Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in WA

Rainy Day Gets Out There!

Mon, November 26 2012, 00:00:00 -500

With the holiday season upon us we here at Rainy Day wanted to do something as a group to give back to our community. We decided to participate in a fundraiser held by our local running club. The Toys for Tots 5K is a fun (and healthy) activity for us to do together that will help those less fortunate than us.

Toys for tots is a great organization developed by the U.S Marines. The goal of this program/organization is "to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens."

This year the Arlington runners club is hosting their 7th annual Toys for Tots 5K, for the past two years they have had almost 300 participants and this year hope to have more.

The price to participate is $15 for early registration and $20 for registration on the day of the race. Early registration closes on December 1st. For more information on anything mentioned here follow the links below.

We urge everyone to attend and cheer us on, donate, or participate. (We will be the ones wearing the Rainy Day gear)

Stay tuned for pictures of us at the race.

Event: Toys for Tots 5K/10K

Where: Stillaguamish Athletic Club Arlington, WA

Date: December 8th, 2012

Time: Race starts at 11am

Click below to Like us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/RainyDayBasementSystems

Resources:

Arlington Runners Club

http://www.arlingtonrunnersclub.org/

Toys for Tots

http://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx

Good to Know

Tue, November 13 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Did you know that up to 50% of the air that you breathe comes from your crawlspace?

Have you ever noticed a damp or musty smell in your home?

Did you know that a vented, crawlspace costs you between 15% - 20% in higher energy costs? That’s right, higher in the winter and higher in the summer.

Have you ever seen some of the things living in your crawlspace? A damp, dark environment is perfect for all types of critters.

These signs are all a direct result of having a vented crawlspace under your home.

We have a fantastic solution to solve your crawlspace problems. We now offer CleanSpace, the crawlspace encapsulation system. CleanSpace is designed to reduce moisture and odors in your crawlspace. Moisture can cause hardwood floors to buckle, and mold to grow.

Please call us today to schedule a free inspection with one of our crawlspace experts.

Visit The Lights of Christmas

Fri, November 9 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Lights of Christmas is the perfect holiday destination for you, and everyone you love!

More than 1 million Christmas lights will be displayed, a spectacle spread over 15 acres at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington, during 22 days in December. The Lights of Christmas offers live music, theater, crafts, pony rides, a petting farm, and Polar Express Train rides. Visitors can shop for Christmas gifts, listen to carolers, attend a dinner theater and visit with Santa Claus or Bruce the Spruce, the talking Christmas tree. Food choices will range from clam chowder, and kettle corn to rib tips, chef salad, corn dogs and apple pie. Overnight accommodations are available at holiday-themed lodges.

Dates for 2012: Nov. 29-Dec. 2, Dec. 6-9, 13-16, 18-23, and 26-29
Gates open at 5pm. Event closes at 10pm.

20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, Washington 98292

Ticket type	Price per person
Adults, ages 13-59	$15
Military Adult	$10
Seniors, ages 60+	$10
Kids, ages 4-12	$9
Kids, 3 and under	FREE
AAA Members save $2 per person on General Admission tickets. Show your AAA membership card at the front gate. Discount valid for cardholders only.

Can’t afford the full price of admission? On Pay What You Can Night, do just that. On November 29, December 13, and 29, general festival admission is open for any price depending on what you feel you can afford. When you go to buy tickets, your bill will be tallied at the regular price; however, you pay only as much as you can. No minimum payment required. We don’t want anyone to be left out of a “holiday dream-come-true” this Christmas season.

For more info click on the link below

http://www.warmbeach.com/lights-of-christmas

Arlington's Hometown Holidays

Thu, November 8 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Arlington's Annual Hometown Holiday starts December 1st and runs through December 15th

Some of the fun events include:
The Santa parade on Dec 1st

The 5K/ 10K walk or run on Dec 8th

Carolers and free wagon rides Dec 8th and 15th

For more information visit http://www.arlingtonwa.gov/index.aspx?page=193

How to make your home more energy efficent

Fri, November 2 2012, 00:00:00 -500

With the rising costs of heating/cooling bills many homeowners are looking for ways to be more energy efficient. Where does someone start when making home improvements that save energy? Why not start with the room in your home that has no floor and holes in the walls.

Your crawlspace

We here at Rainy Day Basement Systems have products that can change your crawlspace from a damp, cold, drafty, spider infested room in your home to an area that you could even use for storage. It is hard to believe how much heat/air conditioning is lost through your floors.

Here are some options that will help you save that green

SilverGlo™ Wall Insulation

SilverGlo™ panels do not absorb heat and transfer it outside; they reflect it back into your crawlspace for remarkable energy savings.

CleanSpace® Encapsulation System

CleanSpace® is a 20 mil poly blend plastic that is used to seal your crawlspace and keep the outside elements out of your space.

TerraBlock™ Floor Insulation

TerraBlock™ is ¾” flexible foam insulation with vapor barrier on both sides that insulates your crawlspace underneath your CleanSpace®.

So what could your energy savings be you ask?

Up to 25% Annually

These are just some of the incredible products and services we offer.

For more information schedule a free inspection and estimate and our design specialist will create a system for your home. When you schedule your appointment we will send you our book “Crawl Space Science: What to Have Done and Why” where you will learn even more about our amazing products and what they can really do for you.

Happy Birthday

Wed, October 10 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Thursday October 11th is our co-owner Lovey Malsch's birthday. Her birthday plans include doing her favorite activity....... working. So a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to our favorite lady and fearless leader.

Break Room Renovations

Fri, October 5 2012, 00:00:00 -500

After many long hard hours the break room renovation is complete, our new employee hang out spot is complete with a long table with room for all of us, incredible company posters to decorate the walls, and a small kitchenette area to prepare our regular gourmet feasts.

Visitors from the east

Fri, September 21 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Last month Jeff Nelson, Steve Gomez, and Ron Canelli of Basement Systems headquarters located in Seymour, Connecticut toured our facility and met with our team. We had a wonderful time telling them how we expertly care for our customers and they gave us feedback to expand our superb service even more. We were sad to see them leave but we're ready to implement the wonderful advice they left us with.

Rainy Day Basement Systems at the Everett Home and Gift Show

Mon, September 24 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Rainy Day Basement Systems will be at a booth in the Everett Fall Home Show, and we would love to see you there! Be sure to come by the Comcast Arena for the 8th Annual Everett Home and Gift Show 2012.

Show Hours
Fri 28th: Noon - 6 PM
Sat 29th: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun 30th: 10 AM - 5 PM

Admission
$7.00 Adults
$6.50 Seniors
Free for Kids 16 and under

Make Tracks to the Northwest Washington Fair- to see Rainy Day Basement Systems!

Sat, August 11 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Come see Rainy Day Basement Systems at our booth at the Northwest Washington Fair!

The Northwest Washington Fair is located at: 1775 Front Street Lynden, WA 98264

To contact the Nortwest Washington Fair, call: (360) 354-4111

Office Hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Daily Gate Pass Information

Adult Day Pass (13 to 61)		$10.00
Senior Day Pass (62 +)		$8.00
Children (6 to 12)		$5.00
5 years and younger		Free

Season Passes
Adult Season Pass		$45.00
Senior Season Pass		$37.00
Children's Season Pass		$22.00
4H and FFA Season Pass		$8.00
Exhibitors and Booth Workers		$16.00

Come Visit our Booth at the Skagit County Fair

Tue, August 7 2012, 00:00:00 -500

August 8th-11th Rainy Day Basement Systems will be in the commerical building at the Skagit County Fair 2012. We would love to see you there!

Fair Hours: 10am-10pm

Tickets Information
Adults (18-64): $7
Advance Tickets: $5
Youth: (6-17) + Senior Citizens (65+): $6
Family (2 youth + 2 adults): $20
5 years old & under are FREE
ALL TICKETS ARE $3 UNTIL 3 P.M ON
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8TH

Click for more information

Rainy Day Basement Systems Cutting-Edge, East Coast Training

Tue, August 7 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The training, called “Convention”, is hosted by Basement Systems and is open to all of the Basement Systems dealers across North America. Here we learn from leaders in the industry about new products and techniques, how to best serve our customers, and other ways to improve our company.

The Basement Systems’ Convention is an annual event that we at Rainy Day Basement Systems look forward to. Along with the many classes targeted toward each sector of our company, there are also fun events and dinners for the participants. This provides an opportunity to not only enjoy ourselves, but also to network with other experts in this business.

Our office will still be open August 15th-21st while members of the Rainy Day Basement System staff are in Hartford Connecticut at the Convention training session.

Keep Up the Great Work, MV Galaxy Soccer Team

Thu, August 2 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Since their 2009 season, Rainy Day Basement Systems has sponsored the MV Galaxy soccer team, which plays in the Premera San Carlos league in Skagit, WA.

Now on our fourth season sponsoring the team, we are proud of the work the team has put in and look forward to see what the rest of the season brings. Our Lead Foreman, Jerry, as well as members of our installation crew, Martin and Arturo, play on the soccer team.

Pictured is Jerry in the back row on the far left, Martin in in the back row on the far right, and Arturo is in the front row holding his daughter.

The most recently updated leagure results showed MV Galaxy in eighth place out of the ten teams in the league, but the season isn't over yet! Marking the end of this season will be a tournament held in August.

View more information on the Premera San Carlos league of the San Carlos Futbol Club

Looking to Hire Sales Representatives and a Service Technician

Thu, July 26 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Commissioned Sales Representative- Are you self-motivated? Have you demonstrated integrity, confidence, persistence, punctuality, and genuine commitment to meeting the needs of customers and assisting co-workers at your current and past jobs? Can you handle wearing a respirator, coveralls and or be in confined spaces will inspecting a job and then transition into sitting down with a customer at the kitchen table to deliver a polished, professional presentation of how they can accomplish their goals? We are seeking professional, energetic, highly customer service-oriented, organized, disciplined salespersons to design/sell waterproofing, crawlspace and foundation repair solutions to our customers. We are hiring three full-time positions that provide a high earning potential.*

Service Technician- We're looking for a Service Technician to perform in home annual maintenance and warranty work on our customers' existing waterproofing, crawlspace and foundation repair systems. Person must have excellent customer service skills, problem solving abilities, some computer know-how, and integrity.*

*With these positions, expect to work in Snohomish, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. Sales and or construction experience is preferred, but not required. Excellent training will be provided, and both of these jobs will allow you a somewhat flexible work schedule. Good driving record with valid driver's license and complete back ground check are required.

If you have a proven record and would like to be considered for one of these positions, please send your resume to info@rainydaybs.com and indicate the best time to reach you.

Proud Sponsors of the Great Stilly Duck Dash

Thu, February 2 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Great Stilly Duck Dash is a fundraising tradition in Arlington that goes back roughly 25 years, since 1987. As one of the sponsors of the event, we are proud to see how the funds raised are being donated.

According to the article "Ducks enable Rotary giving" published on the North County Outlook website in December 2011,

"Since this summer's Duck Dash, the Rotary Club of Arlington has donated almost $40,000 to local organizations, including

$20,000 to the Arlington Community Food Bank for the new facility
$5,000 to the Arlington Chamber of Commerce for Frontier Days in Arlington
$5,000 to Kids' Kloset
$4,000 to Open Door Theatre to teach students safety skills through dramatic productions
$2,500 to the Mount Baker Boy Scouts to improve a camping structure on Fire Mountain
$1,100 to Boy Scout Troop 29 to support its activities"

Thank you everyone involved in the 2011 Duck Dash!

See the North County Outlook article

Read about the history of the Arlington Rotary Club's Great Stilly Duck Dash

Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Wed, July 25 2012, 00:00:00 -500

There are many suggestions on how to best increase the value of your home. Among the top most common answers are remodeling the kitchen and adding/updating bathrooms. Also included on many of these lists is remodeling or finishing your basement!

In googling "best ways to add value to your home", five out of the top six search results included remodeling or finishing your basement on their lists. This is because having a wet, damp basement can noticeably bring down the value of your home. By waterproofing and finishing a basement, you are taking advantage of space you already have and creating more attractive, usable living space.

At Rainy Day Basement Systems, we can both waterproof your Washington basement and then finish it. Because we understand the waterproofing aspects of basements, we have wall panneling and flooring that can transform your basement while also keeping it protected.

This is shown by our MillCreek Flooring which is better in a basement than hardwood flooring, stain-resistent, durable, and will not develop the odors associated with mold, rot, and mildew.

It is also seen in our ThermalDry Flooring which is specially designed to allow water vapor to circulate underneath and dry out, while also keeping floor's surface 8-10 degrees warmer than the cold concrete below.

Both our MillCreek Flooring and ThermalDry Flooring are 100% waterproof and are quickly installed without nails, grout, or adhesives.

To increase the value of your home near Lynden, Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Arlington, Stanwood, Everett, Camano Island, Olga, Marysville, or Snohomish, waterproof and finish your basement.

We googled "best ways to add value to your home". Here's what we found:

Search Result:	Website/Author:	Article:	Rank of Finishing Basement on List:
1.	TLC - Emilie Sennebogen and Melanie Radzicki McManus	Top 10 Ways to Add Value to Your Home	3/10
2.	HGTV	20 Ways to Add Value to Your Home	10/20
4.	The Telegraph - Christopher Middleton	Phil Spencer's Top 20 ways to add value to your home	3/20
5.	Bankrate.com - Dana Dratch	20 things that can alter the value of your home	10/20
6.	Investinganswers.com - John Persinos	The 9 Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home	3/9

We Have Confidence in Our Products

Wed, October 10 2012, 00:00:00 -500

One of our mottos at Rainy Day Basement Systems is 'Global Resources, Local Service.' This is because we are a part the largest network of independently owned and operated basement waterproofing contractors in the world, while also being a small, family-owned company in Arlington, WA.

But as exemplary as our service is, we wouldn't be satisfied if we were installing unreliable products.

For our crawl space and basement repair we use products developed by Basement Systems, which has been awarded 27 U.S. patents from 1194-2011 and has won 21 innovation prizes from 2000-2011. This shows that Rainy Day Basement Systems is installing award-winning, state of the art products that no one else can offer.

One example of this is the SuperSump sump pump we offer (pictured right). It won the Gold Innovation Prize from the CQIA- Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership, Inc. Our SuperSump sump pump system is one of the best sump pump systems on the market. With it's innovative sump pit design, air tight lid and a powerful zoeller cast iron sump pump, it was chosen best from among nearly 50 models.

In repairing foundations, Rainy Day Basement Systems uses products from Foundation Supportworks, Inc. These products have been designed, tested, developed, and patented by Foundation Supportworks' team of in-house structural and geotechnical engineers for oustanding foundation repair. Again, this reflects the expertise involved and inginuity behind the development of the products we install.

Rainy Day Basement Systems only uses the best products for finishing basements and waterproofing, fixing and dehumidifying crawl spaces, and foundation repairs.

It is because we have confidence in the high-quality products we use, that we are able to provide our extensive warranties on our work, including:

- lifetime of the home warranties on all qualified basement solutions

- 25-year warranties on all qualified crawlspace sealing solutions

- both a written manufacturer's warranty and our in-house performance warranty for foundation repair

Futhermore, Rainy Day Basement System's warranties go with the home and are fully transferable to all future homeowners.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free written estimate. Our inspector will provide a free inspection, and work with you to create the customized solution you are looking for using products you can depend on.

Plan to See Us at a Fair this Summer

Tue, June 19 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Don't miss an opportunity to see Rainy Day Basement Systems at a fair this summer. If you or someone you know has been looking to get their musty crawl space, damp basement, or settling foundation fixed, this is a great occasion to talk to a local, professional company.

At our booth will be samples of many of our 25 patented products, including our CleanSpace vapor barrier, sump pumps, basement flooring tiles, and SmartJack stabilizing pier. Our employees will answer questions and provide you with information to further explain our work and products. You can even sign up to schedule an appointment for free inspection and estimate of your crawl space, basement, or foundation.

With fair locations such as Lynden, Mount Vernon, Arlington, and Langley, there is sure to be a fair location near you.

For more information and a complete lists of the fairs Rainy Day Basement Systems will be at please go to http://www.rainydaybasementsystems.com/homeshows.html

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Benefits of Having Your Crawl Space Sealed

Fri, October 19 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sealing your crawl space has many benefits, especially for residents in the moist Pacific Northwest. If you live in Bellingham, Lynden, Mount Vernon, Arlington, Everett, Lynnwood, or any area where you have a crawl space under your home, preventing moisture and relative humidity from entering will help to avert structural damage, improve energy bills, and make your home healthier.

Exposing wood to high moisture levels for an extended period of time will cause it to rot. A big part of this problem is a vented, dirt, or unconditioned crawl space. Encapsulation and air sealing is the answer to keeping moisture levels at controllable levels – and dehumidification will actually dry out housing materials.

Lowering the moisture level and relative humidity in your home enables your HVAC system to run more efficiently, as dry air is easier to heat and cool. Closing open vents and sealing air leaks in your crawl space will also help keep out cold winter air. Once the work is completed, your first level floors will feel noticeably warmer.

A damp crawl space is also a great environment for mold and critters. Additionally, dust mites love high relative humidity, as they don’t drink water but rather absorb it through their skin. Lowering the relative humidity below 60% will kill dust mites and cause most molds to go dormant. This helps to eliminate two of the highest causes of indoor allergens: dust mite waste and mold allergens. Thus, improving the air quality of your home.

Our CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System, complete with a SaniDry Dehumidifier System, is the right choice for sealing and conditioning your crawl space – whether your home is in Bellingham, Everett, Lynnwood, Lynden, or anywhere in Washington. If you have a vented, dirt, moist or unconditioned crawl space, we’re ready to help you.

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Our Recent Work at a Bellingham Residence

Tue, May 22 2012, 00:00:00 -500

We recently sealed, waterproofed, and stabilized the crawl spaces of a residence in Bellingham, WA. The multiple crawl spaces had stagnant water which was causing odors to pervade into the home through exposed areas in the floor. There were also uneven floor concerns. The home owners contacted us online, ready to solve these problems in their home.

See for yourself how happy these customers were with working with Rainy Day Basement Systems! http://www.rainydaybasementsystems.com/about-us/reviews/4509-bellingham-wa.html

Through our free inspection, we explained to the Bellingham homeowners how our CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System would keep water and moisture out of their crawl space. Along with our CleanSpace vapor barrier, the homeowners were interested to hear about our Smart Drain leak alert system.

The inspector also described how our specially‐designed crawl space sump pump, the TripleSafe, would keep their crawl space dry, lowering the moisture content under their home and the benefits of our drainage trenching system. We then explained how the SaniDry CX crawl space dehumidifier creates a complete solution to achieve what they were looking for – a drier crawl space.

In addition to the products above, these Bellingham homeowners saw the value in our IceGuard sump pump discharge line and our LawnScape Outlet which is an underground downspout extension. For cosmetics and easier access to their crawl space, the homeowners also purchased EverLast Access Wells.

Besides waterproofing and sealing their crawl spaces, we were able to fix the gaps in their floors and the unevenness through our high-capacity, adjustable steel pier, the SmartJack.

Because we sealed the entire crawl space, including the vents and the outside entrance, they will conserve energy and reduce their energy costs. The Bellingham homeowners will no longer have to worry about mold, musty odors, or ground water seepage in their crawl spaces. We were also able to stabilize and level the floor, getting rid of gaps that had been a concern.

This is just one example of products we use and the service we provide to deliver customized solutions to our customers. We’ve performed dozens of crawl space moisture control and stabilization jobs in Bellingham, Arlington, Everett, Anacortes, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Mount Vernon, Snohomish, Lynden and the surrounding areas where crawl spaces are prevalent.

For more information on Rainy Day Basement Systems crawl space repairs CLICK HERE

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Where to Start When Fixing Your Basement, Crawl Space, or Foundation

Thu, May 10 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Whether you have problems with your basement, crawl space, or foundation, finding the solution can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be. Contact Rainy Day Basement Systems, who stands out from other companies in the area.

-We are a local, family-owned business. Located near the Arlington Municipal Airport, we service cities in the surrounding area. We are part of a network through the international company Basement Systems, meaning we have big company resources but local company service.

-We want you to be informed. To make the best decisions for your home, you need to know what is going on and how to best resolve that issue. Upon scheduling a free inspection and estimate with us, we send out information in the mail for you to look at. Amongst the material is a profile of the inspector who will be going out to your home, and also a descriptive book relating to your home’s needs. If you have concerns with your crawl space for example, we will send you a book on crawl spaces explaining common problems, misconceptions, and permanent solutions. We do this to inform, which also enables our customers to be prepared with questions for the inspector at the appointment.

-We listen! After doing a free inspection, our specialists take the time to sit with our customers and explain their findings. At Rainy Day Basement Systems, we don’t just give you an estimate and walk away. Instead, we look at both what needs to be done and what you want to be done. This involves conversations between the inspector and customer to find a customized solution.

At Rainy Day Basement Systems, we have confidence in the work we provide and our customers do too. This is because we inform them, listen to their input, answer their questions, and explain how our products work. After all, it’s their home and should be about the customer.

Read more about the CRAWL SPACE, BASEMENT, or FOUNDATION work provided by Rainy Day Basement Systems

RainyDay Basement Systems to Exhibit at Northwest Washington Fair

Mon, March 5 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Arlington, WA - Come to the Fair! RainyDay Basement Systems showcases their foundation repair services August 13-18 at the popular Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden each day from 10 am to 10:30 PM. Qualified professionals from RainyDay will be available to answer questions and explain solutions to any and all basement problems.

The Northwest Washington Fair, a destination event for more than 100 years, offers educational, agricultural interactive exhibits in a social and family-oriented environment. The Fair is located at 1775 Front Street in Lynden.

One of the fastest growing Basement Systems, Inc. dealerships in the country, RainyDay Basement Systems provides foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in northwest Washington including Lynden. Their team of certified experts has access to more than 25 patented waterproofing products while offering their services with a lifetime warranty.

Rainy Day Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair in Lynden, WA and other surrounding areas. Visit them online for a free basement waterproofing estimate.

Please visit www.nwwafair.com/fair for directions, parking and admission information. And once at the Fair, visit the exhibit booth of RainyDay Basement Systems.

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Foundation Repair for DIYers: Proceed With Caution

Tue, January 31 2012, 00:00:00 -500

DIYers are an enthusiastic and determined lot. They know how satisfying it is to tackle a repair or home improvement project without calling in a contractor. The benefits of saving money, getting the job done on your schedule and being able to brag about your success are good insurance that DIY activities will continue from one generation to the next.

DIYers have never had it so easy when it comes to finding the tools and materials to complete a wide range of home repair and home improvement projects. Most families live within an easy drive of a local Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, or other building supply outlet. Home improvement megastores provide access to the same resources the pros use –from specialty fasteners and pneumatic tools to masonry sealers, plumbing supplies and plywood sheathing.

Fixing a cracked foundation is a tempting DIY project

Repairing a cracked concrete slab or foundation wall probably ranks high on the list of home repair projects that would be tempting for a DIYer to take on. After all, the repair location isn’t in a main living area like a bedroom or bath, so your work doesn’t have to disrupt everyday activities. There’s no problem getting the supplies you need to repair cracked masonry. And you won’t have to pay much for patching mortar, perhaps some caulk or sealant, and a trowel for making the application. The job shouldn’t take long either. Fill the crack with mortar, smooth over the application and clean up; you’re done.

Treating the symptom rather than the cause

There’s only one problem that might rear its head when you patch a cracked foundation, but it’s a big one. Patching a cracked concrete slab or foundation wall is certain to be just a temporary fix if you don’t also address what caused the cracks in the first place.

Tiny hairline cracks in masonry that are too small to admit a business card are often the result of concrete or mortar shrinking as it cures. These minute cracks are normal and don’t signify any structural issues. The same can’t be said for larger foundation cracks, however. When larger cracks occur, other forces may be at work, like soil pressure or settling soil that doesn’t provide sufficient support for a concrete footing or slab.

When soil movement or soil pressure causes a foundation to crack, a patch repair to fill the crack is certain to be just a temporary measure. In other words, the crack will recur and probably worsen, since the conditions that caused the damage are still present.

Foundation repair contractors provide permanent engineered solutions

Home Depot and Lowes don’t stock the equipment and repair materials that foundation repair specialists have access to. These specialty contractors can drive steel piers into unstable soil beneath a cracked slab or footing, establishing support points in stable, solid soil at greater depth. Weak or unstable soil can be bypassed, creating solid bearing support that will eliminate further foundation damage.

The purpose of this article isn’t to discourage DIYers from making masonry repairs. Instead, the objective here is to encourage homeowners to get an expert opinion about foundation cracks before deciding to make a DIY repair. Established foundation repair contractors don’t charge anything to inspect foundation damage or explain repair procedures and provide estimates for repair work. Instead of investing time and money in a repair that will just be temporary, it’s smarter to get an expert assessment from a foundation repair contractor.

Rainy Day Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair in Washington State. Visit them online for a free foundation repair estimate.

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Foundation Damage Caused By Construction Problems

Fri, January 27 2012, 00:00:00 -500

When foundation damage occurs after a house has been built, it’s common to blame soil conditions for damage such as cracked foundation walls, settled slabs, and foundation walls that buckle or tilt inward. There’s no doubt that soil conditions can cause such damage. However, sometimes mistakes are made during the construction process that weaken foundation footings, slabs and walls, making these elements more prone to soil pressure and soil movement that occurs later on. Here are some of the more common construction-related issues that can cause foundation problems to develop later on in the life of a house.

Wet weather. The contractor digs a big hole for a basement foundation and sets up the forms for poured concrete footings. Then it starts to rain. The soil gets muddy and loose; some actually washes away from under the forms. If the excavation remains wet and soft as the footings are poured, there’s a good chance that footings won’t have adequate support in some areas. So they could easily be more prone to cracking or settling after the weight of the house bears down on them.
Missing rebar. Concrete footings and walls need the extra strength provided by reinforcing steel rods (rebar). Building codes establish minimum standards for steel reinforcement (spacing, size and location of rebar), and an engineered foundation will have even more steel. If the concrete isn’t properly reinforced for some reason, it will crack and shift more easily when soil settlement or pressure occurs.
Voids in poured concrete walls. When concrete is poured into wall forms, it needs to be vibrated using special power equipment. Without adequate vibration, the dense liquid mix won’t flow completely into all areas of the formwork. Any air pockets (voids) that result from incomplete coverage become weak points prone to cracking in the future.
Slabs that cure too quickly. In warm weather, a freshly poured concrete slab floor often has to be misted with water and covered so that it doesn’t dry out too quickly. If the contractor neglects these steps, the slab will be weaker and more likely to crack.
Freezing. Special aerated concrete must be used when pouring concrete in freezing temperatures. If this doesn’t happen, the expansive force of freezing water will cause cracks and weakening as the concrete cures.
Backfilling too soon. The excavation for a foundation wall shouldn’t be backfilled until the first floor has been framed and the concrete is strong enough to withstand the weight of the soil. Backfilling too soon can cause a foundation wall to crack and bow inward.

The good news: Foundation problems can be permanently corrected if you call the right contractor

No matter how or why foundation damage occurs, it can be permanently repaired if you enlist the expertise of a foundation repair specialist. These professionals have the training, tools, materials and engineering support to handle all kinds of foundation damage. Your problem will not be too abstract for them, as they have most likely seen it many limes before.

Rainy Day Basement Systems is the foundation repair contractor in Washington that you need! They specialize in foundation repair in Everett, as well as other surrounding areas, and have over 25 years of experience!

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New Crawl Space Insulation Prepares Homes for Winter

Wed, October 5 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Winter will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start winterizing homes to prepare. The best way to get your house ready for colder weather is with insulation. Crawl space insulation keeps the air in your crawl space dry and warm, which will help your entire house as air flows into the bottom of a house and travels up to the top.

Rainy Day Basement Systems is excited to announce one of its newest products: SilverGlo insulation. This crawl space insulation is exclusive to dealerships in the Basement Systems international contractor network of basement and crawl space professionals.

SilverGlo is a graphite-infused EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Foam Board with a radiant barrier on one side. The use of graphite in the foam increases the R-value by 24% over standard white EPS foam. A 2-inch board of SilverGlo is rated at R-11. This superior R-value will keep any crawl space warmer in the wintertime, as well as cooler in the summer. It will also lower humidity levels in a home.

"If you properly insulate your crawl space—in addition to air sealing and controlling moisture, you will save on energy costs and increase your home's comfort," writes the U.S. Department of Energy.

For crawl space insulation in Lynnwood, WA, contact Rainy Day Basement Systems today!

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We Maintain An A Rating With The BBB

Tue, February 15 2011, 00:00:00 -500

We at Rainy Day Basement Systems value a high commitment to customer service and business standards. Such priorities coincide with those of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) -- helping us to obtain and maintain an A rating!

This means that we've been committed and will continue to commit to the BBB's eight business standards: to build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy, and embody integrity.

Contact us today for basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and foundation repair including those cracked foundation walls in Snohomish, WA and all surrounding areas. We offer free quotes for all our services, so call today!

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The Case Against Crawl Space Ventilation in Washington

Thu, March 4 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Open Crawl Space Vents

For far too many years, homeowners have tried to use outside air to dry out their humid basements and crawl spaces.

In many areas of the country, crawl space vents have been written into building codes, and while those are changing, the conventional "wisdom" is that if outside air is allowed to pass through the space, it will keep the space dry.

Rainy Day Basement Systems has the solutions you need for a dry basement in crawl space. if you live in the Oak Harbor, WA area and would like a FREE dry crawl space or basement estimate, call or contact us by e-mail today!

Ask yourself these three questions:

Who is paying to condition the air I'm blowing out of my home?

When it's raining or humid outside, how dry can that air keep my space?

If venting crawl spaces and basements works, why are they still rotting and growing mold?

To put it simply: venting basements and crawl spaces does not work.

Problem 1: Vented Basements and Crawl Spaces Mean Money out the Window

Drafty Crawl Space Door

Except on the most pleasant days, you won't want the air outside your home to be the same temperature as the air inside.

You pay a lot of money to cool your summer air and heat your air in the winter.

If you have a fan in your basement or crawl space that pulls air from that home and sends it outside, then the air that you paid to condition is literally going out the window.

Even if that fan is energy-efficient, this method cannot effectively dry your basement or crawl space enough to make it worth your increased utility bills.

If you have a vented crawl space and do not seal the vents in the winter, then you're inviting cold air into your home. As the cold air enters, it will immediately cool down all warm things in your crawl space, including heating ducts, hot water pipes, water heaters, and furnaces. While these utilities are working harder to maintain their temperature, the cold will rise upwards, cooling your floorboards and creating an uncomfortable, drafty home.

Problem 2: The Air You Vent Your Home with is Not Dry

A Grated Basement Window Opening in Shoreline that was Eventually Sealed Off After Leaking with Rainwater

If it's raining outside, how dry will the air in your basement or crawl space be? Not very, you can count on that.

And during a summer, when warm, humid air is pulled into the basement or crawl space, it's brought into below-grade space. This cools the air, and forces its relative humidity level to rise dramatically. For each degree the air is cooled, its relative humidity will rise approximately 2.2%. Once the air's relative humidity rises past 100%, the excess moisture will be deposited on all cold surfaces in the crawl space. That's not creating a drier home.

Also, letting humid air into your home in the summer will significantly affect your home's cooling efficiency. Air thick with humidity is harder for air conditioning units to cool, as part of the cooling system's job is to dehumidify the air. That's why air conditioners drip. More humidity means more work for the system, and more money for you to spend.

Problem 3: Venting Crawl Spaces Leads to Rot, Mold and Structural Issues

Crawl Space Walls Stained with Years of Flooding and Moisture

If crawl space vents worked, wouldn't the crawl space be dry?

Crawl space rot is a serious problem, and its repercussions can affect the entire home. Crawl spaces with rotting beams and wood will begin to sag, leading to dipping, uneven floors upstairs. Installing crawl space jacks will temporarily aid in supporting and reinforcing the structure, but sooner or later, the rot must be stopped to maintain structural integrity in the home.

Additionally, because air moves upward in the home as it warms, leaving out the attic and upper levels, some of the air in your home is pulled up through the basement and crawl space. If there are mold spores and dust mite waste in these spaces -- even when it's growing behind your drywall -- it will enter the air in your home.

Crawl space vents are also openings in your home that are very close to the ground. This leaves an open invitation for a wide variety of pests to come in and feast on your rotting wood, including termites, carpenter ants, and mice. Other creatures, such as snakes, spiders, and beetles, will also find this to be a comfortable home.

How to Properly Dry a Basement and Crawl Space

Basement With Vapor Barrier on Walls and Floor and Airtight Windows

An Encapsulated Crawl Space with Sealed Vents

Refer to the trinity of healthy below-grade spaces: Vapor Barriers, Dehumidification, and Inorganic Materials.

First, seal off all vents and close all windows. Then, install a plastic vapor barrier on the walls and floors in the basement or crawl space to keep moisture from passing through the concrete and entering into the space. Once the space is sealed, dehumidify the area to pull any remaining moisture from the space and to keep the area dry. If you're finishing the basement, follow up by using as many inorganic, waterproof materials as possible.

Additionally, vinyl basement windows are important, as they can keep drafts and leaking water from the space. And if you want to install an extra bonus, covered basement window wells can keep cold air away from the glass basement windows while also reflecting in valuable natural sunlight to cheer up the space.

A dry basement and/or crawl space means a healthier, more comfortable home. You'll save money on your home in energy-efficiency, and your home will be protected from structural damage due to mold and rot.

Rainy Day Basement Systems wants to help you create a dry basement and crawl space environment. If you live in or near the areas of Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Redmond, Everett, and Shoreline, call or e-mail us today for a FREE dry crawl space or basement estimate!

Does Humid Air Go Up or Down in My Washington Home?

Thu, March 4 2010, 00:00:00 -500

If humid air sinks, where do clouds and rain come from?

There are two classic arguments used to explain where humid air goes in a home in Bellingham, WA and the Northern Washington area.

Argument 1: Wet air is heavier than dry air. Ventilate and dehumidify the basement to solve this.

The idea here is that as air becomes humid in a home, it becomes heavier, causing it to sink down into the basement and lower levels of the home. Therefore, it will ventilate the basement with outside air to circulate this humid air out of the home and keep the basement dry.

Problem 1: Humid air is less dense than dry air.

Dense things sink and less dense things rise, right? Well, according to Isaac Newton, in his book Opticks, (and USA Today) humid air is actually LESS dense than dry air.

It makes sense. If humid air didn't rise, why would rain fall from the sky when the temperature drops?

So, in a home, humid air rises upward, not downward.

If humid air sinks, will this groundlevel vent keep the basement dry?

Problem 2: If humid air WAS denser than dry air, basement vents still wouldn't work.

Let's pretend for a minute that dry air IS lighter than wet air. Where are the vents going to be in the basement and crawl space? At ground level, right? If humid air did sink, wouldn't it flow downward into the basement through the vents?

Problem 3: Outside air isn't always dry.

If it's raining, humid, or damp outside, how dry will ventilated outside air make your basement? Not very, right? And what happens to your utility bills if you're venting cold air into the home in the winter, or hot air in the summer? You can count on some heavy utility bills.

We seal this air out of our home because we don't want it in the house.

Argument 2: Sealing off the outside air and dehumidifying the space will keep it dry.

Other basement contractors will seal off the area from outside air as much as possible. Once the space has been isolated from the outside, they will install a dehumidifier to remove any extra humidity and to maintain the proper humidity level in the future.

To seal off the space, all vents in basements and crawl spaces must be sealed. Crawl space doors and entrances should create an airtight seal when closed to keep out outside air.

Moisture can also pass continually through the porous concrete, mortar, or dirt, entering a basement or crawl space straight through the walls and floors.

Along with the moisture, water brings a white, powdery mineral salt called efflorescence. If you seal the walls with a paint, this salt will build up behind the seal, causing it to blister and peel.

Instead, mechanically fasten a sheet of plastic- at least 25 mil in thickness- to the walls. This will keep moisture out of the space, helping you fight mold and moisture damage in the home.

A dehumidifier is a great idea as well. Be sure to pick one that is self-draining, powerful enough for the entire space, and is Energy Star rated to keep your utility bills low while protecting your investment.

Dry Below-Grade Spaces

There's only one good way to keep your basement and crawl space dry: seal the space and install a dehumidifier. If you're interested in taking your basement to the next step, Rainy Day Basement Systems of Northern Washington would like to help you. We offer FREE basement and crawl space waterproofing and damproofing estimates in areas like Mount Vernon, WA. Call or contact us online today to get started!

Protect your basement from flooding with IceGuard.

Tue, January 13 2009, 00:00:00 -500

Until recently, when your sump pump discharge lines were frozen and clogged with ice, there wasnât much you could do about it.

You could try to flush it, but most of the time you were left with only one optionâ¦ watch the water rise in your basement as the sump pump was rendered useless.

Now, there is a simple extension called IceGuard, developed by Basement Systems, that will keep frozen discharge lines from causing basement floods.

This inexpensive and clever attachment will keep the water flowing if the discharge line freezes.

Click here to see how IceGuard works as an additional layer of defense against basement flood.

We at Rainy Days Basement Systems know that some times the difference between a dry basement and a flooded one is in the details.

We make sure we take care of them all. Contact us to see how easy and affordable it is to have a basement dry all the time!

Halloween Special: Creepy Crawl Space Stories

Wed, October 15 2008, 00:00:00 -500

It is amazing the amount of blogs posts you find over the internet, about creepy things people find in their crawl spaces. They are usually accompanied by the most disturbing images.

Crawl spaces are, for the most part, a place no one checks unless it is really necessary, and the necessity usually presents itself in the form of pest infestation, foul smelling decomposing carcasses, mold problems and rotten debris, structures and insulation

However, way before those problems become detectable, they are already contributing to deteriorate your home, your health and your bank account. Filthy vented crawl spaces and a health hazard, and a big hole in your budget, due to the energy loss they cause, especially if you run ducts through them.

On the other hand, a clean, healthy, conditioned crawl space, can save you big bucks on cooling and heating, and provide some extra storage space.

When you compute all the benefits of having your crawl space encapsulated, you will realize that there is no reason to let your home become the set for yet another crawl space horror story.

Contact us for a Free Estimate and find out.

Check out Contractors Before You Hire

Tue, October 14 2008, 00:00:00 -500

Washington Attorney General's Office urges homeowners avoid falling victims of contractor scams, with a list of important measures they can take to protect themselves.

A list that the Attorney General asks you to print and tape to your water tank or electrical panel, so that you will have the information at hand when you need emergency repairs.

The list basically tells you to make sure you know the person and company you are about to do business with, by checking licensing information and business reputation. It also has a list of red flags you should watch out for.

A must read for every homeowner in Washington.

Keeping the basement dry is important to your home's health

Tue, June 10 2008, 00:00:00 -500

By Debra Smith
Herald Writer
(Read this article on the Herald site...)

Many people are horrified when they see what the underbelly of their homes looks like, said Dan Malsch.

It's his job to wedge himself into dank crawlspaces and musty basements so he can find a solution to the mold, standing water and musty smells lurking in those places. He brings a camera so he can document the leaking water, mold, rat carcasses and shredded, hanging insulation for his customers.

"People are in shock," said Malsch, who owns Arlington-based Rainy Day Basement Systems with wife Lovisa Malsch.

Malsch spends lots of time educating customers.

"It's a mystery to people why their basements are wet and it's not that complicated," Malsch said.

Conventional wisdom in the construction business is the way to solve moisture issues is to add more vents to the crawl space and basement. Malsch said research has shown that's not true, that vents contribute to the problem by allowing cold air and moisture into the house that gets sucked upward into the home.

The solution is sealing off the basement or crawlspace, he said. The living environment should be separate from the damp earth and concrete under the house. The company uses a special heavy, seven-layer membrane tough enough to crawl on. Malsch compared it to a pool liner The membrane is caulked, sealed and fastened to the walls so moisture can't get through.

The company custom designs a solution based on the needs of the home and the customers wants, Malsch said. Sometimes that means digging trenches, installing a sump pump to keep water out or adding a dehumidifier to filter out mold spores, odors and particulates the air.

Up to 40 percent the air in the average rambler that people are breathing comes from a vented dirt crawlspace under the house, Malsch said. Many of his customers have allergies or health problems. Sealing off the basement or crawlspace and adding dehumidifier improves air quality and reduces humidity in the home, he said.

The company also will prepare basements to be finished. If sheet rock is installed directly on concrete, it will whick moisture and that causes mold to form on the sheet rock. The company installs a vapor barrier inbetween to prevent that problem.

The company doesn't remove mold and Malsch said he isn't certified in pest control. The company's services remove the conditions in the crawlspace or basement that can lead to those problems.

Malsch's business is the regional dealer for Basement Systems Inc., A Seymour, Conn., company with hundreds of independent contractors across the country. Big names in the construction business like Bob Villa of This Old House have touted the company's products on television, and that exposure has led many local customers to his Web site, Malsch said. He serves a territory that stretches from Highway 2 north.

The cost of his services varies depending on the size of the job and the extent of the problems. Sealing off a relatively dry crawl space on a smaller home might cost $4,000. The most expensive job to date was a large home that had duct work flooded with 18,000 gallons of water. That job cost $40,000 to pump out the water and correct the problem that was causing it. But at the completion of the job, Malsch said the homeowners were some of his happiest customers.

"It's a nasty dirty job," he said. "But we're making a big difference for people."