Does Waterproofing a Basement Add Value?
Here is a short article from Mar-flex Waterproofing & Building Products on adding value. We mainly serve new home builders, and here in Kansas City we still see about 50% dampproofing with no elasticity and no warranty, and 50% waterproofing with a 10 year warranty. However, when a homeowner is building their own home they […]
Water Bubbling Up From The Floor?
Water bubbling up from the seam where the wall meets the floor is almost always a symptom of hydraulic pressure from below the floor level. The first thing to check is the sump pump. Is it on, is it working, is it pumping out the water? Is the pit full of water? Is the drain […]
Sump Pump Line In Winter
In the winter months most sump pumps are not that active. There are cases where homeowners sump pumps run majority of all seasons. One of the problems can be as the outside temperatures are below freezing, the sump pump line that runs outside can freeze. This can cause all sorts of problems such as, sump […]
Egress Window Addition | Return On Investment
Adding an egress window to your basement is a large investment, with large returns. You may need to add a code required egress window as part of your basement remodel or you may know that basement living space requires emergency escape and rescue openings? Perhaps instead you simply want more light or safety for your […]
What You Should Know About Maintaining Your Sump Pump
If your home has a sump pump, you should learn about it. Sump Pumps are like any other electronic appliance. They are generally reliable and should last at least 5 years and in some cases a life time. However, if your coffee pot decides to quit working the only downfall is that you have to […]
Leaky Wall Crack Repair Options
In this article, we’ll address leaks in foundation walls. We will not be addressing structural repairs in this blog. But, if you just want to learn about keeping those wall cracks from leaking into your basement, then read on! There are 3 common options that you can consider if you have a crack in your […]
Code Requirements For Basement Egress Windows
The purpose of this blog is to educate you on the building code requirements for egress windows in finished basements. Kansas City and most of the local surrounding municipalities use the IRC (International Residential Code) as a guideline for building safety & quality. They have specific guidelines that the Kansas City metropolitan area follows. In […]
Benefits To Adding An Egress Window To Your Basement
If you live in a home with a basement and there is not much natural light down there, you may want to consider the benefits of adding 1 or more windows. You should consider all of the facts – weigh them out and make an educated decision based on your particular situation. There is no right or […]
What If Your Sump Pump Failed
DID YOU EVER THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOUR SUMP PUMP FAILED? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT THIS HAPPENS TO YOU? If your home has a sump pump, you may want to consider some options to create a back up plan in case your […]
Check Your Sump Pump To Keep Your Basement Dry
Especially in the Greater Kansas City metro, area homeowners depend on a properly functioning drain tile and sump pump system to keep their basement dry. Unfortunately, sump pumps are often the last thing on a homeowner’s mind – until it it too late. Just like any other machine, sump pumps should be regularly checked and […]
What Will Insurance Cover When My Sump Pump Fails or Overflows?
In the event your sump pump fails all together or can’t keep up – are you covered?
Many standard home insurance policies do not cover damages caused by overflowing from a sump pump or backing up through sewers and drains in your home’s basement.
Create A Backyard Oasis
Barbecue and gardening season are upon us. Spring brings graduation parties and the rest of summer is full of baby showers and weddings. Kansas is one of the states with the highest birthrates, most of which happen between June and August. With the influx of outdoor gatherings and events during summer months, start creating the perfect […]
Salvage Water Damaged Valuables
As we finally begin to see the spring showers us Midwesterns look forward to, water damage becomes a real threat. Winter only brought a few heavy snow storms, so the rain is falling on pretty dry ground. Because the soil can’t absorb the moisture quickly enough, be prepared in case your basement starts to take […]
Grow A Better Yard With Proper Drainage
Standing water in the yard is enough of a nuance for walking or mowing, but that water could be causing other problems too. If you have trouble growing anything, drainage may be the problem. Maybe you made plans to spend your summer in the garden, another place drainage often poses problems to itself and your […]
