Egress Windows have come a long way, actually! Window Well Drains are done differently than in the past where they ran into clay lines outside. Nowadays, we install them with PVC and a 10 year warranty. Covers come with a Lifetime warranty, and the wells themselves are more robust than they were in the past. We've come a long way from people using pavers for window wells and the single-pane thin glass egress windows. With the new egress windows also being shatter-resistant, insulated, and easy to operate (they don't rust and get stuck like your old windows), they're better than they've ever been!

Hello! Unfortunately we are not in Mass. We'd suggest going online and finding the company with the most consistent reviews across Angie's, Yelp, BBB, and Google. Be sure to read the reviews!

H

Great question! You want to wait until the hydraulic cement completely dries to ensure the sealer sticks. You'll see the hydraulic cement go from a dark gray to a light gray color. If you want to speed up the process, you can put a torch on it to heat up the material after it is applied.

Hi There! The repairs are, to be sure, more than just the cost of a plate. There is extensive labor involved, and depending on the solution you need skilled expertise to do it correctly. We've had to fix a lot of DIY repairs. So be sure you get all your info together before attempting to do it yourself. It certainly is possible to DIY, but I think you'll see just how much work it is when you hit shovel to dirt.

Very close. Since the pipe is perforated all the way around, it doesn't have standing water. The water leaks through the perforations when the water level recedes down. Now, if the corrugated pipe was solid, you would be correct. This is why we don't recommend using corrugated piping for your gutter extensions or discharge lines.

It depends on the nature of the issue. The worse the issue, the larger the cost. The average settlement issues are in a range of $20-30k.

Good Question! Tie down straps are used mostly to prevent uplift from Hurricanes and Earthquakes. We are based in Chicagoland, so we do not tend to come across those situations very often and do not treat that kind of damage.

Good Question! As long as you seal around the hole, you should be good to go. A good caulking or silicone is good to seal it.

Thanks so much!

There is not much concern of dirt entering the system from underneath the pipe. The reason for this is the pipe is already laid in a bed of stone. The compacted dirt underneath the stone bed has very little chance of ever loosening up and coming up through the pipe. The same goes for the soil on the side. As water flows down, it will bring loose backfilled dirt and debris with it, hence needing landscape fabric on top to stop that soil from coming down with the water. Even with tamping the dirt down with machines, that dirt on top is looser and can be brough down with gravity in the water. Standard practice is to just use landscape fabric on top. The pipe itself has a sock (cloth filter) over it as well to help prevent the dirt from entering the system.

Great question! Yes, this can be used to fill in those cracks in the garage floor before you apply your rubber floor coating. Be sure you allow the hydraulic cement to fully dry before you apply the coating. The hydraulic cement will turn from a dark/moist color to a white/dry color.

Normal taglines are boring!! lol

Hello! if you're in Southern California, we would recommend Dalinghaus Construction.

@@Therealsealllc I'm in nor cal

@@mexican707 Unfortunately we don't have anyone up in Northern California we know. Best bet would be to compare reviews (be sure to read them too) and find the best consistent reputation.

Great question! If the interior wall you are referring to is the wall between the lower level of your basement and the higher split level, then it is possible for that to bow. It is uncommon, to be clear, because the forces are not as strong under the raised portion of your home. We'd love to come take a look at it if you're in the Chicagoland area. If not, maybe we can direct you towards a good company!

@Therealsealllc thanks so much! It's my parents' home in Northeast Ohio (Akron/Canton/Cleveland area). It's a load-bearing interior wall on the ground floor with sudden bowing of at least a few inches, very concerning. If there's a company you know and respect in their area, I'll pass that along to them.

@@daniellebuie8098 Try Jake at Summit Basement Company in Akron. Good company with a solid reputation.

@@Therealsealllc thanks so much!

@@daniellebuie8098 Happy to help!

Yes. Because we backfill right away, the foam board protects that wet seal while we back fill and it dries.

Great question! Both of them come with a Lifetime Warranty. That is because both methods work. The elastomeric (stretchy) properties of the tar allows it to flex during the heat/cold cycles, allowing the seal to stay in place. This method stops water from ever entering the crack. The epoxy method fills the crack with epoxy, eliminating the pathway for water to enter through the crack. Mainly, people choose between the two based on access. If there is a lot of stuff in the way on the inside, an exterior repair makes more sense. But as the epoxy is less expensive and carries the same warranty, that is the standard method for repairing cracks when you have the access from the inside. Hope this helps!

@@Therealsealllc Thanks for the reply!

@@sayless9937 Anytime!

It depends on the size of the area being leveled. Most projects are completed in under $1,500. If your whole driveway, patio, and sidewalk need lifting, that's another story and will need to be measured and quoted for the extra work.

Hi Lance! It may be possible, but it's hard to tell without knowing/seeing the situation. Deadman anchors do help to keep the wall from falling, but they need to be installed properly and with enough support for that wall.

Happy to help, thanks so much!

Typically pipes don't run very far underneath the ground. We call JULIE to locate any lines, and they are found while we do our work, as we must start at the bottom of the foundation. The main ones to worry about are sewer lines (which run right under the foundation or through it and easily identified and avoided), gas lines (usually not too far below the ground, so located and avoided), electrical (usually above ground, but below ground is located and avoided), and water lines (3' at least beneath the ground, but easily identified from location tags and where it comes in the home on the interior).

@@Therealsealllc Thanks...my question was less about concern for pipes underground (although that IS a factor to keep in mind) but rather when the house is releveled, do pipes running from the house need to be disconnected so that they do not break? For example, a pipe from the sewage in the house that then connects to a pipe running into the main sewage line that may move a bit during releveling.

@@sullyprudhomme Great question! Yes, depending on the area of lift and amount of lift, it may be necessary to disconnect the sewer line before lifting. Many times, it will have sunk down with the foundation, however, and lifts back up correctly. At that point, all you need to do is re-seal/connect the pipe on the outside.

Happy to help!!

Window Well Drains are typically under 1k, but the cost will vary a bit depending on where that drain is discharging. If there is a long run through drywall and studs to get around to a sump pit, that work will add to the cost.

Thank you!

The main risk is the drill bit hitting and going through the pipe. A skilled technician will know to stop the drilling once the concrete has been passed, and the risk there is minimized.

​@@Therealsealllc Ok, thanks. Is polyjacking better than mudjacking in terms of risk to pipes? I have a hard time thinking about how the forces involved could affect a pipe which may or may not be exposed in part or full.

@@TimothyOBrien6 Both services have risk of filling pipes, as they are filling voids and any break in a pipe exposes a large space. Solid pipes have little chance of being damaged with either service.

@@Therealsealllc thank you

@@TimothyOBrien6 Happy to help!

HAHA HAPPY TO HELP!!

Hi @elibrown7531! Epoxy injection is best done from the inside. With a finished basement, you can end up injecting epoxy into your home, which is not ideal. So while epoxy injection is the best solution from the interior, from the exterior the best solution is to clean the wall, use hydraulic cement over the crack, and then an elastomeric tar over that. A protective barrier like a plastic sheeting or a foam board is ideal as well to prevent the tar from being scraped off during back fill and compression of the dirt.

Those can be done as well. It all depends on the size of the structure that is being supported. The same spacing applies, unless the structure is 3 stories and taller, in which case the piers would need to be spaced closer to 3' apart.

Happy to help!

Hi Gonzo, thanks so much! The tar we use comes from a commercial supplier. There are numerous brands available in the big box stores. As long as it is a good product, the biggest thing to worry about is prepping the foundation properly. Be sure to dig to and clean off the footing. Scrape the whole area to get any dirt/dust/debris off the wall. Brush it clean. Then apply the hydraulic cement, seal with tar, and put the plastic sheeting over it. 10 mil can work, but you need to be careful because that thin of a membrane can tear with rocks and dirt as you tamp the dirt back into the hole. I'd recommend a bit thicker, at least 14 mil or a foam insulation board.

There are many ways to waterproof structures. We don't torch bitumen membranes, so wouldn't be the best people to ask about that process. Over our tar seal, we typically lay an thread-reinforced poly sheeting. We also will use insulation board. The main purpose is to protect the tar while backfilling.

The color of the tar matters little. What you need is an elastomeric (still a bit stretchy when dried) tar. Prepping the area properly is the most important step. So be sure to clean off the wall with a wire brush well and brush any dust/debris off and allow to dry before applying the tar.

Clearly you've never built a new house....

Hi There @Figs4Life! While I do not know your specific situation, as I have not seen it, I can offer some recommendations to help you make your decision. When it comes to waterproofing, insulation on the ceiling of your crawl space will not do very much. What it will do, though, is help keep the floors from being cold all the time. Cold crawl space air cools the 1st story floors, and the insulation will help prevent that. So if you have cold floors and want that fixed, ceiling insulation is the way to go. If not, don't worry about it. The windows can stay, but there isn't much use for them other than as an egress window. If they are too small to be egress windows, then you don't have much use for them in the crawl space. Extra windows means lower insulation value, which means higher utility bills. Is the house settling? Sloping floors in the home? The brick columns are an older construction method for homes, but if they're not moving, they don't need to be replaced. If they are moving, then it's time to consider replacement. As for the reviews of the company, be sure you read the reviews. Especially any complaints on the BBB and how they were handled by the company. That's the easiest way to see the customer service when things don't go perfectly. I hope this helps! Send me any more questions you may have!

@@Therealsealllc I appreciate your response, thank you. I have one more question Do I need a dehumidifier? One company said I don't need it the other company said I need it and a pump. The First company that said I don't need a dehumidifier nor a pump gave me an estimate of $21000 while the other company that said I need it including a pump gave me a quote of $17 500 How come the second company is cheaper ? Am I being ripped off? Micro space is about a 1000 square feet, They have to remove old insulation on the ceiling, level some areas in the crawl space, and take out some debris. The crow space height ranges from 3-5 feet

@@Therealsealllc Where are you guys located? Do you guys do jobs in Long Island New York?

@@Figs4Life Different companies surely charge different amounts. You do get different levels of service, warranties, etc. But there are most certainly times (especially in the busy season) that you will see some companies drastically raise prices to see what they can get. Best way to choose the right company is to compare (and read) the reviews across Yelp, BBB (especially to how they respond to the complaints), and Angies. Google reviews are too easy to fake, so I would not use those as a deciding factor. A dehumidifier is always a good idea, but not always necessary. Thinking of the long term health of the area, it would be best to get a dehumidifier. But again, I haven't seen your specific situation, so that is just general good advice. Does that all make sense?

@@Figs4Life I wish! We are in Chicagoland.

It includes the floors, as you want to create a protective barrier between the dirt/gravel floor and the rest of the space.

Hello! Unfortunately we cannot, but there are companies that do sell DIY kits so you can try it yourself. Some big box stores even carry some.

Hi John! Concrete lag anchors will work to secure your window well to the masonry wall. Just be sure to drill your holes in the mortar joints, as those blocks are hollow and won't hold the bolt. The Sika Flex you can use to seal between the well and the wall. Metal or hardware supply stores can get you a piece of metal for the cover.

Yes, but it depends on the tombstone. If it is a small traditional one, manually reinstalling the tombstone may be the best option. If the tombstone is larger, Polyjacking could help even it out and stabilize it.

Those are difficult, and usually requiring piering or deep soil injection to help stabilize.

Thank so much @lakenbanks9426!

You would need to get a sump pit installed. Alternatively, you could do it all outside and run it to a low spot in the yard. The problem with this is that the well depth is already so low, and with pitch of the pipe, you'll be digging a very deep trench.

Yes, it is definitely worth it and you should get a full perimeter system. With cinder block, it's only a matter of time before it leaks in other areas as well. A reputable company should install an Interior Drain Tile System with a Lifetime Warranty as well, alleviating any future concerns.

@@Therealsealllc Thanks for the quick response!! Would it be okay to do half now and half later? Also will it reduce pressure under the basement floor. I worry it will weaken my walls and have radon

@@keithschneider4483 You can do half now and half later, just be sure you pitch the Drain Tile correctly remember it won't stop water from coming through cracks in the floor until it's the full perimeter system.

You're very welcome!

Depending on your situation, that may be the best route. We pride ourselves on being transparent and up front about all costs and options so the homeowner can make an informed decision, without someone holding a pen in front of their nose.

Hahaha we do describe it that way!

Hi @spoken pearls! It can be complicated, but we make it easy! If you're interested in getting your retaining wall fixed, let us know!

Hi @taniat3412 did you find anyone?

Hi @taniat3412! So at 3" you are still able to support the wall with Carbon Fiber. However, if it is not addressed immediately and gets beyond 3", you will need to push the wall back. I recommend getting a qualified contractor out there asap to address the issue. We unfortunately do not have any recommendations in the STL area. I would recommend you going to Yelp, Angie's, BBB, and Google, read the reviews, and choose the most consistently reputable and responsive company.

@@Therealsealllc Thank you. I got a quote for a company that wants to install 7 steel piers on the back and left side. total cost 12,500 does that seem reasonable? the length of that section to be repaired is 12' of wall 8' high.

@@2shay74 That seems like a lot of piers for a 12' section. But you may need to stabilize further than the 3" side that is tipping outward. As far as the price, that's a good price for steel piers. Be sure you get at least 2 other quotes so you have a good idea of the exact fix you need and get a decent company.

@@Therealsealllc Thank you and I did get a guy to come out, it isn't even my basement wall, my sill is completely rotted and all the wood behind my siding is pushing my siding outward making it look like my wall did it. After I fix all this mess I am still going to monitor my wall with measuring just to be sure. Thank you again

Hi @darrianlittle2272! We highly recommend against you tightening the plates yourself. Some companies make plans for customers to tighten their own plates and pull the wall back themselves, but it does not work. Most of the time, the customer overtightens the bolts, breaking the wall or damaging the supports. To properly push back a foundation wall, you must dig a trench outside next to the wall to relieve the pressure and allow space for the wall to move. Otherwise, you're trying to pull the wall against compressed dirt, which is not going to move.

We used lifting cylinders off of Helical Piers to lift the foundation at the same time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJKmlaSJr7Ccr7Msi=6XPjSfc1tfJR6yY1