Tag Archives: basement

Sump Pumps Help Keep Basements Dry

Sump pumps can help keep your basement dryThe sump pump: is it North Carolina’s favorite appliance? It’s almost certainly in the top five, especially after the rainy weather we’ve seen this fall. The Piedmont gets an average yearly rainfall of about 42-46 inches, and when the water saturates the ground, leaky basements abound.

If you’ve never heard of a sump pump, consider yourself lucky; it means you don’t have a problem with flooding! But for many people in the Triad, a sump pump is a necessity to avoid a basement full of water. A typical sump pump sits in a pit  where water collects. It has a water control switch that is activated when the water in the pit rises to a certain level. When the pump turns on, it sucks the water out of the pit and expels it out of the house.

Most primary sump pumps are electrical; they need a dedicated circuit and should not be plugged into an extension cord. If your basement floods frequently, or if you have a finished basement, you should also have a battery-operated backup. You can check to make sure your sump pump works by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. As the water rises, it makes the float rise, which should trigger the pump to start working. If it doesn’t, call in the experts at Johns Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning to make sure your basement stays dry.

Leaky Basement Repairs

Why Hiring a Professional Local Contractor for Your Residential Plumbing Job Is the Best Option

Of all the things we take for granted, water is one of the most dangerous ones. You won’t realize it unless you face a leakage problem in the basement. What starts as a dysfunctional pipe or tap  will creep deep into the foundation resulting in damage beyond your DIY repairs.

leaky-basement-repairs

If not repaired properly, the damage will continue to grow, and the issues will soon go out of hand. To save yourself all the trouble, basement waterproofing and foundation repair jobs must be left for plumbing professionals who are trained and well-equipped to deal with them.

If you are still stuck on the idea of doing it on your own, make sure you have assessed the risks and resultant problems. Since professional local contractors are used to cleaning up a mess made by DIY efforts, there are a few reasons most of them believe that hiring a professional for residential pluming jobs is the best option:

Assessment is Easy

Professional waterproofing contractors are well-equipped. They don’t just have the technology but also the experience that allows them to assess the damage and identify the problem in the least possible time.

There are a variety of options for waterproofing repairs. Unless you have experience, your do-it-yourself job may cost  big dollars. If you haven’t diagnosed the problem correctly, you may end up making the wrong choice, such as only using waterproof paint or patching a leak with a sealant. Both of these options will fail if you have heavy rains or freezing temperatures. A professional can offer a custom-tailored solution for your problems since all leaks are different and may have an inside or outside cause for a particular location.

You Can Miss the Mold

When it comes to basement leakage and foundation damage, the problem may be bigger than it seems. If doing it yourself, you might focus on one problem and miss other causes. Professionals, on the other hand, look for all causes such as mold, which commonly goes undetected until it becomes a huge issue. There are a variety of mold species that may cause damage to your piping systems.  An experienced professional can analyze the type of mold and pinpoint the most effective means of destroying it.

Save Time and Money

When you hire professionals for residential plumbing jobs, such as repairing your leaky basement and damaged foundation, they ensure that the solution is long lasting. They take less time to provide a service that offers great value in the long run. You won’t need another repair job for years to come.

It is of paramount importance to know what the warranty from the waterproofing company covers and the validity period (10 years, 25 years, etc.). Additionally, you should also know if the warranty is transferable if you decide to sell your house.

Safety Is Important

Steady water can be dangerous as it becomes a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Exposing yourself to those risks is not a good idea for you or your family. Professionals  are well aware of the best safety practices and standards. They will keep you informed and take the necessary measures to protect you and your family.

Professionals Take Responsibility

One of the best things about working with a reputed professional local contractor is that he will take complete responsibility, even after the job is done. His work is guaranteed, and you can rest assured that you will be satisfied when the job is completed.

You Pay Only Once for Waterproofing!

Often the job done by a do-it-yourselfer does not address the source of the problem or is not the right solution for the repair needed, so the job becomes even more costly when he has to pay a professional to clean up his failed work and do the repair correctly.

You may think using the services of a professional is a costly option, but for most plumbing jobs that require minor repairs, the total cost ranges from $200-$350. For jobs that require major repairs, the total cost ranges from $2,000-$15,000. However, an average homeowner spends a little over $7,000 on basement waterproofing.

Bottom Line – Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should!

Basement waterproofing and foundation repair are tricky residential plumbing jobs and should be left to professionals. However, finding a good local contractor is the key.  Look for references and recommendations from previous customers. (A reputable company will be happy for you to hear from satisfied customers.) Check the Better Business Bureau’s rating to see if there are any complaints and whether complaints have been resolved. Check resources such as Angie’s List.

You  also need to know if the company you have decided to hire is licensed, bonded, and insured, and whether it uses subcontractors to get jobs done or does all the work themselves.

Once you have collected the information you need, you can hire a company that meets your unique needs and preferences.