Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Repair in AL

Alabama Foundation Repair Expert Receives Awards in Competitive International Networks

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:44:29 -0400

Madison, AL - Locally owned AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists have been rewarded for this year's accomplishments by receiving two awards at the Basement Systems annual convention held August 18-20, 2010. They were acknowledged as the number four CleanSpace dealer and number ten Basement Systems dealer.

The 2010 Basement Systems Convention included all-day training on Wednesday and Friday at the headquarters in Seymour, Conn. There was an award ceremony held at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn. on Thursday evening where all those in attendance heard from guest speaker, Liz Murray who is the face to the Lifetime Emmy nominated movie, "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story".

AFS is an expert basement waterproofing and crawl space/foundation repair company that is also accredited with the Better Business Bureau. They have maintained an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.

The Basement Systems, Inc. network is an international network of the world's finest basement waterproofing experts. The network is an industry leader with 300 contractors that specialize in basement and crawl space waterproofing, 25 patented products, and 22 quality and innovative prizes.

For basement waterproofing in Decatur contact AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists today, at 1-800-219-4760. They're highly trained and certified basement environment experts ready and willing to serve you.

Congratulations to the AFS Team!

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:39:46 -0400

This August, AFS sent several representatives to the Basement Systems convention in the Northeast. It was a great opportunity to network with other dealers, tour the Basement Systems facilities and learn from the very best in business.

The entire AFS team works diligently throughout the year to continually improve our operations and give our customers WOW! Service. We're proud to announce that we won these awards:

Basement Systems #10 Dealer for Total Sales
CleanSpace #4 Dealer for Total Sales
Foundation Supportworks Helical Piers #11 in Total Sales.

We're especially proud of our award in the Foundation Supportworks category; AFS placed #11 out of 30 dealers, and we achieved that within just 5 months! We thank our team for their dedication in continually learning about our products and always delivering the best customer service. Your work truly pays off!

At AFS, "we support everything you love..." so if you notice cracked brick, sticking doors or windows, or standing water around your home, contact us for a free visual inspection.

Just Add Water: What happens upstairs when there's too much moisture below

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:48:04 -0400

It's easy to ignore a problem if you can't see it. We all do it. We ignore a problem with our cars because we can't see what's under the hood. Health-wise, it's easy to ignore high cholesterol or blood sugar...because you can't see that either. The same bad habits apply at home.

While you can't always see moisture in your basement or crawlspace...it's there. And it is causing problems in your home upstairs. Here's just a few ways that excess moisture affects your home:

-Dust mite growth...the #1 indoor allergy.

-Sticking doors and windows

-Smelly, damp carpets

-Buckling hardwood floors

-Condensation, rot or mold in your attic.

-Condensation on the inside of windows

-Increased heating and cooling bills...damp air takes more energy to heat and to cool.

-Mold upstairs

-Decreased life of roof sheathing and shingles

-Decreased life of paint on the outside of your house.

-Aggravated asthma and allergies

What you can't see CAN hurt you, and your home. Don't ignore a wet basement or crawlspace. Take steps to fix the problem. AFS can help, and it all starts with a free inspection.

Source: "Negative Effects" Crawl Space Science. L. Janesky

Top 6 Reasons to NOT buy a Household Dehumidifier

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:40:50 -0400

Removing humidity from your home's damp basement or crawlspace can make the environment more comfortable. More importantly, it can eliminate health issues caused by mold and pesky dust mites. But removing the right amount of moisture and doing it efficiently are tough jobs.

Here's the top 6 reasons by a regular household dehumidifier won't do the trick:

1) They're too small.

2) The cold coil (the actual apparatus taking the moisture out of the air) is too small.

3) The fan is too small. (If it were bigger, it would blow air by the tiny cold coil too fast, and no water would be removed from the air)

4) The fan doesn't circulate the dry air around your crawl space- because its too small.

5) They usually aren't drained automatically, so the bucket fills up and they shut off.

6) They are rated per day at 80 degrees air temperature. Warm air holds a lot more moisture than cold air--put them in a warm basement in the South and their effectiveness gos way down.

Pulling moisture out of the air in your basement or crawlspace is serious business. It affects the integrity of your foundation, insulation and air quality around the home. "You pay for what you get" is true in every sense as it applies to dehumidifiers. If you want the job done right, research professional solutions. Learn about the SaniDry system or click here for a free visual inspection and estimate from AFS.

Source: "Top 6 List" Crawl Space Science. L. Janesky.

Tiny Pests and Big Allergy Problems

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:35:46 -0400

Whether its pollen, grass, pets or just something in the air, we all hate to have irritated eyes, a runny nose and the sinus pressure that comes along with it. Allergies make you tired, irritable and miserable to be around. The number one cause of allergies isn't pet hair or dander, and it's not pollen. Let's just say it's a much "tinier" problem.

Dust mites are the number 1 indoor allergen. People with allergies or asthma are affected by the microscopic droppings that these tiny pests leave all around your home. Dust mites are found in furniture, bedding, carpet and draperies. Their droppings,are so small that they can become airborne and then irritate your lungs when they�re breathed in.

Dust mites need relative humidity of 50% or more to live in your home...and they're probably getting that humidity from your wet basement or crawlspace! Dust mites don't drink water; they absorb it out of the air. If you can dry the air around your home, you can kill off the dust mites.

So, if allergies plague you or your family, its time to investigate moisture problems in your basement or crawlspace. A SaniDry system could be all that you need to live allergy free! Click here for a free visual inspection from AFS.

Source: Crawlspace Solutions, L. Janesky

Buying a new construction house? Here's what you need to know.

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:59:13 -0400

When you buy a home, you expect it to stand the test of time. Understanding the soil around your home and its foundation helps keep your home on solid ground.

Buying a new construction house is a great feeling; whether you chose every element or found the house move-in-ready, its your space and you're the first one to call it home.

Although you may have walked through the house when it was in the frame-only stage and while it was in painting & rough cleanup stage, chances are you didn't see the foundation work. When builders prep a site, they dig a hole into packed-down soil for the foundation. Then, loose soil is backfilled around the foundation. This loose soil allows water to pass near and even through basement and crawlspace walls. Over the years, changing soil pressure, moisture levels and temperatures put pressure on your foundation, which can cause cracks.

AFS wants you to understand the building process so that you understand changes that happen around your home over time. If you see cracks or standing water, let us give you a free inspection.

I'm trying to sell my home; do I need to insulate my crawlspace?

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:52:09 -0400

Today's homebuyer is looking for a great value from the top to the very bottom of a property, and that includes your crawlspace. Improvements that contribute to energy savings and that improve health factors are incredibly valuable to today's buyer and have the potential to set your home apart from others on the market.

Insulating your crawlspace is just one step you can take to improve your home's value. But, a certified CleanSpace encapsulation yields extra benefits:

1) Additional storage space adds valuable --and usable--square footage to your home.

2) CleanSpace crawlspaces provide energy savings

3) CleanSpace crawlspaces eliminate the threat of mold and mold-related issues that affect many homes with damp spaces.

The old adage "you pay for what you get" certainly applies to crawlspace improvements. While insulating a crawlspace is a great first step, a certified CleanSpace provides value that pays returns for years to come.

Get a FREE estimate on a certified CleanSpace here.

Drafty Doors and Windows?

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:29:37 -0400

A drafty door or window sends shivers down my spine, mostly because I know my money is going straight out the window as my utility goes up! This Draft Dodger project from MarthaStewart.com will help you block some small drafts.

If you have uneven doors and doors that stick--or won't stay shut--you may have foundation issues. A free inspection by Alabama Foundation Specialists will help you identify problem areas in your home's foundation or crawlspace.

Click here for the Draft Dodger project.

I've got a crack in my basement wall. Should I fix it myself?

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:18:33 -0400

Basement cracks can take many forms, running from ceiling to floor or even emerging from corners where walls meet. All too often, its tempting to think that a tiny crack is only a tiny problem.

Basement Fact: Basement wall cracks can easily expand to over 200% their size.

Homeowners often ask Alabama Foundation Specialists if DIY urethane seals or caulk will solve their problem. Here's what you need to know:

Urethane can bond to the dirt and rubble that is in your basement crack and therefore may not form a strong seal. Its also unable to flex, shift and adapt to your shifting walls as they expand and contract with temperature & moisture changes. Materials & techniques used by professionals overcome these issues.

In order to properly address a basement wall crack, we recommend a free inspection by a trained professional. Its better to assess the root cause of the problem and have it completely fixed, rather than risking damage & losses from a larger leak or flood.

AFS is a certified Basement Systems dealer and your home is worth a free inspection.

(References: Basementsystems.com Help Forum)

Professional Training Opportunity for Design Professionals

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:35:55 -0400

Being a good business partner means bringing you opportunities to learn & improve your professional skills. Alabama Foundation Specialists is proud to offer Design Professionals the opportunity to attend a FREE & exclusive training event in September.

"An Introduction to Helical Foundation Systems, Helical Soil Nails & Push Piers"

September 14th- Embassy Suites in Huntsville; 8:30am-2:30pm

September 15th- Birmingham Marriott; 8:30am-2:30pm

Presented by Jeff Kortan, PE; Director of Engineering- Foundation Supportworks, Inc.

Click HERE to register for the free professional training event! The seminar includes FREE LUNCH! You'll earn 5 Professional Development Hours and gain valuable knowledge about helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, push pier systems, typical applications, design considerations, capacity calculations, verification of capacity, load testing and ICC-ES AC358.

Seating is limited! Read more about the training at http://www.alabamafoundationrepair.com/training.php or call 1-877-340-8479 and ask for Christine.