It's your home and you need to protect it'…This is exactly how we feel at AAA Basement Waterproofing, and so should you when weighing the options to waterproof your basement or crawl space. There are many options once you have decided to proceed with waterproofing…interior, exterior, sump pump, dehumidifier, crawl space encapsulation, french drain, pressure relief systems, battery back up sump pumps and so on and so forth. The main difference in waterproofing techniques is interior versus exterior. Any waterproofing fix attempted on the interior of a home is only placing a band-aid or patch on the problem. You will ALWAYS need a dehumidifier, your basement will ALWAYS flood when the power goes out or your sump pump is over whelmed, your basement walls will ALWAYS remain damp and there will ALWAYS be the potential for mold growth and structural damage. Just as a roof or boat can't be fixed from the inside, neither can your basement. At AAA Basement Waterproofing we use only the state of the art materials and techniques to achieve a completely dry and mold free basement. Water is no match for our rubber waterproofing membrane, drainage board, dual drains and construction knowledge. AAA Basement Waterproofing currently services Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Lancaster and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties in New Jersey; Cecil and Kent counties in Maryland; New Castle and Kent counties in Delaware.
Being homeowners ourselves, we share and understand your problems. Taxes, tuition, long work hours and dealing with home repair are not new concepts to us. Not only are we homeowners but we're also home builders, proficent in all phases of CAD design, subdivision development, and custom built homes. This extensive construction background allows us the ability to accurately diagnose and solve any construction related issues.
Chances are you have visited this site because you have leaking foundation walls in your basement or crawlspace area and have tried everything to stop the water from coming in, but have failed. As we've said earlier, "it's your home and you need to protect it." But deciding exactly what option and what type system to purchase can be quite confusing and extremely frustrating. Interior systems, exterior systems, guarantees, cost, and special deals all must be taken into consideration... and each must be examined very closely. Beyond these considerations you must understand that your decision will affect your family, your home, its resale value, and ultimately your future. There is no room for error... your decision must be accurate. Unfortunately Structural Decay, Health Risk, and Property Devaluation could be the price paid for making an uninformed decision.
Unfortunately this is also the case with most "Lifetime guarantees" issued by waterproofing companies. When you read the fine print you will discover that these guarantees do not cover "dampness of walls and/or floors treated", "flood conditions or when pump is overwhelmed", "damp spot discoloration of walls", "sump pumps", or other similar language. After reading these guarantees you find yourself asking,..what am I paying for and what is being guaranteed? Should the salesperson attempt to convince you that what you have read in his guarantee is not true, just ask him to put it in writing and have it signed by an authorized corporate officer before you go any further! Chances are you will never hear from him again. When it comes to any guarantee our advice is BUYER BEWARE...READ ALL THE FINE PRINT!
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The key to mold control is moisture control. The USEPA recommends taking steps to solve moisture problems before they become mold problems! These include:
- Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
- Watch for condensation and wet spots in locations such as your basement or crawl space. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
- Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible.
- Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.
In choosing AAA Basement Waterproofing and Emergency Services you will take the first step in eliminating moisture from your home!
However, in the event mold has already formed in your building, AAA offers comprehensive mold remediation services, bringing vast experience, leadership and sensibility to the process. AAA offers a strategic response including:
- Mold inspection, testing & evaluation services.
- Remediation planning, the highest priority of which is to protect the health and safety of the occupants and remediators. Quality planning accounts for all of the building systems (HVAC, plumbing, envelopes) and the potential for mold exposure and the spread of mold as related to those systems.
- Resolution of the moisture intrusion problem including foundation waterproofing and contracting services.
- Water damage and mold remediation and mold prevention. The affected area will be isolated and contained from the remaining portions of the building, placed under negative HEPA air filtration, mold and mold affected building products removed and disposed of using HEPA vacuums and areas cleaned and restored using USEPA approved cleaning products. During this process non-valuable and valuable items will be segregated. Valuable items will be cleaned when able.
- Post mold remediation, third party clearance sampling and inspection will be performed to ensure the building space is ready for re-occupancy.
Water Damage and Removal Services
- Assessing and evaluating the extent of the water damage
- Contacting your insurance company to see if the water damage is covered
- Remove flooring if necessary or contaminated
- Remove baseboard if contaminated
- Ventilate wall cavities or remove drywall if contaminated
- Treat structure with an anti-microbial to inhibit mold growth if needed
- Set dehumidifiers and air movers to dry structure, drywall, floors and to prevent mold
- Monitor drying equipment daily to check progress
- Remove equipment when dry
- Restore all areas to previous state
Chances are you have visited this site because you have leaking foundation walls in your basement or crawlspace area and have tried everything to stop the water from coming in, but have failed. As we've said earlier, "it's your home and you need to protect it." But deciding exactly what option and what type system to purchase can be quite confusing and extremely frustrating. Interior systems, exterior systems, guarantees, cost, and special deals all must be taken into consideration... and each must be examined very closely. Beyond these considerations you must understand that your decision will affect your family, your home, its resale value, and ultimately your future. There is no room for error... your decision must be accurate. Unfortunately Structural Decay, Health Risk, and Property Devaluation could be the price paid for making an uninformed decision.
We make decisions every day... what to wear, what to eat, when to speak, where to go, etc. When it comes to selecting the groceries we squeeze the bread to make sure that it's fresh and we carefully rotate the apple to make sure there are no bad spots. But what about waterproofing? We have no training or natural instincts to rely on. We're lost, and completely dependent upon what we are told by someone wishing to sell their services, a person we've never seen before. It can be quite frightening and we at Barrier Waterproofing Systems totally agree, understand, and would like to help. Therefore, the following facts are submitted in order to assist you in making an informed decision.
First off, lets review...
Water must be stopped on the positive side of any structure in order to keep the foundation walls dry…Any qualified Engineer will agree you must waterproof from the exterior!
Interior 'waterproofing' cures are all performed on the negative side of the structure merely redirecting the water after it gets into and then seeps through the foundation walls, thus leaving the walls wet or "discolored" and essentially not waterproof!
Any experienced builder would never waterproof a new home on the inside because it simply does not work nor does it make sense!
Building Codes require new home foundation walls be waterproofed below grade because it is the only method that works!
Wet foundation walls lead to Structural Decay, Health Risks, and Poor Resale Value!
Our exclusive waterproofing Membrane, Drainage Board and Dual Drainage System provide peace of mind and Guaranteed Dry foundation walls!
Your "System" sounds expensive?
The Barrier Dual Drainage Waterproofing System costs about the same as one of those band aid interior systems. In many instances our system is found to be even less.
Why can't I just install larger downspouts and make the problem go away?
We understand you thinking but the answer is no. Larger gutters and downspouts, re-grading, burying downspouts, French drains, and even concrete have all been tried and have failed. You must understand that the problem is not topical, it's subsurface.
Your System seems complex, how long does it take to do a waterproofing job?
Our waterproofing system is very complex. Our experienced field personnel can install the average system in about 2 to 4 days.
I have an interior waterproofing system and it always fails during larger storms, why?
Because your system is overrun and simply cannot handle everything that Mother Nature throws at it.
What about your system, will it get "overrun" also?
Positively not! Our system has been designed to handle much more than the projected worse case scenario.
I was told my old waterproofing failed because the drain filled with silt, will this happen with your system?
Definately not! Our system has double protection against silt build up, your old system had no protection. Silt build up is a major reason why interior drain systems fail, they aren't and can't be protected against silt build up.
Really, what make your system so good?
The exclusive products we use really work... period! Just read our Guarantee published on this site and then read any of our competitors. Make sure to read all their fine print as well.
I've talked to another waterproofing company and the salesman said his system would end my problems "forever", is that possible?
Talk is cheap. Just be sure you get an exact copy of their guarantee and please read every word before signing a contract.
The same salesman told me that my walls would still be wet but I would never have to mop up the water again. Isn't this want I want…no more cleaning up the mess after a long hard day?
Not exactly. Interior systems merely redirect the water after it penetrates the foundation walls. The water comes in and is captured and redirected leaving the walls wet.
Why should I be concerned with wet or discolored walls?
If the walls are wet or "discolored" due to moisture you should be extremely concerned. A foundation wall is like a sponge and it will hold moisture. This can lead to BIGGER PROBLEMS!
What do you mean by "Bigger Problems"?
STRUCTURAL DECAY, HEALTH RISKS, AND POOR RESALE VALUE. Building materials and water don't mix and MOLD begins growing within 24 to 36 hours of a water leak.
MOLD is know to grow on cheese, just cut it off and eat the cheese. Why should I be concerned with MOLD?
There are many different types of mold and some are extremely TOXIC. Again, we don't ask that you take our word for anything. Simply pick up the phone and call your physician and ask about the dangers associated with "TOXIC" or "BLACK MOLD".
Will my homeowners insurance policy pay for these repairs.
Sorry but the answer is NO. Your policy won't pay for any repair, no matter what type. But please don't take our word for it. Get your policy out and read what it says for yourself.
I'm selling my house and the foundation leaks every time it rains and I'm looking for the cheapest "fix" I can get. What's wrong with my taking the "low bid" and selling the house?
We don't profess to be legal advisors but suggest that you consult with a Real Estate ATTORNEY and propose the same question. We think you'll be shocked at your potential liability if the leak persists.
OK then, I'll just sell the house "as is". That should take care of the liability issue, right?
Only if you disclose to the buyer that the foundation leaks. Many folks think that "as is" means not disclosing existing problems…they're wrong! If you are selling "as is" you must disclose any and all existing problems or you could be held liable for failure to disclose. Just ask your attorney to verify what we are saying.
Will this be a "messy" process?
As with any construction, yes. The big difference is that our "mess" is confined to the outside of your home. We assure you there will be no workers or mess inside your home and nobody will be knocking on your door asking to use your bathroom or looking for a glass of water. No foul language, no loud and annoying music, and absolutely no trash left behind…period! We are professionals every step of the way. Our promise is to treat your home as we would our own.
This all sounds good. Can you give me a price over the phone?
That would be no more possible than your doctor treating you over the phone. Every house is different and must be inspected prior to rendering a price.
I guess that makes sense. But will you "hound" me after I call and subsequently meet with you?
We aren't "professional salespeople" and we don't play those games. We are simply hard working contractors and waterproofing professionals and will inspect your problem, show you what we do, and render our opinion. After all it's your home and your decision, not ours.
How soon can you install your system if I agree to go forward?
That all depends on our workload at that time. We make it a policy to never "bump" anyone in favor of another.
We have attempted to answer the most common questions. Perhaps you have others that deserve an answer. Please feel free to communicate with us by using the "contact us" button on this site. We would be delighted to intelligently answer any and all of your questions without any obligation on your part.