What does Iron Bacteria look like?

Iron Bacteria isn’t something that we see on an every day basis. Many people who have read this blog and others like it are curious to see what Iron Bacteria looks like. So I went on a hunt, even borrowing pictures from blog friends of mine such as Steve Andras and from sites like http://www.homebasementfinishing.com/ to try to bring you a realistic collection of images of Iron Bacteria.

I don’t want to paint too much of a biased picture of Iron Bacteria. It can be some rather nasty stuff dependant on the soil content and the moisture content where you are

As I've said countless times, Iron Bacteria isn't harmful to humans. It might smell slightly odd, clog pipes and indicate a high level of minerals in the area that could be harmful... but the bacteria itself isn't harmful.



Related Reading and Links

Read about the Top 6 Basement Mistakes that contractors and homeowners make.

Ask Pioneer Basement a question Directly on Pioneer Basement's Help Forums!

Do you need to get your basement storm ready?

If you have a waterproofing system, thinking about getting one or just need something to give you a little bit of an edge in the next big storm, consider investing in a Battery Back-Up Sump Pump.

Battery Back-Up Sump Pumps are not just batteries that can be connected to an existing pump. They are typically whole separate units that require separate discharge lines as well. The higher quality units will also give you an alternator box to help recharge these batteries using AC power.

The nice thing is that these pumps don’t just come in handy during a power outage. They can be tailored to help out in any situation, using AC power or battery power. By simply placing the switch at a level that allows for the Battery Back up to kick in at a particular water level under your basement floor, you’ll set yourself up to add in pump redundancy. If the normal pump can’t handle the flow, the battery back up will turn on and jump in to “lend a hand.” BBU Sump pumps are essentially adding another two pumps to your line of defense against basement flooding. 1 pump that works when the power is on and another pump that works when the power is off.

With the massive storms blowing through over the next few weeks because of Hurricane season don’t forget to have a solid waterproofing company in your phone book in case you need an emergency pump out.

One such company is Pioneer Basement. Serving as far west in Massachusetts as Berkshire county, as far west in Connecticut as Hartford, all the way to the shore lines of southern Rhode Island, and well back up into Boston.

If you need an emergency pump out, if you want to stop the water from ever coming in again after this big storm, or you just want to get pumps to keep you well defended, get in touch with Pioneer Basement: the Basement Experts.

How safe are Battery Back ups for Sump Pumps?

The right word is Extremely.

Battery back ups are low maintenance, encased in waterproof covers, usually accompanied with user control panels to monitor battery power levels and functionality.

Not all sump pumps can be powered by battery. Many companies supply sump pumps that are already designed to be powered by battery power. These would be the first option to a battery-back up sump pump system. Some are strong enough even to take over for the primary A/C power pump you have installed.

There are quite a few battery-back up sump pumps on the market. However, there are only some that are as versatile, strong, and rugged as the PHC-2400 Pro-Series Battery Back-Up pumps from Glentronics. Pioneer Basement has often supported the need for a battery back up. In New England Nor’easter storms, hurricanes, and heavy rain in spring and fall can, and often do, cause power outages.

By having 2 incased batteries supplying your sump pump with power; you give yourself an extra 18 hours of fighting chance to keep your basement dry under the worst of conditions.

There has been no record, that I have access to, of any major injuries with any battery back up system.

As with anything, there is some simple safety tips to familiarize yourself with if you choose to have a battery-back up sump pump system installed:

* Know when it needs to be maintained.
* If it’s refilled, what does it need, how do you do it, and what safety protection do you need.

As with any battery, use common sense. Don’t handle the battery out of the case with bare hands. Don’t open the battery to do any refueling unless you have gloves and eye goggles on. Don’t slam the battery down on the floor because that could render it useless by shaking the plates inside the battery.

If you have any questions about having a battery-back up sump pump system installed, contact your local GrateProducts Contractor in your area to ask how you can have a Basement Inspection at your home and find out which style battery back up sump pump is right for you and your basement’s protection needs.

How Does Iron Bacteria Work

Iron Bacteria is a living organism that feeds off of iron and manganese in water. It requires all three of these food sources to function.

Currently there is little being studied about how Iron Bacteria exist. They typically propagate in iron rich areas with high moisture. As a bacterium they are harmless to humans however people have recently began becoming frustrated with Iron Bacteria as it clogs pipes and basement drainage systems.

Very few companies are doing anything about Iron Bacteria. However, GrateProducts in Westport MA has officially put anti-microbial in all of its drainage system. What the anti-microbial do is to help the limit the “stickiness” of the bacteria to the surface of the drains, ports, sump pump basins and the like.

By maintaining yearly maintenance of your basement waterproofing system you can hold off infestations of Iron Bacteria, keep your drains clear, and allow a naturally occurring organism to live with out interfering with your daily life.

Canada, Quebec in particular, are having similar problems with the way that Iron Bacteria/ Iron Ochre reproduces and populates in an area. They're proposed very radical solutions.
Full ACAIQ article and Pioneer Basement's Responce to Iron Bacteria.

Where I get my Drive.

Often people ask me why I'm so obsessed with basements and home improvement. I do work for Pioneer Basement (if you haven't already guessed from my endless ranting about how amazing we are:-) )

Steve Andres recently wrote a piece stating in the hopes of getting accross how important actually addressing the basement is.

He's the inspiration for the majority of my writing and research. In time I also hope to be an internet version of him, spreading the word and pressing the basement waterproofing industry to change, the technology to grow and change, for the minds of millions of people to finally see that by changing the environment in their basement they can drastically affect the living standard that they want to improve.

My other blogs on various networks are listed, as well as Steve's small collection. Out hope is really to educate you to understanding how important your basement is to the total health of your home. Education is the first step towards changing your reality.

Backup sump pumps that do not waste drinking water

The best way to protect a basement from flooding during an emergency is to install a battery backup sump pump. These systems can provide days of pumping when the power is out or the primary sump pump fails. Battery backup sump pumps include a separate pump and a powerful battery that is connected together with a monitoring controller.

Plumbing contractors offer the industrial grade version of these sump pumps under the PHCC Pro Series Brand. Product information and a listing of factory authorized installing contractors is available at www.stopflooding.com

For the Do It Yourself homeowner there is the Basement Watchdog brand of energy saving sump pump. Details on this brand and a list of stocking retailers is available at www.basementwatchdog.com

There are also backup sump pumps that actually use the power of your fresh running water from a faucet. The fresh water sucks up soiled sump water and dumps it outside of the building. Unfortunately this wastes huge amounts of valuable fresh drinking water that is needed to sustain us. As we have all witnessed in the summer months, we are restricted or prohibited from watering our gardens and lawns because there is a shortage of fresh water. Some areas have had to ration water just to provide basic service. This is the same fresh water that we are allowing to be used in backup sump pumps when the proven technology of battery backup sump pumps is available. A back-flow valve is required on water powered pumps to prevent the sump water from flowing back into the fresh water supply. If a valve is not installed properly the polluted sump water can contaminate your drinking water as well as the rest of your neighborhood. For this reason a licensed plumber is required to install these pumps properly.
-----------------------------------
above contributed by Glentronics.

It for these reasons, and many others, why Pioneer Basement and the Pioneer Home Basement Finishing Network don’t install drinking water use sump pumps. Our Waterproofing Experts only use the PHCC Pro Series Brand, which doesn’t use drinking water. We do this because we’re concerned about the health and safety of our nation’s people.

Additional Reading:
Sump Pumps: Going Green is the Standard; DIYGUYCT.blogspot.com
Why you need a battery backup sump pump: Glentronics.com

Standing water in Basements: What should I do?

Standing water is a common term for any body of water that is at rest on any surface. Commonly seen on the floor of basements (since that’s the lowest point in many homes), this is a clear indicator of flooding, leaks, or pipe damage.

If the level of water is unsafe and possibly coming into contact with electrical outlets DO NOT attempt to come in contact with this water. At this point it would be to your benefit to call your local Emergency Clean up professionals and ask them about the course of action that you should take.

If met with a small puddle or a small leak, this is something that many people can handle. Blotting (with sponge and bucket) can help you to get up the majority, if not all, of the water. Make sure to move any of the objects that were affected by this puddle away to a safe, dry place to evenly dry out. Do not place objects with die such as books, magazines, oriental rugs, or clothing on wall-to-wall carpeting to dry as this will typically end in staining. If the damage feels like it’s more than you can handle call your area Emergency Clean up Professionals.

As I mentioned before, standing water is normally a result of some sort of flooding, leak or pipe burst. Have an inspection done by a basement specialist to determine the entry point of the water. From here you can properly fix and clean your situation.

Updating copper piping for plumbing fixtures to PAX, patching or hydro-sealing cracks in the foundation, and waterproofing the basement can help to protect your space in the future. Water coming from the outside through your sill plate and over your foundation walls is typically caused by major disasters and or improper land gradation near your foundation. All soil around your house should be no higher than 6”-12” from the top of your foundation.

When major disasters occur such as flash flooding, hurricanes, typhoons or other acts of nature much of the flooding get in touch with your town or state to see what the plan is for emergency action in your area. Always make sure to follow the instructions provided to you and always keep your safety in mind

Do you need to get your Basement storm ready?

If you have a waterproofing system, thinking about getting one or just need something to give you a little bit of an edge in the next big storm, consider investing in a Battery Back-Up Sump Pump.

Battery Back-Up Sump Pumps are not just batteries that can be connected to an existing pump. They are typically whole separate units that require separate discharge lines as well. The higher quality units will also give you an alternator box to help recharge these batteries using AC power.

The nice thing is that these pumps don’t just come in handy during a power outage. They can be tailored to help out in any situation, using AC power or battery power. By simply placing the switch at a level that allows for the Battery Back up to kick in at a particular water level under your basement floor, you’ll set yourself up to add in pump redundancy. If the normal pump can’t handle the flow, the battery back up will turn on and jump in to “lend a hand.” BBU Sump pumps are essentially adding another two pumps to your line of defense against basement flooding. 1 pump that works when the power is on and another pump that works when the power is off.

With the massive storms blowing through over the next few weeks because of Hurricane season don’t forget to have a solid waterproofing company in your phone book in case you need an emergency pump out.

One such company is Pioneer Basement. Serving as far west in Massachusetts as Berkshire county, as far west in Connecticut as Hartford, all the way to the shore lines of southern Rhode Island, and well back up into Boston.

If you need an emergency pump out, if you want to stop the water from ever coming in again after this big storm, or you just want to get pumps to keep you well defended, get in touch with Pioneer Basement: the Basement Experts.

1-800-649-6140

The Dry Harp Spokeswomen; Thankful Letter to Pioneer Basement

June 6th, 2008

Dear Steve,

I would've emailed you, but I don't have your personal email address.

Anyway, I'm getting lots of amusing calls. Apparently "our" commercial is on again. One of my adult beginning harp students said, "I heard your voice on the radio, and I fully expected you to say, 'Keep your thumbs up,' but instead you were selling basements!"

A former friend from over 25 years ago heard the ad and through the grapevine got my phone number; so we've reconnected.

One of my orchestra managers called to let me know I could leave my harp at the concert hall overnight. He asked, "And is this the harp that never gets wet?"

I've enjoyed all the funny reactions. I hope you got some business out of it. I keep singing your praises to everyone.

So Again, I would be happy to do another ad with you. I would even bring my harp to the WBZ studio and play a few bars of "Singin' in the Rain” (your theme song when we call you and are put on-hold). Then I could say, "This is the famous harp that never got wet!" and/or whatever else you'd like me to say.

I still am thrilled about my dry basement. You did the work more than 2 years ago, and I haven't had a single drop of water down there - ever - during heavy rain downpours or snowstorms with the snow melting. I used to be afraid to go down there because I didn't know what I would see - puddles, a flood, all my books ruined, whatever - but now I skip down the cellar stairs with confidence, knowing my basement will be dry as a bone.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Best Wishes,
Judy R.

Mold and Mildew in Basements

What is mold?
Mold, or mildew, is a type of fungus that can cause a stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing or skin irritation in those sensitive to them. These annoying growths affect people with asthma, allergies and other breathing challenges. It’s easy to detect both mold and mildew. The decomposition of organic material caused by the growth of mold creates a ‘musty’ smell. The only effective way to control mold is to control moisture. A dry basement is free of mold and mildew.

Effects of Mold
Excessive exposure to some types of mold can cause, or worsen, conditions such as asthma, hay fever, and or other allergies. Depending on the amount of exposure, more serious health effects such as fevers and breathing problems can occur.

Prevent Mold Growth
The only effective way to control mold is to control moisture. Mold resistant material is effective only when use in conjunction with proper moisture control.
What you can’t see….

Basements with any degree (typically 50% Realitive Humidity or higher) of humidity or water are responsible for an unpleasant odor that sometimes proves to be a health hazard for anyone with allergies or a sensitive respiratory system. Undetected moisture and water, perhaps behind a basement finished wall, can create an environment for mold and mildew to grow.

You don’t need a flood to have major problems in your basement.
Undetected leaks can create an environment for mold to grow. Moisture and water, perhaps behind a basement finished wall, can create an environment for mold and mildew to grow. The best and most cost effective strategy to managing the growth of mold and mildew is to prevent the intrusion of water.

Whatever the amount of use your basement gets, it should not be a place that makes you sick. Air quality problems exist in homes of any age and can be caused by flooding or a simple excess of moisture or water entering through the foundation.

Basement finishing is a fun idea that many of us today wish that we could do. Don't neglect your basement preparation step before you finish. Take care of your moisture, mold and air quality before you finish. Otherwise you'll be sitting in your mistake. The last thing that I'd ever want to see would be someone who was in love with their space having to watch it come down due to "jumping the gun" early on in the project.

www.homebasementfinishing.com for more information on preparation, finishing and other healthy pre-finishing ideas for your basement space.