump pump to remove the water more efficiently. 

Once that you are finished cleaning you have to evaluate the damage.  Check the carpet, laminate, hardwood or whatever type of flooring you have and look at the damage.  Check your walls to make sure they aren’t holding in too much moisture and need to be replaced. 

Then, if you are lucky enough, you can then start moving things back into your basement and begin getting things back to normal.   

     However, what if there is still water lingering in your flooring, walls, furniture or whatever else you have in your basement?  A basement or crawlspace is usually going to be more humid than any other part of your home.  That humidity coupled with moisture provides a perfect environment for mold growth.  Slowly, your items are still being damaged and are going to begin to deteriorate.  Now you have a problem that isn’t only going to affect your home but your health as well. 

     The worst part about mold is that some people may not even realize that they have a problem.  The mold can be growing on the interior of a wall, underneath carpet or on furniture.  Mold can grow on wood, the paper on sheet rock, or any other organic substance which provides a food source.  Mold can also come in various colors.  Have you ever notice what looks like black residue on a basement wall that was previously seen water damage?  Well, unfortunately that’s more than likely mold.  Have you ever seen white or greenish residue on old food such as bread?  That is another example of mold growth.  Regardless of the color, mold is very unhealthy for anyone who comes in contact with it.  However, it does affect people in different ways.  Some people may only suffer from eye or throat irritation while others could have an allergic reaction.

     To solve the mold problem, you must first solve the water leakage problem.  Fortunately, with a B-Dry® waterproofing system and the Blue Canyon® Total Healthy Home System, we can help with those problems.  B-Dry’s® patented waterproofing system will stop the 5 most common ways water enters your basement or crawl space.  Then you must lower the relative humidity, which in turn lowers the wood moisture content (commonly shown as “WMC”) to a point where mold does not grow.  The Blue Canyon® Total Healthy Home System can help control your humidity, turn over the air in your home multiple times a day and also keep harmful gases, such as radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) ventilated outside your home. 

     Schedule an appointment today and talk to your B-Dry® consultant about our Blue Canyon® Total Healthy Home System that will create a healthier home, by lowering the relative humidity and by turning over the air in your home several times a day.

November 16, 2012

Your basement is built in an excavated “hole in the ground”; therefore it becomes a reservoir that will hold water.  This is known as the clay bowl effect.  Water is trapped in this “clay bowl” and eventually works its way into your basement. 

There are a number of things that you need to be aware of that can greatly contribute to the likelihood of groundwater entering a basement: improper yard drainage; inadequate gutters or down spouts that are not directed away from the foundation; planters that trap water next to your foundation and provide an easy path to the basement wall.  Also, if your basement has leaked again, the waterproofing system that was installed around the outside of your foundation when the house was built has probably stopped working.  Statistically, about 82% of these outside systems fail sooner or later, so if you go to the huge expense and disruption of replacing it, what is to keep it from happening again?

It is usually difficult to pin point the exact problem; it can be a combination of all the above items, plus the less-obvious natural movement of groundwater.  You cannot keep water out of the “bowl”, but the B-Dry^® system, with its life of the structure warranty, controls the water and prevents it from entering your basement.

B-Dry^® has a patented, full perimeter system from floor to ceiling.  The system has a powerful ¾ horse power sump pump, and also offers a separate battery backup pump.  The backup pump operates not only when the power goes off, but can function when there is a sudden rain deluge.  This backup system has its own separate discharge pipe.

Schedule a free home inspection today with B-Dry^® and make sure your home is protected from future rain events.