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Importance of a Basement Dehumidifier
Dehumidifier for a Basement
High humidity, moisture, and water damage are real problems for many basements. Dehumidifiers for basements are essential to help homeowners over come basement moisture issues.
A basement provides additional space that a great deal of homeowners really enjoy. Moisture can be a real problem for many basements and Dehumidifiers for basements is a necessity to help over come moisture.
Whether you use it for entertainment space, a play area, storage or all the above, a little extra room in a house never hurt anyone…or did it?
While there are advantages to having a basement, there are also risks that homeowners should be aware of.
By nature, a basement goes against certain building principles that are put in place to keep homes, and their occupants safe. When water, and more specifically rain water flows, it follows the path of least resistance to its final destination. Read more about Basements.
Since a basement is nothing more than a fancy hole in the ground it is often the preferred location for excessive rain water to settle. Due to this fact, builders have developed elaborate drainage and sump pump systems that take the water that flows into your basement and pumps it away from the structure.
So let’s assume that these precautionary measures are working fine. (In actuality basement drains and sump pumps have all kinds of issues. See Easy Ways to Troubleshoot a Sump Pump for more information on that.)
Basement Humidity
Even if that is the case the volume of water that is transferring through your basement, especially during the spring and summer months, can create high levels of relative humidity that can lead to mold and mildew growth.
These things can compromise your structure and make you sick. That is why it is important to run a dehumidifier in your basement to help control your humidity levels.
Recommended Basement Dehumidifier
Like any product these days there are hundreds of different options. However, if your basement is a standard size (1500 sq. ft. or less) any residential dehumidifier like the Frigidaire should work fine. They run anywhere from 150 to 300 bucks, give or take.
Regardless of which dehumidifier you buy I would recommend making sure it has a humidity controller and a continuous drain option.
The humidity controller allows you to set the humidity percentage you want your basement to stay under. As a rule of thumb your basements relative humidity should never get higher than 50%.
The continuous drain option automatically empties the water in your dehumidifier into a floor drain or sump pit when it gets full.
If you didn’t have this option, like the one in my basement, you would have to manually dump the bucket once or twice a day. These two features allow you to dehumidify your basement while exerting the least amount of effort possible.
Lets be honest, you have enough on your plate already without having to check humidity levels and empty a bucket of water every day. Why make it harder on yourself than it has to be?
Basements are a nice feature, but they are extra susceptible to water damage since they are buried under ground. By making sure your basement stays properly dehumidified you lessen your chance of having to deal with mold or mildew issues that can compromise your extra space and potentially make you sick.
The Myth of Waterproof Flooring
Waterproof Laminate Flooring
As I watch TV these days, I continue to see commercials for a new type of flooring that is 100% waterproof. The advertisements claim that with this new technology homeowners don’t ever have to worry about water damage ruining their floors again.
Hallelujah! Those engineers have really outdone themselves this time, right!?
Well, not exactly. While these commercials aren’t lying, they’re not being completely truthful either. If you plan to invest in “waterproof flooring” in the future, there are a few things that you should know beforehand.
Basics of Waterproof Flooring
Certain areas of your home are more susceptible to water damage than others. Areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms are vulnerable since water hook ups are present. To avoid future headaches certain types of flooring are better suited for these areas than others.
For example: Flooring like tile, linoleum and sheet vinyl are a great fit because they are water resistant. On the other hand, hardwood flooring and laminate are not because they do not react well to water damage. Even a small leak can ruin these types of flooring and lead to expensive repairs.
So what about this new flooring? Wouldn’t it be a no brainer to install in those areas over anything else?
What is Waterproof Vinyl Flooring?
The new “waterproof flooring” I keep referring to is known as vinyl plank flooring. It takes all the advantages of sheet vinyl, laminate and hardwood, and combines them in hybrid form.
- The vinyl element of the floor allows it to be water and scratch resistant. (Notice I said resistant…)
- The laminate, or floating element of it allows it to expand and contract throughout the seasons.
- Lastly, the hardwood element gives it that visually pleasing look that homeowners crave.
You may be saying to yourself at this point, “Wow Brian, this stuff sounds pretty great, what’s the catch?”
To be fair to vinyl plank flooring, it is a great product in my opinion. The trouble arises when advertisers claim it, or any other type of flooring, is waterproof.
The hull of a boat is waterproof…
A pool liner is waterproof…
Flooring is not waterproof…
The Truth of Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring
While the individual planks may be waterproof, the building material around and underneath it is not. As a result, if significant water damage occurs, the flooring still has to be removed and replaced in order to dry materials like sill plates, drywall and subfloor.
This renders the fact that the flooring is “waterproof” essentially useless.
Basement Waterproof Flooring Example
We helped a customer with a flooded basement that had “waterproof laminate flooring” installed. Initially the customer thought we wouldn’t have to remove the flooring because it was waterproof…
Unfortunately, we had to inform her, that although your floor is “waterproof”, the basement structure is not and the flooring would need to come up in order to dry her basement back to its original moisture content.
Now, we did consider removing the flooring carefully to possibly re-install it after the basement was dried, but when we attempted to unlace the pieces they began to tear the click clock system. The flooring wasn’t meant to be taken apart and put back together.
Conclusion: Waterproof Laminate Flooring
The moral of the story is know what you are buying.
If you’ve done your research, then vinyl plank flooring is a great option for any home.
However, if you haven’t done your research beware. After significant water damage you may learn that your new flooring isn’t as “waterproof” as advertised.
How to find a Good Contractor?
HOW TO FIND A GOOD CONTRACTOR
(AND TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID A BAD ONE)
How many times has someone asked, if you knew a good contractor they could use? (Roofing, plumbing, drywall, paint, electrical, ect. The list goes on and on.) People ask me all the time.
Now since I am in the construction business, I do have some connections with whom I feel comfortable referring. However, if I don’t know a contractor personally, I will not refer them.
This is because the last thing I want to do is suggest someone who doesn’t do good work. Guess who the person I refer is going to be mad at if my referral doesn’t work out? You got it, me. Been there, done that.
(I got myself in enough trouble as a teenager to know that sometimes saying nothing is better than saying anything at all…)
No one wants to work with someone who does a bad job. (At least no one I’ve ever met…) People want a contractor, or anyone they do business with, to be honest, timely and skilled in their craft. The good news is it’s 2019. That means it’s easier than ever to find a good contractor to do business with!
The Trouble With “Word of Mouth” Referrals
In my opinion the best way to determine whether a contractor is good or not, is still by word of mouth. However, the problem with word of mouth referrals, is your options are heavily restricted by who your close contacts know in a particular line of work. Also, imagine if you needed something obscure, like rats removed from your crawlspace.
(I know that’s a bit dramatic but stick with me here…) Chances are no one at church knows anyone who does rat removal. Even if they did you probably aren’t wanting to broadcast to your small group that you currently have a rat infestation under your house. (You know how people at church talk sometimes…) That’s why researching a contractor’s online reviews is another great option to determine whether they are worth hiring or not.
Big Advancements in Online Research
In the past crooked contractors could easily get away with doing bad work. Back then unhappy customers didn’t have a platform where they could express their displeasure to a larger audience.
Now a days the internet serves as the ultimate platform. Past and present customers are able to let each other know whether a contractor did good work, or not. What a marvelous time to be a consumer!
In the Past
Imagine if you lived in Indianapolis in 1995 and a contractor you were working with did an awful job. Even worse, let’s say he made no effort to try and make it right. Back then you could tell your family, friends and neighbors, but more than likely that contractor wouldn’t have been affected by your dissatisfaction. His pool of business would have been so large that a small trail of unhappy customers wouldn’t affect his bottom line.
Present Day
Fast forward to 2019. If that same contractor gave you the run around now, the power is in your hands. You now have the ability to broadcast your negative experience with hundreds of thousands of people in an instant. (Good for you, bad for him…)
Websites like Google Reviews, Angie’s List, Yelp, Home Advisor and Facebook have allowed customers to share their experiences with one another.
By doing this you and your fellow consumers can promote good contractors and expose bad ones. What a powerful tool that is! Ill give you some free advice, use it to your advantage. (Don’t be the guy or girl who throws their back out lifting a heavy box when a dolly was sitting right there the whole time…)
Online Research Tips
The best part about these online resources are they aren’t mutually exclusive. If you are looking for a contractor I’d encourage you to see what previous customers had to say about them on multiple websites before you hire them. Also, just because someone refers you to a contractor doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go and check them out for yourself.
Keep in mind that a contractor may have a high rating, however if they only have 1 review that isn’t enough in my opinion to prove that they do a good job. (A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while…) You want to find someone who has a high rating, with a lot of reviews, over a long period of time. (Like Restorex Disaster Restoration for example. 😊) Consistency is key.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Just because a contractor has a big reputation and good commercials doesn’t mean they also do a good job. In my experience the companies you identify as major players in a given industry are often the worst ones to hire. Here’s why:
Advertising is expensive. The contractors who are on billboards, radio and TV in your local area spend a lot of money for that exposure. As a result, they have to charge more for their services than smaller companies to make up for that cost. Furthermore, since they are able to afford such a large audience they will continue to get business whether they do a good job or not. New customers will continue to call them because they identify with their brand, not because they’ve heard, seen or experienced how good they are at what they do.
You don’t have to take my word for it though. (Reading Rainbow Shout-out) See what people had to say online about some of the most recognizable contractors in your area. Their previous customers may not share the same warm and bubbly experience as the paid actress on their awesome commercial.
Good Things Come in Small Packages
When I’m hiring a contractor I look for a small company with good reviews where the owner also does the work. (With maybe a helper or two) In the construction business we call these contractors “owner operators.”
The reason I hire these guys over large companies or franchises isn’t because I’m just a super nice guy. (Even though I think I’m decently nice…) The real reason is because in my opinion you get a superior service at a more affordable price.
Contractors who are owner operators rely on their reputation to sustain and create business for themselves. They don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of advertising out there to attract new customers.
As a result, if they don’t do a good job no one is going to call them back or refer them to a friend. Also, since these contractors don’t have huge advertising budgets, large warehouses or fancy trucks, they don’t have to charge you as much for their services as the bigger guys. (That is what I like to call a winner winner chicken dinner.)
Free Advice Alert!
In closing, my best advice, is to hire a contractor who does quality work at an affordable price because their livelihood depends on it. Big companies and franchises are going to continue to get business whether they do a good job or not. If you do your research and go with a smaller company you’re going to have a good experience with the contractor you hire. I guarantee it!
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