Training for Realtors about Dry Basement Science in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Introduction

-Terms of the Trade

-You Breath Basement Air

-Moisture Causes Mold

-Negative Effects of a Wet Basement

-Buyers Expect a Dry Basement

Why Basements Leak

-Homes Build for Failure

-Footing Drains

-Wall Coatings

-Foundation Soil Settling

-Gutters and Downspouts

-Hydrostatic Pressure

Options to Fix a Wet Basement

-Foundation Types

-Exterior Excavation

-Interior Footing Drains

-Next to the Footing/ On the Footing Debate

-Accepting Water from the Walls

-Monolithic Foundations

-Filter Fabrics

-Doorways to Outside

Breakout Session

Sump Pumps

-Pumps and Switches

-Sump Liners

-Air-tight Lids and Alarms

-Elevating the Pump

-Floor Drains

-Battery Back-up Pumps

-Generators

-Triple Pump Protection

-Freezing Discharge lines

Basement Wall Solutions

-Wall Coatings

-Waterproof Wall Panels

-Thermal Wall Systems

-Vapor Barriers

-Efflorescence

-Will Mold Grow Behind a Vapor Barrier?

Basement Floors

-Water Vapor coming up through the Floor

-Organic Materials in the Basement

-Carpeting on a Basement Floor

-Ceiling Height Issues

-Floor Coatings

Humidity

-Controlling Humidity

-Dehumidification

-Open Sump Pits

-Basement Odors are Mold

-Damp Air Costs More to Cool

-Keep Basement Windows Closed

Foundation Wall Cracks

-Wall Movement

-Fixing Wall Cracks

-Sealing, Patching, or Draining

-Vapor Barriers

Domestic Water Protection

-Hot Water Tanks

-Washing Machines

-Plumbing Leaks

Group Activity

Closing/Q&A