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No Vacancy: Preventing Basement Bugs and Rodents

Written by Basement Health Association on . Posted in Basement Waterproofing.

basement bugsThere are two reasons that sealing your foundation prevents basement bugs and rodents.

One obvious reason is that when there are no open vents, foundation cracks or exposed dirt, there is no entrance for insects and rodents to get into your basement and crawlspace. Open vents and cracks are an easy way for insects and other pests to get inside. Exposed dirt crawlspaces practically invite rodents to live under your house. There is nothing stopping them. When you close and seal the crawlspace you make it difficult for the pests to get inside. By preventing the pests, you control the waste that actually is a serious allergen and can impact your indoor air quality.

The second way sealing the foundation controls pests is by controlling the water. When Advanced Energy conducted their ground breaking crawlspace studies where they closed, sealed and waterproofed previously vented crawlspaces they were surprised to find when they controlled the moisture they saw a decrease in pests and insects by 70%. Pest control professionals will tell you that controlling water is one sure way to control bugs. Bugs need water to live. They come to a moist environment like a dark, damp crawlspace because it has all the elements they need to survive. Control the water and you automatically control the pests.

By sealing your foundation, closing the vents, filling the cracks and making the basement or crawlspace a clean, dry and insulated part of the house it is like putting up a “No Vacancy” sign for the pests. They will get the hint!

Moisture Linked to Insect Infestations

Written by Basement Health Association on . Posted in Basement Waterproofing, Homeowner Tips.

Waterproofing and foundation repair go hand in hand with pest control. Removing the water and sealing cracked foundations is the first line of defense for preventing pests in basements and crawlspaces.

Advanced Energy’s 2005 crawlspace research study was the beginning of closed crawlspaces.  Their research helped people understand the importance of closing a vented crawlspace. In its studies in Flagstaff, Arizona, and North Carolina, the research team discovered an interesting finding. In addition to increasing energy efficiency and decreasing moisture they also found closing the crawlspace had a dramatic impact on decreasing insect infestations. Team leader Cyrus Dastur, said they saw a 70-percent decrease in insects in the houses with closed crawlspaces compared to houses with vented crawlspaces.

The EPA has a basic plan for controlling pests. Overall, pests seek places to live that satisfy basic needs for air, moisture, food, and shelter. They suggest the basic ways to control pests:

  • Remove water. All living things, including pests, need water for survival. Fix leaky plumbing, and do not let water accumulate anywhere in or around your home. Remove or dry out water-damaged and wet materials. Even dampness or high humidity can attract pests.
  • Remove or block off indoor pest hiding places. Caulk cracks and crevices to control pest access. Avoid storing newspapers, paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time. Also, check for pests in packages or boxes before carrying them into your home.
  • Block pest entryways. Install screens on all floor drains, windows, and doors to discourage crawling and flying pests from entering your home. Make sure any passageways through the floor are blocked. Place weatherstripping on doors and windows. Caulk and seal openings in walls. Keep doors shut when not in use.
  • Remove food. Consider pest-proof food and waste containers. You may use this as a criterion when evaluating cabinetry or designing space.

The Basement Health Association is always working to align professionals whose works effects the basement environment. Encourage pest control professionals to join the association. Consider networking with these professionals to work together to better the health of the basement and crawlspace environment.

 

Two Pump Books Released

Written by Basement Health Association on . Posted in Basement Waterproofing.

Pump Selection and Troubleshooting Field Guide, by American Water Works Association (AWWA),  is a handbook specially written to provide operators, engineers, and maintenance staff with a quick reference on selecting, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining all types of pumps.

Pumps and Pump Systems, by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is a handbook is a valuable resource for practicing plumbing engineers that provides in-depth coverage, diagrams, illustrations and graphs for pump systems.

We are looking for a member to offer a book review for the newsletter. If interested contact melissanmorton@yahoo.com.

How to Determine Condensation from Water Penetration on a Wall

Written by Basement Health Association on . Posted in Basement Waterproofing, Home Humidity, Homeowner Tips.

There is a very simple test to determine whether or not the wetness on a wall is from external water penetration through the wall or from condensation depositing moisture on the wall.  If you encounter a situation where you need to determine what caused a wall to be wet you can follow the below steps:

  1. Pick a test area on the wall and take measures to adequately dry the wall.  This can be done with heaters or any other safe method that restores the area to a dry state.
  2. Once dry, take a piece of aluminum foil and tape it onto the wall in the area that you have dried.  Be sure to tape all of the sides so that you reasonably seal the air behind the foil.
  3. Leave the foil in place for at least a day and then remove it. If the moisture is on the side of the foil facing away from the wall, it is condensation. If it is on the side of the foil facing the wall, it is penetration through the wall.

How to Reduce Condensation or Dampness in the Basement

  1. Allow moisture to move out of the home when cooking or washing or drying clothes.
  2. Make sure the bathroom is ventilated to allow hot steam to exit the home after baths and showers.
  3. Insulate the basement by air sealing and installing additional insulation as needed in areas of concern.
  4. Check the basement for water penetration issues.

Understanding Condensation

Written by Basement Health Association on . Posted in Basement Waterproofing.

Understanding Condensation

Water in the basement in any form can lead to problems. This brings up the concern of condensation. What exactly is condensation?

Condensation is the conversion of water from its gaseous state into its liquid state. There is always some amount of moisture present in the air. During cold weather conditions, the moisture present in the air can condense into tiny droplets of water on surfaces. Condensation can also occur on hot, humid summer days as well.

Household activities such as cooking, washing and drying clothes can contribute to excess moisture in the air within a home.  This excess moisture can sometimes condense on surfaces and cause issues within a home or building.  An average family creates around 20 pints of water vapor per day in their home.

Additionally, damp and wet basements can add to the problem by bring greater amounts of moisture into the home, which evaporates into the air and can lead to increased condensation.

How does this impact a basement?  The moisture that forms as a result of condensation can cause rotting window frames, deterioration of substrates and mold on walls, carpets or clothes. This phenomenon is worse in areas where there is inadequate air circulation.

Common Causes of Condensation:

  1. Lack of ventilation, especially during the summers.
  2. Lack of insulation, especially during the winters.
  3. Inadequate heating in the basement.