Learning Center – A-1 Basement Solutions

Wet Basements – Signs of Leaks behind Walls Bergen County, NJ

A wet basement is one of the worst nightmares for a homeowner with a finished basement. Completed wet basements are especially hard to diagnose. You may not notice leaks behind your drywall or painted walls until there is considerable damage. It means you will spend more on repairing the damage.

Basement Wall Cracks and Soil Erosion Union County, NJ

When people hear the term ‘soil erosion’, they think of farms and crops. Soil erosion occurs when the topsoil rich in nutrients is carried off by water or wind. It results in the exposure of the underlying earth. It can cause a drop in crop yield. How soil erosion can

Answers to Your Questions about Basement Systems Essex County, NJ

You probably already know that any water that gets into your basement is terrible. It can lead to all sorts of issues. If you don’t have a basement, you may have a crawlspace, and water getting into the crawlspace is equally problematic. In any cases where water is entering your

Basement Wall Cracks – Dealing with Drywall Cracks in the Basement New Jersey

Have you noticed cracks in the drywall in your finished basement? Many homeowners decide to patch up drywall cracks as soon as they notice them. However, there are many instances when these cracks are a sign of a more serious problem. Patching up the cracks is only a temporary solution.

What Homeowners Should Know About Mold Remediation Morris County, NJ

Mold is not something that any homeowner wants to handle. However, as long as you hire a professional company with well-trained technicians to handle your mold remediation, it would not be as bad as you may imagine. The secret to stress-free mold remediation is a trustworthy, reputable company to do

3 Basement Waterproofing Facts That Homeowners Should Know Warren County, NJ

When it comes to basement waterproofing, there are some things that a homeowner should know. When armed with the right information, it’s easier to take care of and maintain your home. Far too many people ignore their basements. It’s understandable since most people don’t spend a lot of time in

Water Through Basement Floor

Can I Get Water through my basement floor? Yes, in a few different ways, so, let me explain the three main reasons how you get water through basement floor. The basement floor is made of concrete which is porousWater is a primary ingredient of concrete from the beginningAs the concrete

Foundation Crack Repair To Keep Out Rain

Does the rain make my foundation crack get worse? The answer to this question is a definite maybe. The rain has a cause and effect thing with the soil that is around your house. The soil then can crack your foundation, or if it is already cracked, make it worse.

5 Signs of Foundation Problems Scotch Plains, NJ

The 5 Most Common Signs of Foundation Problems Cracks where walls and ceiling joinDoors and windows that stick or do not open or close properlySloped and not level floorsCracks in exterior masonry or concreteSeparations of wood trim at the exterior corners of your home How to know if your foundation

Concerning A-1 Basements and COVID-19

COVID-19 RESPONSE FROM A-1 BASEMENT SOLUTIONS May, 18, 2020 The safety of our customers and employees has always been the number one priority at A-1 Basement Solutions. A-1 Basement closed temporarily on March 19th to limit the effects of Covid-19 and mitigate the health concerns it presents all of us.

Dehumidifier in Winter, Fall and Spring

Should you use a dehumidifier in Winter? or Fall? or Spring? What do you do about the moisture that comes through your concrete foundation, most of which is below the frost line, and brings dampness and moisture into your basement in the non-Summer months? Most people have an understanding about

White stuff on Basement Wall

The white stuff on basement wall is a residue left from water called efflorescence. It indicates that water has evaporated from the concrete. Efflorescence is proof that water was in the basement. Many of us have come across this strange phenomenon; a white powdery substance comes out of the concrete

Is it a good idea to use a steamer to kill mold?

In a word the answer is no. It is not a good idea to use a steamer to kill mold. Maybe to grow mold, but not to kill mold. But we need to look further into it than that. The two things we are talking about are Black Mold and

Floating basement floor explained

Whether you have moved into an existing home with a basement or you are in the process of building a brand new home, understanding how your basement was built can be helpful. Knowing what a floating basement floor is and why it is not a French Drain can be priceless.

How long does sump pump last?

Here is a question that I am asked a few times every week, “How long does sump pump last?”; and the answer is very simple; 7 years, 3 months, 17 days, 6 hours, 53 minutes and 19 seconds. I’m sure you will agree that this answer is ridiculous. Except for

Do I need basement waterproofing weep holes?

If your foundation is constructed of concrete masonry units (CMU), a.k.a cinder blocks, yes, you need weep holeshollow block foundation wall These hollow blocks make a solid foundation but are more porous than poured concrete. When your foundation was constructed, tar was applied to the outside of the hollow concrete

How high to drill Weep Holes in basement walls?

Here in Central New Jersey many homes have basements with foundations constructed of Concrete Masonry Units (CMU)s. CMUs are also called Cinder blocks or just Concrete Blocks. When installing a French Drain in a house with hollow block masonry walls, we put weep holes in basement walls, allowing the drainage

What is a High Water Table?

The ground thaws while snow melts and spring rains come. At the same time, the thaw is happening all the plant life is dormant and not drinking water. The water accumulates under and around your home. This is called a high water table or perched water. The thing to understand

What Is In The Sump Pump Pit?

A sump pump pit is a low space that collects any often-undesirable liquids such as water. A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in the water collecting sump pump pit, commonly found in the basement of homes. The water may enter via French drains

TOP 5 REASONS you need a Sump Pump Cover

1. A sump pump cover prevents stuff from falling into the sump pit. There could be a million things I could say that we want to keep out of the pit. Basically, we want to keep everything out of the pit including pets and small children. Your sump pump operates