ASHWORTH DRAINAGE BLOG

Can The Seller Of A Home Refuse To Make Drainage Repairs?

October 21, 2019
drainage repair blog - ashworth drainage

Getting a home inspection is one of the wisest decisions a potential home buyer could make. An inspector can find hard-to-see weaknesses in the home’s structure, including those related to water damage and drainage problems. 

Some sellers have a “take it or leave it” philosophy when it comes to damage found in an inspection, even when the issues are too big to ignore. But does the seller have an obligation to have any drainage problems fixed before the sale goes through?

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Can You Waterproof A Basement Only From The Inside?

October 21, 2019
waterproofing outside of house blog - Ashworth Drainage

Some homeowners believe that basements only need to be waterproofed from the inside. They assume that by making the walls tight when finishing the basement, they won’t have to worry about any leakage or drainage problems. This misguided thinking can lead to many problems that extend far beyond just the basement!

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Do You Have To Immediately Replace Water-Damaged Drywall?

September 3, 2019
water-damaged drywall feature image

In the average home, most walls and ceilings are made with drywall. This is a sheet of gypsum-based plaster kept together by paper. While some types of drywall are made with materials that make it more resistant to water, average drywall can be quite susceptible to damage from even small leaks.

Replacing water-damaged drywall is important when it’s being affected by a recent leak, but new homeowners might not think it’s an issue when seeing old discoloration in the walls. No matter how old the stain is, the drywall should be replaced. Weakened drywall can be both a structural issue and a sign that a leak is still there.

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What Is A French Drain, And Why Would I Want One?

August 14, 2019

The French drain is an important part of a home’s drainage system. It guides water away from the foundation walls and any low-lying parts of a property, helping to keep them dry and the basement free of moisture. While it’s probably already helping your foundation, you might want to consider a French drain on other parts of your property, too! 

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Why Do Sump Pumps Fail?

August 14, 2019
ashworth-sump-pump-feature-image

The sump pump is an important part of a home’s drainage system. Sitting at the lowest part of the foundation, the sump pump gets rid of excess water that can flow around your foundation and basement flooring through the French or perimeter drains. It’s often the final step in stopping water from leaching into your basement!

This means that when it fails, your whole defense could fail, too. There are a few common reasons why they fail, because like any other mechanical device in a home, they are susceptible to wear and tear over time. Keeping a close eye on it and performing regular maintenance are how you can catch any potential problems before they get too far. 

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3 Ways To Improve Backyard Drainage

July 31, 2019
backyard drainage header

Many people find themselves facing backyard drainage issues. Do you have to deal with unwanted water during rainy weather? Pools of standing water on the lawn make many yards virtually unusable every year, and it’s not desirable when the weather actually improves and you want to enjoy it. These puddles can also do serious damage to the grass, while also forming perfect breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes. 

Don’t try and power through these problems year after year – do something about it by improving your backyard drainage! 

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Should You Put Rocks In Your Window Well?

July 11, 2019

The window well is an important part of the drainage system that protects your basement from moisture leakage. It’s especially important because windows are a common weak point for foundations, and  the barrier around them can wear down over time. 

On many, typically older homes, these window wells are defined by a metal or plastic barrier around the window, and that’s about it. However, more and more often you’ll also see gravel or rocks at used at the base of a larger window well. Is this necessary?

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The Best Way To Pump Standing Water From Your Yard

June 13, 2019
pump standing water yard

Standing water in your yard is a sign of poor drainage, but before you can correct the problem, you need to get that water out of there. You should try to pump any standing water as soon as possible, because leaving it will ruin your lawn, attract mosquitoes, and even affect your foundation if the pool is close enough to your home.

Don’t worry, trying to pump standing water away from your yard isn’t hard, and it doesn’t even require an expensive pump or electricity. You just need to start with a hose!

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The Different Types Of Epoxy Paste And Crack Filler

May 27, 2019
epoxy filler, crack filler

Repairing vertical or horizontal cracks in your foundation walls, whether they’re inside your basement or on the outer wall, requires a material that is resistant to sagging and designed to hold up against pressure. It has to have excellent adhesion not just to the concrete, but all kinds of masonry, and even wood and metal. There are two suitable materials with which to repair concrete foundations: epoxy crack filler and polyurethane injection. Which is best? (more…)

Three Types Of Shower Waterproofing To Protect Your Bathroom

May 15, 2019
shower waterproofing, waterproof your shower

When a bathroom isn’t properly waterproofed, showers can cause a number of household problems: mold growth, damage to the walls and flooring of the bathroom, and even damage to the structure of the home itself. Good waterproofing prevents all the unavoidable bathroom moisture from getting absorbed into the construction material and damaging it.

Whether you’re installing a new bathroom or retrofitting an older one, there are three main types of bathroom waterproofing materials: liquid waterproofing membranes, foam backer boards, and sheet membranes.

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