7/30/2008

Iron Bacteria

What is Iron Bacteria?
Iron bacteria are a natural part of the environment. These microorganisms combine dissolved iron or manganese with oxygen and use it to form rust-colored deposits. In the process, the bacteria produce a brown slime that builds up on drains, pipes, and plumbing fixtures.

Effects of Iron Bacteria

Iron Bacteria in wells does not cause health problems, but they can have the following unpleasant and possibly expensive effects: Cause odors, corrode plumbing equipment, clog pipes, clog drainage systems, and increase chances of sulfur bacteria infestations.

Prevent Iron Bacteria
Prevention is the best safeguard against accompanying problems. Iron bacteria are nourished by carbon and other organics, and it is essential that these are not introduced into any part of the drainage system. Because it is difficult to get rid of iron bacteria once they exist, it is best to isolate it and try to control it rather than trying to completely “cure” the problem.

Clogging Drainage Pipes
Iron bacteria can cause damage to pipes due to deposition of iron compounds, resulting in clogging tuberculation of pipes and red water.

Controlling Iron Bacteria

The iron bacteria does not use oxygen but rather it needs the carbon dioxide which it gets from the oxygen. For this reason it is not recommended to install a sub floor drainage system that has an open wall channel. The open wall channel will allow air to be introduced and help the iron bacteria to thrive.

When the contractor installs a sub-floor drainage system, he/she should install some type of wall protection at the same time. With an iron bacteria problem evident, GrateProducts LLC believe that a closed system is the best defense for minimizing and controlling iron bacteria.

7/28/2008

SeattlePI.com : Dangers of Basement Living Overlooked

Dangers of basement living often overlooked
Don't ignore safety when converting space, experts say

By KATHY MULADY AND AUBREY COHEN
P-I REPORTERS

When a massive storm hit Seattle last month, a sudden flood trapped Kate Fleming in the basement of her 1907 Madison Valley home and, unable to escape, she drowned in the fast-rising water.

Her death was a shocking eye-opener for basement-happy Seattleites who fill the lowest level of their houses with entertainment centers, recording studios, home businesses and family rooms.....

for full article: click here

7/22/2008

GrateDrain – Next Phase in Basement Waterproofing Technologies pt.1

Drain Tiles, French Drain, Pipe and Stone, and now the GrateDrain™. The advancement process in the water control and basement waterproofing industry has been slow and fraught with trial and error. But now, the GrateDrain™ bends the rules and introduces new technology to old ideas.

What is the GrateDrain™?

The GrateDrain™ is a product introduced by Grate Products LLC in Westport, MA a little over 3 years ago. Its design is simple: A duel channel drain made out of extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC), its wide holes on both sides are punched, and the walls of the drain are .08in thick. It’s a robust, smooth, drain with antimicrobials built into the plastic to defend against iron bacteria infiltration.

GrateDrain™ is unique in that it contains a solid center support wall that not only serves a structural function but succeeds in helping to discourage cross contamination of water penetration from wall/footing joint to under your concrete floor. This also helps to isolate iron bacteria issues if they are present. Large punched holes allow for higher volume of water to enter the drain to be then directed to the sump pump area.

Punching the holes, rather than drilling them, leads to less snags not only while you’re installing the GrateDrain™, but allows for less to hold onto when we’re talking about clogs. If the pipe openings are smooth, the less debris and other objects tend to get caught. Stuck dirt only allows for more things to attach themselves to it, leading to build ups and eventual failure of the pipe.

The entire drain is customizable to the size required for the job. No longer would you have to deal in 7 foot lengths of prefabricated piping. If you need a 14’-5” piece, you build it, right then and there, leading to very little waste and a more manageable pitch to the drain. The drain connects to itself via access ports that are located along long stretches of drain and at the corners. These access ports allow the installer to maintain the drain over long periods of time and allow for better flow around corners through the continuous GrateDrain™.

For more information about GrateDrain™ Contractors in your area visit: http://www.grateproducts.com/

For Local Installers:
VT: Vermont Basement
MA/CT/RI: Pioneer Basement
NH: Rescon Solutions
NY: Kinetic Basement
PA (east): Tri-State Services Inc.
PA (west): Matthews Wall Anchor
MO: Missouri Basement: St.Louis Metro
NY: Crawford Basements (Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse)
Iowa: Basement Solutions of Iowa
VA: Virginia Basement Waterproofing
NJ: Select Basement Waterproofing, NJ
MD: Floodbusters Basement Waterproofing - Baltimore


Part 2 Continued @ http://http//www.pioneerbasement.com/forum/blog.php?b=14

7/18/2008

Basement Waterproofing in Pennsylvania (PA)

Finding quality basement waterproofing professionals in Pennsylvania is easier then you think. You might get bogged down by the number of results on Google or your local search directory, but there is one thing that search engine results won’t tell you: the quality that your project(s) will be.

Pennsylvania is a historic state, with historic houses, and sometimes basements that reflect their age. Basements come with leaks, cracks, foundation issues, all allowing water and insects into your space. The good thing is however, is that you can take care of all these problems with a local, trustworthy, and technologically advanced basement waterproofing company. Tri State Services Inc, (http://www.tristatebasementservices.com/) is a locally owned company which deals in crack repair and basement waterproofing. What better combination!?

Fixing the cracks adds stability back into your foundation. Waterproofing your space allows you block out water from entering your space without subjecting you to radon and insects.

Tri State Services is a health oriented Basement Waterproofing company that supplies its clients with quality sump pumps, vapor barriers, and duel channel closed system drain systems. Battery back ups can also be installed which can open you up to the world of power-outage protection. But it doesn’t end there.

Basement finishing is something that we can all use to expand our living space in this tight economy. Adding more bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, or storage areas can help you to stay on top of your growing needs. Finishing a basement space can ad value to your home as well as square footage.

Any foundation wall, any size project, no project to large or too small for Tri-State Service Inc. to handle.

Serving: Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania

Crack Repair, Backup Pumps, Sump Pumps, Basement Drainage, Basement Waterproofing, Basement Finishing: Provided by Tri-State Services.

Tri-State Services Inc. Pennsylvania (PA) 215-679-3550

A Basement is an important part of your home; it’s the groundwork for the rest of the house. A healthy basement can help you have a healthy home.

7/07/2008

Basement Waterproofing in New York (NY)

Finding quality basement waterproofing professionals is easier then you think. You might bogged down by the number of results on Google or your local search directory, but there’s one thing that these search engine results don’t tell you: the quality that your project will be.

In New York State you deal with many crawl spaces, concrete block foundations and to top things off, murky foundation building practices. With the failures of improper back fill, soil expansion, water saturation levels and mortar giving out from in-between your blocks, your basement is under constant bombardment when it comes to water trying to cut its way into your basement space.

Kinetic Basement Solutions (www.kineticbasement.com) is a local Grate Products authorized and trained installation company who prides itself on craftsmanship, customer satisfaction, and customer health.

New York is one of the oldest states in the United States, and with that come some of the oldest houses. People’s attitudes and attentions to their houses’ issues vary from decade to decade and from person to person. If you think you have a Basement Moisture problem and are in need of trained Basement Waterproofing Contractors, call Kinetic Basement Solutions.

Kinetic Basement Solutions, Inc: Clifton Park, NY: 518-605-4801

Located in the area of Round Lake, NY 12151

Specializing in Basement Waterproofing, Crack Repair, Sump Pumps, Basement Drainage, and Crawl Spaces.


Serving the New York Counties of: Saratoga, Malta, Schenectady, Albany, and Rensselar.


Your basement lends its air and moisture to the rest of the home. With Kinetic Basement you can treat your cracks, fix your leaks, and control the moisture from your basement or crawl space. You don’t have to live with puddles any more. Call Kinetic Basement today.