Fire can be a threat to your home and safety. Installing egress windows in case of a fire and preventing mold growth in the aftermath of a fire can be lifesaving decisions. Your local foundation contractors can help!

Fires can destroy property and lives, but you can take precautions to ensure a fire isn’t the end of the world for your home or family. And some of the help you need can come from a surprising source: your local foundation contractors. Providing egress window installation to create an emergency exit from your basement in case of fire as well as mold remediation to help ensure your home is safe in the aftermath of a fire (and the water used to put it out), these professionals can offer the help you need both before and after a fire.

If you are looking to finish your basement or add a basement bedroom to your home, you may be surprised to learn that many areas have specific building codes that require egress window installation. This is not a law that has been enacted in order to make home ownership and improvement hard for you: It is essential to ensuring the safety of anyone who may be residing or staying in your home.

An egress window is a large window that is installed into an opening cut into your exterior foundation wall, providing access to the outside from your basement in case of a fire. In addition to providing an escape route, an egress window also provides firefighters with alternate access to your home to help combat the fire. Egress windows also add light and beauty to your basement area, making them welcome decor additions as well as wise safety precautions. Many homes were built before the emergence of these modern building codes, but your local basement contractor will have the experience needed to safely cut into your home’s foundation and install a tight-fitting, quality egress window that could literally prove to be a lifesaver!

In the event of a fire, your firefighting team may be forced to spray copious amounts of water in order to save your home. The resulting standing water, soaked furniture, and ambient moisture could result in the invasion of mold into your house. There are many types of mold, some of which are highly toxic to humans. The most dangerous molds, if left to multiply and thrive in your home, can lead to brain damage, various forms of cancer, and even death! In addition to this, all molds can cause:

• Allergies
• Asthma attacks
• Other serious respiratory problems
• Unpleasant odor and a grungy look

Your local mold remediation specialist will be able to contain the spread of the mold to unaffected parts of the house by removing all of the conditions that encourage mold growth, and then killing and eliminating the mold using expert chemicals and tools. All traces of mold will be scraped away. Your local mold remediation specialist will even remove walls and inspect nooks and crannies for hidden mold to prevent reoccurrence.

Your foundation and basement contractors can protect your home against many of life’s disasters in addition to merely fires. To ensure that your home is protected from top to bottom, call your local experts for foundation waterproofing and basement waterproofing, as well!

There is no reason to put up with a wet basement when there are so many options available for quality basement and foundation waterproofing. Contact your local foundation contractor today to learn which system is best for your home and get on the road to a dry basement!

Have you recently noticed that your basement is doing its best impression of Venice? Don’t be embarrassed. Wet basements can happen to anyone. Hydrostatic pressure from your soil can sometimes force water into the seam where your basement walls meet the slab and old, cracked foundation walls can let water bleed through. Luckily, your local basement contractors will be able to set you up with an amazing defense system to waterproof your basement.

One way to provide quality basement waterproofing is to install a sump pump. Available in tandem with a French drain system or on its own, a sump pump collects the water that has crept into your basement and pumps it out of your house. Your basement contractor will be able to tell you what size and power sump pump is right for you and will know how to install the sump pump so the water will drain away from your property and not be rerouted back to your basement. Your basement contractor may also recommend that you install a French drain, which consists of a perforated pipe inserted into a small ditch that is cut along the interior perimeter of your basement wall. The ditch is filled with gravel and covered with a layer of cement. This pipe is designed to collect any water that seeps into your foundation and is pitched so that all water it catches will flow toward the sump pump.

Another way to prevent a wet basement is through foundation waterproofing. Interior basement waterproofing is performed by applying several coats of waterproofing sealer to counteract the naturally porous condition of cement and masonry. Patching cracks through expert foundation repair can also play a big part in preventing the entrance of water.

Exterior foundation waterproofing involves the insertion of a hydrophobic barrier around the perimeter of your foundation. This can be performed on both new and existing constructions and is a great preventative measure against the potential home damages and health problems that can result from watery basements.

A little drop of water might not seem like a big deal, but one drop means there is more on the way! Be prepared, and protect your home from the inconvenience, health issues, and structural problems that a wet basement can bring–your area foundation contractors can help.

Lower your energy bills by starting with an energy audit. The pros can help you learn how to best protect your home from energy leakage!

Opening your energy bills can be nerve-racking–that “amount due” number crawls higher and higher in tandem with the intense heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter. But you don’t have to keep experiencing fear for your bank account every time a bill arrives. When you call your local energy savings professionals, you can take charge of your energy costs and make sure you don’t pay a single cent beyond what you should be paying. Call your local home energy efficiency experts today to ask about having an energy audit performed on your home.

An energy audit helps identify the location and severity of energy leaks in your home. Common places where energy leaks out include crawl spaces, vents, windows, and doors. During your energy audit, your local professional will use state-of-the-art tools such as a thermographic camera and a blower door to determine the specifics of your home energy-efficiency enhancement needs and help you develop an energy improvement plan that will help maintain your home’s temperature and keep your wallet fat!

Typically, an energy improvement plan includes replacing inefficient household components. This can include:

Siding – Siding contractors can help reduce your energy costs by helping you pick which siding will work best for your home. Choices such as insulated vinyl siding, steel siding, or vinyl siding all look great, but insulated vinyl siding can also help make your home more energy efficient. With all the benefits of traditional vinyl siding–the ability to maintain color, long-term durability, and attractive looks–plus added insulation, insulated vinyl siding can help keep your house toasty-warm in winter and cooler during the summer. Give your home a clean, sophisticated new look that will have your neighbors’ heads turning and your energy bills dropping!

Replacement Windows and Exterior Doors – Older, inefficient doors and windows can be drafty, ill-fitting, and unattractive. Window and door contractors can ensure expert installation of windows and doors of all shapes, types, and sizes. From half-circle windows and bay windows to fiberglass doors and ornate entrance doors, your local energy-saver professionals can lower your energy bills and make your home look classy, all at the same time!

For more information on energy audits, contact your local home energy savings professionals today!

A leaky basement not only has the potential to create major long-term problems for the overall architecture of your home but is also an potential health issue.  Dealing with basement leaks every time it rains and combating  the mold and mildew that result from long-term dampness can feel like a never-ending struggle.  If this sounds familiar to you, contact a basement contractor today to discuss waterproofing options.

When your basement and the foundation of your home are constantly pressured by excess water, that entire area can become compromised.  Water will force its way into the smallest cracks and can, over time, change an minor imperfection into a major structural issue.  When the base of a home is damaged, the whole architecture of the building will eventually be affected.  Getting a professional on the job when you first become aware of leaks or water damage is the best thing you can do to address these issues.  Basement waterproofing experts will be able to diagnose the problem and design the most appropriate waterproofing system for your home.  After you take that step you can rest easy knowing the structure of your home is intact and will stay that way.

Dealing with basement leaks and general dampness is also extremely important from a health perspective.  Wet basements are a breeding ground for mold and mildew.  These invaders are horribly persistent once they start to grow, so the sooner you can establish a dry basement, the better.  Molds are responsible for a number of health issues, especially allergies (which can range from mild to life threatening), and can adversely affect the overall well-being of you and your family without you even being aware of the source.  Basement contractors will be able to get your basement dry and keep it that way so that you can enjoy your home without worrying about this issue.

Don’t get lulled into thinking that a little water in your basement is normal and isn’t a big problem.  A wet basement sets the stage for a range of problems for your home and for your health.  A waterproof basement is your best defense and is within reach with the help of professional basement contractors.