If you are looking to hire a basement waterproofing contractor you may wonder about how to qualify candidates to stop your basement water leaks.  Many of these are obvious but let’s cover them to be thorough:

Are they licensed to do business in your community?  You would be surprised.  Many basement waterproofing contractors work under the radar avoiding the paperwork and fees associated with performing basement repair.  Call your local building department to check this out.

Do they use subcontractors?  Most do.  This way they can avoid paying payroll taxes, insurances etc…  And if they are using the same subs over and over they are violating the law.  Using subcontractors keeps costs down but also open the door to great risk, leading to…

Can they prove they have Worker’s Compensation insurance?  If they use subs, they are not insuring them.  Most subs do not carry their own worker’s comp. insurance because it is very costly.  So if there is an accident and an injury on the job in your home and there is no insurance, you pay for all the medical care and related damages to that person or persons.

Do they sell the same basement systems to everyone?  A basement waterproofing contractor that owns a franchise will definitely do this and most others do as well.  It makes selling easier and performing the labor easier.  The problem with a one size fits all basement systems approach is that the basement solution offered may not be the best one for you.  For example, if your basement has wet walls, exterior basement waterproofing is likely the best bet.  Many companies will “fix” it on the inside though and your foundation will continue to have dampness in it whether you see it or not.

These are the biggies.  Obviously you should do other homework before hiring a basement waterproofing contractor such as checking the BBB and Angie’s List to name a couple.

For more info visit:  basement waterproofing contractor 

If you have basement water leaks you may be considering waterproofing the basement.  A wet basement can lead serious problems such as foundation rot, items in the basement rusting such as your furnace, wood and stored items rotting and health issues related to basement mold.

Before waterproofing the basement it is important to take a look at what type of basement water leaks you are experiencing.  If the water is coming from the walls high to mid wall, you have surface water issues.  You should start by taking a look outside.  Check to be sure all roof gutters are working properly and not overflowing.  Also be sure your downspouts are leading the water away from the foundation.

Building the dirt up around the foundation may not help, and in many cases can aggravate your problems.  Damp basement walls are often due to landscaping and or the dirt being built up too high along the foundation.  If you do not first waterproof the foundation before raising the dirt or mulch level, the foundation will act like a sponge and absorb moisture from the soil or mulch causing bubbling paint, wet basement walls and worse.

If you have actual basement water leaks coming from down low / where the wall meets the floor, and your walls are dry, you have a ground water problem.  This means water is building up around the foundation under heavier conditions and has no where to go other than into your basement.

For info on different basement systems such as exterior basement waterproofing and interior basement waterproofing to help guide your decision regarding waterproofing the basement, visit: basement solutions

There are specific reasons why basement waterproofing contractors offer different basement systems to solve basement water leaks and problems associated with foundations.

The number one reason is most basement waterproofing contractors only actually install one type of system.  Many of these contractors incorporate into their “sales pitch” a review of all types of basement waterproofing solutions in a way that leads their customers to the one they want to sell, the only one they actually install.

Those that area interior basement waterproofing contractors will exaggerate or emphasise the extent of disturbance to the exterior surrounding your foundation and the “nightmare” will scare you away from  exterior basement waterproofing.

Those that only install exterior basement waterproofing will present a very logical argument that all water comes from outside and thus that is the only “right” way to fix your basement water leaks.

Then you have basement waterproofing contractors who sell patented basement systems and do so because they are looking for that edge in the sales process to rule out all competition.  Their “patented system” is very impressive, again logical in how it solves the foundation problem because they have highly trained sales people that sell their one solution over and over in the same way day after day and get very good at it.

Do yourself a favor if you have interviewed any of the above type of basement waterproofing companies and seek out another opinion from a full service basement waterproofing company that can prove they actually install all types of basement waterproofing solutions with references, pictures etc…

And take a look at Better Business Bureau complaint reports (not just the “Grade”) as well as consider a referral source like Angie’s List.

For more info visit: basement systems and foundation waterproofing 

With so many  basement waterproofing companies out there and many giving different opinions on what basement systems will solve your problem, it can be very tough to decide which basement solution and which basement waterproofing contractor to choose.

First take a look at where the leak in basement is coming from to determine if you need to consider waterproofing basement walls or waterproofing basement floor.  If the water is coming out of the seam where the wall meets the floor and your basement walls are dry, an interior basement waterproofing system may be the way to go.  Water under your basement floor will not usually be solved by exterior basement waterproofing systems.

If your basement water leaks are through the walls, especially mid to upper basement walls, you may be a good candidate for exterior basement waterproofing.  But first take a look at your roof drains and other surface issues to be sure everything is working properly there.  Roof water dumping right at the foundation will wreak havoc on your foundation resulting in serious basement water leaks under heavy or moderate rains.

To best understand which of the available basement systems is best for your specific issues, consult a  basement waterproofing contractor that offers and installs all basement solutions.  Most basement waterproofing contractors actually only install one basement solution even though they may review all basement systems in an effort to steer you to the one they want to sell you.  Ask for references from customers who have had different solutions installed.

For more info visit: basement systems 

Pioneer Basement Solutions has been waterproofing basements since 1979, waterproofing akron area homes  business as well as waterproofing Canton area homes & businesses & waterproofing Medina area homes, Portage county and more.

Pioneer is an Ohio basement waterproofing company offering all basement systems including exterior basement waterproofing  interior basement waterproofing and foundation repair and has received several awards for perfect customer service.  2008, 2009, 2010 Angie’s List super service award for  basement waterproofing contractors as well as the Better Business Bureau Gold Star Award for Zero Complaints!

We take a problem solving approach to basement water leaks and foundation problems identifying causes and explaining all possible basement solutions.  The home owner is in control of how the work is performed as well as how much work is performed.

People have experienced  basement waterproofing contractors in the Akron, Canton, Medina, Kent / Portage areas that send high pressure sales people out to the home and go for the “today only” – first appointment sale.  Pioneer Basement Solutions is 180 degrees the opposite.  We never pressure anyone and do not offer any gimmicks or use any false tactics to persuade customers to “sign tonight”.

If you are shopping your basement waterproofing company options and considering different basement systems to solve your problem, be sure to contact Pioneer Basement Solutions for a free no obligation quote and get the information you need to make a wise decision on how to stop those basement water leaks.

For more info visit: waterproofing akron – waterproofing Canton -waterproofing Medina – waterproofing Kent Portage county

Not every basement waterproofing company goes about solving basement water leaks the same way, as you may have learned if you have been shopping basement waterproofing companies lately.  Most basement waterproofing companies sell specific basement systems like a one size fits all and some basement waterproofing contractors are full service.  That would be the first thing to look for when considering contracting your basement repair project.

Companies that sell one specific system, franchised contractors for sure operate this way, will have impressive presentations that will bring up other methods and present an argument for their solution.  A full service  basement waterproofing company will leave you in control of the solution that makes the best sense for your problems with plenty of good direction and advice.  To test a company ask for references on each method, exterior basement waterproofing and interior basement waterproofing as well as combination solutions.

Look for the obvious (yet not as common as you think) such as licensing, bond, worker’s compensation insurance etc…  Many salesmen will say they have those things, make them prove it and also call your local building department to verify.

Check out the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List reports.  Dig in beyond the surface rating and look at the complaint histories such as what types of complaints have been filed and are they resolved. 

Avoid “today only” or any other sales gimmicks.  A popular one among basement waterproofing companies is the “stand by” or “flex schedule” tactic.  They tell you they can offer a substantial savings if you are willing to be on call.  It is simply a tactic using logic to get another shot at a signed contract on the first visit.

For more info visit: basement waterproofing company 

Whether you have  basement water leaks and have begun the process of comparing basement waterproofing companies or are just starting your research there are some things you should know about what gos into basement waterproofing cost and I’ll break them down into two areas: company and basement waterproofing methods (see Part 2).

The basement waterproofing contractors may all look pretty similar in your area on the surface especially in today’s world of the Internet.  I can start up a business today and make it look like a 25 year old established and successful company very easily.  Here are some things to compare when considering basement waterproofing companies that directly affect the basement waterproofing cost :

• time in business.  New companies are looking for market share and often low ball pricing in order to get started.  Statistic show however that over 80% of new small businesses fail within the first 2 years.  That many again in the next five.  Look at the Better Business Bureau’s record for when the business was incorporated for a general idea.  Beware of companies that advertise “years experience”.  This is a red flag for new in business otherwise they will state the year founded or “in business since”.
• labor force. Many if not most construction companies use subcontractors and most of those subs do not carry insurance because it is simply very expensive.  Using subcontractors can mean inexperienced labor which leads to a lower quality project.  No insurance means you are personally liable if anyone gets hurt in your home.  Check Workers Compensation certificates!  Cutting corners cuts cost which lowers the price but it is a gamble that many wish they had not taken.
• track record. Look at complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.  Do not simply look at the “grade”.  The BBB grading system allows for “A” even with a pattern of complaints if the complaints are responded to, even if the customer was not satisfied with the response.  Get referrals.  Ask for older installs as well as some more recent, make them dig for references rather than allow them to hand you the same three raving fans they give out all the time.  
• Check Angie’s List. This is a great way to prescreen contractors of any type.  You will read actual customer feedback in their own words and see a grading scale that looks at several areas of product and service deliverables, including info on basement waterproofing cost.

For more info visit basement waterproofing cost

When considering a basement repair project involving problems with basement water leaks or bowed basement walls it is critical to take a close look at the basement waterproofing contractors and or foundation repair contractors in your area.

Are they licensed to do business in your city / town?  You would be shocked to know how many  basement waterproofing companies and foundation repair companies are not licensed, even 50 year old companies.  Avoiding the licenses saves money for the contractor and also keeps them under the radar of the officials.

What is the BBB track record.  The Better Business Bureau has recently gone to an A, B, C, D, F rating scale which actually makes it a little tougher to identify bad contractors.  Contractors who have multiple employees can have multiple complaints with the Bureau and still get an A+ rating.  Dig into the complaint history and take a look at what the complaints were about.

Consider joining Angie’s List.  This is an excellent referral source for finding all types of  contractors including basement waterproofing contractors / foundation repair contractors.  This will give you actual customer testimonials with a grade card rating several areas such as promptness, sales process, price etc…

When researching your basement repair project, always go for the obvious, ask friends, family, co workers, people at church etc… for a recommendation first.

And beware of any  basement repair contractor who offers a “today only” price.  That is simply a sales pressure tactic that no matter how logical they make it appear, it is a gimmick to get a contract.

Pioneer Basement Solutions serves Northeast Ohio including Akron, Canton, Medina, Kent and surrounding areas.  To learn more visit:  basement repair 

When should a homeowner worry about the foundation of their home?

There are varying degrees of worry about the foundation of a home.  Even minor basement water leaks means that there are foundation issues.

However, bowed basement walls are a more serious issue.

Initially homeowners foundation repair may seem like it is going to be very expensive, but homeowners often do not realize that sometimes foundation reinforcement is all that is needed.

This kind of service stabelized the foundation and basement walls, preventing further bowing of the basement walls and protecting the foundation of the home.

Pioneer Basement Solutions is an expert in foundation reinforcement and  waterproofing Akron homes as well as reinforcement and waterproofing Canton home.  We have been helping homeowners in the Canton and Akron area for many years and have dealt with the basic leak in basement,  wet basement mold, bowed basement walls and more.  We are a full basement solutions provider and our free basement inspection and quote will help you make an informed decision on protecting your families biggest investment.

 Very few homes are safe from basement water leaks. Even when a home is built in a dry area, underground water can pool against the foundation and begin to leak. The increased humidity can cause mold growth and make the home unsafe for people and pets. These concerns, as well as others, make consulting a basement waterproofing contractor a smart choice for any homeowner.

Basement water leaks cause damage to homes every year. Some homeowners assume that, because their house is newly built, a water leak is not possible. This is not true. And even if there isn’t a current leak, a basement waterproofing contractor can outline where problems are likely to occur.

A water leak can destroy irreplaceable items stored in the basement. It can also prevent the basement from being utilized in any way. And in today’s buyer’s market, if the homeowner attempts to sell such a home, they will likely have to do so at a drastically reduced price.

What can a professional basement waterproofing contractor do for a homeowner? To start, professionals will bring knowledge and experience when they go to assess a home. They are trained to detect water leaks that the homeowner might not even notice, and will identify the source. And if there are multiple leaks, a professional will know how to prioritize the work that needs to be completed.