John's Waterproofing Q&A

The power is out and my sump pump alarm won't shut off. What do I do?

If the alarm is going off that can mean one of two things. If you have a battery backup pump it is letting you know the battery backup is working. It will continue until the power comes back on.

If you have a water watch alarm there is a button on the alarm that you can press for 3-5 seconds to silence the alarm for 24 hours.

How long will the battery backup last if the power goes out?

There is not a set amount of hours for the battery backup. The battery backup will pump 12,000 gallons of water on a single charge. How long the battery will last depends on how much water you have in your space.

Can you finish an old damp basement?

Yes we sure can! We have a number of products that will keep your basement dry while looking incredible!

How do I fix my wet crawlspace vancouver wa?

There are a number of ways to temporarily fix a wet crawlspace, but only one right way. Give us a call and we will send someone out to your home for free, to do an inspection and tell you exactly how the issue can be resolved.

How to fix a leaky foundation crack?

There are several options for repair of a leaky foundation crack depending on if the crack is in a basement or a crawlspace. Using a product such as Xypex or carbon armor or Flexispan will fill cracks. You need to ensure that the crack is not due to too much hydrostatic pressure.

If you fill the crack the water and pressure will migrate to a new location. A free inspection to go over the various options you have for your basement or crawlspace is always in your best interest even if you decide to fix the issue yourself.

How to fix mold damage?

Mold is always a tricky one. The fix for mold depends on not only the type of mold but the source and the location. Surface mold can be cleaned with a variety of things including; bleach water, vinegar, hydrogen & peroxide, or baking soda. This, however, will only eliminate the surface mold you can see.

In order to eliminate mold, you must reduce the relative humidity in the space. This can easily be done with a dehumidifier in the space.

How to get rid of black mold inside your home in Oregon?

The best way to get rid of black mold is to take away the things that make it grow. Mold needs a relative humidity of over 55% and organic substances to grow. Eliminating these items will eliminate it from growing. If the Mold is already present, we would recommend getting it professionally cleaned out by a mold remediation company.

How to get rid of mold in crawl space?

Mold needs two things to grow, organic material and moisture. By taking those things away, the mold will have no way to grow. Your indoor relative humidity levels should be between 50-30 % to prevent mold growth. This is where our crawlspace encapsulation system comes in handy. With our Cleanspace being made with a treated, non organic material it takes away the organic material factor that the mold needs to feed of off to live. then we have our Sanidry dehumidifiers that will take moisture out of the air while filtering it causing clean dry air to be pushed back in to the crawlspace and eliminating the moisture factor that the mold needs to grow. For a further explanation call and set up an appointment for one of our inspectors to come out and they can give you a detailed presentation on how we accomplish this!

My power came back on but the pump is still not working, what do I do?

Often this can be due to a tripped GFI (think about the small button on your home plug-ins that sometimes flip if something too powerful is plugged in). This is a safety precaution to make sure you don't start a fire or blow the fuse. The sump pump may also have one of these GFI's depending on the type and model. This could be located on the sump pump or on the cord or outlet it is connected to.

If resetting this GFI does not restore function to your system, please call our office so we can have one of our techs come and look at it.

What is the harm in moisture under house?

There is a number of issues moisture can cause under and in your home. You can experience mold growth, wood rot, increased energy costs, sagging floors, cracked walls, sagging insulation, and increase of bugs and animals under the home and many more issues. for a complete list and explanation of issues caused by moisture, give our office a call. We will be happy to send someone out to go over it all with you for free.

What should be moderate humidity in crawl space?

Your crawlspace should always be below 55% RH

What to do about basement leaks?

There are many solutions to leaks in a basement. Many of them depend on the type of leak as well as the location. It is best if you get a free consultation to determine which solution is most cost effective for you and will take care of your issue.

What type of moisture barrier is required in crawl space?

a 6 mil thick plastic vapor barrier is the minimum requirement in crawlspaces.

Which is better, crawl space or slab?

There are pros and cons to each foundation type. Slab foundations are generally recommended for more wet climates and help reduce mold growth in the home and are less expensive for the most part. In addition, they tend to be more energy efficient as they don't have to be heated. On the flip side, they are more prone to cracking with shifting soil and can be damaged by tree roots. Crawlspaces work well for several applications. Sloped lots and areas prone to earthquake and ground shifting, they are better for drier climates as they are prone to moisture and mold growth. Wiring and ductwork are more accessible and can be used as a storage area if finished. They also have their own drawbacks. They are more expensive to construct than a slab, they take longer and are less energy efficient than a slab.

Who does foundation sealant Portland OR?

Depends on the type of sealant you are needing, different companies do different types of sealant. It is always best to do your research on your issue and the contractors, get multiple bids, search that they are certified contractors for that field and check out reviews online.