Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in WI

Sure-Dry partners with American Cancer Society to give back

Mon, February 25 2013, 00:00:00 -500

Through a vast array of office activities Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. and its employees were able to raise $200 for children with cancer through the American Cancer Society. The money that was raised will bring a smile of joy to eight children who will receive a “Ray O. Hope” bear delivered to them in the hospital.

Employee gets article featured in Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine

Thu, February 7 2013, 00:00:00 -500

Marketing Coordinator Ryan Weyers had his article, ‘Business Ethics: The ‘X’ Factor of Reputation,’ featured in January’s issue of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine. Below are scans of the article. If you would like an issue please contact the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

Business Ethics: The ‘X’ Factor of Reputation

As you already know your business has a reputation; the question then becomes how tuned in are you about its public perception? A business’s reputation is arguably one of its most important assets yet it’s the easiest to lose and the most challenging to maintain. You may be asking where does one begin when examining the core of reputation and I would tell you that it starts by looking at business ethics. If the reputation is suffering, you may want to take a hard look at how aligned employee’s personal and business ethics are with the company’s mission statement, particularly when interacting with customers, employees and vendors?

Some may attest that only large companies need to be concerned about their employee’s ethical conduct, as they may be a more magnified brand and would be more susceptible to negative backlash. I will disagree and say that it is even more imperative for small businesses and sole proprietorships to have ethical conduct policies in place to guide themselves or their employees. According to the 2011 Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah MSA, 93 percent of businesses that have locations in the Fox Cities area report as a “small business,” meaning they employ less than 100. This statistic makes it even more of a necessity to focus on ethics because living in this small community allows for word of mouth experiences to travel faster. There are three important aspects that I believe serve as a solid ethical foundation:

1) Trust

When I say the word trust, I’m essentially asking do you deliver as promised? It is commonly said to under promise but over-deliver. If you shine when unexpected and deliver on your word, you’ll forever solidify credibility with others.

2) Honesty (Integrity)

Let me ask, how well do you handle adversity? No person or business is perfect. Most people or businesses who you do a great job for will call it an even transaction, their money in exchange for your service or product, but how do you respond to the few who do say something negative? Do you ignore their phone calls? Place blame on outside circumstances for issues that arise? Or do you respond in a timely and courteous manner and do your best to make what is wrong right.

3) Respect

You can’t demand respect in business but rather it’s something that is earned or created and serves as the glue that holds together many business (and even personal) relationships. Basically, it comes down to “The Golden Rule,” do you treat others the way you would like to be treated?

Sure-Dry Service/Call Center Rep Welcomes Baby Girl

Mon, November 26 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Call Center and Service rep Jessica Hensen welcomed her new baby girl, Rilynn, on November 12th weighing 5 lbs 13 oz.

We would like to congratulate Jessica and we can't wait to meet her!

Appleton Christmas parade a success for Sure-Dry

Wed, November 21 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. was named “best commercial entry,” for their parade float during the 42^nd annual Appleton Christmas parade.

The float was the “Sure-Dry Basement Systems Island of Misfit Toys,” based off the popular tv special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The majority of the characters on the float are made out of materials that the company uses to fix foundations. The characters on the float are: Rudolph, Sam the Snowman and Bumble the abominable snow monster. The toys include Charlie-In-The-Box, a squirt gun that shoots grape jelly and “a scooter for Jimmy.” A Sure-Dry employee plays Yukon Cornelius and he’s been growing his beard since June to play the role!

This was Sure-Dry's second time being in the parade with the last time being in the late 90's.

The unusually seasonable temperatures brought out as many as 100,000 local residents across Northeast Wisconsin and the parade is among the largest of the upper Midwest.

For more pictures on the build and the float visit our Facebook page!

Sure-Dry official Toys for Tots drop off location

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

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. is once again an official drop off location for the Winnebago Home Builder's Association. The collection dates run from November 2 through December 10 with the Salvation Army distributing the toys on December 13 and 14.

A Work In Progress...

Wed, October 31 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry is in the process of putting together something large...very large. We are currently building our float for the 42nd Appleton Christmas parade taking place downtown Appleton on Tuesday, Novemeber, 20, 2012. Participants building floats need to adhere to the parade's them of "The Music and Lights of Christmas." Stay tuned for more updates...

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Receives Ethics Award

Thu, October 25 2012, 00:00:00 -500

On Tuesday, October 23^rd, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin named Sure-Dry Basement Systems the Runner-Up recipient in this year’s prestigious Ethics Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity. In 2011 Sure-Dry received the Honorable Mention award.

The winners were selected by an independent panel of twelve business ethics experts and announced at a ceremony at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. The winners were chosen based on submissions that were measured against the following six criteria: leadership commitment to ethical practices, communications of ethical practices, organizational commitment to ethical practices, organizational commitment to performance management practices, organizational commitment to ethical human resources practices and organizational commitment to ethical human resource practices. The BBB’s Business Ethics Torch Award was started nine years ago and is a statewide competition that honors companies and charities that do business in Wisconsin.

“It’s our pleasure to shine the spotlight on these companies, all of whom put a high priority on ethics and integrity with their customers, their employees and their vendors,” said Randall Hoth, president/CEO of the Wisconsin BBB. “I applaud their commendable business practices and their commitment to doing things the right way.”

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, located in Menasha, has been in business since 1994 and is a basement waterproofing, finishing, structural repair and crawlspace contractor that services Northeast and Central Wisconsin.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Receives Ethics Award

Thu, October 25 2012, 11:58:11 -500

The winners were selected by an independent panel of twelve business ethics experts and announced at a ceremony at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. The winners were chosen based on submissions that were measured against the following six criteria: leadership commitment to ethical practices, communications of ethical practices, organizational commitment to ethical practices, organizational commitment to performance management practices, and organizational commitment to ethical human resources practices. The BBB’s Business Ethics Torch Award was started nine years ago and is a statewide competition that honors companies and charities that do business in Wisconsin.

“It's our pleasure to shine the spotlight on these companies, all of whom put a high priority on ethics and integrity with their customers, their employees and their vendors,” said Randall Hoth, president/CEO of the Wisconsin BBB. “I applaud their commendable business practices and their commitment to doing things the right way.”

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Wins Awards at the 2012 Basement Systems Dealer Convention

Thu, October 18 2012, 13:11:56 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems was recently honored at a meeting with close to 1,000 guests from all over the United States, Canada and the UK, at this year’s Team Basement Systems Convention.

The annual convention is held each year between Seymour, CT, (Basement Systems headquarters) and Hartford, CT, and brings together dealerships of the international network for training, seminars, networking, celebration, vendor and team building events.

This year Sure-Dry Basement Systems received 3 awards at the Team Basement Systems International Convention. Sure-Dry Basement Systems was awarded for ranking 9th in the Top 10 Foundation Supportworks, Inc. (FSI) Dealers - Geo-Lock Anchors, the Top 50 FSI Dealers - Total Sales, and the Top 50 Basement Systems Dealers by Purchases.

The high-powered event featured international motivational speaker Andy Andrews! Andrews, world-renowned speaker and author (The Travelers Gift) dazzled the crowd with his presentation highlighting personal choices and attitudes that make the difference between failure and success.

Google even had a presence at this spectacular event! Two Google representatives delivered a behind the scenes peek at how to best utilize the search engines tools for successful business results. This year, the annual flagship event was the BEST yet!

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is a certified Basement Systems dealer specializing in basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and foundation settlement.

Basement Systems is an international network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and basement finishing contractors, led by Company Founder and President, Larry Janesky. The international headquarters, based in Seymour, CT has been helping homeowners increase their usable living space for over 20 years across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The company has 27-patented basement and crawl space products, designed to help homeowners get more out of their basements and increase their home's value.

Sure-Dry a 2012 BBB Torch Award Finalist

Thu, August 23 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems has been named a finalist for the 2012 Wisconsin Better Business Bureau Ethics and Torch Awards. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 23^rd from 11:30am-1:30pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

Companies that entered the state-wide competition will be judged based on the number of employees working for the business and also within six categories: Leadership commitment to ethical practices, communications of ethical practices, organizational commitment to ethical practices, organizational commitment to performance management, organizational commitment to ethical human resource practices and organizational commitment to the community.

In 2011 Sure-Dry Basement Systems was the Honorable Mention of this award.

The BBB Business Ethics Torch Awards were created to showcase ethical Wisconsin companies and charities that build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, remain transparent and honor their promises.

Sure-Dry wins Business of the Month

Wed, August 8 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. was announced as the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce business of the month for August.

The company will be featured in the September Chamber magazine, The Business News, on the Chamber’s website and their social media pages.

Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin adds new truck

Wed, August 8 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sister company Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin, specializing in commercial foundation stabilization, has bought a new Ford F-250 powerstroke diesel truck which will be used to haul materials, equipment and crew members while on the job.

They now have a vehicle more fit for a jobsite!

This was the previous vehicle that was being used to haul materials, equipment, and crew members while on the job…

Sure-Dry adds Systems Design Specialist

Mon, August 6 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems welcomes new team member Bob Reber to the Sales department.

Working 22 years in the residential insurance industry, Bob has a great understanding for your home and extensive knowledge of the foundation repair industry. Having been thoroughly trained through the Basement Systems International Waterproofing Contractor Network, he has earned the highly-esteemed title "Certified Waterproofing Professinal" and is ready to help you with your basement issues.

Bob resides in Fond Du Lac, WI and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his family camping, writing and learning.

Sears dehumidifiers recalled

Fri, August 3 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sears and KMart stores are recalling dehumidifiers that were sold exclusively in their stores from 2003 to 2009 due to overheating, smoking, melting and catching on fire. There have been over 100 reports of these incidents causing over $7 million in property damage and leading to three smoke inhalation injuries. The Chinese-made products were Kenmore brand and could be bought for between $140 and $220.

Wisconsin Democrat visits Sure-Dry

Wed, August 1 2012, 00:00:00 -500

As winners of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Marketing and/or Performance Award, Wisconsin Democrat Penny Bernard Schaber, inquired about visiting Sure-Dry to meet and see the employees who are involved with the day-to-day operations of the company.

A Wisconsin State Assembly Democratic Party member representing the 57^th Assembly District, Schaber is trying to connect more with small business owners within her district to gather feedback on how the government can help with struggling issues that these owners face while also answering any questions owners may have in regards to business policies.

Owner Doug Newhouse gave Schaber the complete tour of the facility so she can see the daily operations and business flow within the company. Some pictures are included below.

Drought worsens in United States

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

It's been 56 years since the last major drought in the United States. Ever since the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began keeping records on billion-dollar weather disasters in 1980, there has been a total of 16 billion-dollar drought disasters and this one could creep to that number. As of early July, 60 percent of the Unites States was classified as experiencing a drought.

So how can you home's foundation be affected?

When soils around your home's foundation dry, it ends up shrinking (assuming the soil is clay like most in northeast Wisconsin are). When it shrinks there are voids left from the drying soil. Because the foundation of your home rests upon these soils, it creats an unstable environment that can allow your home to sink into. When this happens the structure of your home is more succeptable to sinking.

Common signs of a sinking foundation:

- Clues from windows and doors - Look for cracks that can appear coming from the corners of your doorways and windows, typically you will start to see this cracking in the drywall of your upper level. Also look for doors or windows that are out of square of don't open and close properly.

- Stair-step cracking - stair-step cracking is often a tell-tale sign of foundation settlement and is very common in brick and concrete block walls. As your home continues to settle further, vertical cracks may widen, indicating that the wall is rotating outward.

- Chimneys - Sometimes during settling, if you have a chimney, it may start to separate from the rest of the house. Sometimes chimneys are built on a foundation that is not connected to the rest of the home, making it even more at a risk of settlement.

Water leaking through your basement windows?

Thu, July 19 2012, 00:00:00 -500

If you notice water coming through your window wells during periods of heavy rain it could be caused by a number of things. I am providing you with two common solutions below to help get you started...

The first thing to check is your yard’s grading. If the soil around your foundation pitches towards the foundation, it’s a good idea to add dirt so that there will be a positive pitch away. Be sure not to use sand or mulch, because water flows right through these materials whether they are pitched or not. It’s best to use clay or other dense dirt. Also, be sure to keep the dirt at least four inches down from the siding. If the siding is close or touching the soil, it will rot and you’ll have another problem.

Don’t rely on grading alone to keep your basement dry.

The next thing you would want to check is your basement windows themselves. Are your basement windows old and rusty? Are they sealed properly? Having basement windows that can withstand the water surge and hydrostatic pressure is important to keeping the water out. We like Everlast windows as a quality window. Another thing you could add is a window well cover. This will ensure that leaves, debris and even water will stay out of the well and not clog or overflow it.

How to figure out how much battery back-up protection you are buying

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

How to figure out how much battery back-up protection you are buying

A simple equation can tell you how many gallons your pump equipment can pump out of your basement when the power goes out.

Gallons out = Ampere-hour capacity of the batter / DC amps of the pump x Gallons per hour (gph) rating of the pump at 8 feet high.

In the case of Basement Systems Ultrasump:

Gal. out = Amp hour of battery / DC amps of pump x gph

Gal. out = 120 / 19.8 x 2010

Gal. out = 6.06 x 2010

Gal. out = 12,181

This calculation assumes you are pumping the water 8 feet high and that the battery is new. As batteries age, they lose some of their ampere hour capacity. Because of these and other factors, we usually understate the performance.

A special unit called an UltraSump Dual battery Switching Unit allows two batteries to be hooked up, doubling the number of gallons the back-up pump will pump out.

Everyone asks “How long will the pump last?” We can’t answer this question because it is the wrong question. How long your battery back-up pump will last in a power outage depends upon how hard it rains when the power is out and how much water is in the ground under your particular home. One thing is for sure, 12,181 gallons of water is a lot of water. It’s the average size of a basement, filled to the ceiling!

Is a generator an option?

A generator is a good idea if you have an automatic one permanently installed that senses when the power goes out and starts up automatically. It needs to be wired by an electrician. A typical generator can be hooked up to run your sump pump, a few lights, the furnace, and the fridge. This costs between $7,000 to $10,000 in most cases. If you go this route, be sure to install two AC primary pumps to cover you in case of pump failure, as a generator only eliminates the need for the DC back-up pump.

You can purchase a portable generator for $400 or so. However you have to be home (and awake) to notice when the power fails. Then you have to drag the generator outside, gas it up, start it up, and run an extension cord to your sump pump. Sounds like a lot of unnecessary work you shouldn’t want to or have to worry about!

Putting carpeting on your basement floor? Think again...

Fri, June 29 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Of all the surfaces in your basement, the floor is the one that is most vulnerable to water damage when the leak happens. The water will get onto and then under the floor and sit there for a long time before it dries out. It will get sucked up into the wood floors or carpets like a sponge and ruin them. We have seen many hardwood floors buckled like a beach sand at low tide. Laminate floors are simply particle board with a thin plastic finish laminated to the top surface. When they get wet, they swell at the edges between the boards. When they dry, they don’t regain their previous shape and are ruined. Just one plumbing leak will take you out.

Carpet, and carpet with padding, will soak up water like a giant sponge and will have to be taken out when it gets wet. You don’t need a huge leak to ruin these types of flooring. Water vapor passing through your porous concrete floor in a slow, invisible, unending stream from the damp earth below is enough to cause buckling, and will cause moisture to get trapped under your flooring making it smell moldy from the rotting flooring underneath. Of course, there is a solution. Several choices in fact…

Thermal Dry Flooring

Thermal Dry floor matting are modular floor tiles (that comes in carpet or tile) that snap together and each tile has raised pegs on the bottom that create an air space under the floor. This prevents water from condensing under the floor, and it creates a thermal break by putting a space between your feet and the cold, hard, concrete floor. The tiles are also water resistant. When you have a flood, just dry the place out, which is much easier with the air space under the floor, and the carpet or tile is not ruined. A few tiles can easily be popped up to blow air under the floor with a fan when needed for drying.

Advantages of Modular

If you ever have a stain or damage to one spot in the floor, in one minute you can replace that tile with another, or switch it for one from a closet or under furniture. You can’t do that with wall-to-wall carpet or any other tile! We all have high traffic areas in the room, and when we change our carpet we usually do so because one area is looking tired. With these tiles you can get many times the life out of the floor because you can change or relocate the tired tiles easily – and they won’t be affected by water or dampness.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Wins Exemplary Marketing and/or Performance Award

Thu, June 7 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. of Menasha, WI was awarded the first-ever Exemplary Marketing and/or Performance Award during the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce's annual Business Awards Luncheon at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, WI.

Each business applying had to demonstrate areas of outstanding achievement in four categories: style of communication, new technologies, traditional marketing channels and results of these marketing efforts.

Candidate’s applications had to meet pre-set criteria to be considered a finalist. After the judges looked at the businesses that met these criteria, three finalists were then selected and not announced until awards day. The three finalists were Affinity Health Systems, Cold Stone Creamery and Sure-Dry Basement Systems.

Other business considerations for finalist positions were: Avenue Jewelers, Fox Valley Technical College, Rates in Motion and Turek’s Plumbing Services.

Affinity Health System employs 4,056 and has three hospitals and 26 clinic locations is a regional integrated health care delivery system. Cold Stone Creamery employs 25 employees with two locations and is an Ice cream creations, cakes & deserts eatery.

The '411' On Mold In Your Basement

Tue, May 29 2012, 00:00:00 -500

What makes a basement smell like one?

MOLD. Mold can grow even in a "waterproofed basement"

Mold needs organic material to grow (which you have), and high relative humidity - over 60 to 70 percent. It doesn't have to be wet for mold to grow, just humid. In fact, mold won't grow underwater.

A great basement air system ensures that the relative humidity stays below 50 percent all year long.

There are a lot of mold experts. But one that tells you to eliminate the mold without eliminating the water and humidity is not helping you. Some tell you to coat your floor joists and other structural elements with anti-mold paint.

To us, this is to say that if it's humid and mold wants to grow, the paint will stop it from gorwing. Assuming that's true, what about the contents of your basement? If you have a cardboard box, does it have to be painted too? How about your sofa? Call us crazy, but if it's really dry down there with low humidity, mold won't grow with or without a coating (We aren't crazy, that's just the way it works).

Sure-Dry named finalist for Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Award

Fri, May 18 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc. has been named a finalist for the Exemplary Marketing/Performance Award by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

Each business applying had to demonstrate areas of outstanding achievement in four categories: Style of communication, new technologies, traditional marketing channels and results of these marketing efforts.

Sure-Dry will be competing with two other local businesses and the winner be announced at the Fox Cities Chamber Business Awards Luncheon on June 6 from 11a.m.-1:30p.m. at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, WI. If you would like to attend the event please click here to register events.foxcitieschamber.com

Why Using Just Any Dehumidifier Won't Work

Wed, May 9 2012, 00:00:00 -500

When “dry” means – feels dry, smells dry, and looks dry.

Just because you have a waterproofing system, doesn’t mean you have a dry basement. It’s confusing, but bear with me, because this is important.

There are 4 ways basements become wet or damp:

1. Groundwater leakage.

2. Capillary action. It means wicking. For example, a block wall may not leak, but it feels damp because it’s wicking the water inside it to the surface like a sponge.

3. Water vapor coming through your walls and floor.

4. The last way is from an exterior air leaking into your basement. This is not a problem as long as the outside air is cooler than the basement. It’s the warmer, summertime air that moves lots of water into our basement.

- So whenever the outside air is warmer than the inside air, and especially when it’s humid outside air, we are likely to have a condensation problem in our subterranean levels. This is because the Relative Humidity of air goes up 2.2% for each one-degree you cool it. Our basements are always cool because they are below ground. And we know that a house is like a chimney – air flows upwards, allowing air to escape the upper levels, with new air being sucked in at the lower levels.

Why Household Dehumidifiers Just Don’t Do the Job

1. They are too small.

2. The cold air coil (the actual thing that takes the water out of the air) is too small.

3. The fan is too small (it has to be so it doesn’t blow the air past the dinky coil too fast, otherwise it wouldn’t take any water out)

4. The fan doesn’t circulate the dry air around your basement – because it’s too small.

5. The usually aren’t drained automatically, so the bucket fills up and they shut off.

6. They are rated (25 pints, 30 pints, 40 pints, etc.) per day at 80 degrees air temperature. Warm air holds a lot more moisture than cold air. Put them in a 68 degree basement and their effectiveness goes way down below this number.

Owner of Sure-Dry Basement Systems Featured on BBB Website

Wed, April 18 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - Sure-Dry Basement Systems is proud to announce that Doug Newhouse, the company’s owner, is pictured on the homepage of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau’s website. As a finalist for the 2011 Business Ethics Torch Awards, Doug is shown alongside the headline “Start Your Search With Trust,” a reference to finding trustworthy businesses in the area.

With a focus on performance, trust and integrity, the Business Ethics Torch Awards were created to honor ethical Wisconsin companies and charities that build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, remain transparent and keep their promises.

As owner and president of Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Doug brings over 20 years of experience in the building trades and the basement waterproofing industry to helping homeowners resolve their wet-basement needs. He has been featured on Straight Talk, the radio program of the BBB, and his company regularly participates in community events such as Habitat for Humanity projects.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems provides basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair to residents in Northeastern and Central Wisconsin. They use their experience and dedication to help customers reclaim lost space and restore home value. Part of a national network of waterproofing specialists, Sure-Dry Basement Systems has access to the highest quality products and latest technology used in more than 200,000 basements.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems specializes in basement waterproofing in Appleton, WI. Visit them for a free basement waterproofing estimate if you life in the Fox Cities, Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Wausau and other surrounding areas.

Alternate Battery Back-up Power Sources

Mon, April 9 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Alternate Battery-Back-up Power Sources

To follow-up on last week’s blog post about the Importance of a Battery Back-up System, this week I’m writing a post about alternate power sources of that battery back-up.

Some alternate power sources for sump pumps appeared on the market in recent years that sounded great at first review. One is a battery power system for your primary AC operated pump. When the power goes out the system converts the DC power to AC power and runs your only sump pump. The manufacturer will tell you that it’s better since your primary AC operated pump will normally pump more than a DC operated one. This is true, but not a key issue in most cases. The main issue or problem here is that you have only one pump. If the pump fails you get flooded despite this back-up protection. Secondly, converting DC to AC power is very inefficient. You lose more than half of your power in the process. So your primary pump will run and pump plenty of water out, but not for long. In our test it was only one hour of time and then the batteries went dead. Since the primary pump we used pumped 2200 gallons an hour, it was just 2200 gallons of protection this system offered.

The next type of system that sounds good is another single-pump system that can be used as a primary and back-up pump in one unit. It is actually a DC pump with batteries hooked up to it. When the power is on the AC is converted to DC to run the pump. When the power is off the pump runs on the batteries. Sounds good. But you only have one pump and if it fails you’re dead in the water. In addition, no matter how strong the DC pump, you only get as much water out equal to the amount of battery power you put behind the pumps.

Importance of a Back-up Pumping System

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

Importance of a Back-up Pumping system

It is important to note that there are many kinds of "back-up" systems on the market. When it comes to back-up equipment, the variance of quality is a chasm. The low-end equipment most often will not work when you need it to and the folks like you who buy back-up pumping equipment really need and want the protection.

To give you an example, nearly all suppliers of back-up equipment do not supply batteries. Batteries are heavy and expensive and difficult to ship. Instead, they leave it to the contractor to go to the automotive store and buy a car battery. Car batteries are not made for this application. Their ampere-hour capacity diminishes quickly after a year and this application will not get the "gallonage" out of your basement when you need it to.

Other suppliers provide expensive back-up pumping systems with batteries that need maintenance every 6 months. If you don't remember, you are out-of-luck. Sealed, maintenance-free batteries are the only sensible option.

Float switches are extremely important too. The best pump in the world needs to have a switch to tell it when to go on and off. Many primary and back-up pump systems come with a tethered float switch - a "ball-on-a-wire" design. These have to swing up and down to operate and commonly get hung up - and cause a flood.

No pump or back-up pump is perfect. But so many are really pitiful protection. That's why Basement Systems' TripleSafe and UltraSump are specifically engineered to do what we need them to when we need them to do it.

Do you want this?

OR THIS!?

The pump is only part of your sump pump system

Tue, February 28 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Sump Liner

You don’t want your pump to clog up in a muddy hole in the floor. And you don’t want it in a 5-gallon bucket that doesn’t hold a lot of water and will cause the pump to “short cycle” (go on and off very quickly). Instead, you should have a sturdy liner or housing for your sump pump with holes in it to accept water directly from the ground as well as a larger inelet hole to allow your perimeter drainage systems to empty into it. There should be about 100 3/8-inch holes in it. The liner should be about 2 feet deep and about 18 inches wide, and should have a rim that accepts a sealed cover.

Lifetime Warranty?

No pump manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on their pumps – and there is a good reason why. A lifetime warranty doesn’t make a pump better. Some irresponsible contractors will tell you there is a lifetime warranty (or many years) on their pump – “free replacements forever” – to seduce you to buy their whole solution. This is irresponsible. Ask yourself, “How do I know when to call to get my free replacement?” The answer is when your basement is flooded, which is exactly what you spent your money on in the first place to stop from happening. The damage will be done, and the 10 year, 20 year, or lifetime warranty won’t help you.

Airtight Sump Lid

The sump should have an airtight lid on it to prevent water from evaporating out of the sump hole into your basement, to stop stuff from falling in that can clog the pump or switch, and to quiet the system. Depending on the cover, it can also make the installation look good too. Instead of a necessary evil in your home, you have a thoughtfully engineered system. On top of the sump lid you should have a floor drain. Not if, but when you have a plumbing leak and the water floods out onto the basement floor, you’ll want to use your sump hole to drain the water away. With an airtight lid, the water will fill up your basement. (Unlike groundwater leaks, plumbing leaks and the damage they cause might be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.) Putting a floor drain in the sump lid is the answer. But wait, won’t a sump drain allow water vapor to evaporate into my basement? Not with Basement Systems’ airtight floor drain. This places a specially designed cup and ball underneath the floor drain which allows water to go down, but doesn’t allow air to come up.

A Stand for the Pump

A “CleanPump Stand” will elevate the pump off the bottom of the sump liner a bit, allowing for some sediment, mud, debris, or gravel that washes into the sump liner to settle to the bottom of the sump liner without clogging or otherwise affecting the pump. It also keeps the check valve and discharge pipe clean. A check valve (one-way valve) should be installed on all sump pump discharge lines, so when the pump shuts off, the water in the pipe doesn’t flow back into the sump hole, which would then have to be pumped again on the next cycle.

Pump Alarms

How would you know if your sump pump has failed and you were in danger of being flooded? Unless you have an alarm, the answer is, when your basement floods, which is just what you are trying to avoid. A battery powered alarm that sounds off automatically when the water reaches a level above the point where the pump(s) should normally turn on is essential. The patented WaterWatch alarm does just that, telling you there is a problem before the floor gets we, so you have a chance to do something about it.

Why you shouldn't excavate to fix your basement water problem

Tue, February 21 2012, 00:00:00 -500

One way to fix a wet basement is to dig up the earth outside around your foundation and waterproof the walls and install a new footing drain. This is almost never a good option. Why?

First of all you’ll be replacing the same systems that failed you the first time and even if you did how long would it last this time?

The big problem is the excavation itself however. You have to dig down to the bottom of the footing, about 8 feet deep. Picture standing in a trench, looking up at where the grass used to be. An 8-foot deep trench has to be at least 8 feet wide at the top (12 fee if you ask OSHA). And where will all that dirt that comes our of that hole go? It’s piled up in the rest of you yard. You can expect about 25 feet of your yard all the way around your home to be destroyed.

Everything in this area has to be removed and replaced, including porches, driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, air conditioning units, decks, steps and so on. Then after the work is done, the dirt that was excavated – which is now fluffed up and loose on your lawn, is put back in the trench. It will take years for this dirt to settle, and as it does, new dirt has to be added against the foundation to keep the slope away from the house. Then you can put your driveway, sidewalks, decks, porches and landscaping back. This is reason enough not to consider doing the job from the outside.

If you need more reason to dismiss the disaster idea, how about these:

1. Where will the drain go to? If you don’t’ have a lot of slope on your property to take the pipe out to daylight, then you need to bring the pipe inside the foundation to a sump pump anyway.

2. Exterior excavation does not address water vapor coming through your basement walls and floor.

3. Nor does this method address humidity – and won’t ensure that mold won’t grow either.

4. What if something goes wrong and there is still a little seepage? What will you do then? Dig it all up again? Outside systems are not serviceable.

5. It costs a lot of money – like up to $20,000 to go all the way around your home!

Hopefully we can now close the book on this option.

Negative Effects of the Air in your Damp or Wet Basement

Mon, January 30 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Negative Effects of the Air in your Damp or Wet Basement

As warm air rises in a home it leaks out of the upper levels. New air must enter to replace the air that escaped. In fact, in an average home about half of the air in the home escapes each hour out of the upper levels. This creates suction at the lower levels of the home to draw in replacement air. In older, leaky homes the air exchange rate can be as high as a full air exchanger per hour.

What this “stack effect” does is create airflow in your home from bottom to top. So air from the basement is drawn upwards into the first floor, and then to the second floor. Of course it dilutes with other air in your home, but building scientists say that up to 50 percent of the air you breathe on the first floor is air that came from the basement. If you have hot air heating with ductwork, the air mixes even more thoroughly throughout the house.

Therefore, whatever is in your basement air is in your house and affecting you, whether you spend much time in the basement or not. If there is high humidity downstairs, there is higher humidity upstairs than there would be otherwise. If there is mold in the basement, there are mold spores upstairs. If there are damp odors downstairs – you get the idea

Negative Effects of a Wet or Damp Basement

Since air flows upward into the upper levels of your home from the basement, it brings the humidity from the basement with it. The effects on your home can include:

Dust mites (the number one indoor allergen)
Sticking (swollen) doors and windows
Smelly damp carpets
Buckling hardwood floors
Condensation/rotting/mold in your attic (as humid air escapes into your attic it can condense against the cold ceiling or roof)
Frost or condensation and mold on the inside of windows in cool weather
Increased cooling bills (damp air takes more energy to cool)
Increased heating bills (damp air takes more energy to heat)
Mold upstairs
Decreased life of roof sheathing and shingles
Aggravated asthma and allergies

Why Should You Fix Your Foundation?

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

Why Should You Fix Your Foundation?

You’re at the crossroads of making a decision as to whether to fix your foundation now or if you should wait a year in hopes it’ll just go away or not get any worse. There really isn’t any good news when dealing with a foundation problem but there are some things to consider when weighing the decision of now vs. later:

The problem will get worse. A foundation problem never gets better on its own – only worse- and as it does, it’s going to cost more to fix.
Resale value. Who wants to buy a house with a foundation problem? Nobody.
Appearance. Foundation problems often cause ugly cracks not only in the foundation itself, but inside the home as well.
Door and window operation. As your foundation fails to hold the house where it should be, your house bends and twists – this causes doors and windows to stick and jam, giving you fits.
Use of space. Sometimes you can lose use of space because of foundation failure, and that’s nto what you paid for when you bought the home
Safety. It’s unusual, but foundation collapsing, chunks of brick veneer falling off the house, and other serious safety hazards can and have happened.
Critters like cracks. Insects and even rodents can get into your home through cracks in your foundation, becoming uninvited house guests.

You’re going to pay for it whether you fix it or not.

Consider this: We are all going to sell our homes one day. And when we do, the buyer will hire a home inspector, something few people did 40 years ago, but now everyone does. In addition, when we list our home for sale, there is a disclosure form that sellers must fill out, explaining any defects with the house. You swear and sign to it, and the buyer gets a copy.

So it’s simply unavoidable that the buyer is going to know about the foundation problem in your home. Will they say “Aww shucks, don’t worry about that. We’ll take the problem off your hands and deal with it ourselves!” Not likely. In fact, they will probably walk away, and go look at the hundreds of other homes for sale out there.

If they do still want your home, they will either make you fix the foundation before they buy it, or they will take the price of the repair off the price of the house. There is no escape.

So whether you get your foundation fixed now and enjoy the peace of mind for you and your family while you live there, or you don’t, you are still going to pay for it – and maybe more later as the problem gets worse.

I don’t know about you, but if I am going to pay for something whether I get it or not, I’m getting it now. Make sense?

Homeowner gets creative with wall anchor covers

Tue, January 17 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Your home needed anchors and now there are bright, shiny plates that are attached to your basement wall forever. It doesn’t always have to look that way however if you invest in some wall anchor covers. That’s exactly what one homeowner of Sure-Dry’s did and they didn’t stop at “good enough.” They took wall anchor covers to the next level by personalizing them to fit their finished basement.

Before:

After:

Keep Your Basement Dry This Upcoming Summer

Fri, January 6 2012, 00:00:00 -500

With the unusual wet spring in the Fox Valley last year, it is essential for homeowners to keep their basements dry. For about 99 percent of homeowners it is the sump pump system that is the most crucial component in taking care of this. All that is involved in the specifications of a good sump and pump are more than you might have thought.

Why do we need sump pumps?

Most of the soil in the Fox Valley is comprised of some type of clay. The nature of constructing homes has us creating "clay bowls," otherwise known as basements. After digging we set the footing of our homes on the base of that hole and because of that, we then need to create a means to collect any water that fills it and eject it away from the hole. It sounds like a never ending cycle of water entering and exiting the foundation and it actually is. Water will always seek the path of least resistance (it goes where it can get to the easiest) and will always seek its own level (filling up the space equally). The challenge every homeowner has is to get a footing drain system to accommodate these natural laws. Before the water is expelled away from the foundation and propelled far enough away so it would be unlikely for it to enter back into the cycle, you need to offer the water a path of least resistance that reliably manages the level to which it is allowed to rise. This is when the sump pump comes in.

The makeup of a good system:

Sump pit - the hole in the basement floor. The bottom of the hole should be aligned with the lowest point in the basement.
Sump liner - A good sump liner has multiple inlets for water to collect quickly when the flow of water increases. The perforations assist in de-watering the sub-floor in the immediate area. The idea is to collect water into one spot as fast as possible. This should also have an airtight cover to keep out humidity and damp, musty smells that come along with standing water; safety is another reason.
Pump- not all pumps are created equal. There are two types:
- Pedestal pumps stick up above the floor. These pumps are air cooled so they tend to hold heat and burn out faster while also having a lower capacity. They usually are inexpensive and have and adjustable float.
- Submersible pumps are sealed water tight and are water cooled in which the motor sits in or under the water. With these pumps come a variety of switch designs:
  - Pressure sensitive – has no float, switch reacts to increased water pressure when water gets high enough.
  - Tether – switch is inside of a float attached to an adjustable cord.
  - Mechanical – float is fixed on a rod or stem and located on the side of the pump in which it slides up and down.
  - No switch at all – Uses switch panels that allows for continuous running.

How do I know which one is for me?

Pump manufacturer’s rate and test their pumps differently. Getting the most horsepower in a pump doesn’t necessarily indicate the highest volume, and that volume isn’t always tested the same way. When determining the volume of a pump be sure to compare the “head,” which is the distance of vertical lift out of the basement. For example, if one pump is advertising a certain volume at a two foot head and another is showing a lower volume with a ten foot head then you know the higher the volume was achieved under a much smaller workload. In determining the head under normal use for your sump pump just add the depth of the sump pit to the highest point of the discharge pipe. This is how high the water in the sump pit must be lifted to be expelled away from your foundation.

With the number of contributing factors in choosing the right pumping system for your situation, remember that there is a lot to be said in being able to rely on that pump and for it to work as hard and as long as it needs to in order to keep the basement dry.

Sure-Dry an Official Toys for Tots Drop-Off Location

Mon, November 21 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, in accordance with the Winnebago County Home Builders Association, is happy to once again be an official drop-off location for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. This program helps less fortunate children receive gifts at Christmas time.

From now until December 15th community members are asked to donate new, unwrapped toys by dropping them off at a participating location so they too can enjoy the Christmas expierience.

All toys will be sorted by age and gender and then distributed from mid to late December by the event coordinators with assistance from local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems takes pride in helping out our local community. We provide basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation repair, and sump pump installation in Sheboygan and throughout Wisconsin. Our service area includes Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond Du Lac, Wausau, Manitowoc, Neenah, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, De Pere, and other surrounding areas.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Honorable Mention for Torch Award

Mon, October 24 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - On Wednesday, October 19^th, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin named Sure-Dry Basement Systems the Honorable Mention recipient in this year’s prestigious Ethics Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity.

The winners were selected by an independent panel of twelve business ethics experts and announced at a ceremony at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. The winners were chosen based on submissions that demonstrated excellence in ethical practices, service excellence, reputation, honest advertising, peer recognition, management practices and employee training in ethical behavior. The BBB’s Business Ethics Torch Award was started eight years ago and is a statewide competition that honors companies and charities that do business in Wisconsin.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems, located in Menasha, has been in business since 1994. We're basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair contractors that serve Northeast and Central Wisconsin. Our service area includes Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond Du Lac, Wausau, Manitowoc, Neenah, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, and surrounding areas.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems Receives Awards at International Convention in Connecticut

Wed, October 5 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - Menasha, WI – Sure-Dry Basement Systems was recently honored at a meeting of over 600 guests from all over the United States and Canada at this year’s Team Basement Systems Convention. The annual convention is held each year between Seymour, Connecticut, (where the Basement Systems headquarters is located) and Hartford, Connecticut, and brings together dealerships of the international network for classes, seminars, training, parties and networking.

This year Sure-Dry Basement Systems awarded at the Team Basement Systems International Convention for ranking as one of the Top 30 Basement Systems dealers and one of the Top 5 Foundation Supportworks Power Brace Dealers in the United States and Canada.

The convention featured guest speakers Krish Duhnam (of the Zig Ziglar corporation), and the “Pit bull of Personal Development” Larry Winget. A sports-themed party at the Connecticut Convention Center ended the convention week with music, food and performances by the Harlem Wizards and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is a certified Basement Systems dealer specializing in foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation in Wisconsin. Sure-Dry Basement Systems has been servicing homes in Wisconsin since 1994.

Basement Systems is an international network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and basement finishing contractors. The international headquarters, based in Seymour, Connecticut, also provides sales and service throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, NY. Larry Janesky's Basement Systems has been helping homeowners increase their usable living space for over 20 years across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. They have 27 patented basement and crawl space products, designed to help homeowners get more out of their basements and increase their home's value.

Sure-Dry a Finalist in the Better Business Bureau EthicsTorch Awards

Mon, September 19 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Milwaukee, Wis. – The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin Foundation is pleased to announce that 11 organizations have been named as finalists for the prestigious 2011 Business Ethics Torch Awards.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order): Batzner Pest Management of New Berlin; Cintas of Madison; David Hobbs Honda of Glendale; Empire Today of Northlake, Illinois; Kerzner Remodeling & Construction of Oconomowoc; MedAdvocates of Racine; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin in Milwaukee; Sargento Foods of Plymouth; Spectrum Communications Services of Brookfield; Sure-Dry Basement Systems of Menasha; and The Starr Group of Greenfield.

The BBB’s Business Ethics Torch Award is a statewide competition that honors companies and charities who do business in Wisconsin, and that demonstrate excellence in ethical practices, service excellence, reputation, honest advertising, peer recognition, management practices and employee training in ethical behavior. The award program was started eight years ago by the Wisconsin BBB Foundation, a non-profit organization. Awards will be given in these categories, based on the size of the organization: 1-5 employees; 6-50 employees; 51-500 employees; 500+ employees; and charity.

Randall Hoth, Wisconsin BBB Foundation president said, "Trust has never been more important than in today’s business environment. When companies are ethical and trustworthy, they deserve to be honored. The BBB is happy to shine the spotlight on these ethical companies. I congratulate all of them for this well-deserved honor."

Winners will be announced at the BBB’s 9^th annual Torch Awards Banquet on Wednesday, October 19^th at the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Rich Meeusen, president and CEO of Badger Meter, is the keynote speaker.

Packers Back to Football Kickoff Party

Thu, September 15 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Football is back and employees at Sure-Dry were as ever prepared as the next person for the NFL's opening game as the Green Bay Packers hosted the New Orleans Saints as they got to partake in a "kickoff tailgate party" Thursday afternoon.

Employees were asked to represent Wisconsin sports teams by wearing an article of clothing that pertained to one of the three teams that were playing that Thursday night, the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers or Green Bay Packers. Fittingly, Green Bay Packers jersey's seemed to be the most prominent.

There was plenty of food to go around from brats, hot dogs and chips to cookies, cheese and sausage which was prepared by the wonderful Office Department.

Jamie Budiac, Foundation Supportworks Project Manager, was placed in charge of cooking the food for the employees which turned out fantastic.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Project in Menasha, WI

Wed, August 24 2011, 00:00:00 -500

It has always been within Sure-Dry’s vision to give back to the Fox Cities community and recently employees volunteered their time, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, to help a wonderful family in need of a new home.

Employees did a number of activities during the day including: installing foam insulation around the outside of the home, framing the garage and bedrooms in the basement while also helping out with various other minute tasks.

“It was an energizing feeling to watch something like this come together to be a permanent dwelling for someone who seems to appreciate it so well,” said Owner Doug Newhouse, “ I’m glad to have been apart of it.”

The 3-bedroom house is being constructed in the Town of Menasha with a completion date of Oct. 29, 2011 for Ann and her three daughters who all plan on living in the home.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in the Fox Valley in 1993 and its mission is to make simple, decent and affordable housing available to those who need it most.

Employees Enjoy Exquisite Steak Dinner

Fri, July 1 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry employees enjoyed a nice steak dinner on June 28th for all the hard work and effort in breaking the previous May monthly sales record. Employees ate at the Prime Quarter of Green Bay, WI where each person got to cook their own steak, garlic bread and sweet potato. It made for a great celebration at the perfect place!

Governor Walker Addresses Wisconsin Business Changes

Thu, May 26 2011, 00:00:00 -500

On May 26, 2011 at Miron Construction in Menasha, WI a packed audience gathered to listen to Gov. Scott Walker address Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce members and guests on the state's economy and job creation.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems' President and Vice President Doug Newhouse and Jenny Newhouse attended Walker's speech to learn how the new changes being implemented will affect small businesses in Wisconsin.

New Inventory Shop Comes to Life

Thu, May 26 2011, 00:00:00 -500

The inventory shop is finally being completed at Sure-Dry after over a year's worth of planning. The look to the room will be different to the entire staff, but especially to the production crews who will only have access to products and tools by having them distributed from new Inventory Specialist James Shomin. Shomin will be responsible for distributing and tracking items, tools and products as they come and go from the crews.

Each item in the inventory shop will have an item number along with having its own place. By creating this new systems it will allow for Sure-Dry to increase its efficiency in the Production Department by ensuring we are never short on products or having to delay jobs.

Along with the changes to the inventory portion is a new are for the production crews. The area will provide for a more organized portion of the shop where crew members will have desks to complete paperwork and an added spot for their boots and clothing.

The project is expected to go live May 31 and be fully completed within the next month. Here are a few pictures of the progress.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems provides basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, foundation repair, sump pump installation and so much more to Wisconson including the Fon Du Lac, Kaukauna, Appleton and many more areas.

BBB Features Sure Dry On Straight Talk Radio Program

Tue, May 24 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Owner Doug Newhouse was featured on a recent episode of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Straight Talk Radio segment which aired on March 13 and 14^th on WNAM 1280am and WOSH 1490am.

The segment included a one-on-one discussion with JoEllen Wolangk, Vice President, Northeast Regional Manager, on topics of foundation and basement repair/waterproofing, what consumers should watch out for when in the marketplace for this type of service along with company information on Sure-Dry Basement Systems, Inc and if work like this is usually covered by homeowners insurance.

To listen to the program please visit the Sure-Dry's homepage and click the link on the right-hand side or audio CD's are available upon request

Sure Dry offers professional BBB approved services such as basement and crawl space waterproofing to the Wisconsin area such as Wausau and Stevens Point.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Promo

Mon, May 2 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is running a new 17-game promotion out at Time Warner Cable Field home of the Class A - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers).

Involved in the promotion is a live sponsorship read from the announcer into the game and out of the game along with a :15 commercial that plays on the video board. Four contestant (2 male; 2 female) are chosen at random and are brought onto the field in which each team tosses water-soaked sponge balls into their partners' bucket that is attached on their head. The team with the most balls in their helmet at the end of :30 wins a prize!

For video of the game please check out our YouTube or Facebook sites!

Sure Dry Welcome the Packers Home

Wed, February 9 2011, 00:00:00 -500

On February 8, 2011 the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers returned home to Lambeau Field for a celebration with the fans. Owner Doug Newhouse was nice enough to buy tickets for the Sure-Dry team to attend the event. With a view from the 50-yard line and sitting three rows up, we were all able to get a great view of the players and Lombardi Trophy! More photos can be seen on our Facebook and Flickr pages!

Sure Dry Lending Helping Hand to Toys for Tots

Tue, November 23 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - Sure-Dry Basement Systems in accordance with the Winnebago County Home Builders Association is helping less fortunate kids in need by being a drop-off site for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

From now until December 15, community members are asked to donate new, unwrapped toys to less fortunate children within the community by dropping them off at a participating location so they too can enjoy the experience of Christmas.

Before distribution all toys will be sorted by age and gender and then distributed from mid to late December by the event Coordinators with assistance from local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is a part of the Basement Systems dealer network that consists of 300 basement waterproofing contractors and crawlspace specialists throughout North America, United Kingdom and Ireland. As the leading waterproofing specialists, Sure-Dry has been servicing all of Central and Northeast Wisconsin for over 16 years. Contractors servicing Wisconsin areas such as Sheboygan, Oshkosh, and many more.

Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin Now Better Business Bureau Accredited

Mon, November 22 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin (FSW), Sure-Dry Basement Systems' commercial division, has recently been approved to join the Better Business Bureau (BBB) effective November 18.

To become a member of the BBB, the company must meet the BBB's standards for membership and agree to support the BBB's principles of ethical business practices and voluntary self-regulation.

With the accreditation, BBB consumers and businesses will be able to receive reports on FSW regarding information about the length of incorporation, a summary of complaint history or other experiences and information developed through special BBB investigations.

FSW is currently maintaining an A- rating on a scale of A+ to F due to the length of time the business has been operating.

Founded in 2006, FSW specializes in commercial basement foundation repair and stabilization in Wisconsin. As a part of a 70 dealer network across the United States and Canada, FSW has access to the most innovative technological advancements regarding basement foundation repair and stabilization. Sure-Dry Basement Systems provides professional basement waterproofing services to many areas of Wisconsin including Sheboygan, Fond Du Lac, and many more.

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Wisconsin Foundation Repair Contractor Proud of Network Products Featured on A and E Drill Team

Wed, November 17 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - A Foundation Supportworks team of foundation repair experts were called onto A&E's television series Drill Team, to install their patented helical piers to help stabilize a New Jersey home's patio deck.

The home's sunroom had been completely battered and malformed, unusable and unlivable. The Foundation Supportworks team worked with the Drill Team carpenters, Jeff Devlin and Brandon Russell to transform the space into a beautiful, safe patio deck. The work was stabilized using the highly trusted Foundation Supportworks helical piers.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems performs similar projects using the same trusted products. The metal helical piers measure 20 feet in length and are made to sustain thousands of pounds of pressure.

Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin is the foundation repair expert in Wisconsin - that is the commercial branch of Sure-Dry Basement Systems. In addition to helical piers, they also install push piers, wall anchors and new construction helical piers.

Contact Foundation Supportworks of Wisconsin today for help stabilizing your home's foundation or repair any other foundation needs. They are the trusted experts for foundation repair in Wisconsin, serving areas such as Neenah, Green Bay, and Kaukauna.

A&E Drill Team is a television phenomenon where real homeowners' home improvement woes get transformed by Jeff Devlin, Brandon Russell and Lauren Makk using their unbelievable magic and a lot of care and heart.

Tracking Referrals Has Just Got Easier for Sure Dry

Thu, October 28 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - It's known in the business world that word of mouth advertising is free, and that nothing is more credible than a referral from a customer who had a positive experience.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems understood the importance of that and is now using a new referral program, ReferralFox, to accurately track where their referrals come from.

"Tracking referrals helps everyone to feel comfortable. I know that if I'm going to put my reputation on the line by referring a company, I want to know that they are going to follow through," says Richard Fencil, internet director at ReferralFox.

The program, designed by Basement Systems, provides a way to track, send and receive referrals from other "members" in a company's network. Members can consist of area contractors and condo association owners to real estate agents and homeowners.

"With ReferralFox, members can watch the status of their clients with the company, so they know they are being taken care of properly," said Fencil. "If at any time a member doesn't feel comfortable with what's going on, the program allows them to send a message to the company."

ReferralFox also allows members to give back to charity. Each time a new member signs up for the program they have the option of donating anywhere from 10 to 100 percent of the proceeds they receive to a charity of their choice. Currently there are five charities to choose from: American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, United Way and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

Sure-Dry Basement Systems are a part of the Basement Systems dealer network that consists of 300 basement waterproofing contractors and crawlspace specialists throughout North America, United Kingdom and Ireland.

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Sure Dry is Giving its Customers More Options for Egress Windows

Thu, September 30 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - Starting in October Sure-Dry Basement Systems is giving its consumers another option when wanting to install egress windows into their home.

"Every consumer is different, so we decided that it would benefit us and our customer to also offer installation of RockWell widow wells along with our current Bilco models," said Sales Manager Dave Brehmer.

RockWell Window Wells develop decorative stone textured composite window wells and are available in two colors; grey and tan. The stone texturing provides a realistic stone look and feel. They are also designed to allow more natural light into the basement.

"One benefit this is going to give us is a wider price point range for anyone interested in getting a beautifully designed egress window," Brehmer said. "Basically, it allows for more pricing options and features."

Safety features such as well covers, well grates and well ladders can be purchased at additional cost.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is a foundation repair contractor and authorized Basement Systems and Foundation Supportworks dealer located in Menasha, Wisconsin. The company has won numerous awards while servicing Northeast Wisconsin for over 16 years.

For more information on Sure-Dry Basement Systems or to setup a free inspection and estimate please visit their website at suredrybasements.com or call 920-967-9658.

Sure Dry Basement Systems of Wisconsin is Number Ten Dealer in Network

Fri, September 3 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Menasha, WI - Sure-Dry Basement Systems, the local waterproofing and foundation repair expert, earned the number ten dealer spot in the Foundation Supportworks network of North America's 70 most knowledgeable and highly trained foundation repair contractors. They received the award at the networks' annual convention held August 18-20, 2010 in Connecticut.

The 2010 Basement Systems Convention included all-day training on Wednesday and Friday at the headquarters in Seymour, Conn. There was an award ceremony held at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn. on Thursday evening where all those in attendance heard from guest speaker, Liz Murray who is the face to the Lifetime Emmy nominated movie, "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story".

As an A+ rated Better Business Bureau business, Sure-Dry Basement Systems is more than just experienced, they're proficient! They're expert basement waterproofers and foundation/crawl space repairers.

Sure-Dry specializes in foundation repairs including water control, bowed wall straightening, and foundation stabilization. They utilize resources such as advanced draining and pumping, piering, and install safety egress windows.

The Foundation Supportworks network is made up of the most highly trained and certified foundation repair experts in North America. They offer their clients a free foundation repair estimate and consultation.

This Foundation Supportworks dealer is also a member of Basement Systems, Inc., the international network of the world's finest basement waterproofing experts. The network is an industry leader with 300 contractors that specialize in basement and crawl space waterproofing, 25 patented products, and 22 quality and innovative prizes.

For foundation repair in Wisconsin contact Sure-Dry Basement Systems today, at 1-800-823-0497. They're highly trained and certified basement environment experts ready and willing to serve you.

Extreme Makeover House Gets Waterproofed After Record Rainfall

Mon, August 23 2010, 00:00:00 -500

For Immediate Release:

Menasha, WI â August 23, 2010 â With ABC's hit TV show "Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition" building their newest home in Neenah, Wisconsin, Sure-Dry Basement Systems took initiative to ensure that the newly built and finished basement will remain dry after record setting rainfall in July.

Image of the Triple-Safe
sump pump installed.

Hearing that "Extreme Home Makeover" will be constructing a house in the area, Sure-Dry Basement Systems made available their products and services. Products chosen by chief contractor Lexington Homes, were the Triple-Safe basement sump pump system and a Sani-Dry basement air system.

"The builders really wanted to take advantage of the lower level of that home because there really isn't a whole lot of space to build on the property," said Dave Brehmer, sales manager of Sure-Dry Basement Systems, "With the amount of finished work that is going into this basement, it's going to be reassuring for the family to know that their sump pump will be able to keep up during periods of heavy rain or power outage!"

Bringing the Sani-Dry into the basement.

The Triple-Safe sump pump system is engineered to be the world's most reliable pumping system providing three pumps in one unit with one of those being a battery operated back-up. The Sani-Dry basement air system is a powerful and effective dehumidifier that eliminates damp musty odors while drying and filtering the air.

With over 13 inches of rain falling in Appleton, Wisconsin, it became the wettest July on record and wettest month ever surpassing the previous record of 10.30 inches in August 1995. Neenah received 10.72 inches and is located 11 miles South of Appleton. With that amount of rain itâs over-saturating the ground.

"The record setting July rainfall is measurably greater than a wet spring month and when the ground reaches complete saturation there is no place for the water to go but into the basement or crawlspace cavity," said Doug Newhouse, owner of Sure-Dry Basement Systems. "With that, it is good to have a reliable drainage system and sump pump."

The rebuild in Neenah will air during Extreme Home Makeover's upcoming season which premiers on Sept. 26.

The final house makeover
before the reveal.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is a Wisconsin foundation repair contractor and authorized Basement Systems and Foundation Supportworks dealer located in Menasha, WI. The company has won numerous awards while servicing Northeast Wisconsin for over 16 years.

For more information on Sure-Dry Basement Systems or to setup a free basement or foundation inspection and estimate please visit their website at suredrybasements.com.

IceGuard: winter protection for you sump pump discharge lines

Tue, January 13 2009, 00:00:00 -500

In cold regions, when temperatures reach below freezing levels, one of the main concerns for every home owner is frozen pipes.

Frozen pipes can wreck havoc in a home. The internal plumbing can be insulated to prevent freezing, but some lines that run outside, canât be effectively insulated.

Among these, one that is specially troublesome is the sump pump discharge line. A frozen discharge line can virtually render a sump pump useless, or simply burn it out, and cause basement floods.

Until not too long ago there wasnât much you could do about it either. Fortunately, Basement Systems, through their commitment to keep basement dry all the time, managed to come up with a solution that make basement floods due to frozen discharge lines history.

A simple and yet clever extension, called IceGuard, will keep the pumped water flowing no matter how cold it is outside.

Click here to see how the IceGuard works.

Sure-Dry Basement Systems is your Basement Systems Dealer in Wisconsin. Contact us and find out about this and many other inniovative solutions we offer to keep you basement dry all the time!

Home Energy Saver Web Based DIY energy audit tool

Tue, September 23 2008, 00:00:00 -500

Developed by the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this handy do-it-yourself energy audit tool helps you detect, identify and plan energy efficiency improvement opportunities for your home, based in the city and region you live and specific data you can input about your home and lifestyle.

The more information you provide, the more efficient is the tool.

It will suggest the best upgrades; tell you how much they cost and how much money you will save by upgrading.

Personally I was very excited to find out that with a couple hundred dollars worth of simple improvements, I can save about $500 yearly in electric bills.

Professional home energy audits available in Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Appleton and many other surrounding Wisconsin areas.

Upgrading your home? Upgrade your insurance!

Tue, September 23 2008, 00:00:00 -500

If you are planning to remodel your home, the first person you should call is your insurance agent.
A remodeling project can increase the value of a home, and you might need extra coverage. Your insurance agent will be able to determine how much more coverage you need, if any, and will tell you how much your premium will increase.
A recent national telephone poll of 1,324 home owners conducted by Insurance Agents of America revealed that 60 percent of home owners who recently completed major structural changes to their homes – including bathroom or kitchen remodels, room additions, new decks or patios – did not update their homeowner’s policy to reflect the increased value.
In addition, 75 percent of those who plan to remodel also said they had not considered what a home improvement could mean to their insurance coverage.

This article on Move.com warns:
Be sure you have guaranteed replacement value coverage; otherwise your insurance may only pay the depreciated value for damaged or destroyed items.

Replacement value, which is what it would cost today to rebuild or to replace a loss, is usually confused with market value, which includes the cost of land, is what a buyer will pay for your property, causing many homes to be underinsured.

Sure-Dry contractors provide professional home remodeling services such as basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, crack foundation repair, and sump pump installation to areas such as Green Bay, Appleton, and Neenah.

Basement Waterproofing: Why not just hire a general contractor?

Tue, September 23 2008, 00:00:00 -500

Think of building science as an ever evolving science, like medicine. Then think of your home as a "living" system, much like your own body, in the sense that it is made of parts that need to be consistently maintained, serviced and updated in order to function properly.

Consider that your home is also your most valuable financial asset and just as important to you and your family as being in good health.
If it makes sense for you to seek the help of a specialist when you have some specific problems in your body, rather than just your primary care doctor, it makes sense to seek the help of an expert waterproofing contractor to repair a leaky basement.

Fixing and finishing wet basements is what we, at Basement Systems, do for a living. We don't build houses, we don't paint walls, and we will not remodel your kitchen. We fix wet basements and we need to do it well to stay in business for as long as we've been. In fact, we need to do it better than anyone else. Therefore we are always researching and developing cutting edge products and technologies, based on the latest scientific advances. Our team is extensively trained year round to keep up with them, and our tools and systems, consistently updated.

We offer the kind of technology and expertise you will not find anywhere else: not in a hardware store, not from your general contractor, not even from a competing business. We offer the best award winning basement waterproofing solutions available today.

That is why we are the number one in the world. Serving areas such as Stevens Point, Kaukauna, Wausau, and many more.

If you can easily and affordably get the world's basement experts to solve your problem, why wouldn't you?

Home Improvement Scams: Beware of Transients!

Tue, September 23 2008, 00:00:00 -500

They come out of nowhere, in packs, roaming the neighborhoods seeking for prey. They survey the area, observe the movement and carefully pick their victims. They choose the ones they think are more vulnerable, strike mercilessly, and then they are gone.

No, we are not talking about wolves or any wild beasts. We are talking about home improvement scammers: transients that travel around the country, knocking on people’s doors, pretending to be contractors and offering to make repairs.

They then ask for some money up front (or steal some property) and vanish without a trace, only to reappear in another town, under another name, scamming another home owner from his/her hard earned money.

They mostly target the elderly: people they perceive as gullible, and with money.

In Wisconsin, the Department of Consumer Protection urges consumers to beware, and offer some great tips on how to avoid such scams. Don’t be a victim!

Avoid home improvement scams by teaming up with the the good guys. Sure-Dry Basement Systems offers basement, crawl space, and foundation repair to Wisconsin areas such as Fond Du Lac, Kaukauna, and Stevens Point.