Basement Flood Repair Photos
Click on the image above to view each photo in the repair process.
Call us to replace ruined drywall, repair foundation cracks or to remodel any room in your home.
Lon @ (847)636-0771
Entries Tagged as 'Basement Remodeling'
Basement Flood Repairs – Ask Lon Video
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Specifications: We replaced water damaged drywall, installed inside and outside metal corners, applied joint compound, sanded it smooth, attached baseboard, and primed and painted.
Remodeling
Project Specifications: 1,800 square feet of remodeling and repair services
Mold removal / Repair crack in foundation wall / Electrical repair / Plumbing repairs / Drywall installation / Prime and paint / Wood trim / Door and window repair
Basement Remodeling and Repairs
Testimonial: The Gil Family wrote: “Lon, The doors and basement look great! Thank you so very much…”
Project Details: Remove mold and water damaged drywall from basement. Replace drywall, prime and paint.
During demolition, the client expressed her desire to have more space in the family room. Working together the Gil’s approved an idea to reverse a closet thereby sealing off the wall to provide access to more useable space within the family room and new closet. We also imbedded plywood to attach/secure a TV wall mount system and provided Mr. Gil with a new electrical supply.
Outcome: Practically, we captured more closet space by reversing it, secured a flexible shelving system, attached a new closet door and provide the Gil’s with access to critical HVAC diverters which were buried by a previous contractor.
Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
Lon and Pam’s Dream Home
Over the last few years, seems that people are staying longer in their existing homes. Even the rate of home entertaining and stay at home vacations has dramatically increased. Makes us wonder why then, do so many people wait to make home improvements until they are ready to sell? Whether you’re planning to stay or prepping to sell – please take a moment to view our latest “before & after” video and discount offer. Please give me a call to schedule a Free Estimate and thank you for your continued support.
Ask Lon! Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
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Lon Thomas Owner/Operator Ask Lon! 5632 Church Street Morton Grove, IL 60053 (847)636-0771 www.asklon.com———————————–
Follow Us @ Twitter FaceBookRemodeling and Repairs
House for Sale: Before and After Photos
We were hired to: paint laundry room/remove mold/repair bathroom walls/remodel front room/repair & refinish hardwood floors in 4 rooms. Our client has a “House for Sale in Skokie!”
Home Remodeling
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Basement flooding
Basement Waterproofing and French Drains
Cost-effective Solutions by Ask Lon!
A good customer called asking if I could find and repair a leak in her basement.
Here’s a comprehensive list of questions and answers designed to provide simple cost-effective waterproofing solutions.
And by the way…I charge around $250.00 to repair a typical interior wall crack.
Question: How and why is water suddenly entering my basement?
Answer: Let’s start by examining the home’s exterior.
- Are gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and functioning properly?
- Are gutter extensions attached and directed 8 feet away from the home?
- Are there any gaps between the sidewalk and the foundation that need filling?
- Were there, or are there trees or large shrubs near the home?
- Is the dirt around the home at least 2 inches below the framing and pitched away?
- Are basement window wells clear of debris, aerated and are drains functioning?
- Has a second story been added to your home?
- Has there been any major construction project near your home which may have caused the foundation to shift?
It is important to determine the exterior source of basement leaks and eliminate them. Sometimes discovery can be a bit bizarre too; here’s an example. We learned that a customer’s (3rd floor condo) interior walls were getting wet because brick and mortar were loosed by a construction project a block away. Iron beams were being pounded into the ground during construction of a new strip mall shook loose the facade! The condo association was able to have the entire facade redone and the interior walls repaired, paid for by the mall developer.
Question: What do we do about with the water in the basement?
Answer: In my lifetime, entire industries have been born to address this concern. Waterproofing, sump pumps and interior subterranean water canals have exploded onto the screen. Systems costing thousands of dollars have produced impressive marketing campaign’s designed to help us “sleep better at night”. What a waste!
But these millionaires don’t answer the basic question “how do I keep water out of my home?” Perhaps it’s because…it costs much less to install a system to keep water out, than it does – to pump it out!
So, once you have determined the reason you suddenly have water in the basement let’s move on to methods of keeping water out, and then crack repair.
Question: “Lon, what is a French Drain and how can it help keep water out of the basement?”
Answer: A French drain uses a narrow ditch filled with gravel, sand or stones to funnel water into a drainage pipe underneath. The pipe is generally made from PVC and has small perforations to allow the water to seep in.
The French drain is named after its inventor, Henry French, a native of Concord, Massachusetts. Since 1859, French drains are used as a simple way to drain water from one area to another. While there have been minor refinements over the years, the basic principles remain the same even today.
Some common uses of French drains include diverting water from behind a retaining wall, redirecting ground water run-off to a garden irrigation system and protecting a home’s foundation from water damage.
Ask Lon installs French drains approximately 10 inches deep by 15 inches wide around the perimeter to direct excess water away from your home. Consider the savings – no sump pump, no battery backup to worry about and no daily electric usage, talk about a Green Solution! Call me to learn if this simple solution is right for your home – free estimate!
Question: How do we repair a crack in the wall?
Answer: There are basically three options that make sense with each being marketed under countless brand names and they are:
- Epoxy
- Polyurethane Foam Injection
- Hydraulic Cement
Once again, the industry is ripe with manufacturers, retailers and installers trying to make a buck so read the directions thoroughly as you can void a warranty in a heartbeat. Ask Lon has researched countless brands and tested about a dozen products to date and here are my findings:
Hydraulic Cement: when properly applied can last for up to 10 years or more and is inexpensive.
Polyurethane Foam Injection: when properly applied can last for the life of the home. However, the external use of open cell foam is highly discouraged and only closed cell foam is recommended should the crack extend to the outside of your home.
Epoxy: When properly installed, epoxy is the logical and cost-effective solution.
- Its ability to bind to poured concrete, concrete block or brick is unequaled
- Provides improved structural integrity
- Is water resistant and repellent
- When properly applied it will last a lifetime
Question: Can I fix the basement crack myself?
Answer: Yes and no. I cannot recommend this to the novice or even the weekend warrior for several reasons. You only get one shot at doing this correctly, once the epoxy hits the wall it better be right! There are some specialized tools which will produce the desired result which you might never need again. The success and longevity of this project begins and ends with “site preparation”.
And of the utmost importance, if the crack is more than ¼ inch in diameter it could be a structural issue which needs to be addressed by a professional before you repair the crack.
We hope you found this information useful and if you don’t want to tackle it yourself give us a call @ (847)636-0771
Sincerely,
Lon Thomas Owner Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 info@asklon.com www.asklon.com
Basement crack repaired!
Household Mold
Please take a moment to read this important article.
Sadly, we went into another home today which was ripe with mold; due to flooding. Below are portions of articles posted by the Mayo Clinic Staff and at allergyescape.com on the topic of mold.
Household Mold
“Mold grows best at room temperature, so your house is a perfect place for mold to thrive and mold related allergy to flourish! In your home and basement, a musty smell will let you know that mold has set-up house! Mold can grow on many things, including: tile, grout, wood, paint, plaster, and fabric.
Although molds often originate in basements because of the dampness, spores can spread through the rest of your home. Mold spores that are set adrift in your home will find an appropriate place to live and grow, like bathrooms and kitchens which contain adequate food and moisture. Places in your home that mold loves include: • closets • refrigerator drip trays • air conditioners • garbage pails • mattresses • foam rubber pillows • attics • carpets • upholstery”
Mold Symptoms – By Mayo Clinic staff
“Mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Mold allergy symptoms can include:
Sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough and postnasal drip
Itchy eyes, nose and throat
Watery eyes
Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses
Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person, and range from mild to severe. You may have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. You may notice symptoms when the weather is damp, or you’re in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.
If you have a mold allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to mold spores. In some people, exposure to certain molds can cause a severe asthma attack. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
When to see a Doctor:
If you have a stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes or other bothersome symptoms for longer than two weeks, see your doctor.
Your doctor will consider your symptoms and may order tests to try to determine if you have allergies or whether your symptoms are caused by something else.
If you have asthma or your doctor suspects you have asthma, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies (allergist). Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.”
Please don’t attempt to clean mold without proper equipment and instruction.
Be careful!
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