How to Add Rim Joist Insulation and Stop Basement Drafts
Stop cold basement drafts and lower your heating bills by properly air-sealing and insulating your rim joists with rigid foam.
Homeowner Knowledge Hub
Foundation & Basement
We explain how to read foundation cracks, keep water away from your home, and fix structural issues before they become expensive disasters.
Read the full Foundation & Basement guide →
Basement Water Leak: How to Find the Source and Fix It
Discovering water in your basement is terrifying, but it rarely means your foundation is ruined. Learn how to diagnose the source, fix poor exterior drainage, and seal minor cracks before the heavy fall storms arrive.
How to Fix Drain Spout Drainage and Save Your Foundation
Pooling water near your foundation is a ticking time bomb for basement leaks and structural damage. Learn how to fix your downspout drainage with simple extensions, buried emitters, and pump systems.
Foundation Problems? How to Spot the Signs and What to Do
Noticed a crack in your drywall or a sticking door? Don't panic. Learn how to tell normal house settling from serious foundation trouble, and what to do next.
Crawl Space Maintenance: Your Complete Foundation Guide
Don't ignore the dark space beneath your floors. Learn why homes have crawl spaces, how their foundation parts work, and a simple checklist for keeping moisture and pests out.
Dirt Crawl Spaces: How to Choose a Crawl Space Liner
A heavy-duty crawl space liner stops ground moisture from rotting your floor joists and ruining your indoor air. Learn how to choose the right thickness and install it properly.
Vapour Barrier Concrete: How to Stop Moisture Under Slabs
Concrete acts like a sponge, drawing moisture from the ground right into your home. Learn how to choose and install the right vapor barrier to protect your floors from hidden dampness.
Crawl Space Doors: How to Seal and Secure Your Access Panel
A poorly sealed crawl space door is a major source of drafts, pests, and moisture. Learn how to replace, insulate, and weatherstrip your access panel for better energy efficiency.
How to Install a Moisture Barrier for Crawl Space Dampness
Stop musty odors and high indoor humidity by installing a proper crawl space moisture barrier. Learn how to choose the right material and seal it correctly.
Horizontal Foundation Cracks: What They Mean and How to Fix
Discovering a crack in your basement can be terrifying. Learn how to tell the difference between normal settling and serious structural threats, and exactly how to fix them.
Flooded Crawl Space? How to Remove Water and Stop It Fast
Discovering standing water under your house is stressful. Learn how to safely drain a flooded crawl space, find the source of the leak, and keep it dry for good.
Sump Pump Smells Musty? How to Clean It Before Summer
If your basement still smells musty after running a dehumidifier, your sump pump basin might be the hidden culprit. Learn how to clean and deodorize the pit before summer heat sets in.
Basement Musty Smell Won't Go Away? How to Fix It
Tired of a damp, earthy odor ruining your downstairs space? Learn how to track down hidden moisture, fix foundation leaks, and eliminate persistent basement smells for good.
Crawl Space Sweating? How to Stop Condensation Fast
As spring humidity rolls into summer heat, warm air hitting cool foundation walls creates damaging crawl space condensation. Learn how to stop the sweating, seal your vapor barrier, and protect your wood joists from rot.
Sump Pump Keeps Running? How to Fix a Stuck Float Switch
If your sump pump keeps running even when the pit is dry, you risk burning out the motor. Learn how to quickly diagnose and fix a stuck float switch or broken check valve before the next heavy storm.
Basement Still Smells Musty With Dehumidifier? The Real Fix
Running a dehumidifier but your basement still smells musty? Learn how to troubleshoot lingering odors, from deep-cleaning your machine to finding hidden moisture.
Sagging Crawl Space Insulation? Why It Falls and How to Fix It
Finding sagging crawl space insulation during your spring inspection? Learn why shoving it back up traps moisture and causes wood rot, and how to fix the root cause.
Sump Pump Stopped Working? How to Fix It During a Storm
Your sump pump stopped working during a massive downpour, and the water is rising. Follow this emergency triage guide to troubleshoot the pump and prevent a flooded basement.
White Powder on Basement Walls? What It Is and How to Fix It
Discovered a chalky white substance on your basement walls? Learn how to identify harmless efflorescence, clean it safely, and stop the moisture causing it.
Water Pooling in Crawl Space? How to Find and Fix the Cause
Discovering standing water under your house after heavy spring rains is stressful, but it is usually a fixable surface-drainage issue. Learn how to safely remove the water and stop it from coming back.