B.K. Roofing & Remodeling

Few things are as devastating to a home as water damage, which can quickly contaminate and destroy furniture, belongings and appliances as well as compromising the structure of the building. Here are the most common causes of water damage and flooding in the home, from our basement waterproofing team in Monmouth County, NJ. Burst or leaking pipes:  Over time, water pipes can rust and become damaged, especially if they are poorly insulated from the heat and cold. A slowly leaking pipe can lead to wall and flooring damage as well as mold growth, while a burst pipe can quickly flood a house. If you see damp, have a musty smell in your home or notice an unexplained increase in your water bill, it’s best to call in a leak detection team quickly. Household appliances:  Washing machines, refrigerators, hot water tanks and dishwashers are all connected to the water supply – and these connections can sometimes fail. This may be due to a poor installation, wear-and-tear on particul...

Window wells are a great aesthetic touch that add curb appeal to your home, but they can lead to moisture issues and water damage. Here’s why window well covers are the ideal investment, from our basement waterproofing team in Morris County, NJ. They Improve Energy Efficiency  Basement windows are one of the leading causes behind water leaks and drafts into your home. This means that in winter your home’s heating systems are going to have to work overtime to keep the cold air out – while in summer, your AC will work overtime to keep your home cool. A window well will improve insulation as well as protect your basement from the heat of direct sunshine, reducing energy costs. They Help Prevent Basement Flooding  Window well covers are designed to be leak-proof, effectively preventing rain and flood water from making its way into your basement through the windows, a common issue in NJ homes. Regardless of how big of a storm is raging outside, your basement is kept warm ...

In New Jersey, the summer months mean days by the pool, BBQs with friends and, unfortunately, humidity! Here’s how to keep your home comfortable, cool and humidity-free this summer, from our  basement waterproofing team in Essex County , NJ. Use your AC unit:  Set your air conditioning system fan to “automatic” not “on”, as this can actually increase the humidity in your home by blowing air over a wet AC coil when the condenser cycles off. Don’t lower the thermostat as this just overworks your unit and won’t cool your home faster. Increase ventilation:  This prevents moisture from getting trapped inside your home. Think about installing ventilation fans in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room and running them throughout the day. Install crawlspace vapor barriers:  These will prevent moisture from seeping into your home through the soil into your crawlspace. This can be combined with cross ventilation in the crawlspace itself, which will help push moist a...

If you have a basement and live in the tristate area, chances are that storm season is one of your biggest concerns. Here are some tips for what to do if your basement floods, from our  basement waterproofing team in Staten Island , NY. Avoid electrocution:  Do not under any circumstances step into a flooded basement if water could be in contact with electrical cords, outlets or appliances. Switch off the power at your mains breaker but only if it is dry and you are not standing in water. Let your sump pump work:  If your sump pump is in working condition and has power, stay out of the basement until it has removed as much water as possible. Make sure that the outlet is pumping water well away from your home, preferably into the road where it can be released into a storm drain. If the ground outside your home is very wet and you pump more water out into it, you run the risk of increasing the pressure against your basement walls, which can cause damage or a collaps...

The tristate area is known for its potentially devastating storms and hurricanes, so it’s vital that every homeowner is properly prepared each storm season. Here are some tips from the specialists in  basement repair in Rockland County, NY . Your Home Kit Each home needs an emergency preparedness kit that includes: A battery-powered flashlight with fresh batteries (including additional sets of batteries). A battery-powered radio so that you can hear the latest weather alerts even if there are power outages. Candles and matches or battery-powered lamps. Blankets. Non-perishable food and bottled water. A first aid kit. Before Storm Season Have your sump pump serviced. Clear away tree branches and shrubbery close to the roof and gutters. Check and repair your storm shutters/panels. In the Event of an Approaching Storm Tie down or store loose outdoor objects including furniture, awnings, grills and gardening equipment. Prepare your storm shutters/panels. T...

Standing water and leaks are a regular occurrence in homes in the tristate area, but these issues more than just an inconvenience. It can lead to severe health hazards including toxic mold in your home, as well as causing structural damage that can cost thousands to repair. Sump pump installation is an effective way to keep your home’s basement safe and dry, even in storm season. Here are some tips for choosing the correct sump pump for your home, from the specialists in  basement waterproofing in Bergen County, NJ . Primary Sump Pumps This is the main sump pump that will work to remove water from your basement. They come in two types – a submersible sump pump that sits underwater in the pump basin itself, and a pedestal pump that sits halfway into the basin with the pump base submerged. The pedestal pump is generally the best option for homes with a small basin. Battery Backup Sump Pumps Sump pumps use electricity from your home’s supply to pump water, which can be a ...

No one wants to find mold in their home, but when you do it’s important to call your local professionals – our basement waterproofing team in Monmouth County, NJ. Here’s how the mold remediation process works. Step One – Find the Leak  Mold needs moisture to survive and a leak is the most likely cause behind your problem. If the leak isn’t found and repaired professionally, the mold is simply going to grow back. Common causes for leaks include hydrostatic pressure in your basement (water leaking in from the ground against the basement walls or foundation, or leaky pipes. With the right equipment and experience, the source can be quickly found, and a lasting solution applied. Step Two – Evaluate the Mold This step involves determining what type of mold is in your home and the extent of the problem. It may look like it’s in a single area, but it can quickly spread to other parts of your home, including HVAC ducts, crawlspaces, bathrooms and behind cupboards. This is esse...

Effective waterproofing is essential for every home, ensuring your house is a dry, warm and structurally sound environment. If your home is vulnerable to flooding, it’s a good idea to invest in a drainage system. Here’s some insight into interior and exterior drainage systems from our basement waterproofing team in Morris County, NJ. The Installation Process  Exterior drainage systems are installed by selecting the most effective site and clearing away plants, rocks or other obstacles so that the earth can be dug up. This may be a fairly messy process, but a good team will ensure that damage to your yard is minimized where possible and that the resulting drain is neatly installed. For interior drains, a strip of your foundation will have to be removed using jackhammers and the drain will be installed over a layer of stone. Again, it’s important to have this done by professionals so that the drain is effective and causes minimal damage to your foundation. Within a day or ...

It’s not often that a homeowner has to work with basement waterproofing companies, so when you do, you might feel a little out of your depth. Unqualified companies do exist and hiring one by mistake can lead to serious damage to your property and to your wallet. Here’s some advice to help you find a quality contractor, from our  basement waterproofing team in Essex County, NJ . Insured and bonded:  Make sure that the waterproofing companies you are getting estimates from are fully licensed, bonded and insured to perform these services in your state. This is essential to ensure that warranties are kept intact for any equipment you may need installed and to cover you and the company in the event of unforeseen circumstances disrupting the project. The company history:  Be sure that you know the history of the company you are thinking of hiring – are they an established local company who’s been in the business for decades? This is a good indicator of the quality of th...

It’s common to find cracks in basements and foundation floors in home in the tri-state area. Here’s what you need to know about repairing these problems – including what does and doesn’t work – from our  basement waterproofing team in Staten Island, NY . Ignoring Basement and Foundation Cracks It’s actually very common for people to see a crack in their foundation or basement wall and simply ignore it. The problem is that these cracks can lead to a number of serious issues in terms of leaks (and the mold that results) to structural concerns. Your home is your biggest asset and investment, and the reality is that most basement repair jobs are quick, easy and affordable when done by a professional. Having them addressed early on and by a professional is essential, as they can identify the underlying issues and offer an effective fix before it becomes more severe – and more expensive – to deal with. Concrete Patching There are many over-the-counter basement waterproofing ...

All mold needs to grow is a warm, dark space and moisture – making our homes the ideal environment for it to thrive. There’s lots of misinformation about mold out there, so our specialists in  basement waterproofing in Rockland County NY  would like to share some helpful advice! Myth Number 1: Mold testing is necessary:  The only test you need for mold is the one where you find out that your home is infested! While some molds are more dangerous than others, they all need to be removed as quickly and thoroughly as possible, so knowing the exact type isn’t that important. What’s important is acting quickly and calling in the professionals. Myth Number 2: You can clean it up yourself with bleach:  Cleaning mold up yourself can leave you dangerously exposed to toxic spores, with no guarantee that you’ve really gotten rid of it. While bleach is an effective cleaner, it’s hard on your lungs, damages materials, and doesn’t completely remove the mold. For a long-ter...

Basement cracks can appear for a number of reasons and, regardless of which foundation repair method you choose, it’s essential to correct the underlying problems that are putting your home’s structure at risk. Here’s some insight into different repair solutions from the specialists in  basement repair Bergen County NJ. Push piers:  These are round, steel tubes that can be installed under your foundation and are typically used if a home’s foundation is sinking. They’re placed deep enough beneath the foundation that they hit solid bedrock, lifting your home into a stable position at its original level. Wall anchors: If your basement walls are cracking and buckling, you may require wall anchors as a solution. These are strong steel plates that are attached to your basement wall and connected to a rod and anchor system. This will pull your walls out to their correct, original position, and then support them to provide additional stability. Interior and exterior waterpro...

It’s the New Year and everyone’s gearing up for a fresh start, so why not make your home part of your resolutions for 2019? Here are some great ideas from the specialists in  basement waterproofing . A finished basement:  There’s no easier or more affordable way to add value and square footage to your home than by finishing your basement. It’s such a versatile space too, so you can really get creative. Some great ideas include a home office, laundry room, media room, a flat for additional income or even a home wine cellar. Every successful basement remodel starts with a warm, dry, structurally sound space, so be sure to have it fully evaluated and waterproofed to prevent leaks, mold and musty smells. An outdoor kitchen:  It may be the middle of winter but there’s no better way to lift your spirits than planning for the summer! A proper outdoor kitchen is a fantastic entertainment space for the warmer months and is the ideal choice for families who love to BBQ. Gr...