Water in your basement is never a good thing. From structural deterioration to mold growth, damp basements create a number of hazards for your home. When you have wet basement problems, it’s critical to get your basement dry and keep it that way. In addition to standard basement waterproofing strategies, you may want to consider a whole house air exchanger. Increasing ventilation and improving the overall air quality of your home, these systems can help ensure your basement stays dry!

Basement Waterproofing

Musty odors? Visible mold and mildew? Buckling or bowing walls? You likely have a basement moisture problem. Even when you don’t see water, any of these problems is a sign of a leaky foundation. Damaging moisture is seeping into your home, so you need to attack it at its source! There are a variety of basement waterproofing methods and resources, so be sure that your contractor has tailored your water remediation to suit your home. The most important aspect of any basement drying solution is to identify the moisture’s entry point and eliminate it. A number of options are available for sealing your basement and removing water, including:

• Interior drain tiles
• Sump pump installation
• Battery or back up sump pumps
• Vinyl wall sheeting
• Crawl space encapsulation
• Epoxy wall and floor paint
• Foundation crack repair

In addition to these basement waterproofing methods, you may also want to use a whole house air exchanger to provide ventilation and dramatically decrease humidity.

Whole House Air Exchangers

Cool, moist air is heavier than warm dry air, so it typically settles and stagnates in your basement or crawl space. This generates a damp atmosphere conducive to mold growth and structural damage. Even if your basement is completely waterproofed, this moist air can create water problems from the inside! A whole house air exchanger eliminates this wet basement issue by venting damp air from the basement to the outside and replacing it with drier air from inside your house. This cycle of air exchange removes moisture from your basement, producing a dry, healthy atmosphere and providing continuous ventilation. Automatically controlled by a humidistat, your air exchanger uses little electricity and provides for ideal comfort throughout your home by removing radon, mold, and other pollutants along with the humid air. When simple basement waterproofing isn’t enough, an air exchanger can go the extra mile to keep your basement dry and your home healthy!

Promptly and thoroughly addressing your wet basement problems is critical. The longer your foundation cracks and moisture issues are left unaddressed, the more serious they become. If you suspect you have water in your home, contact your local basement waterproofing company immediately. Ask about whole house air exchangers as part of your complete basement water remediation system.

Repainting a room can certainly change the look of your décor, but flat colors can be blah even when they are fresh. Why not try a faux finish to help make your house look its best! With options ranging from depth enhancing color washes to life-like trompe l’oeil, faux painting is an easy, effective way to really make your rooms shine.

Color Washes

Color washes are a great way to add depth as well as aged appearance. Create an old-world look in your kitchen, or enhance the elegance of your foyer. This technique is achieved by layering several coats of complementary hues before feathering them together with a dry brush. For great results, this faux finish relies on thin coats and the paint staying wet long enough to be blended together; many amateurs actually over cover their walls and end up with a so-so color wash as a result. Your local painting contractor in Harrisburg will be able to make suggestions about color tones and glazes to prolong drying time as well as the color washing methods themselves. However, for the best results-especially if you are not an experience painter-you may want to hire a professional faux painter for your color wash.

Trompe L’oeil

This faux finish reached the height of its popularity during the Baroque period, but actually dates back to Classical Rome. Trompe l’oeil involves painting life-like details on a two dimensional surface in such a way that they look three dimensional. You can use this faux finish to add fake architectural elements (like columns, moldings, and arches) to your dining room, formal living room, entryway, or even your kitchen. Keep in mind that for trompe l’oeil to achieve its optical illusion, it needs to be done by a true artist. While many housepainters will not have these skills, check to see if any local painters specialize in faux finishes. These professional faux painters in Harrisburg should be able to expertly create trompe l’oeil details that add sophisticated luxury to your home!

Professional Faux Painters

Some painting services, such as Fred Irving Painting, specialize in faux finishes. For the best results, be sure that the painting contractor you hire has expertise in this. If you’re interested in a particularly tricky faux finish, such as a trompe l’oeil arch, ask to see pictures of similar projects the contractor has completed in the past. With this research, you should be able to determine whether your painter has the skills to complete your project with professional results!