All posts by Top Job

Basement, plumbing, water proofing

French Drains Proper Drainage Solution Regrade Property

Drainage Solution : How to Regrade

Establish the drainage slope. The yard around your house should slant away from the house at a minimum slope 3/4 inch per ft for at least 10 ft . Till the soil or add new soil around the house perimeter. Drive a wood stake next to the house and another 10 ft out. Tie a level mason’s string between the stakes, and then move the string down at least 2 1/2 inches at the end away from the house , establishing your minimum slope.

Redistribute the soil with a steel garden rake so the grade follows the slope line. Add top soil at the high end if needed. Do not excavate bear the end of the slope accommodate the grade. The goal is to build up the yard to create runoff.

Use a grading rake to smooth out the soil so it slopes at an even rate . Drive additional stakes and tie off slope lines as necessary.

Tamp the soil with a hard tamper or plate compactor . Fill in any dips that occur with fresh dirt . Lay sod or plant grass or cover immediately.

Drainage solution : How to install a dry well

A dry well is a simple way to channel excess water out low lying or water laden areas , such as the ground beneath a gutter downspout . Dry well system typically consists of a buried drain tile running from a catch basin positioned at the problem spot to a collection container some distance away .

A dry well system is easy to install and surprisingly inexpensive . In the project shown here, a perforated plastic drain tile carries water from a plastic trash ca that has been punctured , then filled with stone rubble. The run off water percolates into the soil as it makes its way along the drain pipe and through the dry well.

The how to steps of this project include digging the trench with a shovel . If the catch basin is a long distance from the from the problem area, you may want to rent a trencher to dig the trench quickly. Call local utility companies to mark the location of underground mechanics before you start to dig .

Set a length of perforated drain tile on the gravel running the full length of the trench. If the trench starts at a downspouts , position a grated catch basin directly beneath the downspout and attach the end of the drain tile to the outlet port .

Dig a trench ( 10 inches , 14 inches deep) from the area where the water collects to the catch basin location , sloping the trench 2 inch per 8 foot . Line the trench with landscape fabric add 1 inch layer of gravel on top of the fabric .

Install the dry well by digging a hole that’s big enough to hold a plastic trash can . Drill 1 inch holes through the sides and bottom of the can every 4 inches to 6 inches . Also cut an access hole at the top of the can for the drain tile . Set the can in the hole and insert the free end of the tile . Backfill dirt over the tile and trench and plant grass or cover with sod.

Uncategorized

Water Proofing Sealing Prevent Moisture Foundation Wall Cracks

To repair a stable crack , chisel cut a keyhole cut that’s wider at the base than 1/2 inch deep . Clean out the crack with a wire brush.

To help seal against moisture ,fill the crack with expanding insulating foam, working from bottom to top.

Mix hydraulic cement according to the manufacturer ‘s instructions then trowel it into the crack , working

from the bottom to top. Apply cement in layers no more 1/4 inch thick , until the patch is slightly higher

than the surrounding area . Feather cement with the trowel until it’s even with the surface . Allow to dry

throughly.

Water proof Paint
Masonry paints and sealers , especially those that are described as waterproof, are rather controversial products. Some manufacturers , claim that applying a coat of their waterproof paint will create a seal that can hold back moisture , even under light hydrostatic pressure. Other suggest only that their product , when applied to a basement wall, will create a skin that inhibits water penetration from the interior side.

Masonry paints do hold up better on concrete surfaces than other types, largely because they are higher in alkali and therefore less reactive with cement based materials . But they also can trap moisture in the concrete ,which will cause the paint to fail prematurely and can cause the concrete to degrade , especially
if the water freezes. Read the product label carefully before applying waterproofing paint to your basement walls, and make sure to follow the preparations protocols carefully . If you have a foundation wall with an active water seepage problem , address the problem with the other methods shown in this sections, including grading and gutters . A coat of waterproof paint is not to make your basement drier .

Clean your gutter and patch any holes. Make sure the gutters slope toward the downspouts extensions and splash blocks to keep roof runoff at least 8 feet away from the foundation.

Cover window well that will other wise allow water into basement Covering them with removable plastic is the easiest way to keep them dry. Covers on egress window wells must be easily removed from inside …
If you prefer to leave wells uncovered, add a gravel layer and a drain to the bottom of the well. Clean the well regularly to remove moisture heavy debris .

Things you need to fix concrete water proofing : trowel concrete mortar type S , or hydraulic cement for super water proof basement . Shovel and wheel barrel mix and water proper mixture . Concrete rake and concrete self level make easier for concrete to float cover the crack. Sand paper or heavy or epoxy if you did not properly level out and make smooth the concrete. Paint brush and caulk gun to brush in pattern the concrete to leave the pattern where concrete is much harder to break 30 years later .

Basement, plumbing, stucco, water proofing

Basements : Wet Walls Water Proofing Water Damage

Basement moisture can destroy your efforts to create functional living space . Over time , even small amounts of moisture can rot framing, turn wallboard to mush, and promote the growth of mold and mildew. Before proceeding with your basement project , you must deal with any moisture issues . The good news is that moisture problems can be resolved , often very easily .

Basement moisture appears in two forms :
condensation and seepage . Condensation comes form air borne water vapor that turns to water when it contacts cold surfaces. Vapor sources include humid outdoor air, poorly ventilated appliances , damp walls , and water released from the concrete . Seepage is water that enters the basements by infiltrating cracks in the foundation or by leeching through masonry , which is naturally porous . Often caused by ineffective exterior drainage, seepage comes from rain or ground water that collects around the foundation from a rising water table.

If you have a wet basement , you will see evidence of moisture problems . Typical signs include peeling paint, white residue on masonry ( called efflorescence ) which is big determination of red flag for basement water damage needs drying, and water proofing, mildew stains , sweaty windows and pipes , rusted appliance feet , rotted wood near th floor, buckled floor tile and strong mildew odor.

To reduce condensation , run high capacity dehumidifier in the basement . Insulate cold water pipes to prevent condensate drippage, and make sure you dryer and other appliances have vents running to the outside . Extending central air conditioning service to the basement can help reduce vapor during warm , humid months .

Crawl spaces can also promote condensation , as warm moist enters through vents and meets cooler interior air. Crawlspace ventilation is a source of ongoing debate, and there’s no universal method that applies to all climates . It’s best to ask the local building department for advice on this matter.

Solutions for prevent seepage range from the simple do0 it your self projects to expensive, professional jobs requiring excavation and foundation work. Since it’s often difficult to determine the source of seeping water, it makes sense to try some common cures before calling in professional help. If the simple measures outlined here don’t correct your moistures problems , you must consider more extensive action. Serious Water problems are typically handled by installing footing drains or sump pump systems. Footing drains are installed around the foundation’s perimeter , near the footing and they drain out to a distant area of the yard. These usually work in conjunction with waterproofing coatings on the exterior side of the foundations walls. Sump systems use an interior under slab drain pipe to collect water is ejected outside by an electric sump pump .

Installing a new drainage system is expensive and must be done properly . Adding a sump pump system involves breaking up the concrete floor along the basement’s perimeter , digging a trench , and laying a perforated drain pipe in a bed of gravel. After the sump pit is installed , the floor is patched with new concrete . Installing a footing drain is far more more complicated . This involves digging out the foundation , installing gravel and drainpipe and water proofing the foundation walls . A footing is considered a last resort measure . next blog will show preventions of water going away from house and drains properly placed .

drywall, pavers, plumbing, roof, stucco

Basement Floors Water Proofing

Basement Floors and cracks and how to repair if dried and/or wet also use dehumidifications .

Preparing concrete floor for carpet , laminate and water proofing from a crack fixed. Use leveler mix or mixture to fill in small dips in the concrete floor . Level out floors are important and pitch off if you need a sump pump or/and water reservoir table and dry lock walls . Lot of other things need done to water proof all areas of your basement to be completely water proof dried .

Prepare the crack for the repair materials by knocking away any loose or deteriorating material and beveling the edges down and outward with a cold chisel. Sweep or vacuum the debris and throughly dampen the repair area. Do not allow any water to pool, however.

Mix the repair to fill the crack according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. Here, a fast setting cement repair product with acrylic fortifier is being used. Trowel the product into the crack , overfilling slightly. With the edge of the trowel , trim the excess material and feather it so to is smooth and the texture matches the surrounding surface.

How to patch a large hole which can be linked to floor leaks that will flood your entire basements , how to fix properly.
Use a hammer and chisel or a heavy floor scraper to remove all material that is loose or shoes any deterioration . Throughly clean the area with a hose very important and presuure washer if needed.

Option make bevel cuts around the perimeter to in a slant pattern keep ” key ” for the repair material .

Mix concrete concrete patching compound according to the manufacturer’ s instructions , and then trowel it neatly into the damage area, which should be dampened before the patching material is placed . Overfill the damage area slightly .

Smooth out and feather the repair with a steel trowel so it is even with the surrounding concrete surface . Finish the surface
of the repair material to blend with the existing surface. For example , use a whisk broom to recreate a groomed finish . Protect the repair from foot traffic for at least one day and from vehicle traffic for three days .

It very important to have a company water damage restoration services or free estimate and to test the wood floors walls and make sure the company is legitimate. Companies such Top Job Restoration have a seal for website and are part of the better business bureau and IICRC companies who back up their work and are contractors and have proper insurance. Might need insurance claim experts which we are and some buildings need to be historical insurance. Pack out furniture dehumidifiers may be needed to and really important to remediate the source , so it will not happened again!

Kitchens and Bathrooms New, plumbing, Remodeling Kitchens and Bathrooms, shower installs

Shower Enclosure Installing Water damage

Mark out the location of the shower, including any new walls , on the floor and walls. Most kits can be installed over wallboard , but you can usually achieve a more professional looking wall finish if you remove the wall covering and floor covering in the installation area. Dispose of the materials immediately and thoroughly clean the area.

If you are adding a wall to create the alcove , lay out the locations for the studs and plumbing on the new wood sill plate . Also lay out the stud locations on the cap plate that will ne attached to the ceiling . Refer to the enclosure kit instructions for exact locations and dimensions of studs. Attach the sill plate to the floor with deck deck screws and panel adhesive , making sure it is square to the back wall and the correct distance from the the side wall.

Align a straight 2×4 right next to the sill plate and make a mark on the ceiling . Use a level to extend that line directly above the sill plate . Attach the cap plate at that plate.

Install 2×4 at the outlined locations . Check with a level to make sure each stud is plumb , and then attach them by driving deck screws toenail style on angle into sill plate and cap plate .

Cut an access hole in the floor for the drain , according to the installation manual instructions . Drill openings in the sill plate of the wet wall ( the new wall in this project) for the supply pipes , also according to the instructions.

Install a drain pipe and branch line and then trim the drain pipe flush with the floor. If you are not experienced with plumbing , hire a plumber to install new drain line.

Install new supply risers as directed in the instruction manual ( again, have a plumber do this if necessary ). Also install cross braces between the studs in the wall for mounting the faucet body and sower arm.

If the supply plumbing is located in a wall ( old or new) that is accessible from the non-shower side, install forming for a removable access panel

Attach the drain tail piece, Option and mortar before you lay down the tail piece .

Set the receptor in place and nail to the studs. Lay out the drain and valves holes and cut with a jigsaw . Need to use a fine tooth blade with a jigsaw.

Positon the back wall gap should be 1/2 inch between the bottom of the panel and the rim. Remove the end of the wall if need to apply adhesive apply it now .

Reinstall the end panels follow the kit instructions and pals are flush front the receptors.

Once the panels are positioned correctly and snapped together nail 4 inches to 6 inches along the vertical surfaces.