Tag Archive for: foundation contractors Milwaukee

,

Supplement Your Waterproof Basement Walls with Good Landscaping on New Builds

If you’re considering building yourself a new home, waterproofing your basement walls may not be at the top of the list of things you’re thinking about. A little mental effort now will be well worth it in the long run, though. We’ve come up with a list of things to consider when you’re working through the homebuilding process.

Landscaping Your Lawn
You might be tempted to think no further than what type of landscaping looks good, but it’s important to build out your landscape with proper drainage in mind. With a little brainstorming, you can have the best of both worlds. A well-landscaped lawn can be pleasing to the eye and functional when it’s done right.

Gutters
Gutters don’t have much to do with waterproofing basement walls, do they? They can help your home much more than you think. Giving your lawn room to absorb water can make a huge difference in keeping your basement water-free. Extending the spouts farther from the house spreads out the water further from the house. Keeping gutters free from leaves is your first line of protection.

Trees and Plants
Keeping your lawn full of trees and shrubs is a great idea, and it can really make your place look beautiful. Just be sure that they’re in the right place where they won’t damage water lines with their roots.

These are just a few ways you can supplement waterproofing basement walls when building a new house. As always, Zablocki Waterproofing is here to help, so give us a call today if you need help thinking through a strategy to ensure basement waterproofing in Milwaukee!

 

/by
,

What Exactly is a Drain Tile System?

Basement leak repair is no joke. One of the key components is proper utilization of drain tiles. Sometimes they’re called rubble drain, clay tile, and, probably more commonly, French drains. Maybe you’ve heard of drain tiles and you may know that they’re something that’s used in basements, but do you know what they actually do? Consider this post Drain Tile 101.

Drain tile is usually buried under a bed of stone which allows for efficient drainage and is perforated so that water can enter easily. Additionally, drain tile is usually round, but can also be square; keep in mind that the shape of the drain tile doesn’t make a difference and won’t affect the way the water flows. Because clay soil holds water and prevents it from draining away from your home, drain tiles are necessary. They are placed underneath your basement floor and carry water to your pump that propels water out of your home. Although many companies treat basement leak repair like it requires a major excavation, Zablocki Waterproofing can usually pinpoint which area is causing trouble and fix only the necessary drain tiles. We also install plastic that runs from the base of your interior walls into the drain tiles to make sure that your drain tiles drain properly during times of excessively heavy rain.

If you’re in need of a basement leak repair, give us a call today at (414) 439-0700. We’ve been keeping Milwaukee dry for nearly 30 years and we’ll give you exactly the type of care you deserve for your home. Contact us today!

/by
,

The Pros and Cons of Window Wells

Everyone wants a waterproof basement, and thanks to modern technology and a good waterproofing contractor, we can set your home up to be in good shape when the rain comes. Zablocki Waterproofing has the experience to give you an ideal scenario in terms of cost-effective solutions to your property, but is there anything you can do for yourself? Keeping your window wells from flooding will go a long way towards your goal of having a waterproof basement. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of using window wells in your basement.

Pros

  • In addition to letting in plenty of beautiful, natural light, a window downstairs can help your home to stay cool
  • Thanks to their ventilating properties, your home won’t smell damp or musty, and you can actually enjoy being in your basement.
  • Window well covers can take the punishment of a bad storm with ease while keeping your windows looking good.

Cons

  • When done improperly, a window well can flood, completely destroying any hopes you had for a waterproof basement.
  • Be sure that the drain on your window well is functioning properly because if it isn’t, water will back up into the well.
  • The drain can become clogged with dirt, leaves, and other leftover bits of landscaping materials.

If an unfortunate event has occurred and you’re in need of waterproofing services, give Zablocki Waterproofing a call. We’ll ensure that you have a waterproof basement in Milwaukee, and we never oversell our services. Contact us today for a free consultation!

/by

Four Signs That You Need Basement Waterproofing Services

Your basement may be an empty concrete box or a fully finished level complete with a couple of bedrooms and a man cave for Dad. Either way, moisture in your basement is never a good thing, and you should contact a professional foundation restoration and waterproofing crew as soon as you notice any warning signs that moisture is finding its way into your basement. Warning signs are generally obvious, so keep an eye (and nose) out for the following indicators of a leaky foundation:

  1. Musty Odor

Even if there are no physical signs that water is infiltrating your basement, there may be an unpleasant, musty odor. This smell can be caused by years of water seepage and mold growth, so it’s never a good idea to simply ignore it.

  1. Mold

We deal with mold on our perishable foods, we deal with mold in our showers, and some of us deal with mold in our basements. If you’ve spotted mold in your basement, whether it’s black, white, or whatever color, you should immediately contact both mold and basement waterproofing specialists.  

  1. Wall Damage

If your basement walls are cracked or bowed, even if there is no obvious moisture, water is probably seeping into your foundation. Cracks are one of the easier foundation repairs to complete, so don’t procrastinate.

  1. Efflorescence

Have you noticed a white, chalky substance on your basement walls? This is probably efflorescence, a crystalline deposit that builds up on masonry, stucco, and concrete. Efflorescence itself is not dangerous, but the presence of it is a serious sign of infiltrating moisture.

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in your basement, contact Zablocki Waterproofing. We’ve been trusted Milwaukee basement waterproofing and foundation repair experts since 1985.

/by

Welcome to Zablocki’s Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Blog

Welcome to our blog, where you’ll find news, events, facts, trivia, and other writings related to basement waterproofing and foundation restoration. Zablocki Waterproofing has provided Wisconsin residents with efficient, high-quality foundation services since 1985. We have the equipment and expertise to help you get your basement back from intruding moisture and related problems. If you need foundation repair or basement waterproofing services in Milwaukee or the surrounding area, contact the trusted professionals at Zablocki.

All of our customers get free estimates, so there’s no risk in having us come down to your home or commercial property and take a look around. We’ll identify the source of the problem, remove it from the equation, and repair the damages, all without ever upselling a service to you that you don’t need. We pride ourselves in our commitment to transparency; we’ll always recommend the most cost effective course of action in order to restore your property to like new or better than new without destroying your budget. We’ll also clearly and concisely explain to you what’s causing your foundation problem, so we can all confidently and quickly move forward with the necessary repairs.

Your basement doesn’t have to be a soggy, moldy laundry room that you only go down into when you absolutely have to. Zablocki can waterproof your basement’s exterior walls and complete other related improvements to keep moisture out. Take the first step to adding an entire floor of additional living space for your family by having your basement waterproofed by the foundation experts at Zablocki.

/by