In humid and damp climates a dehumidifier can pull as much as 50 pints of water from the air each day, depending on the size of the system. Keep your dehumidifier’s reservoir clean and dry; don’t let water spill over or stagnate when not in use. A dirty or poorly maintained dehumidifier wastes energy and can [...]

You can avoid or solve most basement seepage problems by following these simple corrective steps, which are listed in order of priority. Keep gutters and downspouts clean and direct them away from the basement. Downspouts must be routed to a storm sewer or at least 6 feet away from the foundation to an area where [...]

It’s that time of the year again! Unfortunately, heavy spring rains bring water problems to many basements. Basement leaks not only make life miserable for a home owner, but they can weaken the foundation of your home. Basement walls should seal out a moderate amount of water, but few will withstand a great deal of [...]

Masonry or plaster with white-ish crystallization is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is primarily an appearance problem that occurs with masonry and often plaster. Rarely do these deposits of crystalline salts do any harm to masonry surfaces. In most cases, the efflorescence appears as a white dust or deposit on the surface of brick walls, chimneys, or [...]

Have a plan in case of a fire in your home. Fire can and might happen to you! You must be prepared and have the knowledge to escape safely. Fire is darker, smokier, hotter, and faster than you can imagine. You must know what fire is like in order to escape the danger safely. The [...]