Archive for August, 2007

Home drainage is a worldwide problem

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

Well now. It appears that groundwater drainage problemsare not only on our minds here in the United States. I went into my web site statistics the other day, and was pleased to see the areas from which I was getting hits on my site, and the time that is spent reading those articles.

Besides the United States everywhere, I recieved visitors from Russia, China, Turkey, England, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Austria, Canada, and a long list of other places where folks have drainage , and hand excavated french drains on the mind. (more…)

Home drainage problems cause mold and bad air in your home

Monday, August 27th, 2007

If your home has groundwater drainage problems and whether you have a crawlspace or a basement, the end result is likely to be the same. Bad air, stale smells and mold that you must breathe while trying to live a healthy life in your home. (more…)

Groundwater sinks footings and can cause hardwood floors to buckle

Sunday, August 26th, 2007

Groundwater in your crawlspace and sinking spot foundation footings in your crawlspace can cause your lovely hardwood floors to buckle and crack. There are other aspects concerning the condition and dryness of the wood that is used in the floor that can contribute as well, but it is not uncommon for wetness and standing water in the crawlspace to cause major damage to hardwood floors.

Hand excavated french drain groundwater removal systems are a line of defense that you must have if your hardwoods are important as an investment to you.

Hillside Multi-family projects need hand excavated french drains

Saturday, August 25th, 2007

Let’s talk about hand excavated french drains on view properties perched on a hill with a fantastic view. Lots of views, lot of slopes, lots of rock, lots of problems. I am working on my 4th building in such a development right now. It is a wonderful condominium project high in the west hills of Portland. Every building gets water in the crawlspace due to the rainwater running to the high side of the property sloping to the foundation wall, and saturating the wall creating hydrostatic pressure and leaking into the crawlspaces. (more…)

Foul weather and you are looking for a drainage contractor

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

Every year the same scenario unfolds. Winter somes sooner than you think. The drainage market is brisk all year round, but when it starts raining in Portland, Oregon, it gets nuts.

The phone has gone off 21 times a day during hard rains, with customers angry, confused, and “stuck” with drainage issues that they knew existed prior, but did not handle. Don’t expect to find a quality drainage contractor who is not booked up.
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Real estate without groundwater drainage problems become a flight to quality

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

Well folks, today is a new day. Our real estate market is under seige due to many concepts all at work at the same time. Position yourself in the market as a seller that does not have a groundwater drainage problem. Lots of homes out there, few buyers.

A large portion of the former booming real estate market was enhanced by buyers who had never known a softer market for resale prior to the one we are experiencing now. (more…)

Sump wells on the outside of the home

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

If the yard area that you wish to use for the placement of a hand excavated drywell does not perk well, do not worry. A sump well is your answer. If the area that was chosen for the hand excavated drywell does not perk satisfactorily, this is your solution. In most cases drywells do perk. However, when they are newly constructed they can take a few hours to a few days for the water to soak below grade. (more…)

Topography sends groundwater onto your home site

Saturday, August 11th, 2007

If the topography slopes groundwater to the areas surrounding your home you must act by constructing hand excavated french drain groundwater removal systems. I completed two systems as described above this week where the homeowner had a sump pump in the crawlspace, and always had a lake under the home when it rained hard even with the sump pump installed. (more…)

Hand excavated french drain installation protects your homes value

Saturday, August 11th, 2007

The value of your personal residence is likely your largest cash investment. You are well advised to protect that investment by doing the groundwater drainage work that is required prior to damage being created from the lack of properly engineered and installed hand excavated french drains. (more…)

Groundwater drainage is an ongoing movie

Sunday, August 5th, 2007

We are living through an epic saga of survival on this planet, predicated on groundwater drainage systems protecting us. We live on a water planet spinning in space. We live upon a massive sphere of rock and dirt, suspended in space, spinning in the middle of a solar system, dotted insignificantly among a galaxy with many other planets, moons, and stars and solar systems. When it rains, it pours, as they say. Often this water saga can dampen your spirits, ruin your possessions, damage your future, cost you money, and wash you away or worse.It is obvious that we are not talking about french drains stopping a wall of wall coming off the ocean. We are talking about seasonal rains that unless collected can place our possessions and ourselves and family in harms way, or send us packing in search of a new place to live.

This is home groundwater drainage: the blog. Now that sounds like a science fiction movie doesn’t it? (more…)