That’s the facts and statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. House fires are incredibly dangerous and can be fatal for any occupants involved, which is why it is so important to take safety precautions. That’s where Mar-flex CEO Brett Oakley comes in.

In 1984, while fighting a routine house fire, the Mar-flex CEO, then a volunteer fireman, fell through the floor and landed in the basement of a burning home. He quickly realized there was no way out, and this changed his life. As a 20 year veteran, he was able to escape the home successfully, but he began to wonder if everyone else could.

That’s why Mar-flex began producing an economical solution in the form of egress window wells. Egress window wells allow more natural light and fresh air into your basement than regular windows, while at the same time offering any occupant of the home a safe exit in case of emergencies. All Mar-flex egress windows are manufactured from high quality plastics and not metals, so they won’t rust or dent. Mar-flex offers window wells in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns. Browse our selection today! Remember, installing egress windows is paramount to the safety of occupants within your structure.

This material gives your walls protection from leaks, and is most used on basement walls. Its also something that can be added to newly poured concrete, and can even be used to adhere older concrete to newer concrete. Unfortunately, installation can be a hassle. You are going to have to add water to the mixture often so that is doesn’t dry out. It even heats up when mixed with water, which can be a distraction.

Basically, crystalline waterproofing products have the ability to prevent any leakage from your concrete walls but it can be a hassle to install. However, once you install it, you’ll find it is well worth the trouble.

Following these easy instructions will allow to do the job right. Basement waterproof paint will protect your basement from moisture penetration, and a fresh coat of paint will definitely spruce up those walls!

Why do we recommend concrete control joints on every structure? Its because concrete, like many other construction materials, expands and contracts with moisture and temperature changes, and these are referred to as volume changes. This change produces cracks in hardened concrete, unless properly controlled. The best provision to take against this problem is to install concrete control joints at predetermined locations, preventing crack-producing stress forces.

The Mar-flex Control Joint System is designed to ensure optimum protection, with a watertight outside control joint which is created when filled with Mar-flex Waterstop Elastomeric Sealant and protected by Mar-flex Fiberglass Reinforcement. Basement require foundation walls that are watertight and waterproofed. Our system provides an economical, easy to use system for eliminating these cracks, which are unavoidable, uncontrollable, unsightly, and will leak water if not properly planned for ahead of time with control joints. Check out our selection of control joints today, or browse our catalog to see our full line of products.

The first step is to control the level of moisture in your basement. If you suspect mold, you need to find anything that could be causing moisture to form or pool in the basement area. Be sure to check any carpeting and perimeter walls and if you find any areas of moisture penetration, you must deal with them properly to prevent mold from returning.

If you have basement windows, you can open them to increase air circulation. If you don’t have any basement windows, the use of an air-conditioner or dehumidifier should help dry the area out. Portable units are available for jobs that don’t require the installation of a permanent unit.

The most common place where you can find mold on your ceiling is underneath any area where water is frequently used in the house above. If you have problems with leaking appliances or busted pipes, be sure to check your ceiling for mold. If its possible you should check or replace any insulation materials in the floor and ceiling cavity, because leaving them damp will encourage mold growth. Mold typically begins growing within 48 hours of moisture saturation, but if it is in the floor or ceiling cavity you may not notice it for a long time. Install exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen to cut down on the moisture that remains in those rooms.

You can find humidity monitors at your local hardware store, and these you can install in your basement to monitor ambient moisture. The humidity level should be below 60 percent to prevent mold from growing.

If the ceiling of your basement is at ground level, then other factors could be leading to mold growth, such as standing water around the perimeter. All downspouts and  gutters need to be in good condition, and they should expel water into a drain and not the soil around your home. If you have a driveway or concrete slab at the side of your home, you should ensure it has a slight slope (at least 1 inch for every 10 feet of width) so that rainfall will run away from the walls rather than being encouraged to pool there.

Finally, you should insulate any pipes that run across your basement ceiling, preventing condensation from forming on them during the summer months. Also, check around the point where the pipe enters the basement from above for signs of mold.

SurfiSeal even protects against stains on your concrete. SurfiSeal prevents oil stains on driveways and garage floors, rust stains from aging patio furniture, and stops black and green mold stains. Our product will add years of life to any poured concrete job – and Mar-flex always guarantees quality, durability, and performance with each of our products.

Before tackling this job, make sure the floor is swept clean and vacuumed of loose debris. It is especially important to clean the damaged area thoroughly, because dust and loose debris will prevent repair materials from properly bonding to the concrete floor.

Your next step, depending on the type and extent of the damage, is selecting and applying the proper material. An epoxy based filler is the product of choice to repair noticeable cracks in your floor. These products can be easily applied with a caulking gun and are ideal for cracks since they are versatile and able to compensate for expansion and contraction in concrete. For depressions and pit marks, concrete filler products are the best choice. Simply follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions and apply the material with a floor trowel. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the drying time of the product. Garage floor repair has become a simple DIY task with the products available, so don’t worry when you find these cracks.