Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in AB

All for a Good Cause

Tue, March 13 2012, 00:00:00 -500

This March, the team at Basement Systems Edmonton enjoyed a night of wings and camaraderie for a good cause, supporting the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta. The Search and Rescue Dog Association is a volunteer, non-profit group of dogs and handlers who serve the community in times of emergency or disaster. Members of Basement Systems Edmonton helped in collecting items for the silent auction and set up for the group’s annual Wing Night fundraiser, which raises funds to help purchase equipment and training.

Basement Systems Edmonton Expands Building

Mon, February 13 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Edmonton, AB- Basement Systems Edmonton has recently announced that they will be expanding their facility. This expansion will grow their building to 8,800 square feet.

Basement Systems Edmonton will nearly triple their office space by utilizing the building next door to them, which is 6,400 square feet. “We’re very excited to be expanding our operation” says owner, Glen Suprovich.

Renovations are underway and they will be moving into their new space in the spring.

Basement Systems Edmonton specializes in basement waterproofing in St. Albert and other surrounding areas in Alberta. Visit them online for a free basement waterproofing estimate.

Edmonton Weather Causing Basement Problems for Homeowners

Fri, August 5 2011, 00:00:00 -500

With the continuing rainfall in Edmonton, Canada it is not a surprise to find many homeowners with basement seepage and flooding. Countless Edmonton residents have called in contractors to help fix or prevent seepage problems. One of these contractors is Basement Systems Edmonton’s Glenn Suprovich.

Suprovich estimated that there thousands of Edmontonians with leaky basements and even more with moisture problems at this point. When asked if it business had been busy his response was, “It’s not busy. It’s stupid busy.” Suprovich worked with homeowners Sam and Lianne Unger to solve their problem with the dampness and smell of mildew in their basement. Their problem, a crack in their foundation, will cost them $950. That was his fourth appointment of the day. With appointments piling up there is a waiting list that is booked until September. His appointments have quadrupled due to the rainfall.

Suprovich said when it comes to waterproofing; homeowners are often reactive, not proactive. His advice for them is to check for cracks in basement walls and ensure sump pumps run properly.

For further reading on this story visit the Edmonton Journal.

Continuous Rainfall is Causing Big Business for Contractors

Fri, August 5 2011, 00:00:00 -500

If it doesn’t stop raining in Edmonton soon the city may be driven to further delay road construction. There has been rain in the city 33 of the last 43 days which is having effects on the many road construction projects at this time.

More rain is on the way for Edmonton as the weather office is calling for rain four out of the next six days. The heavy rainfall this summer means big business for basement contractors in the city like Glenn Suprovich, who works for Basement Systems Edmonton. Suprovich says he has been getting 20 to 25 calls a day from Edmonton residents experiencing seepage problems. This is quite a bit more than the average two to three calls he would get on a normal day.

Suprovich gave words of advice to residents who want to prevent seepage and flooding in their homes. “They can do a lot on their own. They can make sure their sump pump is working,” says Suprovich. “And also, make sure if there is seepage that they get it fixed. They don’t have to wait until the city gets four days of rain.”

For further reading on this story visit the Edmonton Sun.

Weather takes toll on city basements Heavy rainfall means mildew and floods

Mon, August 1 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Edmonton, AB - The find helped to explain the dampness and slight smell of mildew in their basement. The Unger home was Suprovich's fourth appointment Wednesday afternoon. From Mill Woods to the south side, to Leduc and back to Edmonton, it had already been a long day. "It's not busy. It's stupid busy," he said.

Since this summer's heavy rainfall, Suprovich said his appointments have quadrupled. Potential clients are on a waiting list until September. This summer's rainfall has been slow and steady, leaving the soil constantly moist and giving it little opportunity to dry. Suprovich estimated the incessant rainfall this season has left thousands of Edmontonians with leaky basementsand more with moisture problems like those found in the Ungers' basement. For the family's three young sons, their basement is the main playroom. Recently, Lianne was cleaning up after the boys and noticed the floor felt damp. "I asked 'Did one of you spill a drink down here?' " Water had found its way in to the edges of the basement carpet.

Later at the kitchen table, Suprovich handed the couple glossy brochures and a quote. To seal the crack, it will cost $950. That's cheap compared to the more long-term options. Suprovich recommended one system called WaterGuard, a sophisticated sump pump and piping system designed to withstand clogged dirt and soil that often comes along with a traditional weeping tile. The minimum price for the Unger house: $12,000.

It's a foolproof system, Suprovich said, but Lianne shook her head. "It's not happening," she said. Frits Wortman, a senior consumer information officer for Alberta at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said there's been an increase of calls for claims related to water damage and flooding because of heavy rainfall. Insurance companies in Canada won't foot the bill for damage to a home caused by overland flooding. They won't pay for water leakage or mould, either -these are considered to be maintenance issues, Wortman said. Most policies, however, will cover sewage backup. The city has made an effort in helping people with their leaky basement woes. Leo Girard, director of drainage services, said the city has received more calls than usual since mid-June, when Edmonton saw more than 50 mm of rain in one day, causing many basements to flood. Girard could not offer an estimate on the number of residents with damp or leaky basements, but the city's drainage specialists are booked solid until August.

The city-run service offers free on-site consultations with homeowners to identify drainage and structural problems. Since the program began in 2004, Girard said there's been "a steady need for it." Suprovich said when it comes to waterproofing, homeowners are often reactive, not proactive. He advises homeowners to check for cracks in basement walls and ensure sump pumps run properly. He recognizes the reactive nature of people keeps him in business. Despite the gloom that comes with an overcast Wednesday afternoon, Suprovich said it's better than a drought.
"It's feast or famine," he said.

Rain threatening to continue delaying road construction

Mon, August 1 2011, 00:00:00 -500

If the rain doesn’t stop soon, the city could be forced to delay road construction projects even further.
The city has seen rain 33 of the last 43 days, and it’s taking its toll on the city’s road construction projects.

Bob Boutilier, general manager of transportation services, said they always allow for weather contingencies, but work has been hampered by rain.
“We could not have anticipated the excessive rainfall we have experienced in June and July,” said Boutilier. “It is imperative that the work be done to the highest of standards from the very beginning.”

Several projects have been delayed, including the dreaded Scona Road / 99th Street overhaul.
It’s been put back by two weeks, but the city still expects to finish in November this year.
Lessard Road was slated to open July 15, but the city has pushed that back until late July, weather permitting.

Quality is very important, and impossible to do in poor weather, said Ryan Teplitsky, construction project manager with the City of Edmonton.

“Road construction is very dependent on good weather. There are so many aspects that can be affected,” he said. “To get a good quality product, you need to have good weather.”

Environment Canada said the rainy season typically tends to taper off once August rolls around.
The City of Edmonton and surrounding areas has been showered with 35 to 40 mm of rain in the last 14 days, said Cindy Yu with Environment Canada.

“It’s summer, and we do (tend to) get a lot of thunderstorms and showers. In July, Edmonton typically gets 91.7 mm worth of rain,” she said. “So it looks like we are on track to meet that.”

The most rain ever to fall in one day was back on July 31, 1953, when the city was hit with 114 mm in one day.
More rain is on the way for the city, with the weather office calling for rain four out of the next six days.
The heavy rainfall means big business for basement repair contractors in the city.

Glenn Suprovich with Basement Systems Edmonton said the phone has been ringing off the hook.
Suprovich said they’ve been getting 20 to 25 calls from residents experiencing seepage problems. That’s significantly more than the two to three calls he said they average on a normal day.

Suprovich said the staff is stressed, but they do enjoy all the business. There are things residents can do preemptively, he added.

“They can do a lot on their own. They can make sure their sump pump is working,” he said. “And also, make sure if there is seepage, that they get it fixed. They don’t have to wait until the city gets four days of rain.”

allison.salz@sunmedia.ca

Construction Delays

• Scona Road/99 Street – two weeks behind schedule, but still on track to be completed in November 2011.

• 23 Avenue/Gateway Boulevard Interchange – two weeks behind schedule, anticipated opening of all roads by mid-September 2011.

• 118 Avenue streetscaping – originally scheduled for completion in 2012, some work may have to be carried forward.

• Lessard Road – three weeks behind, opening date revised to Aug. 5.

• Neighbourhood renewal – all locations are two to three weeks behind schedule. Completion of those areas scheduled to be done in 2011 is dependent upon an extended dry spell.

• Quesnell Bridge/Whitemud Drive – two weeks behind, road and bridge work will be completed by end of August.

Business Booms During A Summer Of Rain After A Ten Year Drought

Fri, October 1 2010, 02:15:23 -500

Edmonton, AB - As the summer comes to a close, business at Basement Systems Edmonton is still on the rise after a ten-year drought has ended, the unexpected rainfall has caused increasing amounts of rain water in homeowners' basements. With the help of Basement Systems, homeowners can enjoy the moisture instead of dreading the relief from a decade-long drought.

According to Climatologist, David Phillips, this drought differed from seasonal droughts that are intermittent with snow. Instead, this ten-year drought was full-year and has also been compared to the dryness of the dust bowl in '30s. In fact, this decade for Edmonton has been 20 percent drier than the dust bowl!

As the drought dissipated in June, Edmonton homeowners began experiencing consistent rain. Although this is preferable to the drought weather, it has caused basement water issues, which is why Basement Systems Edmonton is having its busiest summer since entering the business 15 years ago.

Contact Basement Systems Edmonton if you're seeking help for your wet basement. They are certified basement waterproofing experts and will be happy to give you a free work estimate. They offer sump pump installation, French drain tile systems, ENERGY STAR rated dehumidifiers, crawl space vapor barriers, and more. Contact them today for basement waterproofing in Canada.