The Basement

The basement is often the most abused room in a house but it is the most important room, and here's why.

It was a challenge in the seventies, when I was trying to convince people that they should buy the Mitsubishi compact fluorescent bulb to save energy. This was the first of its kind and it retailed for $12 to $14. Its lumen or light output was equal to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, which sold for $ .60 in most stores. I needed to convince the engineer at Betty Ford Hospital that a $12, 12-watt bulb would save the facility $35,000 a year in electrical costs. I did so, and it did!How do I know? I replace liners with concrete and rebar for a living and I ask if the customer if the liner salesman told them the pros and cons about the liner. (Most cons don't!)If there are problems in your basement, there will be problems everywhere else. Basements are well known for one problem in particular - water. If you are having water issues, i.e. water seepage from your walls, you can be sure all other areas will be affected.An average 2000 square foot roof produces close to 1200 gallons of water with for every inch of rain. Clogged gutters or downspouts without sufficient tiling to drain water away from the foundation can cause severe dampness of basement walls. During severe or prolonged rainfall, it can even result in flooding. One solution to poor grading or roof drainage problems is a dry well.

If your sump pump is seized when water comes into the sump hole, it will not remove the incoming water and your basement will flood, and you could end up with thousands and thousands of dollars of damage, not to mention many personal belongings near and dear to your heart. Insurance claims will cover most of the damages, but they simply cannot replace the lost memories. DON'T wait for this to happen. Check your sump pump and service it TODAY.

Author: Harry Magill