DIY Home Improvement Tips » Basements

Pipes Freezing – Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:17:09 +0000

As winter approaches on chore to make sure we do is to take steps to avoid having your pipes freezing in the colder nights. A frozen pipe isn’t itself a problem. After all, copper pipes can get to temperatures far below the freezing point of water without cracking. But too often it is accompanied by an ice blockage inside the pipe. That can lead to a pressure build up that ultimately bursts the pipe. Not only do you lose the ability to get water from the faucet, but now have the larger problem of clean up and repair.

In many homes, the odds of a burst pipe in winter from low temperatures are very low. But others have exposed pipes in crawlspaces or elsewhere. It takes only a modest opening around the base of the house to let in winds that can chill pipes to sub-freezing temperatures.

Concrete Floor Finishes – A Look at Basement Flooring Options

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:46:43 +0000

There are quite a few different options for concrete floor finishes. Concrete flooring is a traditional option in basements. It may have been an extension of the original foundation, or poured because it provides an ultra-durable surface for a basement laundry room, kids playroom or other use. But concrete flooring has come out of hiding, and not only because it wears like, well, concrete. This makes it a great option for your basement flooring.

Concrete floors can be finished with an extremely smooth, polished surface. Since they stand up to just about anything, they’re great for areas that track in snow, mud, sand and other outdoor materials. But they can also be highly attractive.

Sump Pump Repair – First Steps for DIY Sump Pump Repair

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:49:28 +0000

When a sump pump goes out, you usually don’t have a lot of time to react. So it’s good to have a list of things to check quickly on your own before you call someone to help with the repair. This article lists a few first steps to take to get that sump pump going again.