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Basement Waterproofing Your Akron Home

The basement of our homes has become another extension of livable space for our families for many years now.  It has become a very functional entertaining space for children and adults alike.  It is no longer relegated to store unwanted furniture and boxes full of toys that are no longer needed, but instead, it has become a very enjoyable space for the entire family.

If you want to finish the basement of your home, waterproofing it before you start can be a very wise decision on your part.  Water seepage or leaking pipes can become a big problem if you leave them unattended and can eventually jeopardize the structure of your home.

For many families, waterproofing the basement of their home is a very expensive home maintenance upkeep to make, but can be devastating if you ignore the problems that can arise if you have an older home and ignore obvious water sign problems.

What are some of the easy signs that you can spot that can mean you need to waterproof your basement?

Water seepage can occur through the walls, the seams and up through the floor.  Digging around the foundation may not fix your problem if the water is seeping up the floor, the build up you are seen may be groundwater and digging outside the foundation won’t solve your problems. If this happening, you need to call a professional to come evaluate the problem and offer a solution for you.

  • Smelly musty odor
  • Water pooling on the floor – The humidity in the basement of your home may give it the musty odor you are experiencing and it may be caused by water seeping through the walls.
  • Mold or mildew –Condensation and the dust or other debris mixed can be the beginning of mildew in the basement.
  • Dampness –The dampness in the basement is a clear sign water is seeping into your home
  • Paint bubbling, walls bowing in, and cracked walls are all concerning signs that you have water problems in the basement and should be addressed quickly.

Choosing a basement waterproofing company to work in your home is too important to leave it to chance.  Research the companies in Northeast Ohio with a long history in the community and that time and again offer great workmanship along with great customer service.

 

Basement Waterproofing and Finishing

Your Northeast Ohio home is very likely to have a basement. Even homes that are 100+ years old have that great space below ground level most of the time. Unfortunately, being below ground brings up problems that the rest of the home does not usually experience.

For example, if you live in Wadsworth and want to finish your basement, then you can go to a professional company that does basement finishing in the Akron area, like Basement Finishing 1,2,3. The reason to use a company like this is that they have experience with basement finishing and renovation, as well as many years of experience doing basement finishing and basement foundation repair.

This is very important. Especially if you have an older home. Foundations begin to crumble or basement walls start to bow, and then your whole home is sitting on a poor foundation and is at risk. An experienced company can identify these issues before slapping up a new basement wall or painting over water damage.

An Akron waterproofing company, like Pioneer Basement Solutions, can do this foundation repair and waterproofing work, and then their other team comes in and finishes the basement for you. You end up with a dry basement, a basement with a solid, safe foundation, and a great space you can use for your family. Of course, they are only going to do what is needed, but the important thing is that if other things are needed, you have experts to detail what is required and give you a fair, honest basement waterproofing price in Akron or the surrounding areas.

Once your basement is finished, you can use it for many things. It can be a family room, a rec room, an area to have parties, a kids play area, clean, dry storage or a workshop where you can get your projects done around the house. Even if you do not want it finished super fancy, at least having it free of water, humidity and moisture will help protect things you keep in the basement, like storage items, tools that might rust and furniture that could get mildew and become damaged.

Home Dehumidifier Fundamentals

When built properly along with the proper air conditioning and air-flow, a cellar should stay fairly dry. But some basements are particularly vulnerable to dampness because of the inadequate design and air flow. Dampness like this is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, specifically in basements where old publications, clothes, magazines and suitcases are saved.

Once the humidity level will go over 50%, water vapor in the atmosphere can cause furniture to warp, humidity to condense on wall space and flooring surfaces and promote expansion of mildew. It will likewise speed up wood rot. Family members with allergies will find a basement dehumidifier is vital to lessen the medical dangers associated with toxic mold and fungus.

But prior to going off to buy a basement dehumidifier, consider using some time to check out the reason behind the high moisture, and then fixingthe underlying problems. For example, your home should ideally be the very same temperatures as the rest of your residence, rather than an isolated heat sector. Try adding weather conditions-stripping to the home doors and windows. When the home is uninsulated, you must weigh the expenses of adding insulating material against those of operating a basement dehumidifier.

Keep in mind if you have a variety of basement issues, you may want to call a Basement Waterproofing company as they sometimes offer services and include basement dehumidifiers for free or a reduces price. It never hurts to ask.

Buying a cellar dehumidifier will need just a little organizing. Be aware of cubic footage from the cellar space that it will be going to. Also you will need to decide on obtaining a permanently put in system versus a portable dehumidifier. An other shopping point is always to take into account are the dimensions of the device- will it easily fit into the room you are planning for it? Also bear in mind that some designs are noisier than others, so ask for a demonstration before you purchase.

A dehumidifier operates on a single concept that chillers and air conditioners do. They pass the humid air flow more than a bank of cool coils and during this process get a good portion from the dampness via condensation. This condensation drips off the coils into selection pockets inside the dehumidifier. Meanwhile the dried out ventilation, warmed somewhat from the extraction of humidity, is instructed from the system back into the space. Thus the moister is greatly reduced.

Since the dehumidifier is incorporated in the cellar and out of the way, lots of people overlook it but it may need servicing. It is essential to vacant and clear the selection compartment in the unit periodically, normally it will likely be vulnerable to bacterial growth. Some businesses manufacture basement dehumidifiers which have no internal assortment container, but merely a hose that may be run to a flooring empty, and these really are a perfect answer to the situation as they need less frequent attention.

Lawn Cleanup Tips

What you do to clean up your lawn in the fall depends on a few factors.

  1. Do you have a large or small yard?
  2. Do you have many or a few trees?
  3. Do you have kids that like to help?
  4. Does your Akron area home provide curb side leaf pickup?

There are a variety of techniques to clean the yard.  In Kent, where I like, we have trees that keep their leaves until Spring in some cases.  That means we are picking up leaves throughout the Fall, Winter (if warmer) and Spring.  Because of this I like to pick them up in batches and not try to do the entire lawn at once.

30 Years ago you saw people raking and bagging the leaves.  Now the manual way to get it done is to rake leaves onto a tarp and drag the tarp to the front of the house and dump them along the curb and they will get cleaned up by your city in many cases.

Other options include leaf blowers.  Electric leaf blowers are inexpensive, but will only work well for modest amounts of leaves that are dry.  A gas leaf blower will be able to handle more leaves and damp leaves much better.  Make sure you wear ear plugs to protect your hearing.

Another option is simply to mow the leaves if they are few and scattered.  Mulching them into the yard with your lawnmower set low is good if there are not too many.

Lastly, hire a company to come and clean your yard.  If you are older or too busy, having a landscape company come and use blowers to clean your yard well will save you the hassle and difficulty.

Remember, just like shoveling snow, raking leaves is not an activity your body is most likely used to and it can be dangerous if you push too hard or try to do too much.  You will likely be sore for days and you could hurt your back or suffer other injuries, so make a smart choice to remove your leaves and cleaning your yard.

 

Gutter Cleaning – Must

Many people do not keep their gutters adequately clean. Sometimes this neglect comes from a forgetful owner, but often the consequences that result from improper gutter maintenance are simply not taken seriously. This is a costly mistake to make both in monetary terms and in the potential for serious injury.

Gutters are a part of almost every building and for a very good reason: Water must be directed away from the foundation. When debris such as tree leaves, pine needles, sticks and dust clog up the gutters, water then has nowhere to go. Any water that is not able to spill over the sides of the gutter begins to collect against the roof and rot will quickly set in. When this happens, the possibility exists that major repairs will then be required.

Rain water that spills over the gutter can not only cause soil erosion where it hits the ground, but it also can create a persistent accumulation of water that can seep into the ground and collect against the foundation of the building. This can put additional stress on concrete walls, creating cracks and causing basements to leak and become damp. In addition to simply causing the area to smell bad, this dampness can cause an infestation of mold. Many serious health complications may then result, such as asthma and allergies. Mold is very difficult to rid from a building and may quickly become so pervasive that staying in the structure is impossible.

Finally, when gutters are not cleaned, the debris acts as a perfect place for seeds to sprout. As these weeds and trees grow and multiply, their additional weight can cause the gutters to collapse.

Gutter cleaning is more than a responsibility: It is a critical part of properly maintaining any structure and is of vital importance.

Home Ownership in The Akron and Surrounding Areas

According to a recent study conducted by Harvard University found that almost 40 million Americans can’t afford their homes.  Mortgage, insurance, and taxes have become a heavy burden for many people that bought too much house, to begin with, and now are financially distressed.  The study also found that people that want to buy are unable to, due to the high cost of homes.

Wages have not kept up with inflation, while the increase in rent has risen considerably over the last few years making the dream of owning a home a bit less unattainable.

In the Akron and surrounding areas, the cost of a home is affordable depending on the neighborhood. A quick search can give you 2,752 homes for sale in less than a minute, with prices ranging from the low 20’s to the 250s. Homes in cities like Los Angeles and New York seem pretty impossible to own.  The median house value of a home in Los Angeles is approximate $633,000 according to the website Zillow.

What to do then if you really want to own a home?  You have to ask yourself several questions before you decide. 

  1. Have you saved enough for a down payment?  Banks and mortgage lenders’ interest rates and options for a loan change if you have a nice downpayment for a home.  It is also good for you to know you can be disciplined enough to save as the costs associated with keeping a home after you buy it can be shocking for first-time buyers.
  2. How much house can you afford? You can go to any mortgage calculator on the web and enter your income. It will give you different options depending on what you enter, but it should not exceed more than 35% of your debt. Your monthly mortgage payment, car payments, child support payment, credit card and student loan payments should not exceed that amount. Remember you CAN buy too much home and eventually lose it, don’t fall into that trap.
  3. Is this your dream home, or only a home for a few years? Many people buy a first home planning to eventually get their dream home.  If that is your case, planning where and what to buy is extremely important.  You don’t want a neighborhood where home values are decreasing yearly, or if you have children, where the school district is not up to standard. Take your time and choose well.
  4. How do you feel about buying a fixer-upper? If you or your spouse are handy and enthusiastic about fixing a home, why not buy a fixer-upper?  Depending on the problems with a fixer-upper, you can really have a beautiful home without having a crippling mortgage.  Pay attention to the foundation of the home first and foremost. The foundation’s structural integrity is too important to the home for you to leave it up to chance.  If there is a problem with the foundation, call a foundation repair specialist for a quote and professional advice.
  5. Will your family keep the standard of living they were accustomed to? Buying a home does not mean you have to sit around staring at the walls of your home for years because you did not anticipate the cost associated with keeping up the home. The mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance you calculated before buying the home does not take into account the upkeep of the home.  As a rule, you need to save 1% of the cost of the home for the upkeep every single year.  Sometimes, we do not anticipate this and it can be a bit painful if we are already stretched too thin.

Most people would like to own their homes, it is the American dream after all, but don’t fall into the trap of buying too much house that you are always afraid of losing it.

5 Ways To Get Your House Ready to Sell

It’s time to move! Whether your job is taking you to a new city, you’re ready for a fresh start across the country, or you’re moving down the street for a few extra bedrooms, moving is a stressful, challenging time. As you prepare to put your house on the market, you have to be ready for strangers to traipse through your home at any given time. And most importantly, you need to impress them to get it sold. The following tips can make a big difference, and are sure to get that SOLD placard on your lawn in a flash.

1) Clean it up! It sounds simple, but a clean home is inviting, presentable, and gives potential buyers a look at the house in its most perfect possible state. Dust those ceiling fans, mop the floors, and make every surface sparkle. And don’t forget the outside – clean the gutters and power wash the siding.

2) Outdoors matter. Speaking of the outside, don’t neglect your landscaping. Plant a few flowers, pull out the weeds, and keep it freshly mowed for the best first impression you can give. We tell kids to never judge a book by its cover, but it’s unavoidable – everyone wants a pleasant looking home.
 
3) Fix everything. There would be nothing worse than thinking you have your house sold, but the deal gets hung up because of some needed repairs. It’s a buyer’s market, so make it easy on yourself in advance and replace those broken windows and the broken water heater. And that bright orange bedroom wall you love? Not everyone will, so repaint it a neutral white or gray before you leave.
 
4) Organization is key! Buyers may open up that forgotten closet or unkempt drawers, and if it looks jam-packed or messy, they might be led to assume there just isn’t enough storage space in the house. Keep it neat!
 
5) Make it inviting. Some of the smallest details matter a lot to buyers who are imagining what life might look like in your home. Get a new welcome mat, keep out just a few striking trinkets and artwork, and make it feel like home.

 

Home Maintenance Checklist For The Fall

There are many home maintenance chores we, as homeowners need to do before the winter months set in. Doing them yearly can prevent home repairs that can be costly, and time consuming. So, before the cold weather comes and you don’t feel like doing them, here is a 7 chore list that can help you get organized.

Call to have your furnace serviced. It is so important to have this done yearly, that is not possible to reiterate this enough. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious threat for you, your family and pets. Older furnaces specially need to be monitored to make sure they are working properly.

Clean the Gutters of your home. Leaves accumulate, and can cause blockages that can disrupt the flow of water. By cleaning them after the leaves fall every year ensures your gutters will stay clean, and debris free.

Stowing away your lawnmower and trimmers without servicing them, means you will have a hard time starting them next year. If you leave your lawn mower with gas in it, make sure you use a fuel stabilizer to keep your lawn mower engine’s free of excessive moisture and to prevent varnishing. You can buy an 8 oz. fuel stabilizer at your local Home Depot for $5.22 isn’t that cheap enough to avoid headaches in the spring?

Change the batteries in your smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors at home. A ten dollar expense can protect your family.

Make sure the drainage of your home is flowing the proper course. If water is sitting around the foundation of your home, then the drainage is not working properly. Make sure the flower beds around your home are not keeping water stagnate close to the foundation. That water will eventually find a way to the basement of your home if it is not properly waterproofed.

Trimming the shrubbery around your home will keep ants and other critters from finding a way onto the roof. Long branches from trees around your home can do damage to your house during strong winds, keep them short.

Stow away your garden hoses to avoid water backing up and freezing, causing damage to the pipes.

Prevention is the best way to avoid costly repairs to your home. Those yearly chores we must do every year, are a necessity, and can save you time and money if you are diligent. Inspecting the foundation, and roof of your home should be done yearly as well to make sure there are not glaring problems that you overlooked before.

Shopping Around – The New Norm

Shopping around for items is normal, but many people are moving towards shopping for items and services that used to not be questioned.  Prices can be very different from one place to another depending on the vendor. And things that used to be a monopoly have a high degree of competition now.  This week I saw a friend on Facebook complain about a new medication he needed be $500 a month and not covered by insurance.  Within an hour he had people telling him how to get it for $60 and places he could maybe get it free (from manufacturer) and how to do it.

Facebook and other social media channels are helping people collaborate and share information to find better deals on things.  But are you looking for better deals when it comes to some of these things?

  1. Utilities – By shopping for utility providers, you can reduce your rate significantly.  Put when your contract is up on your calendar and reshop for it once it expires or your rate will go up and not one will notify you.
  2. Medical – The exact same procedure can be radically different from place to place.  Some people even find it cheaper to go to another country and have a medical vacation versus just taking the first offer on a medical procedure.  (Please do not shop around if it is an emergency though!)
  3. Auto Repairs – If you are one of those people still going to the dealer, you are paying too much for some things.  I do like the dealer for maintenance but not for big jobs unless it requires a specialist.  That said, this is one area asking around is very important.  Just taking the cheapest person to fix your car can be a nightmare.
  4. Prescriptions – Not only does the place matter, but there are programs that will give you a discount at your pharmacy, whether in Akron, Hudson, Fairlawn or Aurora.
  5. Cars – Sure we all shop around for cars already, but did you know if you know what you are looking for and you start calling dealerships (especially if you are a little flexible) you can get a great deal without ever setting foot on the lot (until you buy)?
  6. Entertainment – I cannot even say “TV” or “Cable” anymore because there are so many options for entertainment.  Do you just watch movies and tv shows?  You probably only need a streaming service.  The trick here is to know what you can’t live without and then shop around for the entertainment necessities and cut out the unused stuff.
  7. Insurance – If you got the best price on insurance more than a year ago, why have you not shopped it around again?  For example, we got a great deal on insurance a year ago and this year they raised the price about 30% for no reason.  Clearly the first year was a discount to get the business and they hope people will not move after year one and the price increase.  Time to start calling around.

I wish it was not such a hassle.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of our hyper capitalistic economy that businesses are always using gimmicks, specials and tricks to squeeze more money out of you.  You can either accept the games and pay more or you can manage your buying and pay less.  The choice is yours.

Winterize Your Home Before Fall

When Winter season is approaching, many people opt to leave their homes and visit other cities where it is warmer. If you are planning to vacate your home this winter, it is important you make preparations in the right way. The arrangements done should help you secure your property from theft and destruction. Preparations are easy and less costly. Various ideas are used in securing the house and all assets which are vulnerable to the falls. Here are useful tips that could help keep your home a better place to come back after the winter season is over.

Be proactive about your home sewage and plumbing

Heavy downfall is experienced during the winter season. Secure the pipes which are exposed on your compound. Alternating changes of temperatures could affect these pipes causing them to burst up. If you have a swimming pool or any other water spigots that are within your compound, consider cutting off water supply. On the last days, ensure sprinklers are dried of excess moisture using compressed air. Facilities like air conditioners must also be covered to keep off moisture from affecting the equipment.

Trim huge trees near the house

The weather experienced in winter is very harsh. There are frequent thunderstorms and winds. If there are trees that are positioned next to your house, this could pose a huge threat to your home. Accumulation of ice on branches causes them to break off. Hire tree companies that specialize in trimming and felling of trees professionally. They will help in trimming this vegetation thus reducing the risk of falling on your roof. Apart from trimming, cleaning of branches and leaves that have fallen is done.

Enclose the chimney

If your house has a fire point, ensure cleaning is done days before the winter comes. The chimney should be washed using chemicals that reduce acidic reactions on the surface. When cleaning is finished, chimney caps should be installed on top. The advantage of covering the top opening is to reduce any snow that falls into your fireplace. Corrosion is reduced, and your house stays in good condition during the period.