Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in IL

Woods Basement Systems Technician Nominated for Jeff Bell Customer Service Award

Tue, May 15 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Peoria, IL — Woods Basement Systems, Inc. is proud to recognize Service Technician Garth Weihl as a nominee for this year's Jeff Bell Customer Service Award. The Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois established the Jeff Bell Customer Service Award in honor of Jeff "Bubba" Bell of Coleman Printing, who passed away in October 2006 after serving the business community for twenty-four years "with excellence and commitment to his customers."

Garth takes great care to provide homeowners with the absolute best in quality customer service every day. Therefore, he attempts to give the most complete, prompt, and expert service possible. Woods Basement Systems is pleased to have the opportunity to honor Garth for his outstanding commitment to customer service at The Annual BBB Torch Award Dinner held May 15, 2012 at the Gateway Building on the Riverfront in Peoria, Illinois.

2012 Torch Award winners will also be announced at the dinner. Woods Basement Systems was the first member of the Central Illinois Better Business Bureau to be awarded the Torch Award for Business Integrity three times.

Woods Basement Systems Nominated for the Better Business Bureau Torch Award

Thu, April 26 2012, 00:00:00 -500

St. Louis, MO — Thanks to anonymous submissions to the St. Louis Better Business Bureau by satisfied customers, Woods Basement Systems, Inc. has been nominated for the 2012 BBB Torch Award.

Woods Basement Systems recently received a letter from the Better Business Bureau, congratulating the company on the nomination.

"We are pleased that your company," the letter reads, "by practicing ethical business and outstanding customer relations, shares the BBB mission to help make the region 'a better place to do business by encouraging positive, ethical business practices.'"

This is not the first time Woods Basement Systems has been nominated for business integrity and outstanding customer service. Woods celebrates being the first member of the Central Illinois Better Business Bureau to be awarded the BBB Torch Award for Business Integrity three times (2005, 2008, and 2010).

Most recently, Woods Basement Systems was awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Foundation Supportworks also awarded Woods Basement Systems the Foundation Supportworks Integrity Award in 2011 for conducting quality business-to-business and customer service with the utmost integrity.

Woods Basement Systems' mission is "to be the industry leader offering our customers the best, most up-to-date products to fit our customers' needs and back those products with the best possible service available."

Serving Greater St. Louis since 1986, Woods Basement Systems is one of the largest basement waterproofing, basement finishing, basement repair, and foundation piering contractors in Illinois and Missouri.

Woods Basement Systems Earns Coveted Angie's List Super Service Award

Tue, March 20 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Woods Basement Systems has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

"I feel very confident that if somebody calls Woods, they're going to tell them what really is the problem...even if it doesn't generate an immediate sale for them," says Kimberly Richey of Belleville, Illinois. "And I think that's the true measure of customer service."

“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Woods Basement Systems can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers."

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service business ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.

Founded in 1986, Woods Basement Systems has over 25 years experience in basement finishing, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, foundation crack and structural repairs, and radon mitigation in Missouri and Illinois. Woods Basement Systems also celebrates an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and was the first company to win the Central Illinois Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Business Integrity three times.

Favazz Talks Sump Pumps, Man Caves and Home Energy Savings with Woods Basement Systems on K-SHE TV

Mon, March 19 2012, 00:00:00 -500

K-SHE 95's Favazz recently interviewed Woods Basement Systems' Dave Thompson for KSHE-TV. In the following segment, Dave shows Favazz how to build the best man cave, keep it dry all the time, and save money on utility bills.

Slashes Slated for U.S. Radon Protection Program

Fri, March 9 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Proposed 2012 budget cuts of $2 million to the radon program of the Environmental Protection Agency threaten to drastically reduce the effectiveness and awareness of radon gas safety in our society. Additional budget cuts proposed for fiscal year 2013 would affect the State Indoor Radon Grants program and regional oversight efforts.

Because radon gas is invisible in daily life, heightened education and awareness programs are all the more critical to safe guard the population. Longer term exposure can unknowingly result in severe health problems including cancer. Since the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act passed by the Federal government, progress has been encouraging. Imposing these budget cuts would undermine that progress and the law’s mission.

Groups are rallying their efforts and constituents to reverse the proposed cuts in spending. The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) and Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR) are among them. Contacting Congressional representatives is one of the best ways to express opposition to the cutbacks. Voices must be heard; health and safety risks can be averted.

The National Radon Defense (NRD) is a network of radon professionals dedicated to delivering the highest quality radon measurement and mitigation services. All members are carefully selected and participate in extensive, on-going training ensuring customers quality solutions and value pricing. The NRD is the world’s most trusted source in the radon measurement and mitigation services industry.

As a member of the National Radon Defense network, Woods Basement Systems strictly adheres to their guidelines for service, workmanship, and reliability. They are ready to answer any questions about radon in the home, test and monitor radon gas on the premises, and provide results and solutions specifically designed for the house. The process is simple, fast, and accurate.

Woods Basement Systems specializes in radon mitigation in Champaign, IL and other surrounding areas. Visit them online to set up a radon mitigation estimate.

What Causes Walls to Bow and Buckle in Missouri and Illinois

Tue, March 6 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Before and After

Forces such as hydrostatic pressure, expansive clay solid and frost can create enough pressure to push foundation walls inward and even make them collapse over time.

Foundation walls’ main enemy is expanding soil. Expansive soils put large amounts of pressure up against your foundation walls, and with nothing backing them they easily succumb to bowing and then buckling.

Soils, especially clay soils, expand when wet. When snow melts and the spring showers roll in is the perfect storm for a bowing or buckling wall. This expanding soil has astonishing force; a clay-rich soil can exert over 5,000 lbs of pressure per square foot on foundation walls. This pressure can cause foundation walls to crack, bow or tilt inward. Expansive soils will develop continually until the foundation walls collapse. Addressing the issues early on is the fastest, least expensive and most reliable way to solve your foundation wall problem.

Sometimes bowing walls are difficult to see. Here are some signs of a bowing wall:

Cracks in the walls that are wider at the top than the bottom
Floors that are not level
Doors, cabinets and windows that do not shut properly
Cracking in the upstairs plaster and/or drywall
Cracking in exterior brickwork and/or caulking
Leaning of outside chimneys and/or porches

How to Fix Expansive Soil Damage

A foundation repair specialist who is familiar with local soil condition will probably know whether or not expansive soils have played a role in bowing or buckling walls.

One of the most efficient ways to fix an expansive soil problem is through the use of wall anchors. A foundation wall anchor is a three part system which includes a wall plate, an anchor rod, and a soil anchor. These anchors can usually be installed year-round, cause minimal disturbance to your home, and they do not require maintenance.

Another foundation repair method that goes hand-in hand with the wall anchors is the adjustable I-Beams. This method uses steel beams that are custom-fit to your basement wall height. The beam is secured tight against your basement wall with steel brackets that are anchored to the basement floor and floor joist. These steel beams will stabilize your walls in its current position so that they will not shift any further. It is important to tackle your foundation wall problem before it becomes worse for your home and your wallet. As a wall continues to deteriorate they become more expensive, and depending on your solution, more timely and invasive.

Is My Wall Ever Too Damaged to Repair?

If you find a quality foundation repair expert they should be able to save your foundation wall no matter how severe the damage. It is very important to find a contractor that knows the root of your foundation problem and has the products and the experience to return value to your greatest possession, your home.

Woods Basement Systems is an expert foundation contractor in MO. Visit them online for a free foundation repair estimate!

Radon Gas Alert for Every Parent of School-age Children - MSNBC Today!

Mon, March 5 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Are Your Children at Risk? Watch the Video.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A new investigative report has aired on the MSNBC Today Show sounding the alarm about the occurrence of radioactive radon gas in our nation’s schools, affecting thousands of children. The report identifies a reluctance of many schools to conduct radon gas tests, perhaps fearing the results. But radon gas testing, in schools and homes, saves lives.

Quoted in the report, Bill Fields, highly respected in the radon field, says that exposure to radon gas causes more deaths than any other environmental hazard. He compares it to the proven and documented dangers of smoking.

Lack of money, the report goes on to say, is often cited as one of the reasons school districts don’t test; federal law also does not require them to test for radon gas.

Essential viewing for everyone, this important video presents the facts and dangers of radon gas in schools and homes, and goes in depth about what school districts are doing and not doing, the EPA, and stories of victims.

The National Radon Defense is a network of radon professionals dedicated to delivering the highest quality radon measurement and mitigation services. Members are carefully selected and participate in extensive, on-going training ensuring customers quality solutions and value pricing. This network is the nation’s trusted source of radon measurement and mitigation services available.

As a member of the National Radon Defense network, we strictly adhere to their guidelines for service, workmanship, and reliability. We are ready to answer questions about radon in the home, test and monitor radon gas on your premises, provide results, and suggest solutions specifically designed for you. The process is simple, fast, and accurate.

Woods Basement Systems specializes in radon mitigation in IL. Visit us online for a radon mitigation quote.

NARI of Greater St. Louis Awards Woods Basement Systems for Basement Remodeling Projects

Thu, February 16 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Greater St. Louis chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry has awarded Woods Basement Systems both "Best Lower Level Remodel Under $50K" and "Best Specialty Project."

On Thursday, February 16th, NARI of Greater St. Louis President Doug Leeker presented Woods Basement Systems' Dave Thompson with remodeler awards for home improvement projects Woods completed in 2011.

"Woods Basement Systems strives for 100% customer satisfaction," said Thompson. "The happy homeowners and the quality of the renovations these remodeling awards represent are the real proof of our achievement."

PVC Drain Pipe: Why It Falls Short For Basement Waterproofing

Wed, February 15 2012, 00:00:00 -500

For years, contractors who were hired to waterproof a basement have relied on "one size fits all" PVC pipe to direct water towards the sump pump system. Admittedly, this was a competent solution for many homeowners, and it established the groundwork for more advanced drainage systems to be developed.

As time passed, that's exactly what happened -- systems that were more advanced (and had more to offer) were created to meet homeowner demands and compete with other waterproofing specialists. Modern drainage systems are far superior to PVC pipe and have rendered it completely obsolete for basement waterproofing.

Shortcomings Of PVC Drainage Systems

PVC drain pipe systems are designed to be installed underneath the basement floor, with a gap running along the edge of the basement wall. This gap remains open, collecting water from the floor, while the drain is pitched downward towards the sump pit using gravity to direct the water to the pump.

This design has three major flaws:

Must Be Installed Below The Basement Floor: While a typical basement allows for a system that's installed below the basement floor, a below-floor drain is not appropriate for all homes. Basements that use monolithic foundations (where the basement floor and foundation footer are poured in one piece) can make a below-floor drain system very labor-intensive to install, as the floor will be unusually thick around the basement wall perimeter. In other cases, the basement floor is just plain thick, presenting similar issues.

Must Be Installed In The "Mud Zone": PVC pipe is large and round. As such, it cannot be installed on top of the foundation footer. Barring, this, the remaining option is to install the system father back, behind the footer and in the "mud zone." Because of this you have to remove much more of your floor. That's more work for you, and more waste to remove. On top of that, placing a drain directly in the mud means that the mud will eventually get into the drain, which will then clog.

The Open Gap Along The Perimeter: Leaving a wide-open gap along the perimeter of the basement walls allows unwanted elements into your home, including humidity, odors, and radon gas. This gap also tends to fill with debris from the basement floor, which can lead to a clogged system.

Modern Basement Drain Systems

As waterproofers move away from PVC drain pipe, they begin to adopt drainage systems that are specialized for the specific issue they're solving.

Examples:

For Basements With Monolithic Floors: Since jackhammering the floor will create a lot of dust and take a lot of labor to complete, contractors will instead to choose a baseboard drainage system for this application. This can be adhered to the top of the basement floor -- not quite as attractive, but just as effective and far less expensive.

For Basements With Thin Floors: If the basement floor is too thin for a drainage system mounted on the foundation footing, then a two-part drain system can be installed. This involves placing the drain in the mud zone (not so labor-intensive for very thin floors), and running a wall flange to the drain. The wall flange will collect water from the walls, but without the large gap that is present in traditional PVC systems. To compensate for sitting in the "mud zone", drainage stone is laid on all sides of the drain system before the concrete floor is restored.

To Collect Water From Hatchway Doors: Many basements experience water flooding in through hatchway doors. In these situations, the drain can be run into the hatchway entryway, behind the closed door, and integrated with a section of drain that includes a grated opening. The opening will collect water, but is located outside of the door, so it does not add humidity or odors to the basement.

In Basements With Iron Ochre: If your basement has issues with iron bacteria and iron ochre, a typical drainage system can easily become clogged with this "slime". In these cases, your drain system will need a removable lid, so that the drain can easily be cleaned and maintained.

No matter what your basement needs, you will always be better off when choosing a customized drainage system over a traditional PVC pipe.

As your local Certified Basement Systems Dealer, Woods Basement Systems has exclusive access to Basement Systems' complete line of warranted basement drain systems. We have a solution that's perfect for you! We specialize in basement waterproofing in Missouri and service greater St. Louis as well as greater Springfield, IL.

Woods Awarded 2011 Remodeler of Distinction for Structural Renovation

Fri, January 20 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Southwest Illinois has awarded Woods Basement Systems the 2011 Remodeler of Distinction Award for Structural Renovation.

On Friday, January 20, 2012, the HBA of Greater Southwest Illinois hosted the 2011 Remodelers of Distinction Awards at the Villa Marie Winery & Banquet Center in Maryville, Illinois. Home improvement projects were reviewed by category, and a panel of judges unaffiliated with the HBA selected the winners. The Remodelers Council awarded contractors in the following categories: additions, bathrooms, kitchens, interiors/basements, exteriors, green, and structural.

Woods Basement Systems won the Structural Renovation award for a project in Granite City, Illinois where three out of four block basement walls were cracked, severely bowed, and leaking water. Woods straightened and restored the foundation walls with the Foundation Supportworks wall anchor system, stabilizing and securing the structure.

Repairing Home Foundation Damage: Fill Soil Problems in Missouri

Tue, January 10 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Stabilizing a damaged wall with wall anchors.

Highly expansive, clay-rich backfill soil caused severe damage to this concrete block basement wall. Sections of the wall were pushed in along joint lines in some areas. Instead of a costly and disruptive wall replacement repair, Woods Basement Systems installed GEO-Lock anchors to stabilize the wall and push the wall back to its original position. The repair is warranted for the life of the structure.

Taking the tilt out of a poured concrete wall

Soil pressure sometimes causes poured concrete walls to tilt inward, as it did at this house in St. Charles, MO. Before the wall anchor repair was made, a wood cleat was fastened to a joist,

flush with the tilted wall. After installing GEO-Lock wall anchors, Woods technicians were able to pull the wall 3 ½ in. back toward its original position, eliminating the need for total wall replacement.

It’s exciting to see a poured concrete foundation revealed for the first time. The workers strip off the wall forms and you see those massive grey walls standing tall and strong. It’s hard to believe that these same walls might crack, bow and tilt in a few years, forcing homeowners to pay for structural repairs that weren’t anticipated. Experienced foundation repair contractors can help avoid this damage and disappointment by anticipating soil problems that originate during the final phases of house construction.

Imported soil puts foundations under pressure

How does a house built on stable soil succumb to foundation damage because of expansive soil? The answer to this question often traces back to the house construction process. In places such as O'Fallon, Saint Charles, Lake Saint Louis, Saint Peters, and Wentzville in Missouri, soil was removed to create an excavation for the basement. If the excavated soil contained a large number of rocks or tree roots, this material was probably trucked offsite because it wouldn’t be suitable for use as backfill. Later, when the time came to replace soil around the basement walls, new soil had to be brought in from another location. It’s this new soil that has the potential to cause foundation damage.

Clay is the culprit

Fill soil brought in from a different location can have a high clay content. Unlike soil composed of sand and gravel, clay-rich soil doesn’t drain well. Instead, it absorbs water during wet periods and expands in volume. When saturated with water, the expansion of a clay-rich soil can exert as much as 5,500 lbs. per sq. ft. on a house foundation. Such force can push laterally against a foundation wall, causing it to bow or crack. Expansive soil also lifts walls and concrete slabs up, and then shrinks down away from the masonry when the soil dries out. The resulting voids leave slabs, footings and walls unsupported, so this masonry is likely to crack, settle or even break apart in response to swell-and-shrink cycles.

Foundation repairs offer solutions to expansive soil problems

Regardless of when or how a foundation becomes susceptible to expansive soil stress, there are preventative measures that can be taken by an experienced foundation repair specialist. Improving drainage around the foundation is one common preventative measure. In other cases, it may be necessary to reinforce foundation walls to withstand the soil’s expansive force. An third strategy is to replace some of the clay-rich backfill soil with sand and gravel-rich soil that doesn’t expand and contract under different moisture conditions.

Woods Basement Systems is your reputable foundation repair contractor in Missouri. Contact them today with your questions regarding foundation repair in St. Charles and its surrounding areas.

We proudly service O'Fallon, St Charles, Lake St Louis, St. Peters, Wentzville, and other nearby locations. Call us today to get your free foundation repair quote!

January is National Radon Month

Tue, January 3 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Collinsville, IL – With radon being one of the leading causes of lung cancer today, it’s vital to bring attention to this often-overlooked danger. January is National Radon Month, making it a good time to purchase a home radon test kit or hire a professional radon mitigation contractor. Woods Basement Systems is an expert on radon mitigation and has made a number of recommendations for homeowners during National Radon Month.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is released from soil. Because it is a radioactive carcinogen gas, it can be dangerous to people if it travels up into their homes. Radon is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Luckily, there are ways to lessen the amount of radon in a home, thereby preventing the contraction of lung cancer. Radon mitigation is becoming a common service that a number of contractors can provide.

Woods Basement Systems is encouraging homeowners to test their homes for radon this New Year. Because radon gas is colorless and odorless, it is not detected unless a specific test for the gas is performed. It’s important that each homeowner tests their home for radon before it’s too late.

Radon in a building is measured by picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends mitigating any building with a radon measurement at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter. When a building’s radon levels are found to be unhealthy, a radon mitigation system is specially designed to effectively reduce the levels to a healthier amount. Radon abatement methods can keep radon from entering a house, including soil suction, which draw the radon from below the basement or crawl space floor and push it outside. Some other radon mitigation techniques include sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, and natural ventilation.

Woods Basement Systems is Illinois’s expert basement waterproofing, crawl space, sump pump installation and foundation repair contractor. Their radon mitigation systems use sub-slab depressurization to reduce radon levels. A PVC pipe collects soil gasses, radon is piped upwards in the building, and then a radon depressurization vent forces radon out of the house.

Woods Basement Systems serves parts of Missouri and Illinois, including Champaign, Springfield, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Urbana, Charleston and surrounding areas. They have years of experience building and drying basements, and they are members of the Basement Systems international network of basement waterproofing specialists. For more information about this radon mitigation company in St. Louis or a free estimate contact them today.

Woods' Digital Marketing Director Also a HootSuite Certified Professional

Fri, December 9 2011, 00:00:00 -500

ST. LOUIS, MO — HootSuite Certified Professionals are trained to help you utilize social media software tools to enhance your online communications and marketing strategy, and Woods Basement Systems has a certified social media consultant of our own.

"Somewhere on the World Wide Web, people are either seeking information about your brand or discussing their experience—whether good or bad," says James E. Lord, Digital Marketing Director for Woods Basement Systems and Dr. Energy Saver St. Louis.

"By engaging in social media, you're joining their conversation and enhancing your relevance in the digital marketplace."

James joined our team of industry-leading professionals in 2010. His previous experience included producing for television, corporate web design, and event production. Most notably, James has worked on The Dr. Phil Show, The Doctors, and My Big Redneck Wedding.

Volunteers Help Make Christmas Shopping Affordable for More Than 30 Low-Income Edwardsville Families

Sat, December 3 2011, 00:00:00 -500

EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Every year in December, Mission: St. Louis hosts Affordable Christmas events at several sites around the St. Louis area. The event empowers low-income families to provide a fun Christmas for their children.

On Saturday, Trailhead Church hosted more than thirty Edwardsville area families for Affordable Christmas at Newsong Fellowship in downtown Edwardsville. Members of Trailhead Church and other sponsors donated hundreds of brand new toys, clothes, and made cash donations (used to purchase gifts), which were then priced at approximately one-tenth of the original retail value.

Over fifty volunteers helped make the event possible by donating brand new clothes and toys, registering families, providing childcare, brewing coffee, cooking breakfast, wrapping gifts, and serving as personal shoppers. Childcare volunteers kept children occupied with games and other activites, so the only remaining task for parents and guardians was to show up and go Christmas shopping.

Woods Basement Systems' Digital Marketing Director, James E. Lord, his wife, and their church community group helped gift wrap hundreds of toys, games, and clothes.

Even more Affordable Christmas events are scheduled for this Saturday, December 10th, in Belleville, Hamilton Heights, Forest Park Southeast, and Peabody. Those still interested in serving are invited to fill out a volunteer form and check out the 2011 Affordable Christmas wishlist.

Anyone who knows a family living in the zip codes 63110, 63112, 63118, and 63139 that could really use a hand this Christmas is asked to submit their contact information, so Mission: St. Louis can invite them to Affordable Christmas. For more information about Affordable Christmas, contact Amy Bulgrien at Mission: St. Louis with any questions or visit MissionSTL.org.

Woods Supports First Annual "Festival of Giving" for the Holidays

Sat, December 3 2011, 00:00:00 -500

CHESTERFIELD, MO — On Saturday, Radio Disney AM 1260 provided a convenient way for St. Louis area children and families to help others this holiday season by launching it's first annual Festival of Giving. The festival brought multiple charities together in one location. St. Louis Area Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army and Five Acres Animal Shelter were on-site to accept donations at the Chesterfield Wal-mart.

Dave Thompson of Woods Basement Systems helped direct traffic to keep the parking lot safe for pedestrians. He also snapped a few of these photos with his iPhone 4.