Lorene Nugent

AdvantaClean's Solution for Basement Waterproofing: A Comprehensive Guide https://lorenenugent.blogspot.com/2023/09/advantacleans-solution-for-basement.html Not every home needs residential basement waterproofing. Some homes have no underground construction, and others have adequate drainage and water diversion, so groundwater is not a factor. When you do need these services, however, it can mean that the stability of your household is in jeopardy. Persistent water concerns place constant pressure on wall systems, wear down these components, and can worsen over time. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of the repair process and help you determine if you need to call AdvantaClean for waterproofing services.  When Is Waterproofing Necessary? Knowing when residential basement waterproofing is necessary can be beneficial, especially when conditions have not reached a critical stage. Much like any recovery or rehabilitation service you need in your life, certain signs and signals can prompt you to seek the experience of a professional. Much like taking your car to a mechanic upon hearing strange engine noises, there are some red flags or circumstances that might lead you to call AdvantaClean about waterproofing: Persistent moisture and water damage  Degrading foundation and basement walls  Widespread mold growth Upcoming plans to finish the basement to become a living space  How AdvantaClean Waterproofs Your Basement Varying conditions and materials require unique approaches for waterproofing purposes in residences. Some homes have poured foundations that are susceptible to cracking at relief joints or leeching moisture. Other properties feature traditional concrete masonry unit construction, which might separate along mortar joints, settle unevenly, or have hollow cells that could become water filled. Regardless of the specific challenges your home faces, waterproofing services must simultaneously address the cause and effects of these conditions. The process often follows a familiar pattern: Interior Drying  - Before beginning any preventative work, we clean up and dry the inside of your basement level to inspect for visible concerns that guide the repair process.  Installing Permanent Fixtures in the Basement - If the conditions suggest that even adequate drainage installation outside the property is insufficient to keep water from being a factor in the basement, we can install permanent equipment like a sump pump or a strong dehumidifier to manage damp conditions.   Coating Wall Surfaces Sensitive to Water Damage - We apply a thick coating of water-resistant material on wall surfaces inside the basement. This moisture barrier is a final measure of added protection before elements like drywall cover the exterior systems. Scheduling Your Appointment with Trusted Professionals  While direct damage is an obvious sign that waterproofing and water damage cleanup services are necessary, moisture threats are not always glaring. Before major construction to finish a basement or convert this space into living quarters, we encourage an evaluation of dampness and moisture factors that might become a concern when it's costlier to resolve. We can use advanced tracking devices to monitor present moisture in foundation materials and the environment and assess potential vulnerabilities that might lead to water damage.  A thorough basement-level inspection and assessment use collected data to create a custom waterproofing plan for your house. Our technicians can walk you through the process and needed steps so you are comfortable with each stage before the services begin. Residential basement waterproofing can be a need for your property or a method of safeguarding underground levels of the structure before a remodeling/finishing project begins. Knowing how to keep water out is a way to save money and headaches. Trust our AdvantaClean team to help from start to finish.         from https://advantacleanofgreensboro.blogspot.com/2023/09/advantacleans-solution-for-basement.html from https://advantacleanofthepiedmont.weebly.com/blog/advantacleans-solution-for-basement-waterproofing-a-comprehensive-guide

What You Need to Know About Frozen Pipes https://lorenenugent.blogspot.com/2023/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-frozen-pipes.html When the temperatures drop, it’s time to perform several maintenance activities to prepare your home for the cold weather. You’ll need to check on things like your heating system and ensure that your home is sealed against the moisture from rain and snow. You should also prep your water pipes for dropping temps. Frozen pipes can interrupt your water supply and lead to burst pipes.  Burst pipes can be an expensive repair, and the leaks they cause can contribute to water damage. The risk of needing a repair like this is dramatically higher during winter. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid frozen pipes. Even in the event of frozen pipes, it is possible to thaw it out before a burst occurs. Basements, attics, and garages should be carefully examined, as these are the spaces where weather damage to water pipes is most likely to occur.  Are My Pipes Freezing? If you’re concerned about burst pipes, you should first examine your pipes to check if any are already frozen. There are several warning signs of a frozen pipe that you can watch out for.  If any frost forms on the outside of the pipe, this is a tell-tale sign that the water within it is frozen. If your drain or faucet has a foul smell, this can also be an indication of a frozen pipe. This smell results from the ice closing off the line, preventing air and odors from escaping. If you hear unusual sounds coming from your pipes, this can be a sign of ice forming. Finally, there are obvious indicators such as cracks, bulges, and ice or water leaking around the pipes. If the water stops coming out of the faucets in your home, check your main water valve and ensure that it is turned on. If it is, then the culprit may be a frozen pipe. Ice causes pipes to burst because of its expansion. Older pipes made from metal are more prone to bursting due to age and corrosion. Over the years, rust and water can eat away at the metal in your pipes. Then the expansion forces of water freezing can cause cracks or bursts.  How to Thaw Frozen Pipes At Home If you have identified frozen water pipes in your home, it is possible to thaw them out on your own. However, sometimes bringing in a qualified plumber is the best way to avoid further damage. Thawing pipes can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to get your water flowing again. First, keep your faucet open to allow the water and steam to escape when the pipes warm up. This is a vital first step because failing to do so could trap the vapor from the melting ice, putting pressure on your pipes that could lead to cracking or bursting. The next step is to turn off the water supply to the pipe (or to the entire house if that’s the only valve). After that, you will want to apply heat to the frozen area to thaw the pipe. A few recommended ways to do this include using a hair dryer, a space heater, or wrapping the pipes in heat tape. When using these devices, watch out for any flammable materials that could combust when heated. DO NOT use any type of open flame device such as a blowtorch for this purpose. If the frozen pipe is in the exterior walls, you will likely need to contact a professional, as they may need to cut through the wall for access.  The Best Ways to Prevent Pipes from Freezing Once a pipe has frozen, there’s a good chance that cracking or bursting has already occurred. That’s why it’s important to proactively avoid pipe freezing. Here are the best ways to keep your water flowing and prevent frozen pipes: Keep your garage doors shut Open your cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes  Keep a small stream of cold water running during extremely cold weather, since running water won’t freeze Keep your heat running at night (you might see higher heating costs, but it could help you avoid repair costs caused by frozen pipes)  Drain unused water supply lines (including sprinklers and swimming pools) Add insulation to guard pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and garages Remove hoses and store them Following these simple steps can reduce the likelihood of your pipes bursting. However, incidents may still occur. A broken or burst pipe can lead to a mess of water and chaos in your home, including mold damage if the moisture remains for too long. Let us take care of the mess and provide water removal and mold remediation, if needed. At AdvantaClean, we’re always standing by to help. Contact us today! from https://advantacleanofgreensboro.blogspot.com/2023/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-frozen-pipes.html from https://advantacleanofthepiedmont.weebly.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-frozen-pipes

Where to Watch for Mold This Winter https://lorenenugent.blogspot.com/2023/08/where-to-watch-for-mold-this-winter.html Cold winter air holds less humidity than the warm air of summer, which can lead to increased condensation accumulating in unexpected places. This cold air can seep in through the smallest cracks in your home’s exterior walls, gaps in the seals on your doors and windows, and more. Your Heating System could be Circulating Mold Did you know that changes in humidity and condensation can lead to mold growing in unexpected places? The moisture in the air easily transforms from its gaseous state to a liquid in the winter, producing condensation every time it hits a cold surface. Cold surfaces abound in the basement, so when any warm, moist air makes it down there, condensation is sure to follow. This condensation can accumulate virtually anywhere, including your air vents and heating ducts. When your heater warms the air, it holds more moisture – and then once it shuts off, the air cools, dropping the moisture onto anything beneath it.  Since moisture, air, and a food source are the only things mold needs to grow, this leads to an increased risk of mold growth in your basement. From there, it can make its way into your air ducts and heating system, especially since most people have their furnaces in the basement. Turning on your heating system this winter could potentially blow mold spores around your home and worsen any type of mold problem.  Is There a Build-Up of Dust in Your Ducts or Vents? It may not seem too important to clean your air ducts and heating vents regularly, but dust buildup provides the perfect haven for mold. Any professional mold remediation expert will tell you that you can find mold nearly anywhere, but it’s especially common to find mold in the basement. The spores from a mold or mildew infestation can feed on the dust that builds up in your vents due to infrequent or improper air duct cleaning. It’s important to catch and remediate a mold problem in your home as soon as possible. Mold removal becomes more time-consuming and difficult the longer the issue goes unchecked. Knowing the signs of mold and what to look for is essential, but there could still be mold present without any visible signs. Watch for Condensation in the Basement It’s pretty common knowledge that basements, attics, and crawl spaces are prime real estate for mold growth. You should always watch out for signs of excess condensation building up on your basement walls, as this is one of the most common causes of basement mold. The reason these areas are so high-risk for mold is because they tend to have poor ventilation which, when combined with excess moisture and condensation, is the perfect breeding ground. While black mold is probably the most infamous type of mold, known for its severe health impacts, it’s not the only kind of mold that can cause health issues with prolonged exposure. The vast majority of these potentially dangerous molds can be caused by poor ventilation and excess condensation, which is why proper basement waterproofing and mold prevention is always important.  Check for Leaks, Drips, and Puddles Mold needs moisture to grow, so one of the easiest ways to pinpoint where you may have a mold infestation starting is by looking for leaks in your plumbing, dripping faucets, and puddles. While flooding, burst sump pumps, and other forms of extreme water damage can definitely all cause an environment fit for mold to breed, it doesn’t always have to be something that extreme. It’s important to invest in professional water damage cleanup and water damage restoration as soon as possible after such an event happens. That’s where restoration companies like Advantaclean come in.  Advantaclean has been in business for decades, so we have plenty of experience. All of our teams are expertly trained and are more than happy to help you when you’re in need. We offer various services, from air duct cleaning services to natural disaster cleanup. To request one of AdvantaClean’s many services, all you have to do is contact us. from https://advantacleanofgreensboro.blogspot.com/2023/08/where-to-watch-for-mold-this-winter.html from https://advantacleanofthepiedmont.weebly.com/blog/where-to-watch-for-mold-this-winter