Rain and Moisture Make Basement Leaks a Common Problem

I have been talking about the importance of proper ventilation in the attic to prevent leaks lately and for good reason. But as the spring starts to edge closer, the basement takes the stage as the place in the house where leaks will most likely occur.

As the temperature warms, the snow melts and the rain becomes more frequent, the ground gets saturated with water. This water can find its way into your basement through non-structural cracks in poured concrete walls or deteriorated joints in masonry walls. Poorly fitted or old basement windows can also let water in, as well as utility openings.

The best line of defense against a wet basement is to make sure that the water is directed away from the foundation. Inspect your gutters and downspouts to see if they are working the way they should be and also check to see that the ground right around the house is higher than the rest of the yard. Having the yard grade at its highest around the perimeter of the foundation will ensure water drains away from the house instead of into it.  

If you think your house is susceptible to leaks, you can also use a waterproofing membrane or coating to seal the foundation or basement area. However, if you have regular leaking problems, you may need to have a drainage or sump pump system installed by a professional.

Even if you don’t have a leak problem, the basement can get pretty damp from now through April which creates the perfect environment for nasty mold and mildew. To get rid of the excess water, I always like to run a dehumidifier in the basement as the weather warms up.

A dehumidifier works by pulling the moisture out of the air and storing the excess water in a holding tank. Many people keep dehumidifiers in their basement all year long to control the dampness that can often be felt in underground areas, but I find it especially useful this time of year.

You can find out if your basement is holding a lot of moisture by purchasing a simple five-dollar humidity gauge from the local hardware store. Ideally, you want the humidity to be under 50%. If it’s higher, a dehumidifier might be a good solution. Generally, a unit will come in 25, 30 and 40-pint models, and on average a 25-pint unit will be sufficient to control the moisture in a 1,000 square foot area.

One last word of advice - if you have a dehumidifier or plan on getting one, please be sure to empty it regularly and keep the filter clean. A simple wipe down with a damp cloth and spray bottle will do the trick to keep you breathing freely and ensure a longer life for the appliance.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Smart Jobs For Homeowners To Beat the Winter Blues

 While we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy endless sunshine and comfortable temperatures this past week, there is no denying that winter is on the way. With mornings in the 40’s, I think it’s time to start talking about what we should be doing to get our homes ready for the cold before it actually comes. So without further ado, here are my top five tips:

Take a picture of your roof.

We’ll start with an easy one. Go outside and snap a photo of your roof from each direction. If you’re scratching your head wondering why, I’ll tell you. When we get a massive snowfall, I always recommend for people to get their roofs shoveled. Removing the snow helps to reduce the risk of leaks and other damage to your home. But when the snow is very deep, it’s impossible to see the pipes, skylights and other parts and pieces that stick up out of the roof. Keeping a picture of the surface is a great way to minimize the probability of an accident when you’re trying to prevent damage in the first place.

Mark the driveway.

Speaking of damage prevention, stop by the local hardware store and get some property markers. They are generally made of wood or metal and are sometimes painted in a fluorescent color. Use the markers to create an outline around your driveway. Just like your roof, when a blanket of snow hits, it’s impossible for a removalist to see where the driveway ends and where your lawn begins. Creating that parameter will help the snow plow truck operator know where to go, which should assist in keeping your curbs and grass intact.

Give the furnace a checkup.

If you haven’t put the heat on yet, you will soon. Don’t wait until you really need it to make sure that everything is in working order. Clean or replace your HVAC filters and check the temperature gauge to make sure you can power up and down with no problems. Also, now is the time to remove those window A/C units and check and clean those filters too. While you’re at it, make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working and change the batteries if necessary.

Seal up the air holes.

I get calls all winter long from people who are wondering why their house is so drafty. If you have an attic hatch, install an insulated box to prevent the cold air from coming down into your living space. Check all your windows and doors for gaps and use weatherstripping, foam, or insulation to seal it tight. If you have a fireplace that you don’t use, get that covered too. Any passageways from the inside to the outside can act as wind tunnels when the frigid winter air comes calling.

Clean those gutters.

We have a few weeks of falling leaves before the deep freeze, but please don’t leave your gutters clogged to the hilt with debris. If you don’t clean your gutters, it will prevent winter water from flowing off the roof and down away from the foundation. If water has nowhere to go, it will refreeze in your gutters and at the base of your roof, resulting in dangerous ice dams and potential leaks. If you don’t want to do this dirty job yourself, schedule a pro to handle it for you. It will be worth it.

If you do just these five things, you’ll be in much better shape when the wicked weather finally decides to come our way. Plus it’s much more pleasant to get these jobs out of the way before it’s too cold and snowy to bother. Good luck and as always, don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help or advice.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Say So Long To That Old Concrete Patio and Update Your Outdoor Space

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, pouring a concrete patio was an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy an outdoor living space with relatively little upkeep. But over time, that surface has likely begun cracking and crumbling, leaving you grumbling and wondering what to do to breathe new life into the backyard. Luckily, there are plenty of options that will allow you to give that old concrete patio a facelift without having to jackhammer it out and start all over again. Also, autumn is a perfect time to kick off a project like this because the weather is beautiful and you won’t have to forgo any summer fun to get the job done. So if that old concrete is giving you the heebie-jeebies, here are a few ideas to bring it up to date with the times:

Stain.

If your concrete is in good condition without a lot of cracks, a color treatment might be all you need to give it new life. Best of all, this is an easy do-it-yourself job that can be tackled in a day or weekend. Staining concrete works by breaking into the surface to create a different color or texture, so you’ll need to add a non-slip sealant to ensure the concrete stays strong. Also, never use an indoor product for outdoor purposes as they will make the concrete very slippery after rain. The most popular staining trend right now is transforming the cold gray color of concrete to a warmer, more natural reddish brown.

Scoring.

People love pavers because they break up a patio with more texture than one huge slab of concrete. You can achieve a similar look by scoring your current concrete and adding patterns and lines to mimic the look. This will require a professional who will come in and use a machine to cut one-quarter inch lines into the original pavement. What’s neat about scoring is that you can choose tons of different designs - from traditional square or rectangular shapes to diamond or intersecting lines. What I love about scoring is that you get a similar look to pavers without having to worry about weeds growing through the cracks.

Veneer pavers.

If you really love the look of pavers, it’s possible to lay thinner stone over your existing concrete slab, just as long as the finished height won’t cause any drainage or walking issues. It’s always a good idea to have a professional look at the property first to make sure you won’t have any problems down the track. If you have the height clearance for it, the project is simple and the veneer of your choice can simply be mortared onto the existing concrete for a whole new look. If your current concrete has visible cracking, this is a great way to cover it up, but if the patio is crumbling, you might need to have it repaired before going over it with a veneer.

Walls.

If you’re not into refinishing your concrete, you can create dimension by adding walls or fencing to the backyard. Creating individual spaces for dining, cooking, or lounging can be done with low walls which can double as seating, or higher walls to create privacy and intimacy. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, a trellis or vertical garden can be built to create a beautiful green wall in the warmer months. Even rows of potted palms will do the trick, plus they can be moved around depending on the different ways that you’ll be using your space.

No matter how you choose to update your concrete patio, there are plenty of options based on both your needs and budget. Do you have another idea that you’d like to try? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.