While cleaning your crawl space may not be on your to-do list, it’s good to know how much the exercise will cost you when you finally decide to clean yours. Besides, a clean crawl space is good for your family’s health and safety. Mold, rodent droppings and dust may adversely affect your home’s atmosphere. Costs vary depending on many things. Here’s a break down of the cost you’re likely to incur to clean your crawl space in Cleveland, OH: 1) Crawl Space Foundation Repair Fixing a sinking foundation after flooding may cost anywhere between $3,000 to $15,000. Costs vary depending on the extent

For many years, home ventilation was an essential way of keeping attics dry and the house cool during sultry weather. So successful that many building codes in the 1950s adopted it as a requirement for crawl spaces to have vents. The reasoning behind this was that vents would ensure better air circulation and keep moisture levels down within the crawl space environment. In recent years, vented crawl spaces have proven to be retrogressive. Instead of aiding air circulation and regulating moisture levels, it encourages them. Because of its ineffectiveness, it’s slowly being phased out of many local building codes. Contractors are

Crawl space encapsulation helps keep your crawl space clean, dry and usable. With the proper encapsulation, you can easily convert this space under your home into storage space. Apart from making this space usable, plastic encapsulation helps improve the quality of air in your living space, reduces energy bills and increases the value of your home.  In this post, we shall show you which encapsulation system works best, tell you how long installation takes, and give you a breakdown of the cost of sealing your crawl space. Which is the best encapsulation system? Plastic encapsulation is the most effective type of crawl space

You’re probably here because you’re wondering what fate could befall the basement of your Cleveland, OH, home. After all, this space is usually open and prone to invasion by pests and insects. Moreover, the hot, humid Cleveland summers and wet winters can increase the dew points to oppressive levels.  Humid air often seeps through the foundation walls into your basement, condenses into basement moisture, and causes dampness. Dew levels of 55% or below are normal, but anything beyond this requires immediate action. "Fix me now" basement troubles Moisture problems in the basement develop over time. Below are issues you can fix early to

When it comes to foundation repair, there are several myths that keep homeowners from seeking out contractors when they should. Let’s take a look at some of the industry’s most popular myths and find the truth amidst the fiction. You Can Damage Your Foundation By Overwatering Your Landscaping Anyone who’s nervous about damaging their foundation may be reluctant to expose it to more water. If you’ve spent years cultivating elegant landscaping, though, you’d be remiss to let it all wilt. But won’t you expose your foundation to hydrostatic pressure if you overwater your plants? The short answer is no, for two reasons. The

Resting on the western bank of Lake Erie, Toledo sees a lot of lake effect precipitation. As a result, locals often need to waterproof their basements to retain the value of their homes and keep their belongings dry. When looking for a basement repair company, though, what factors should you keep an eye out for? Basement Repair Companies vs. Basement Repair Contractors Before you get started, you’ll need to decide whether you want to work with a contractor or a basement repair company. On one hand, basement repair companies are vast and frequently have years of experience backing up their waterproofing solutions. These

Cleveland, OH – Groundworks is proud to announce that both its Ohio Basement Authority™ (OBA) and Ohio Basement Systems™ (OBS) brands have earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2019.  “Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”   Angie’s List Super Service Award

Caring for your home is difficult enough when you have to contend with a leak. What are you supposed to do if your foundation cracks? Let’s dive into the whys, whens, and hows of foundation cracks. With this knowledge and some preventive steps under your belt, you’ll be able to take on this challenge with confidence. Why Do Foundations Crack? Your foundation, like you, experiences environmental stress. When the weather starts to warm, the particles in the materials that make up your foundation will start to expand. When the weather cools, the particles will contract. When the weather starts to fluctuate – as

As long as you have a crawl space in your Cleveland, OH, home, you can't ignore what happens in there. After all, it's typically where your ductwork and electrical wires run and combustion appliance stays. Leave it to deteriorate and your home will become almost unbearable. Crawling insects and pests will come in and take over. Cold air from the outside will make your floors and walls cold while toxic emissions spoil the quality of indoor air. When Do I Encapsulate My Home? Crawl space encapsulation is optional. You can choose to seal it or not. However, a time will come when

Are the Cleveland, OH, rains flooding your crawl space? Don’t give up the fight for your home. When you invest in a solid vapor barrier, you can combat leaks of all shapes and sizes. What is a vapor barrier, though, and when is it time for you to install one into your home? Let’s dive into vapor barrier basics so you can determine whether or not this solution is the one for you. Is Your Crawl Space Leaking? Before you start investing in waterproofing solutions, you need to be certain that your crawl space is leaking. Keep an eye out for the following

Cracks in the foundation could be a sign of a cosmetic issue or a serious structural problem beneath your home. Depending on their size and extent, you could get water seepage during heavy downpours or unwelcome visitors in the form of crawling insects and pests. If you have cracks, instead of buying into foundation repair myths, it’s good to have a foundation repair professional carry out an inspection so you can know what you’re dealing with. You’ll also get to know if there are other foundation problems that need urgent attention. Common Types of Foundation Cracks Vertical cracks: Cracks of these types

Are you worried that the weather in Cleveland, OH, may cause your crawl space to flood? Never fear. You can encapsulate or insulate your crawl space to keep it safe from the Midwest rains. What do these processes involve, though, and how do they differ? Why Should You Insulate Your Crawl Space? When you insulate your crawl space, you do more than make the space seem cozier. Insulation helps you lower your heating and cooling bills. It also helps you waterproof your crawl space and keep your belongings safe. Sound like something you need? Then let’s dive into the insulating process. Typically, you’ll