Basement, Crawl Space &
Foundation Knowledge Center
Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Home
Are you dealing with water in your basement, mold in your crawl space, or bowing foundation walls? Read through the articles in our knowledge center for everything you need to know to get your home fixed correctly and permanently.
Why Is Water Filling Up In My Window Wells?
And More Importantly, How to Fix It With today’s technology and waterproofing systems, there’s really no limit to what you can do with your basement. Whether you envision a game room with a fancy built-in bar or a fully furnished home office, your basement is like a blank canvas in this sense. But homeowners didn’t…
Read More 
Do Carbon Fiber Straps Repair Foundation Damage?
When it comes to being a homeowner, one of the smartest things you can do is protect your foundation walls - they literally support your home. And, if your basement walls are ever damaged, they need to be quickly repaired. While foundation damage may seem intimidating at first, carbon fiber straps are a simple, straightforward solution to repair your foundation. Let's break it down.
Read More 
Are My Basement Wall Cracks Normal or Dangerous?
If you notice any type of crack on your basement wall, stick around. This article is perfect for homeowners in New Jersey who want to know the difference between “normal” basement wall cracks that don’t require immediate attention and dangerous cracks that can threaten your home’s structural integrity. You’ll also learn about the different types of basement wall cracks, five easy ways to evaluate their severity, and cost-effective ways to repair them.
Read More 
Can You Waterproof an Old Basement? Waterproofing Homes Over 100 Years Old in New Jersey
Can you waterproof an old basement? Yes, but it requires a system designed for how older foundations handle moisture. Blue Umbrella provides basement waterproofing services for old-house foundations across New Jersey, where many homes are built of stone, brick, or early block. These materials were designed to allow moisture to pass through them; as a result, moisture movement is part of how these old basements function.
Read More What Is That White Powder on Your Basement Walls? (Understanding Efflorescence)
Chalky white powder on basement walls is a common problem that homeowners and business owners throughout New Jersey notice long before they know what it means. At Blue Umbrella Waterproofing, we get a lot of calls asking, “What is that white dust in my basement? Powder, mold, mildew, fungus, or something worse?” In most cases, it’s “efflorescence”—a mineral deposit left behind when water moves through your foundation walls.
Read More Will a Sump Pump Freeze in the Winter? – Winter-Proofing Your Sump Pump
Winter brings risks to basement waterproofing that aren’t always obvious. In New Jersey, melting snow, freeze–thaw cycles, and frozen ground can all affect how water moves around your foundation. Sump pumps are designed to move groundwater away from your basement before it can build up and cause damage, but winter conditions can interfere with how these systems work. If you rely on one, you may be wondering: Will a sump pump freeze in the winter, and what actually causes it to freeze?
Read More 
