Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Repair in NH

The Case against Fiberglass Insulation in a Finished Basement in NH

Exposed fiberglass showing
in a basement closet. Exposed fiberglass is also common in unfinished portions of basements finished with this kind of wall system.

In recent years, there has been a big influx of homeowners insulating their finished basement walls with fiberglass insulation. And some large companies have also joined the bandwagon, creating basement finishing products that are manufactured with fiberglass insulation.

The issue here is that while fiberglass insulation works well in upper floors, it's one of the worst insulation options available for a basement remodeling project.

Basement Systems of New Hampshire proudly finishes basements in New Hampshire and Greater Boston, using only the best practices and products available. Call or e-mail them today for a free basement finishing estimate!

Inferior Wall Paneling Insulation

Fiberglass insulation rarely goes all the way up the walls, leaving open spaces where heat can escape. Metal stud mounted on foundation walls will also conduct heat away.

Fiberglass basement insulation is a less-effective insulation option, when compared to closed-cell insulation or spray foam insulation. It can absorb water from flooding and humidity, losing much of its insulative R-value as it becomes saturated. And if the insulation is compressed in any way, it will also become less effective.

More importantly, fiberglass batt insulation is installed in an unbroken sheet on the basement walls. There will be open air along the top of the insulation, and over time, the fiberglass will often settle, increasing the size of the gap on top.

Additionally, fiberglass and fabric basement wall panels cannot support the weight of cupboards, bookshelves, or other heavy objects. When they're installed, the insulation must be cut away, so they can be mounted directly to the foundation wall.

These openings give heat a way to escape from your home, significantly reducing its energy efficiency. Think of it this way: How warm could you keep your house if you had a window open all the time? If you have large openings in your insulation, you can expect the same results.

Fiberglass Walls Support Mold Growth

Mold can easily grow on fiberglass and fabric-based basement wall panels, especially during a flood.

While fiberglass itself is inorganic, not all the materials that are in a completed fiberglass batt insulation are. For instance, the paper facing that is too-often included on fiberglass basement finishing panels can grow mold easily, as are the resins that are often used in the fiberglass to attach it to the backing. Foil backings can be effective for protecting this fiberglass from humidity, but the newer black plastic coverings include perforated holes- holes that can allow humidity and water into the insulation.

And since fiberglass is not naturally pink, we know that pink fiberglass has been dyed; that dye contains urea, an organic material that can and does grow mold. We've seen hundreds of basements that have been ruined by moisture and water over the years, and we know just how easily fiberglass gets moldy!

Basement Flooding Ruins Fiberglass Walls

When fiberglass basement walls get wet, the dyes leak and stain the fabric. And fabric walls are very hard to clean!

HGTV recommends installing fiberglass batt insulation with the facing pointed towards the warm side of the wall. This means that if the batt is properly installed, your fiberglass insulation will be pressed directly against the wall, where it can absorb moisture and humidity directly from the basement wall.

And if the basement leaks with groundwater or it floods through your pipes, washing machines, basement windows, water heater, sinks, toilet, tub, shower, or anywhere else in your home, you can say goodbye to your fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass soaks up moisture like a sponge and its dyes are water soluble, meaning that once the flood has come, your walls will be stained and the fiberglass will be soaked, and no longer effective as insulation.

Of course, once the fiberglass is wet, it is also its most susceptible to mold, rot, and mildew growth.

The Solution for an Insulated Basement Wall

Installing Total Basement Finishing wall panels, with blue closed-cell polystyrene basement insulation.

Instead of fiberglass insulation, Basement Systems of New Hampshire installs closed-cell polystyrene insulation as part of the finished basement wall panel system they provide. Designed by Total Basement Finishing, each insulated wall panel includes an incredible 50-year written warranty to resist mold and damage from humidity or flooding.

Created with dense foam insulation and a very durable 1/2" cement board, EverLast Basement Wall Panels can support the weight of up to 300 pounds per panel. There's no need to cut away the insulation when you need to mount cabinets, bookshelves, and heavy objects. Their vinyl covering makes them beautiful and easy to clean for the life of the home. And unlike fiberglass insulation, this free-standing wall panel can install on the walls or as a partition with no need for studs!

We can finish a basement, from floor to ceiling, in about ten days, and products are warrantied. For a FREE, no-obligation basement finishing design quote, call or e-mail us today! Basement Systems of New Hampshire serves NH and Greater Boston, MA.

Does Humid Air Go Up or Down?

There are two classic arguments used to explain where humid air goes in a home.

Argument 1: Wet air is heavier than dry air. Ventilate and dehumidify the basement to solve this.

The idea here is that as air becomes humid in a home, it becomes heavier, causing it to sink down into the basement and lower levels of the home. Therefore, ventilating the basement with outside air will circulate this humid air out of the home and keep the basement dry.

If humid air sinks, will this ground level vent keep the basement dry?

Problem 1: Humid air is less dense than dry air.

Dense things sink and less dense things rise, right? Well, according to Isaac Newton, in his book Opticks, (and USA Today) humid air is actually LESS dense than dry air.

It makes sense. If humid air didn't rise, why would rain fall from the sky when the temperature drops?

So, in a home, humid air rises upwards, not downwards.

Problem 2: If humid air WAS denser than dry air, basement vents still wouldn't work.

Let's pretend for a minute that dry air IS lighter than wet air. Where are the vents going to be in the basement and crawl space? At ground level, right? If humid air did sink, wouldn't it flow downwards into the basement through the vents?

Is this vent keeping the basement dry and mold-free?

Problem 3: Outside air isn't always dry.

If it's raining, humid, or damp outside, how dry will ventilated outside air make your basement? Not very, right? And what happens to your utility bills if you're venting cold air into the home in the winter, or hot air in the summer? You can count on some heavy utility bills. We insulate this air out of our home for a reason- because we don't want it in the house.

Argument 2: Sealing off the outside air and dehumidifying the space will keep it dry.

Even with a seemingly dry basement wall, this white powder (efflorescence) reveals that moisture has been passing through the concrete walls

Other basement contractors will seal off the area from outside air as much as possible. Once the space has been isolated from the outside, they will install a dehumidifier to remove any extra humidity and to maintain the proper humidity level in the future.

To seal off the space, all vents in basements and crawl spaces must be sealed. Crawl space doors and entrances should create an airtight seal when closed to keep out outside air.

Moisture can also pass continually through the porous concrete, mortar, or dirt, entering a basement or crawl space straight through the walls and floors. Along with the moisture, water brings a white, powdery mineral salt called efflorescence. If you seal the walls with a paint, this salt will build up behind the seal, causing it to blister and peel. Instead, mechanically fasten a sheet of plastic- at least 25 mil in thickness- to the walls. This will keep moisture out of the space, helping you fight mold and moisture damage in the home.

A dehumidifier is a great idea as well. Be sure to pick one that is self-draining, powerful enough for the entire space, and is Energy Star rated to keep your utility bills low while protecting your investment.

Dry Below-Grade Spaces

There's only one good way to keep your basement and crawl space dry: seal the space and install a dehumidifier. If you're interested in taking your basement to the next step, Basement Systems of NH and Boston would like to help you. We offer FREE basement and crawl space waterproofing and dampproofing estimates in areas surrounding Boston, Northern MA, and New Hampshire. Call or contact us online today to get started!

The Case Against Basement and Crawl Space Ventilation

Open Crawl Space Vents

For far too many years, homeowners in throughout New Hampshire and Greater Boston have tried to use outside air to dry out their humid basements and crawl spaces. Fans are placed in basement windows, some blowing air inside the home, other basement fans designed to blow air outside. In many areas of the country, crawl space vents have been built into building codes, and while those are changing, the conventional "wisdom" is that if outside air is allowed to pass through the space, it will keep the space dry. Basement Systems of New Hampshire has the solutions you need for a dry basement in crawl space. We provide FREE dry crawl space or basement estimates, call or contact us by e-mail today!

Ask yourself these three questions:

Who is paying to condition to air I'm blowing out of my basement?
When it's raining or humid outside, how dry can that air keep my basement?
If venting crawl spaces works, why are they still rotting and growing mold?

To put it simply: Venting basements and crawl spaces does not work.

Problem 1: Vented Basements and Crawl Spaces Mean Money out the Window

Drafty Crawl Space Door

Except on the most pleasant days, you won't want the air outside your home to be the same temperature as the air inside. You pay a lot of money to cool your summer air and heat your air in the winter. If you have a fan in your basement that pulls air from that home and sends it outside, then the air that you paid to condition is literally going out the window. Even if that fan is energy-efficient, this method cannot effectively dry your basement.

If you have a vented crawl space and do not seal the vents in the winter, then you're inviting cold winter air into your home. As the cold air enters, it will immediately cool down all warm things in your crawl space, including heating ducts, hot water pipes, water heaters, and furnaces. While these utilities are working harder to maintain their temperature, the cold will rise upwards, cooling your floorboards and creating an uncomfortable, drafty home.

Problem 2: The Air You Vent Your Home with is Not Dry

A Grated Basement Window Opening in Boston that was Eventually Sealed off After Leaking with Rainwater

If it's raining outside, how dry will the air in your basement or crawl space be? Not very, you can count on that.

And during a NH or MA summer, when hot, humid air is pulled into the basement or crawl space, it's brought into below-grade space. This subterranean space cools this summer air, causing it to cool, and forcing its relative humidity level to rise dramatically. For each degree the air is cooled, its relative humidity will rise approximately 2.2%. Once the air's relative humidity rises past 100%, the excess moisture will be deposited on all cold surfaces in the crawl space, including wood, metal, and other organic materials. That's not creating a drier home.

Additionally, allowing humid air into your home in the summer will significantly affect your home's cooling efficiency. Air thick with humidity is harder for air conditioning units to cool, as part of the cooling system's job is to dehumidify the air. That's why air conditioners drip. More humidity means more work for the system, and more money for you to spend.

Problem 3: Venting Crawl Spaces Leads to Rot, Mold and Structural Issues

Crawl Space Walls Stained with Years of Flooding and Moisture

If crawl space vents worked, wouldn't the crawl space be dry?

Crawl space rot is a serious problem, and its repercussions can affect the entire home. Crawl spaces with rotting beams and wood will begin to sag, leading to dipping, uneven floors upstairs. Installing crawl space jacks will temporarily aid in supporting and reinforcing the structure, but sooner or later, the rot must be stopped to maintain structural integrity in the home.

Additionally, because air moves upwards in the home as it warms, leaving out the attic and upper levels, some of the air in your home is pulled up through the basement and crawl space. If there is allergenic mold spores and dust mite waste in these spaces-- even when it's growing behind your drywall-- it will join the air in your home.

Crawl space vents are also openings in your home that are very close to the ground. This leaves an open invitation for a wide variety of pests to come in and feast on your rotting wood, including termites, carpenter ants, and mice. Other creatures, such as snakes, spiders, and beetles, will also find this to be a comfortable home.

How to Properly Dry a Basement and Crawl Space

Basement With Vapor Barrier on Walls and Floor and Airtight Windows
An Encapsulated Crawl Space with Sealed Vents

Refer to the trinity of healthy below-grade spaces: Vapor Barriers, Dehumidification, and Inorganic Materials.

First, seal off all vents and close all windows. Then, install a plastic vapor barrier on the walls and floors in the basement or crawl space to keep moisture from passing through the concrete and entering into the space. Once the space is sealed, dehumidify the area to pull any remaining moisture from the space and to keep the area dry. If you're finishing the basement, follow up by using as many inorganic, waterproof materials as possible.

Additionally, new vinyl basement windows are important, as they can keep drafts and leaking water from the space. And if you want to install an extra bonus, installing covered basement window wells can keep cold air away from the glass basement windows while also reflecting in valuable natural sunlight to cheer up the space.

A dry basement and/or crawl space means a healthier, more comfortable home. You'll save a ton of money on your home in energy-efficiency, and your home will be protected from structural damage due to mold and rot.

Basement Systems of New Hampshire wants to help you create a dry basement and crawl space environment. If you live around Greater Boston or in New Hampshire, call or e-mail us today for a FREE dry crawl space or basement estimate!

What to Think About Before Finishing Your Basement

So you want to turn your basement into usable living space, but you're not sure where to start. The best thing to do when considering the remodeling of your basement is to make sure you're fully aware of all the key elements to a successful renovation project. We have come across so many situations where homeowners have previously had their basement "finished" and could not utilize the space. Their remodeled basements smelled musty, were damp and cold, and had a water leakage problem that ruined their finished flooring. If you're going to invest in more living space, make sure it's done right the first time so you don't run into any problems in the future. Here are some things to take into account when finishing a basement:

Rid your basement of moisture and water — This is the most important step when finishing a basement. Your basement needs to be dry... all the time, for a basement renovation project to be successful. If you don't waterproof your basement initially, you will run into water, moisture, and condensation problems in the future. Pests, musty odors, and mold can also become a major issue if basement waterproofing is not addressed. In addition, any flooring, wall paneling, and décor will get ruined from water leaking in.
Control the humidity in your basement — I mentioned mold above. Mold only needs an organic material and humidity to grow. Even though you may waterproof your basement, you still need to make sure you control the humidity in the basement—or else your finished space may grow mold and radiate a basement smell.
Finish your basement with materials made for basements — I cannot stress this enough. Many homeowners think they can just install standard carpeting, ceiling tiles, and wall paneling into their basement and everything will be okay. Not the case. If you fail to install materials made specifically for basements, you will not have proper insulation, your carpeting will absorb moisture by promoting condensation, and your paneling may rot or grow mold (in the case of flooding). Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Installing materials made for basements will ensure that you will have a comfortable, usable living space, without any mold, rot, or condensation problems in the future.
Lastly, have a specific basement renovation vision in mind — Don't go in blind. What do you want to gain from remodeling your basement? Do you want a children's play room, an office, home theater, sports room, or an extra bedroom. The list is endless on what you can do to increase the value of your investment. By knowing what direction you will go in, will allow you to plan for key elements that you may need to incorporate. Do you need to install another bathroom or shower? How about additional wiring or plumbing for your new basement kitchen? Make sure you have a basement layout before starting your remodeling project.

Basement Systems of New Hampshire is a basement waterproofing and basement finishing contractor that serves locals in Greater Boston, MA and throughout New Hampshire. If you'd like a FREE estimate for your basement finishing project, call or e-mail us today!

Fixing Basement Cracks That Allow Water to Seep In

Few basement water problems frustrate homeowners more than a basement with leaky floor cracks. Water flows upwards through these cracks, flooding the basement from everywhere on the floor at once. Depending on how much rain fall in your area, this water can linger for days, even weeks.

Since this water traveled upward through the cracks, it has nowhere to go. Unless you have a sump pump to remove the water or are willing to hire a plumber to take care of the basement every time it floods, this water will continuous create humidity in your basement. A humid basement leads to mold and rotting wood, which results in allergens traveling throughout the rest of your home. If you have tools stored in the basement, they can easily rust.

Basement Systems of New Hampshire can help you fix your leaking basement floor cracks. If you live in the Greater Boston area or NH, we’d love to help. Call or contact us today for a free basement waterproofing estimate!

Why Basement Floor Cracks Leak

One of the primary ways that water passes underneath a basement floor from outside is through the soil surrounding the foundation. This is because the soil that was excavated and then backfilled when your home was first built will always be looser and more absorbent of water than the hard-packed earth around the home will ever be. This is known as the "clay bowl effect".

The clay bowl effect leads to a false water table underneath your home- one that leaks down around the walls and collects underneath the floor. If there are cracks in the basement floor, this water will be pushed upwards into your home, causing an unwanted flood.

Stopping Leaks from Floor Cracks

To properly stop basement floor cracks from leaking, the water should be first intercepted around the edges of the basement. A perimeter drainage system including a modernized French drain and a sump pump are the most appropriate way to redirect this water and send it away from your home.

Once the perimeter drain has been created and a sump pump is installed, the water entering from floor cracks should be greatly reduced, if not eliminated entirely. However, if there is a crack that has shown serious leakage and is a concern, a drainage line can be run from the crack area to the drainage system.

Your Local Basement Waterproofing Contractors

If you live in the Greater Boston area or NH and are interested in repairing your wet basement, Basement Systems New Hampshire has what you need to solve your wet basement problem. We offer free, no-obligation basement waterproofing quotes to all homeowners in our area- call or contact us online today to get started!