How to Seal Your Home’s Basement and Foundation

Poor or insufficient basement and foundation waterproofing could result in some waterproofing issues. If not correctly fixed, water leakage may lead to many damages. You might be trying to apply products or coats to seal your basement while the main issue is with your outer walls. Below are some tips that may guide you to seal your basement and foundation.

Dig Around

For you to properly seal your basement and foundation, you might need to dig around your outer perimeter down to your base foundation. To complete the waterproofing process successfully, make sure that you apply the correct product over your wall. Then have drainage gravel, tiles, or perforated pipe, crushed stone drains, and other recommended materials fixed below or at your basement area. Following this installation, the discharge will be via mechanical means or gravity into the primary drainage system.

Use a Membrane

Have a waterproofing membrane installed. An asphalt polyurethane material is usually sprayed or troweled on your wall. This helps you seal your basement and foundation from leaking. The elastomeric membrane is a heavy membrane coat (asphalt modified) that will help you seal your basement and foundation successfully.

Additionally, elastomeric membranes have the advantage that they can move and flex; hence, they can afford to accommodate new cracks when they occur. It would be wise if you apply a waterproofing product as it yields great results.

Inspect for Cracks

After the excavation work, clean your basement wall and inspect cracks or areas leading to leakage. Once you identify this problem, use hydraulic cement to seal your basement or foundation from leaking. Most hydraulic cement has a curing property, and hence it will expand to seal the cracks, thus reducing leakage.

Apply Sealant

To all your exterior walls, apply a cement-based sealant coat to seal your foundation as well as your basements. Generally, sealant cement is relatively easy to use, and you can apply it over masonry and concrete surfaces. Once you apply it, it will harden and seal the concrete openings. Some hairline cracks could have gone unfixed when applying hydraulic cement, this process will help you seal them up.

Install a Drainage Mat

To seal your home from leaking, have a dimple molded drainage mat installed. The process uses materials that have air gaps between themselves and your basement, allowing moisture to travel through the main drainage structure. However, you should ensure you install the drainage mat within your foundation depth. Also, it helps ease horizontal force against your foundation.

Finally, you can have a weeping tile installed below your basement floor, usually for easy maintenance purposes. For all your basement and foundation waterproofing services, be sure to call or visit us today.

How to Choose What Kind of Fence Material to Use for Your New Home's Yard

We partnered with a home improvement company. for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

While a fence offers better security and privacy, the material of the fence can determine just how well it does its job. There are a few main types of fencing material. Here's what you need to know about each one to help you determine which is best for your needs.

PVC

A common type of fencing used around pool areas is PVC. This is a type of plastic fence that is durable and holds up well against water. That makes it a great choice for pool areas or in other areas frequently exposed to water. The rigid plastic also holds up well against damage. Because PVC is white, it can sometimes start to become stained. This can make it look older than it actually is. However, if you take the time to clean it, your white PVC fence will look fantastic for years.

Steel

If you're interested in durability and longevity, then you may want to consider a steel fence. Like all steel products, a fence made of steel will last for years without any problems. It holds up well against physical abuse which makes it a great choice for security or perimeter fences. It also looks fancier and upscale than other materials. If you want an ornate gate that won't twist or deform under the powerful sun, then steel may be right for you.

Wood

A classic fencing material is wood. This type of material is commonly used for privacy fences. The thick panels can be pressed together to remove any gaps for nosy neighbors to peek through. Wood can also be stained a certain color to complete an outdoor aesthetic that you have in mind. Unfortunately, wooden fences don't last as long as other materials. Even sealed wooden fences will eventually start to erode when exposed to water. They may also start to warp or bend when soil erodes.

Aluminum

One final fencing material to consider is aluminum. This has many of the same qualities as steel or PVC but doesn't have a risk of becoming corroded. Aluminum also looks lavish and can make your pool area appear more luxurious. Aluminum is not as strong as steel, however, and may eventually succumb to physical abuse. Though regular or decorative aluminum fences are not as strong as steel or wrought iron fences and are prone to cosmetic damage, they are a more sustainable choice if you don't want to spend too much on maintenance.

Based on the information above, you should be able to choose the fencing material that matches your needs the most. If you want better security, then you may want a steel fence. For better privacy, then you may want wood or PVC.

Comparing Moving Quotes from Different Companies

There are a lot of moving companies out there, and it’s hard to know which one would be right for your move. You probably shouldn’t just Google it and choose one of the ones that come up on the search results page. You are trusting your movers with your most prized possessions, so you need to know that they are reliable and competent at what they do. But how do you know? Yes, you should always get a quote from every mover you are considering, but if you go only by the price, then you may be hurting yourself and putting your belongings in danger. Here are some strategies you can use for comparing moving quotes from different companies. 

Assess How They Got Their Quote

If you contact a moving company, and they ask you the barest of details and then give you a quote, then you want to avoid them. A moving quote should always be made with as much information as possible. In the past, reliable and trustworthy moving companies would visit a home, take an inventory of what needed to be moved, estimate the weight and space that it would involve, and provide an accurate quote based on that information. In these Covid times, coming to your home might not be an option, but they should at the very least offer to take a video tour of your home. Not only will they want basic details, but they will also want to assess any special items that will require extra attention. This could mean things that are particularly delicate, or large and awkward items like pianos. If you get a quote over the phone without providing much detail, you could end up with extra costs at the end for being over a weight limit or having items that need special care. 

Long Distance Moves

Long distance moves are very different from moves that take you within the same city. A reputable company will do their best to get as accurate an estimate as possible, because if the weight of your contents is underestimated, then you could end up with huge extra fees at the end of the move. This makes an in-home or virtual visit even more important. The longer your move, the longer the potential fees could be. Some companies will offer full services for their moves. This means that you will be charged based on the distance as opposed to how much stuff you have. This may seem more expensive at first, but you will not be subjected to extra fees and can be confident that you will pay the same as the quote. It’s up to you if you prefer security over potentially getting a lower cost. 

What Services Do They Offer?

Not only do you want to know what services you might be charged for at the end of the move, but you will also want to know what extra services a moving company offers that would make them a good option. Do they offer packing, which will save you time and effort in preparation for the move? They may also offer disassembly and assembly of your furniture. Some of these services may be included in the move, and some may not. It’s important to check the details contained in your quote document and ask questions to see what else might be available, and what is included. 

Check For Other Opinions

Getting moving quotes is one thing, but getting a sense of the customer service they will provide is another. However, you can always look for the opinions of others in several ways. For one, you can ask your friends, family, and colleagues to see if any have had experience with certain movers. This is always a very reliable way to find out how good a moving company is. You can also check out online reviews. See if you can spot any commonalities or themes that pop up repeatedly. They could be red flags that a company should not be trusted, or that they are not as good as advertised. On top of all of this, take a look at the Better Business Bureau and see if your potential moving companies have any complaints or judgments against them. 

Compare the “Details”

Another thing you can do is think about all of the little but important things your prospective companies have done in your interactions with them. Are their representatives friendly and accommodating? Were they on time for appointments? These little details can give you a picture of how a company operates and how they will be to deal with on moving day. You do not want to have to work with a representative that is rude or surly when you are going through a stressful life event. 

Getting quotes is an important part of the moving process. However, it’s not just about the cost. It’s also important to balance the quote with the level of service you expect to find. This will help you in finding a mover to suit your particular needs.

Guest Post - 5 Tips for Improving Lawn and Reducing Maintenance

A good lawn improves the appearance of a house, enhances its beauty and adds monetary value to the property. It is the first thing that your friends, relatives or neighbors notice when they come to meet you. Keeping the lawn attractive and reducing its overall maintenance costs is important to most homeowners who have a lawn. It is not very difficult to maintain a lawn. But, one has to follow the necessary lawn care tips. 

By following these 5 simple lawn care tips, it is possible to have the lawn of your dreams and keep it healthy.

Mow the lawn-

You don’t have to mow the lawn daily! A good looking lawn requires mowing once in two weeks. People often give the lawn a close trim each week. But, they should let the grass grow a little. It will help the lawn to shade out weeds and develop a stronger root system. It is always advised to mow only when the grass is dry because mowing wet grass can spread fungus and damage the mower blades.

Feed your grasses well-

What if we don’t get proper nutrition! Our health will be affected. Similarly, lawn grasses need proper nutrition to maintain their health. Nitrogen is an essential mineral that can keep your lawn green and vibrant. In addition to nitrogen, your lawn needs phosphorus and potassium. Test your soil regularly to know what nutrients your lawn needs! But, be careful! Do not feed too much! It can cause more harm to your lawn than good. Plan a feeding schedule to meet your lawn's need for fertilizer and stick to it!

Prevent weeds in the lawn-

Bare spots and patchy areas can spoil the beauty of a lawn. Whenever you notice a bare area, don’t leave it open to weed invasion. Instead, reseed that area! You can turn the patchy area into a flower bed by reseeding. If your lawn has shady areas, you can use shade loving grasses. You can also remove the lower branches of trees that were causing that shade.

Edge the lawn-

What can be done to give the finishing touch to a neat and clipped lawn? It’s edging! Always use a pair of long handles shears while defining the edge of your lawn. An attractive edging can be constructed with paving stones and bricks. It can reduce the need for hand trimming. You can even use readily available attractive alternatives such as steel or plastic edging to give a satisfying finish to your garden.

Water the lawn wisely-

There is an old proverb- Excess of anything is harmful! It is always advised to do anything in moderation. Do not overwater your lawn. Why? Because overwatering has many disadvantages. It will drown the roots of plants. Shallowly roots get easily stressed. Your lawn will have more weeds. You are just wasting your time and contributing to Groundwater pollution!

So, water your lawn wisely. You can use a sprinkler to keep your lawn hydrated. You can use rainwater or bath water wherever possible.

So, we have described five crucial lawn care tips. Now it’s your turn to follow them and have the best lawn in your neighborhood. 

There are many field service owners who use field service management software to offer best lawn care services to their customers. If you are living a busy lifestyle and don’t have enough time to maintain a healthy lawn then you can also look for lawn care services.

Author bio

Code is the central element that governs Joy Gomez’s universe; how he thinks, and how he lives. He is a self-taught, process-driven programmer and a first-generation immigrant from Southern India. He has completed engineering school while working full time with generous support and scholarships from employers due to his high productivity and drive. He is and has a Black belt in Lean Six Sigma. He has created Field Promax to pursue his natural-born expertise – code, streamline processes, and code more.