Tag Archive for: foundation waterproofing

Why So Many Families Are Finishing Their Basements

basement waterproofing in milwaukeeIt might seem like every home on your street has had their basement finished, and now you might be thinking about doing it, too. Our Milwaukee team is busy helping families with basement waterproofing services before they start finishing the space in order to protect their investment. So why are so many people finishing their basements?

More Multi-Generational Households

More and more families are living together in one home. Maybe your post-college grad moves home until they find a better paying job or your mom and dad need family close by during their retirement years. Whatever the reasons, more family members means you need more space, and the basement can be the perfect way to expand your living space without moving.

Great for Your Property Values

A properly finished basement can be a great way to increase the market value of your home. Adding additional bedrooms and bathrooms is especially valuable. Increased properly value means you’ll have access to more equity in your home, too. The key is to make sure you do things like basement waterproofing, or else you could actually hurt the value of your home.

Helps Sell a Home in a Competitive Market

It’s a really competitive housing market right now, so if you are trying to sell your home you’ll want to do everything you can to not only attract buyers but get the most out of your home that you can. Finishing a basement can make a home much more attractive, giving the buyer more livable space and more options for their family. If you plan on selling soon, it might be worth the investment.

If you are ready to finish your basement, let our team start the job! We offer basement waterproofing to ensure you don’t get water seepage into your walls, which could severely damage your investment into your home. We also offer basement wall support beam installation which can straighten the walls in your basement and make the foundation of your home safer and sturdier. Contact us today by clicking the button below to learn more about our Milwaukee basement services!

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Waterproof Before Finishing Your Basement

zablocki-basementWhether you need a larger office space, want to put in a home gym, need another bedroom constructed, or want to add a whole new apartment you can use as a source of income, finishing your basement is a great option for expanding your household’s living space or even bringing a new household into your home. An unfinished basement is the ideal canvas for just about any home renovation project, but before you start you’ll want to be sure no water intrusion is going to ruin your completed masterpiece. Why not invest in basement waterproofing services from the expert waterproofing contractors at Zablocki?

Keep Your New Basement Space Warm & Dry

You don’t want to go through the entire process of framing your unfinished basement, putting in new electric and plumbing architecture, and getting all the walls up just to discover a moisture problem is threatening to ruin all of your hard work. Be sure to identify any water intrusion problems before you start your project to avoid costly repairs and even more work. One prevalent DIY method for testing your basement for moisture problems is the plastic sheet method, but the results from these sorts of tests are typically unquantifiable and poor indicators of the real problem. Rather than putting your faith in unreliable DIY tests, be sure to seek professional advice.

Contact the Basement Waterproofing Professionals

To truly ensure a warm and dry finished basement, get in touch with your local basement waterproofing contractors. Only they will have the knowledge and experience to efficiently inspect your foundation, identify any moisture problems, and take care of any needed repairs or waterproofing systems. At Zablocki Waterproofing, we want you to feel confident that your finished basement will remain dry for years and years to come. Give us a call, or contact us online to schedule your free cost estimate.

The Truth About Waterproofing Paint

zablocki-paintThis society is full of misnomers. That 0.7mm lead you load into your mechanical pencil is not made from lead but graphite, when you smack your funny bone, you’re not actually hitting a bone at all but the ulnar nerve, and Chinese checkers is a German-invented game with absolutely no roots in traditional checkers. You can imagine how nervous it makes us when we see DIYers putting their faith in something called “waterproofing paint” to solve their moisture problems.

What is waterproofing paint?

Waterproof paint, also called waterproofing paint, is a type of house paint, different than exterior painting, that has become increasingly popular among homeowners. It is ideal for areas within a home that experience a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms, because it stops the moisture in the air from penetrating the walls, within which it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. By creating a water-resistant or waterproof layer on the external most layer of the wall, the paint is able to prevent future moisture problems.

What’s the problem with waterproofing paint?

The problem is not in the paint but in the way it is often used. Some homeowners notice moisture problems in their basements and decide to coat their basement walls in waterproofing paint. Unfortunately, this does not fix the problem and may even cause more moisture issues in the future. Putting a new coat of paint on the walls is a temporary solution whether that paint is earmarked as waterproofing or not because it addresses the symptom, not the cause.

Imagine that water is finding its way through your basement walls and into your basement. Now put a waterproof layer around the inside of the walls. Can you guess what will probably happen? By waterproofing the wall interiors, homeowners are trapping the water inside the walls, where it can continue to wreak havoc on the foundation. Instead, the source of the intrusion must be found and corrected.

Identifying the cause of water intrusion is one of the trickiest parts of home maintenance. Water building up in one wall on the second story may be getting in through a roof leak on the other side of your home. Similarly, moisture getting into your basement could indicate a large number of problems. The best decision you can make to keep your home’s foundation strong and dry is to consult basement waterproofing professionals when a moisture problem occurs.

The foundation experts at Zablocki Waterproofing can take care of your basement waterproofing and foundation repair needs. Contact us online for a free cost estimate.

Why Use Zablocki For Foundation Repairs?

whyzablockiWhen it comes to choosing the best foundation repair company to handle your home’s structural needs, it’s important to find a team of professionals with certain qualities. Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we’ve been keeping Milwaukee and surrounding areas dry since 1985, and we take pride in providing our customers with efficient work at fair, affordable prices. All you have to do is listen to what our past customers have to say to understand our commitment to quality service.

Why choose Zablocki?

We keep our customers educated and informed.

Have you ever encountered contractors who talk to you as if you’re twelve years old, don’t explain the motivation or purpose behind what they’re doing, and ultimately keep you so far in the dark you couldn’t say exactly which parts of your home they worked on? You won’t have to worry about dealing with that sort of service from our teams. Alexandria from Racine said it perfectly when she explained in a review of our business,

“If I had a question they [the workers on hand] took the time to explain the detailed process.”

We provide free estimates and inspections.

When you have a moisture or structural problem with your foundation or basement, the last thing you need is someone charging you just to come up and let you know what’s wrong with your home. Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we offer our customers free consultations and inspections, so you’ll be completely informed on what’s going on before any other step is taken.

Don’t wait to address your foundation repair or waterproofing need. Even a small moisture problem can become a costly issue if left unchecked. You can get in touch with us by calling or contacting us online.

3 Tips For Window Well Maintenance

waterMany rooms in basements feature full-sized windows and window wells, which keep the soil and groundwater from reaching the window while also providing enough space to allow natural sunlight to illuminate the basement level. If your home features one or more window wells, you may already understand the disastrous consequences of failing to maintain them correctly. Have you ever looked out of your basement window to find nothing but a double-paned wall of glass between you and the foot and a half of water collected in your window well or come home to a flooded basement because of a failed window seal? Keep reading to learn three tips for proper window well maintenance.

3 Window Well Maintenance Tips

Even a little moisture can become a big problem.

Although a minuscule leak in your second story window may not be cause for immediate concern, even a small amount of moisture getting through your basement windows can spell disaster the next time a massive rainstorm hits the Milwaukee area. Keep an eye out for signs of moisture, such as mold growth, puddles directly below the window, frame wood rot, etc., and call a professional to take care of your basement waterproofing needs as soon as possible if you notice signs that water is getting in. Ignoring moisture in or around your window well may lead to significant basement flooding in the future.  

Don’t neglect an aging window well.

If your window well is displaying significant signs of age, then it may be time to replace it. Do you notice that the metal has rusted or is showing other significant signs of wear, such as scrapes or warps? Is the window well liner separating from the structure of your home? Has your window well stopped draining properly? It may be tempting to simply make spot repairs and move on, but window wells were never designed to be permanent and will need to be replaced eventually. Be sure to replace your aging window well before a drain, seal, or glass failure results in expensive repairs.  

Have your windows and wells inspected annually.

The best thing you can do to prevent damage caused by a failing window well is to have your window wells inspected on a yearly basis. You can complete the inspection yourself, but this can be difficult for homeowners, especially in finished basements where drywall and materials may be hiding a moisture problem. If you’d like a professional to complete your inspection, contact the basement waterproofing experts at Zablocki Waterproofing. We’ve been keeping Milwaukee dry since 1985!

Preparing For a Flood

flood 2Although floods are by no means regular in Milwaukee, we’re no strangers to rapidly rising water levels. To embrace a cliche, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to contending with such a powerful force as flood waters. Are you and your household prepared for a flood incident? If not, keep reading for some tips on preparing for a flood.

Packing Your Emergency Go Bag

In ideal circumstances, you’ll be able to evacuate the area long before flood waters reach your home, but you’ll likely still need to leave very quickly. Prepare an exit strategy beforehand, which includes getting out of your home and an evacuation route. Because you’ll be rushing out of your house, you’ll have little to no time to grab anything, so prepare a go bag ahead of time. What will go into your go bag is ultimately up to you, but here are a few suggestions:bag

  • Important policy numbers and phone numbers.
  • Basic first aid supplies, toiletries, and backup medications.
  • Food, water, and a plan for water purification.
  • Strike anywhere matches, flint and steel, or other fire starting tools.
  • A hand crank radio or one that runs on batteries, solar, etc.
  • Soap, toilet paper, and other items important for sanitation.
  • A whistle, knife, compass, signal flare, and other survival gear.

Basic Flood Safety Tips

flood 3When it comes to staying safe in flood situations, the most important thing to remember is that even a little bit of water can be a powerful force. It only takes half a foot of water before the force is strong enough to sweep you off of your feet, and just two feet of water will do the same to your vehicle. Avoid walking, driving, or swimming through flood waters. Besides the power, these waters are also probably contaminated with sewage, industrial bi-products, and other substances you don’t want to expose yourself to. The best way to stay safe during flood conditions is to seek higher ground as quickly as possible and avoid moving water.

 

Does your home need basement waterproofing services after heavy rains or flood conditions in the Milwaukee area? Contact Zablocki Waterproofing.

Why Are Gutters Important?

gutter with leavesHere at Zablocki Waterproofing, we’re Milwaukee’s Top Rated Local® foundation and basement waterproofing contractors. When water makes its way into your home and begins to compromise its integrity, we’re the experts you need to identify and solve the moisture problem. We’re in the business of stopping the destructive power of water from destroying your home, but there are many things you can do as a homeowner to stop these problems from happening in the first place. Your home’s first line of defense against rain water is the rain gutter system. Keep reading to discover why exactly these systems are so important.

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The Purpose of Rain Gutters

When rainwater falls against the exterior of your home, gravity naturally wants to bring that water to settle around the foundation. By installing a rain gutter system on your home, you’re redirecting that flow of rainwater away from the base of your home, allowing the water to soak into the ground
away from the foundation. Rain gutters also protect the exterior paint of your home because they reduce the flow of water down the sides.

The Importance of Rain Gutters

Without rain gutters, rainwater would be allowed to settle and soak into the soil around the foundation of your home. This excessive moisture compromises the stability of the soil, causes erosion, wreaks havoc on your exterior doors, and, of course, can cause basement flooding and/or significant damage to your home’s foundation. Keep your rain gutters clean and well-maintained to prevent this sort of damage from happening to your home.

Keeping Your Gutters Clean

cleaning guttersYou’ll have to decide how often you need to clean your gutters for yourself because this depends on many variables, including the structure’s proximity to trees and your home’s roofing material, but homeowners tend to have to do this twice a year on average. When you clean your gutters, you’re clearing them of everything that has built up over the past months, such as leaves, asphalt shingle granules, soil, animal nests, etc. in order to prevent damming. When your gutters get dammed up, this can cause water to enter the structure of your home and seep down to the foundation.  

Keep your home protected against water damage with a properly-installed rain gutter system, and be sure to keep it clear of any debris. And remember you typically need gutter cleaning every year if there are trees / leaves near your home.

If your foundation or basement is already experiencing the signs of a moisture problem, such as dampness, cracking, or a musty smell, contact the basement waterproofing experts at Zablocki Waterproofing. We offer free consultations!

4 Common Foundation Repair Myths

Many homeowners react to needing foundation repair services with panic. How has my concrete foundation moved so much, they wonder, and why is my foundation contractor telling me the problem is over there when the cracking I see is over here? Common misconceptions about foundations and foundation repair have made this prospect a frightening one for homeowners, but there’s no need to worry. Our foundation and waterproofing professionals at Zablocki Waterproofing can handle any repair you may need. Let’s look at some common misconceptions regarding foundation repair, so you can be knowledgeable about and confident in the work we do for you.

Common Foundation Repair Misconceptions

Only severe flooding will affect my home’s foundation.

While flooding can be a factor in many home repair needs, your home’s foundation is subject to any water that comes into contact with it, and it doesn’t take a massive flood to cause problems. The soil around your foundation expands and contracts as it is exposed to and dried of rainwater. This can cause movement, pressure, and other foundational issues over time, especially when it comes to poorly waterproofed basements. To ensure your home is protected from the natural effects of rainwater, why not invest in exterior waterproofing?

My foundation problem is a concrete problem.

Many homeowners assume that because foundation problems often reveal themselves in cracked or heaved concrete, it must be a problem with the concrete. On the contrary, your home’s foundation is not going to move or degrade unless outside forces, such as water, soil, pests, etc., work against it. For example, your foundation might have sat perfectly level when first installed, but shifting soil beneath it has caused it to heave upwards.

The cracks in my foundation tell me where the problem is.

Many homeowners assume that once they’ve located signs of cracking, they’ve also identified the source of the problem. Unfortunately, foundation repair is rarely this simple. A crack on one part of your foundation may be the result of movement in a completely different part of the house. The crack is actually the point at which the pressure was released, not necessarily where it originated.

I should avoid purchasing a home with a foundation problem.

This may seem like an intuitive decision for any prospective homeowners who aren’t looking for a project house, but a foundation problem shouldn’t eliminate options off of your house hunting list. Repairs and rebuilds are more than possible with today’s modern technology, equipment, and tools, and a newly repaired, reinforced, and waterproofed foundation may be the perfect way to begin your life in your new home stress free.

Is your basement damp or wet in places? Do you see cracking? Do some of your doors no longer close right? Don’t let a foundation problem eat away at the structural stability of your Milwaukee home. The foundation repair professionals at Zablocki Waterproofing can locate the cause of your foundation problem and provide you with a free estimate on what it will take to fix it. Get a consultation today.

Supplement Your Waterproof Basement Walls with Good Landscaping on New Builds

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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!

 

The Pros and Cons of Window Wells

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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!