First Step For Protecting Your Basement & CrawlSpace?
Level One Healthy Basement CrawlSpace Certificate
A Healthy Basement CrawlSpace Certificate provides homeowners with the reassurance that their basement and or crawl space meets the necessary requirements that promotes a healthy indoor living environment.
A wet, damp, and moist basement / Crawlspace can raise concern in many different ways:
- Allergies and Respiratory conditions
- High Heating Costs
- Structural Damage
- Appliance Breakdown
- Home Value
- Increased Health Risks In The Home
According to the EPA, as much as 50% of the air you breathe upstairs comes from your basement or crawl space.
Healthy Basement Certificate – Level One
The Healthy Basement Certificate Level One is the first and a crucial step in the HBC Program. Level One Includes
1. Sump Pump System
The HBC Level 1 includes one of the most important appliances in your basement or crawl space which is a Sump Pump System. Rainstorms and unpredicted flash floods can cause basements and crawl spaces to take on water. A sump pump is the 1st step for defending against having a wet basement and or crawl space.
What is a Sump Pump? – A sump pump is a submersible electric pump that is installed in hole beneath your basement and or crawl space floor also known as a Sump Pit. The pit is typically located at the lowest corner of the basement or crawlspace. When the water level rises in the sump pump liner (GrateSumpTM), the pump automatically turns on and will pump water out of the basement / crawlspace and away from the house. A homeowner can have peace of mind knowing that their valuable storage and property are protected against water damage. Time and money are also a factor: it is not spent in the cleanup of water damaged materials and property.
2. High Water Sump Alarm
Undetected high-water level may end up causing thousands of dollars in damage. The alarm sounds when a potentially threatening water level occurs alerting you that a pump failure has occurred.
3. Radon Gas Test Kit
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at high risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage. The effects of having cancer can take up to 10 years before it is diagnosed.
Make a Healthy Basement Certificate Level One your 1 st step towards achieving a healthy basement and or crawlspace.
TIP: Make sure your sump pump is working properly. Make sure the sump pump is plugged into a working electrical outlet. Sump Pump Systems should be serviced (preventative maintenance) at least once a year.
