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.

Before Video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teNDWmYX3rM

After Video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg1gzPN5p18

Thanks for the nice note and for choosing Ask Lon.  Also, special thanks to Linda Stromberg @
CENTURY 21 Marino Real Estate, Inc. for her assistance throughout this process.

Project Specifications: Install new shower drain, sub-floor, leak resistant shower system and shower base, custom tile pattern , grout, reposition and install sink base, water feed lines, sink drain, reposition and install light, plaster, prime and paint bathroom.

Want a FREE estimate? Call now – 847-636-0771 or email us @ info@asklon.com

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

Is Wallpapering a Basement Bath a BAD Idea?

"What's That Smell"

A good customer called asking if I could find and repair a leak in her basement. During our conversation I’d realized that I’ve been addressing the needs of basement walls and floors for over forty years. 

So I’ve pulled together a comprehensive list of questions and answers deigned 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 a true story.  We learned that a customer’s (3^rd 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.  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 that even the ancient Egyptian’s would be envious of, have produced impressive marketing campaign’s designed to help us “sleep better at night”. 

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 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!

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 manufactures, retailers and installers trying to make a buck so read the directions thoroughly as you can void a warrantee 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” which has taken years to prefect.  

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.

So give me a call to schedule a free estimate, and I hope you found this information useful.

Sincerely,

Basement crack repaired!

We removed wall paper, toilet and flooring to create this simple yet tasteful update.

Below: Last week (at another residence) we also installed glass shower tiles to transform this space. Up next – flooring, toilet, vanity, sink, faucet and lighting!

Please let us know what you think of our handiwork @ info@asklon.com or 847-636-0771

Removed an old cast iron bathtub and dated fixtures to create a walk-in tiled shower and overall beautiful new bathroom.