Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in CT

Basement Systems Featured on Connecticut Style

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:44:33 -0500

Larry Janesky's Connecticut Basement Systems reinvented the basement waterproofing industry by patenting numerous innovations and installing them in thousands of homes in Connecticut and Westchester County. Over the years basement finishing, crawl space sealing, foundation repair and home energy retrofits were added to the Team Basement Systems family of services.

Headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut, today they are the industry leader in each of these divisions throughout North America and in the UK. Next year they will be celebrating their 25th year in business.

Basement Systems Marketing Director Dan Fitzgerald spoke with WTNH show "Connecticut Style" on Wednesday, January 18, about the science behind basement waterproofing.

Connecticut Basement Systems specializes in basement waterproofing and basement remodeling in Shelton, CT and other surrounding areas.

Watch the interview below:

Waterproofing your basement: wtnh.com

Basement Systems Donates 30 Turkeys to Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:54:45 -0500

This is the time of year where everyone pauses to give thanks for the year's good fortune. Over this long weekend we will have time to spend with our family and friends and enjoy a good meal, but we must not forget those who are less fortunate.

At Connecticut Basement Systems, owner Larry Janesky has an annual tradition of giving a turkey to every employee as a way to start the Thanksgiving season. Every year we order a few extra turkeys to be able to share with local food banks and shelters to help the needy in our area. This year we were made aware that the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, a local mission to help those down on their luck, was substantially low on turkeys to help families in need. Many employees donated their holiday turkeys to share with others.

In total, Basement Systems donated over 30 turkeys! Connecticut employees put thankful hearts into action and helped make this Thanksgiving memorable for over 30 families in our area.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Larry Janesky Makes the Cover of the CT Post

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:37:46 -0500

Basement Systems Founder and President Larry Janesky is no stranger to the media. He and his company, which specializes in basement waterproofing in CT, have been featured in newspapers, magazines, on television and on the radio. Recently, Janesky was featured on the front page of the November 13, Sunday edition of the Connecticut Post.

The article profiled Janesky's life from his start as a carpenter building houses to the multi-million-dollar basement waterproofing network he now maintains. Friends and family members were interviewed for the story to further delve into the life of one of Connecticut's most successful businessmen.

The story also offers a few nuggets of wisdom from the entrepreneur.

"You have to always do the right thing," Larry is quoted as saying in the article. "Ethics doesn't cost – it pays." Click here to read the full article from the CT Post.

POWER OUTAGE - Monday Oct. 31

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:55:52 -0400

Connecticut Basement Systems is experiencing a power outage today, Monday, October 31 due to the winter storm. Use the email contact form to contact us.

Thanks from the Team from Connecticut Basement Systems.

Basement Systems Sponsors 10 Bangladesh Children

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:44:25 -0400

Basement Systems is making an impact on many young lives living in poverty in Bangladesh. Larry Janesky, owner of Basement Systems, is sponsoring 10 children in Bangladesh through the Shapla Foundation.

The Shapla Foundation is the world's first transparent child sponsorship program where you can see exactly how your money is being spent on a sponsored child. You can actually click on a child's profile on the website and view a detailed spending report.

Each month the foundation collects money from donors, and then an assigned caretaker in Bangladesh uses it to buy food, clothing, school supplies, medicine, and other products the children need.

The foundation was launched in April by Evan Islam, who was born in Bangladesh and is the webmaster at Basement Systems. In total there are 21 children being sponsored so far, but Janesky is currently the biggest donor.

"This is BIG as he is making a direct impact on 10 lives," Islam said.

To learn more about the Shapla Foundation, or to sponsor a child, visit www.shaplafoundation.org.

Pink Day Comes to Basement Systems!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:41:14 -0400

It may be gray and rainy outside, but the colors are bright and cheerful inside Basement Systems headquarters today, the premiere experts for basement waterproofing in Connecticut.

The whole staff at Basement Systems donned pink shirts today to raise awareness of breast cancer. The town of Seymour, CT, celebrated "Seymour Pink Day" today, October 19. Seymour Pink was established to fundraise for breast cancer research, provide education, and to empower and assist breast cancer victims and their families.

Connecticut has a higher rate of people diagnosed with breast cancer than the national average, and Seymour's breast cancer incidence is higher than the state's average.

Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Basement Systems, ordered pink t-shirts for all of his employees to wear as well as pink balloons, which employees displayed around the office. Every department was "thinking pink" today! The production department even installed basement waterproofing systems today while wearing their pink shirts.

Larry Janesky Featured on Dream Room Makeover

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:33:37 -0400

When the Fox 61 show "Dream Room Makeover" sent out a call for the worst living room in Connecticut, no one could have expected an almost completely bare space in South Windsor with just one broken chair and some old pink drapes. The show immediately enlisted the help of local contractors to change the appearance of the drab and empty room, but Larry Janesky's Seymour-based Connecticut Basement Systems and Dr. Energy Saver companies stepped in to save the room in a way that wasn't immediately visible. And, the work his crews performed benefitted the entire house!

The television show, hosted by Mar Jennings, takes a dull and lifeless-looking room and redesigns it to make it stylish and different. The contest winner's barren living room had nothing in it but a lamp, a chair, and old drapes and flooring from before he purchased the house. He was at a loss when it came to redecorating, so he contacted the show for help. A number of local companies pitched in to help by donating labor and materials.

Janesky and his team installed blown insulation into the contest winner's attic. Blow-in insulation is installed faster and more uniformly then other types of insulation. Blown insulation also has an R-value of about 3.4 per inch. It comes in dense blocks that are wrapped in plastic. To install the material, each block is cut in half and pushed into a combination shredder/blower machine that feeds a long, flexible installation hose.

Adding extra insulation to an attic is a surefire way to help keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Many times, the minimum amount of insulation required in a house is not nearly enough to keep the house comfortable. Energy experts can add more insulation and also seal any air leaks to prevent outside air from getting inside.

"What we want to do is keep more of the air we pay to heat and cool in the house longer by air sealing the attic," Janesky said. "You can expect lower fuel and electric bills and a more comfortable home."

To see this episode of Dream Room Makeover, visit http://www.ctnow.com/entertainment/contests/dream-room-makeover-contest.

Connecticut Basement Systems Sponsors Golf Tournament Fund Raiser

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:51:47 -0400

Seymour, CT – On September 10th Connecticut Basement Systems, a local waterproofing contractor, sponsored a golf hole at the Loyal Order of the Moose Golf Tournament to allow underprivileged kids a vacation to New England.

The Loyal Order of the Moose is a service organization that works hand in hand with Mooseheart Child City & School. The Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1000 acre community located 40 miles west of Chicago for children and teens in need. The 10 boys going on vacation to New England from the Mooseheart Child City come from troubled families.

Connecticut Basement Systems has been serving the residents of Connecticut and Westchester County, NY for over 20 years. They specialize in basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, basement finishing and foundation underpinning repair in CT and other nearby areas. Connecticut Basement Systems has become the largest basement waterproofing company in Connecticut due to their honesty, integrity and high-quality workmanship. Call Connecticut Basement Systems for a free estimate today!

Connecticut Basement Systems Wins Awards at International Convention

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:48:19 -0400

Seymour, CT – Connecticut 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 Connecticut Basement Systems received 2 awards at the International Convention. They were the 1st ranked Basement Systems Dealer as well as the 1st ranked Total Basement Finishing Dealer. Connecticut Basement Systems also ranked as the 5th CleanSpace Dealer and one of the Top 50 Foundation Supportworks Dealers in the United States and Canada.

The convention also 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.

Connecticut Basement Systems is a certified Basement Systems dealer specializing in crawl space repair, sump pump installation and foundation repair in CT and other nearby cities. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and have been waterproofing basements in Connecticut and Westchester, NY for over 20 years.

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.

Basement Systems a Stop on the Harvest House Food Drive Tour

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:59:53 -0400

In the past few years, the Valley United Way's Harvest House project has collected hundreds of thousands of non-perishable food items to fill needy local food banks, and this year is expected to be no different. Local basement waterproofing company Basement Systems has jumped on board to help out by being a stop on the Harvest House Food Drive Tour, which was designed to give local businesses the chance to be a "tour stop" and help out the Valley United Way. Harvest House IV will be taking place on September 24 at the Riverfront in Shelton.

Harvest House is a collaborative bi-annual effort to construct a 400-square-foot house and fill it with more than 100,000 items of food and non-perishables, which are later distributed to Valley-based food banks and agencies for people in need. The goal is to bring the local food banks into the public eye and remind everyone how badly they need to be filled, especially as we approach the holiday season.

The Food Drive Tour will be making stops at several companies throughout the Greater Valley. Each company collects food from its employees, and United Way representatives spotlight the companies on their assigned day with a banner and photos. On September 1, Basement Systems was a tour stop. Employees posed proudly behind a stack of non-perishable food items.

"Basement Systems models our core efforts," said Pat Tarasovic, Director of the Volunteer Center at the Valley United Way. "Harvest House has become a monument to the coalition between the community and the corporations in addressing the need."

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. For more information or for a free estimate, call 1-888-574-9367 or visit www.basementsystems.com.

Basement Systems Helps the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:18:35 -0400

Fixing a basement leak in Connecticut isn't the only thing Basement Systems is concerned with!

The town of Seymour, CT, is uniting in October to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Seymour Pink was established to fundraise for breast cancer research, provide education, and to empower and assist breast cancer victims and their families.

Connecticut has a higher rate of people diagnosed with breast cancer than the national average and Seymour's breast cancer incidence is higher than the state's average.

Basement Systems, based in Seymour, is pitching in by helping to celebrate the 3rd annual Seymour Pink Day on October 19. Seymour Pink Day encourages Seymour residents to "think, wear, decorate pink" to raise awareness.

Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Basement Systems, will be ordering pink t-shirts for all of his employees to wear on Pink Day. Employees will also decorate their areas in pink.

For more information on Seymour Pink Day visit: http://www.seymourpink.com

To fix a basement leak in Connecticut get your free estimate today!

Basement Systems Participates in Harvest House Initiative

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:53:25 -0400

Seymour, CT- On Tuesday July, 19 Connecticut Basement Systems participated in an event to raise money for the Valley United Way. The event was held at the local Seymour restaurant, Hot Tamale, to benefit the Harvest House. The restaurant donated 15% of their customers’ bill to provide food to those in need.

Harvest House is an effort that biannually builds a 400 square foot house with the aim to fill it with more than 100,000 items of food. The house is funded by volunteers and designed by students from the Emmett O’Brian Technical School. The food items, both perishable and nonperishable, are collected by community members. This food then fills the house to be distributed throughout the Valley-based food banks and agencies to serve those in need.

One of the returning participants in the fundraising event this year is Connecticut Basement Systems. This company has been known to take part in the event every year as it looks to improve the surrounding communities. By eating dinner for themselves they also provided a meal to those in need.

The donations collected will go to benefit Harvest House IV which will be assembled on Shelton’s River Walk with a final food drive and celebration on September 24. For more information on how to get involved please visit the Valley United Way.

About Connecticut Basement Systems:

Connecticut Basement Systems is the largest basement waterproofing, crawl space waterproofing and moisture control company in Connecticut. They provide service to the Connecticut and New York area including Yonkers, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, New Haven, Poughkeepsie, Greenwich, Ossining, New Rochelle, White Plains and other nearby areas. With over 20 years and 20,000 homes serviced they are the experienced waterproofers you can trust. For basement waterproofing in Fairfield County, CT contact Connecticut Basement Systems today!

Connecticut Basement Systems Sponsors the Special Olympics CT for 3rd Year in a Row!

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:11:22 -0400

Connecticut Basement Systems is proud to be a sponsor of the Special Olympics CT for the 3rd consecutive year! The Special Olympics has helped change thousands of lives and attitudes in the local area and continues to do that today. Through participation and observation, the community at large is strengthened and united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect, and acceptance.

The staff at CT Basement Systems is extremely supportive of the Special Olympics CT and proud to support such a great organization. "Connecticut Basement Systems is very excited to be a sponsor of the Special Olympics in Connecticut again this year. We're honored to help our state's athletes strive for and reach their goals in any way we can," remarked General Manager, David Gullotti.

The Special Olympics is the world's largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 5,000 athletes compete in the Special Olympics CT today.

The Special Olympics mission statement says that they "strive to provide year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community." We love being able to sponsor this event because it is a great way for us to get plugged in to the community while helping athletes reach their goals.

Contact Connecticut Basement Systems for more information about their products and any basement leaks in Connecticut!

Team Basement Systems Supports and Participates in 2011 Men Who Cook

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:35:28 -0400

At this wonderful annual event, our very own Basement Systems and Dr. Energy Saver Teams sponsored and participated in the 2011 Men Who Cook fundraiser. John Kay and Rick Searles cooked live at the event, starting at 10 a.m. in Warsaw Park, Ansoniaâwhere they trimmed, prepped, tied, and seasoned 16 pork roasts!

By 6:00 p.m. the stations were open to some 600 ticket holders.

âThe event was a blast! Itâs a great event!â said John Kay.

The Men Who Cook fundraiser lasted from 6-11 p.m. and 71 men from throughout the community came to cook their favorite dishes from appetizers, salads, entrees, main courses, and desserts. The $50 entry ticket paid to sample all dishes, an open bar, silent auction, and dancing. A 50â wide screen was showing the Final Four basketball playoff game and was auctioned off at the end of the night.

Contact Connecticut Basement Systems today for more information about local services including crawl space repair and basement waterproofing in Connecticut.

Dr. Energy Saver is your way to save energy in CT. Call today!

About TEAM, Inc.

The Men Who Cook fundraiser raises money for Training, Education, and Manpower organization, also known as TEAM, Inc. The organization was put together by local officials in 1965 in an effort to fight against poverty, and to help low income families regain their independence.

The Eleventh Annual St Patrick's Day Luncheon Raises the Bar

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:33:07 -0400

The team in CT loves taking advantage of opportunities to grow together, celebrate, enjoy friendly competition, and make Basement Systems a place where people want to come to work and feel accepted.

This St. Patrickâs Day was a blast! With the traditional Irish foods such as corned beef on rye, Irish soda bread, potato salads and desserts, this year proved to be the biggest turnout of contribution and smiles! So, whatâs the history of this annual team building event? I spoke with Director of Marketing, Dan Fitzgerald, about how this event has become such an anticipated Basement Systemâs event.

It all started 11 years ago when Dan surprised the team and brought in a couple of corned beef briskets, he made himself & rye bread for St. Pattyâs Day lunch for all the employees. Since Danâs last name is a dead giveaway of his heritage, St. Pattyâs Day at Basement Systems kind of became âhisâ day. Each year more people in the Marketing Dept. would contribute to the luncheon, as the company grew and grew. Dan would contribute the corned beef, rye bread, cheese and mustard while the desserts and sides were up to the rest of the team.

This year turned out to be the biggest and best ever! With a variety of home-made cupcakes, chocolate dipped pretzel sticks, rice krispie and lucky charm treats, tiramisu, and more! Everyone played a role, which makes this team so very special to begin with.

âWeâre a winning team. All of our divisions, from maintenance, production, those in marketing, to Larryâwe all play our role. Each person is equally important. This is a unique environment. Itâs not all that common. We appreciate each other, and thatâs what people feel as soon as they walk in our door when they come to visit! Itâs a great culture & a great environment,â says Dan.

St. Pattyâs Day isnât the only team building event this CT team loves to take part in throughout the year. Thereâs the company picnic in the summer, chili cook off, bluefish event, hockey games, sports center event, Halloween party, secret Santa, and the Christmas Party.

We work hard, and we play hard. But, above all, we take our job seriously because we know how important dry and safe basements, crawl spaces, and foundations are to homeowners. Please contact us today, we offer free estimates for each service including foundation inspections in CT!

Larry Janesky's Interview on WTNH

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:41:50 -0500

Larry Janesky, owner of Basement Systems, Inc., recently gave an interview to WTNH News Channel 8, where he talks about his award-winning novel, "The Highest Calling".

Here's the video of the full interview:

The Highest Calling: wtnh.com

Basement Systems Employee Joins Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 04:43:23 -0500

Batey, DR is mainly inhabited by Haitian migrant workers making very little money working laborious hours in sugar cane fields. While such work was once prosperous, workers are now making hardly any money to support themselves-- let alone their families.

In addition, their children are being denied citizenship, thus having little to no education. The government also denies assisting the locals in many cases and has in many ways seemingly disowned Batey.

In some local areas, the people are suffering from poor nutrition, unsanitary living conditions, and disease.

The trip is being organized by another member of the same church who is also a member of the Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA). She has lead several trips bringing medical aid to Haiti. For this trip, she is working with the Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) to bring aid to the DR.

People can support this cause by donating supplies, money, and even sponsoring one of the young adults.

The team is collecting: gauze, children/adult Motrin, anti-diarrhea medication, anti-nausea, stomach medication such as tums, anti-fungal creams, and little baggies for distributing medications.

The trip costs $1, 300 per person, which includes airfare, lodging, meals and transportationâitems that were originally unnecessary as a means to serve, but have been insisted upon by the BRA. The team is exceedingly grateful.

Contact Samantha Walton for more information at: 800-640-1500 ext. 9873 or Samantha@basementsystems.com

The event is also on Facebook as âSupport Harvest Young Adult Mission Trip.â

**Images are from the past mission trip to Haiti that some of the same young adults attended.

Foundation Repair Expert Answers Your Questions

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:49:18 -0500

Q: What is the cost of fixing a foundation in Connecticut?
Foundation repair costs can vary greatly, sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The cost depends on a number of variables, but the main factors are described below:

    * Foundation type. Some foundation types are more easily repaired than others. For example, a poured concrete wall is usually less difficult to fix than a wall constructed from stone or brick.
    * Area and magnitude of damage. As might be expected, the more extensive the damage, the more expensive the repair is likely to be.
    * Accessibility for repair crew & equipment. When access is limited, such as in a narrow crawl space, it will become more difficult for workers and their equipment to maneuver-most likely increasing repair costs.

Q: What are the methods of fixing a concrete slab foundation in Connecticut?
A concrete slab that has cracked and/or shifted up or down will probably be stabilized with piers and brackets or by mud jacking. Steel piers installed beneath or alongside the slab can connect the slab to better load-bearing soil or bedrock. Steel brackets connect the piers to the slab. Many slab repairs can be completed within one or two days.

Q: Who can I call to repair a stone foundation in CT?
A foundation repair contractor who has experience with older houses should be able to handle this type of repair. Sometimes the existing stone foundation can be repaired. In other cases, damaged sections of the original foundation may need to be replaced with new materials - either poured concrete or concrete block. No matter the solution, an experienced foundation repair contractor such as Connecticut Basement Systems can repair these stone foundations.

Q: How do you repair a shifting retaining wall in Connecticut?
Some earth behind the wall may need to be removed so that the retaining wall can be pulled back into proper alignment. It may also be necessary to install drain lines that prevent water from building up behind the wall. The work of pulling a retaining wall back into its original position is typically accomplished with helical anchors and hydraulic jacks. The anchors are designed to screw into the soil, which are then pulled deeper and deeper by helical plates being welded to pier shafts. Once stable soil has been reached, a bracket is attached to the end of the pier and the wall is jacked back into alignment before permanently affixing the bracket.

Q: What kind of foundation crack repair services are available in Connecticut?
Minor cracks in foundations can often be repaired by the homeowner or by a remodeling contractor. However, if the crack is wider than Â¼ in. or if the foundation has not only cracked but also shifted, it's important to enlist the services of an experienced foundation repair specialist. If a crack reappears after it's been repaired with patching mortar or sealant, this indicates that a structural issue exists and a foundation repair contractor should be called.

Q: What are the solutions for concrete block wall repairs or cracked brick wall repairs in Connecticut?
A foundation repair specialist can provide both repairs. It's important not just to fill cracks in block or brick walls, but to also determine why the cracks have occurred in the first place. If unstable soil and settlement problems exist, you can expect cracks to recur until the structural problems are corrected.

Q: Who do I call for cellar foundation repair in Connecticut?
Technically speaking, a cellar is a crude or early form of basement foundation. In a cellar, the foundation walls are typically made from stone or brick, and the foundation is likely to have a dirt floor. Repairing this type of foundation is tricky because the space is often cramped, dark and damp; also, rubble stone walls are likely to have been built without proper footings and with weak mortar. Seek out the services of a foundation repair contractor with historic house experience.

Q: What is "underpinning repair," and what are the particulars to this kind of repair in Connecticut?
This type of repair usually involves installing steel piers beneath or adjacent to foundation elements (walls, slabs or footings) that have settled. Underpinning, also known as "piering," helps to stabilize a foundation that has shifted because of unstable soil. The piers are driven deep enough to connect the foundation to bedrock or soil with adequate load-bearing characteristics. Steel brackets connect the piers to the foundation element. In addition to pier installation, underpinning can also involve installing footings or grade beams if these elements can contribute to greater foundation stability.

Q: How do I find a concrete foundation repair contractor in CT?
Foundation repair contractors, also known as foundation repair specialists or experts, are trained to correct a wide variety of foundation problems, including concrete foundation problems. Because repairing a home's foundation can have serious repercussions if improperly done, it is important to find a contractor certified, backed or approved by an organization such as Foundation Supportworks.

Q: What is foundation pile driving?
"Piles" and "piers" are two terms that are used interchangeably to describe the posts, pillars or tubes driven into the soil to reinforce or stabilize foundations and other structures. Driving piles (or piers) is a strategy that foundation repair contractors use when surface soil conditions cannot adequately support a structure. Piers driven to reach bedrock or suitable load-bearing soil provide the structural support that the surface soil lacks. Foundation repair contractors rely on two main types of piers: push piers that are driven into the soil like giant spikes and helical piers that are turned into the soil like huge screws. Both types of piers are made from steel with a corrosion-resistant coating.

Q: Some of the floors in my house are out of level and excessively bouncy. How can I level and make the floors firmer?
Many older houses were built using undersized floor joists, which can cause bouncy floors. When the main floor of a house dips out of level, it's often because a foundation wall has settled or because the post-and-beam framing that provides mid-span support has settled. Both settlement problems can be corrected by an experienced foundation repair contractor. As for the bouncy floors, these can be stiffened by first jacking the dipped floor section closer to level and then "sistering" larger floor joists against the existing undersized joists.

Contact Connecticut Basement Systems today to speak with a foundation repair expert and schedule a free estimate for foundation crack repair in CT.

Winter Weather in CT Merits Warnings and Assistance From Local Expert

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:09:13 -0500

Seymour, CT âÂÂ Accidents arenâÂÂt just happening on the roads this morningâÂÂafter mounds of snow having already fallen last week and freezing rain predicted to be on the radar throughout the afternoon, many homeowners may have a disaster forming in their basement. Once this snow and ice buildup begins to melt there may be flooding in many basements.

Whether you are preventing or recovering from the damage of this recent storm, Larry JaneskyâÂÂs Connecticut Basement Systems can help.They offer a free estimate for basement waterproofing and finishing. Before you lose all your storage and belongings you keep in your basement, have LarryâÂÂs team diagnose any problems and propose the proper solutions.

Have the peace of mind in knowing that your basement has been waterproofed and finished with water damage resistant and mold proof materials.

Contact Larry JaneskyâÂÂs Connecticut Basement Systems today for your free estimate for basement waterproofing in Connecticut.

Basement Systems Receives Thank You Letters From Kindergarteners

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:06:49 -0500

What's better than receiving hand drawn thank you notes? After having chosen to donate to a kindergarten class, $195.77 that had originally been put aside for a celebratory luncheon, we've gratefully received these beautiful thank you letters from the kids.

Mrs. M had wanted to purchase some materials to help her kindergarteners in learning letters and numbers, forming sentences and words, and understanding sounds.

We're also very thankful to be growing during a time where many people and businesses are struggling or recovering from some serious financial strain. While we're proud of being able to sustain and provide efficient services to our customers, we also care very greatly for those within our communities asking for help.

Contact us today if you are in need of more information about our company and services including: basement waterproofing, foundation repair, basement finishing, and how to remove mold in CT crawl space.

We utilized Donors Choose to make a specific donation. After reviewing various needs, we chose Mrs. M's class. Join in the fun of helping others by using the Donors Choose website.

CT Basement Systems Wins Second Consecutive Super Service Award

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:35:41 -0500

Seymour, CT - January 07, 2011

For the second year in a row, Connecticut Basement Systems has been awarded the prestigious Angie's List Super Service Award. This award is bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie's List, the nation's leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Connecticut Basement Systems is a basement waterproofing company based in Seymour, CT. Its team has been providing superior service to its customers in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY, for over 20 years through waterproofing, basement finishing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair services.

"We are honored again to receive the Super Service Award from Angie's List," said David Gullotti, General Manager of Connecticut Basement Systems. Everyone at Connecticut Basement Systems is committed to providing WOW service to our customers, and this recognition is a confirmation of such a commitment.

The Super Service Award is reserved for companies who have achieved and maintained a superior service rating on Angie's List throughout the past year. Fewer than 5 percent of the companies on Angie's List meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for the award. Angie's List Super Service Award winners have maintained a total and overall grade of "A," have received a minimum number of reports, are not in the Angie's List "Penalty Box," and do not have an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Connecticut Basement Systems is a part of the Basement Systems, Inc., international network of basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and basement finishing contractors. 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.

The Super Service Award added to a cluster of awards won by the company at the end of 2010. Larry Janesky, owner of Basement Systems, won two awards for his business book, "The Highest Calling." Dr. Energy Saver, sister company to Basement Systems, was also recently honored by Business New Haven with a Green Business Award for "Green Educator."

The Highest Calling By Larry Janesky Wins Two Prestigious Awards in 2010

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:25:22 -0500

Larry Janesky, entrepreneur, owner and founder of Basement Systems Inc., as well as six other successful companies can now add âaward-winning authorâ to roll of accomplishments.

Earlier in December 2010, his book entitled The Highest Calling, was chosen by popular vote, as the Best Small Business Book in the 2010 Small Business Book Awards.

Running against many great books from prestigious authors, in several categories, the book also won first place in the Business Management Category.

Larry credits much of this success to the massive support of all his readers, friends and the Basement Systems Network.

In the last week of December, a panel of industry experts, chose the novel as the Best Business Book in the 2010 New England Book Festival.

The Highest Calling, an inspirational novel about business and life; struggle and success is a work of fiction, yet also auto-biographic as well.

The book compiles much of Larryâs own experience and the kind of innovative, yet down-to-earth business wisdom, which allowed him to transform his small and mundane business into a multi-million dollar enterprise and a network of over 350 dealers in 6 countries.

The book tells the story of Troy Becker, a small home remodeling contractor struggling to juggle business, family, career and life, who has a life-changing encounter with a mysterious character named Cy.

Cy has a story of his own, and he is set to help Troy overcome his challenges, by offering him some of his experience and advice. By following Cy and Troyâs story, the readers are invited to examine their own business and life choices, and to make significant changes by embracing a new way of thinking.

The Highest Calling is sold through its own website, in a full packages that includes the 250 page hard-cover edition, the 7 CDs audio book, narrated by the author himself, and a special bonus âblue bookâ diary, where readers are invited to record their own thoughts, notes and plans.

A portion of the book sales proceeds are donated to homeless shelters and the United Way.

Finished Basement Flooring - Then and Now

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:05:40 -0400

Like all things these days, basement flooring has made some huge advancements from the past. What is being understood more and more often today, is that these floorings simply do not work. Here are a few things to think about:

Concrete is porous and absorbs moisture. Because of this, water vapor continuously passes upwards through the floor and into the basement.
Concrete is cold because it's surrounded by damp, cold earth.
Most basements have a high probability of flooding from plumbing, basement windows, water heater, washing machines, or through the foundation floor.

If you have a basement finishing project in mind and want to install traditional finishing materials like drywall, think again. Basements remodeled with traditional materials, such as carpeting, drywall, linoleum, tile, and wood, are being ruined and ripped out every day. And this is a big investment -- you're not going to want to pay to do this again.

For a FREE, no-obligation basement finishing quote, call or e-mail Connecticut Basement Systems today. We serve Westchester County and Connecticut, including areas such as Hartford, Norwich, Stamford, Canaan, Old Saybrook, New Haven, Litchfield, Union and surrounding areas.

Then: Linoleum Floors

Linoleum flooring is a fast, cheap, roll-out flooring that is occasionally used for basement renovations. Because it's so easy to install, many homeowners are tempted to grab a roll for their finished basement space. Of course, linoleum is not known for its beauty, and it would rarely, if ever, be someone's first choice if price was no object.

While linoleum makes a fair cost-effective solution for upstairs rooms, it's a terrible idea for a basement floor finishing. To be installed, linoleum must be adhered to a subfloor below the main flooring. In the case of a basement, your subfloor is basement concrete, with moisture passing through continuously. This moisture works to break down the adhesives that bind the linoleum to the concrete, making its seal loosen, blister, and eventually peel up. And if the adhesives use organic material, they'll grow mold and mildew as they peel. Flooring designs that adhere to the floor -- such as linoleum and paint, will always fail.

Now: Wood-Design Waterproof Parquet Floor Tiles

One great substitution for linoleum on the basement floor is to find a parquet-design basement floor tile like Total Basement Finishing's ThermalDry Parquet Floor Tiles. They install quickly and easily, and you can use them as soon as the installation is done. They're more attractive and durable than traditional linoleum flooring, and because they install without glues or adhesives, humidity moving upward from the basement floor will never cause them to peel or blister off your floor!

ThermalDry Parquet Flooring is made out of completely inorganic materials, so they will not support the growth of mold or mildew, and they're much longer-lasting and more durable than linoleum. And if one tile is ever scratched, punctured, or otherwise damaged, they can be easily replaced -- even by a do-it-yourself homeowner. So why settle for ugly linoleum flooring?

Then: Ceramic, Stone, and Marble Basement Floor Tiles

One idea for a basement floor that appeals to many homeowners is to add the time-honored beauty of stone, ceramic, or marble floor tiles to their finished basement. At a glance, this sounds like a great idea. However:

1. These tiles are installed with grout, which can grow bacteria, mildew, and mold and must be maintained.
2. The tiles bond to the basement floor, so they are hard, cold, and unforgiving.
3. Removal of tiles from the basement floor is expensive and nearly impossible, because you're trying to remove grout from cement.

Yes, they're gorgeous. But don't you also want a welcome environment, a warm surface underfoot, and the option to change your mind about your basement flooring someday?

Now: Tile-Design Basement Flooring for Basements

Instead of committing to a lifetime of hard, cold tiles made of stone, ceramic, or marble, consider installing equally attractive plastic basement flooring tiles. These tiles click together and install as a floating floor on your basement concrete. There's no need to keep everything you stored in your basement upstairs for days while you wait for the grout to set - they're ready to use immediately after installation.

Basement floor tiles like the ones provided by Total Basement Finishing rest on raised pegs, creating an air space beneath. This space ensures that moisture will not be trapped beneath, and it creates a thermal break, making the surface of the tiles 8-10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the cold concrete below. Their plastic design makes them more forgiving of falls and dropped items, and should you ever want to remove them -- the can be pulled up easily, with no need to scrape away grout.

Then: Wood Basement Floors and Sub Floors

Wood finishing on a basement floor is among the worst possible finishing options there are. Wood soaks up moisture from the concrete floor beneath like a sponge, causing them to swell and buckle from moisture underneath -- where dehumidifiers can't reach it. If there's ever a basement flood, water will be trapped in the wood as well. Mold can start to establish itself in a wood floor in just 24-48 hours, and once it's begun, it's expensive and difficult to stop it. We've seen hundreds of basements with ruined wood floors!

Height in a basement finishing plan is critical, and wood flooring doesn't help. Wood basement floors take up as much as 3-4" of head space, which is sometimes just enough to make the basement not code-compliant for basement finishing. And if your wood floors are ever ruined and need to be removed, you can bet it's going to be hard to find a contractor willing to rip out your old, moldy, rotting lumber, drag it out of the basement, and dispose of it.

Now: Wood Laminate Basement Flooring

Admittedly, there's nothing as warm, inviting, and attractive as a beautiful wood basement floor. However, there are options for basement flooring that can be installed without taking up several inches of your valuable head room, without being damaged by moisture, and without the risk of having to rip out and replace your basement floor should a basement flood occur.

Products such as Total Basement Finishing's Millcreek basement flooring do just this. Warrantied to be 100% waterproof, it won't be damaged by a basement flood, and its design is more durable and long-lasting than a wood floor. Unlike a wood subfloor, Millcreek flooring only takes 1/4" of a basement's head space, leaving you more vertical room in the finished basement. And because it installs as a floating floor, there's no adhesives to peel, and removal of the flooring is easy in inexpensive.

Then: Basement Carpet on Concrete or a Wood Subfloor

There's only one basement flooring material that soaks up moisture more than wood -- carpeting. When placed on a basement floor, carpeting pulls in moisture like a sponge until it's completely soaked. One flooded basement, and you can count on a moldy, musty odor in your finished basement for years to come.

If a basement carpet is laid directly on the floor, then it'll also soak up moisture and humidity passing upwards from the concrete below. Since it's laying directly on the cold concrete, it will also be cold and uncomfortable underfoot. If it is laid on a wood basement sub floor, then you have all the problems of wood floor -- less head space, rotting wood, buckling wood flooring, and mold -- combined with a moldy, rotting carpet. And because you've installed carpeting, you're committed to a long, unbroken sheet on your basement floor. This means that any stain, tear, or worn spot is permanent -- you'll just have to live with it or replace the whole thing.

Now: Inorganic Interlocking Carpeted Tiles

Instead of installing carpet on a subfloor or directly on the concrete itself, find a basement flooring option that will act as both a sub floor and carpeted surface. The ideal solutions are ThermalDry Basement Floor Tiles, as provided by CT Basement Finishing and elsewhere in Connecticut.

ThermalDry carpeted floor tiles are a basement subfloor and finished floor surface in one. They interlock to prevent humidity from rising upwards into the basement, while they are completely waterproof and will not support mold growth. Should one become worn or damaged- for example, at the bottom of a staircase -- they can easily be removed and replaced.

If you have your heart set on your own carpeting design -- perhaps to match the space upstairs, CT Basement Finishing can still help. We offer unfinished floor tiles as well, which will stop humidity and keep your floor's surface 8-10 degrees warmer than the concrete below. ThermalDry basement sub floor matting will double the life of your custom basement carpet!

Local Basement Floor Finishers in Connecticut

When you're ready to finish your basement, CT Basement Finishing would like to help! We proudly serve CT including Tolland, Hartford, Greenwich, Lime Rock, Danielson, Norwich and Guilford. We offer FREE basement finishing price estimates, including a written quote, on-site consultation, and free basement finishing book. Call or contact us by e-mail today to get started!

CT Basement Dealer Is Number One Dealer in Two International Networks

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:29:58 -0400

Seymour, CT - Connecticut Basement Systems is officially the number one dealer in the Basement Systems and Total Basement Finishing international networks of nearly 300 dealers, as well as the number five dealer in the CleanSpace Crawl Space network. They won the awards 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".

Connecticut Basement Systems has become the largest basement/crawl space waterproofing and moisture control company in Connecticut. They have serviced Conn. for 20 years and provided solutions for nearly 20,000 residents. This dealer also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

The Basement Systems, Inc. network is an 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.

Total Basement Finishing is the finishing division of the internationally renowned Basement Systems, Inc. network. TBF has provided basement solutions for over 20 years.

For basement waterproofing in Torrington and other areas in CT, contact Connecticut Basement Systems today, at 1-877-347-5951. They're highly trained and certified basement environment experts ready and willing to serve you.

Wild weather causes tornadoes and chaos in CT

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:28:12 -0400

East Litchfield, CT - Extreme weather brings damage to region

High winds, rain, hail and tornadoes made for a day of wild weather in Connecticut on July 22nd. Bristol, East Litchfield, Terryville and Thomaston all confirmed tornado touchdowns with winds of 100 miles per hour. The funnel clouds formed between 3:35 and 4:15, in the various towns.

The National Weather Service reported that the tornadoes were classified as an EF1 on the Fujita Scale, which classifies tornadoes. This classification is the second tier and is for tornadoes with sustained winds between 86 and 110 miles per hour.

After the storm an estimated 48,000 residents were without power and many areas had significant damage as a direct result of the tornadoes. The tornadoes had no injuries or fatalities reported from it.

These storms follow on the heels of heavy storms on June 24th which devastated the Bridgeport region. That storm brought heavy rains and 79 mile per hour winds. This storm brought down buildings, power lines, church steeples, uprooted trees, and made side streets impassable. Building materials flew around in the strong winds which came through the area mid-afternoon.

Mayor Bill Finch reported that 9 buildings had collapsed completely or partially. A state of emergency was declared and at least 50 families were left homeless after the storm. Twenty-five people were admitted to hospitals with minor injuries and one person was reported in serious condition.

For both storms the state applied for emergency assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and was approved for a deadline extension to assess damage caused by the storm. Governor M. Jodi Rell stated that, "Joint teams of state and federal officials have been in the field for several days and we have been working with municipal officials and affected homeowners to gather all the information we can about property damage and other effects. If there is any possibility of getting aid for affected homeowners and businesses, I am determined to explore it to its fullest."

As the state cleans up after these storms, residents are taking stock and repairing their homes. If your home is in need of basement waterproofing, crawl space, or foundation repair, contact Connecticut Basement Systems today. They perform foundation repair, crawl space repair and basement waterproofing in Litchfield, Bristol, Thomaston, Torrington, Norwalk and all of CT and Westchester County, NY. Get your free estimate today. To view video of the storm see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oThEUuZ8qg