Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in VA

JES Basement Systems Wins Awards at International Convention in Connecticut

Thu, September 22 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Virginia, VA – JES 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 was a big year for JES Basement Systems as they received six awards at the International Convention in Connecticut. They ranked as the 1st FSI Piers dealer, 1st FSI Smart Jacks dealer, 2nd CleanSpace Dealer, and 2nd Foundation Supportworks Dealer. They also ranked in the Top 10 for Basement Systems Dealers and also Top for 10 FSI Anchors.

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.

JES Basement Systems is a certified Basement Systems dealer specializing in crawl space repair, sump pump installation and crawl space insulation in Richmond and other nearby cities. They are a family owned and operated business with 15 years of crawl spaces encapsulation experience in Virginia.

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.

Important Crawl Space Information Every Homeowner Should Know

Mon, June 6 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Your crawl space is located beneath the wooden structure of your home. Some older homes were built with a dirt floor rather than a concrete slab or pad. Some homeowners are unaware a dirt floor is highly susceptible to dry rot or wood rot, as it's often referred. Dry rot grows when a basement or crawl space is not properly ventilated, and dampness and moisture sets in and consumes the space.

Dirt is a natural part of nature, but dirt should be left to the outside climate elements; snow fall, rain fall, moisture and heat. Moisture caused from dirt can rot the sill plates, floor joists and girders beneath your home causing mild to severe structural damage.

The crawl space underneath your home is large enough to go underneath the structure to perform routine maintenance and repairs. While there are many advantages to having a crawl space; additional storage or living space, there are disadvantages; insects, rodents, mold, mildew, moisture and flooding.

So how can all these negatives be prevented? A crawl space expert can prevent the effects of moisture damage through several repairs.

How Big is a Crawl Space?

The average size of crawl space can be one foot high in some older homes and three feet high in modern tract homes. This space is always very different. It can be small or large, short or tall, and in some cases--very, very, wide!

What's the Purpose?

Usually, there are vents placed at each end of your crawl space located at ground level. These vents were installed primarily to allow air to circulate underneath your home to help eliminate moisture, prevent mold and wood rot from developing under your home. Unfortunately, these vents do the exact opposite! They allow the unconditioned air to enter, thus adding moisture into the space.

A crawl space may be the location of some service units that need maintenance, but it can also serve as additional storage. It is a foundation type. Regardless of whether it is a small access of an older home or a trapdoor access in a modern home, these entrances allow homeowners the access they desire to address hidden water pipes, vents, wiring, and telephone and cable lines. Water pipes are installed to run underneath your home, and in the event there is a problem a crawl space allows you to enter the crawl space to fix, repair or remove the damage.

Storage

Crawl spaces are excellent sources for storage, especially those with a larger height. Although lower crawl spaces can be used for storage, many larger items are unable to fit through the trapdoor. If you choose to use your crawl space for storage, it is best to store your valuables in storage bins to help keep your valuables clean, dry and dust free. The most common items stored in crawl spaces are seasonal clothing and decorations.

What is Wood Rot?

Wood rot forms from a tiny organism and is related to the fungi group. A fungus thrives from the right amount of moisture, food, oxygen that meets the right temperature.

Maintenance

Your crawl space should be examined several times a year for signs of moisture, mold, mildew, wood rot and decay. Routine inspections should include looking for chips and cracks in the mortar between the cinder blocks, concrete walls and floors, as well as dampness and moisture that can lead to more serious problems in the future.

Always fill chips or cracks with a mortar replacement product. If you discover a problem with leakage or moisture, contact a trained professional who can resolve the issue before it becomes too large and costly.

Solution:

The best and most effective way to protect your home from moisture is to contact a waterproofing expert. The specialists at JES Basement Systems offer free estimates for crawl space repair in Richmond, VA.

Repairing Extreme Crawl Space Conditions

Thu, June 2 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Crawl spaces tend to be damp, have foul smells and odors, and develop mold and mildew that can be hazardous to you and your family members' overall health. Different types of mold and mildew can cause topical skin rashes, skin irritation, reddening of the skin, breathing difficulties and unexplained continuous flu-like symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention, as these symptoms, if left untreated for a long period of time, can cause mild to severe health issues.

You can vastly improve the conditions by sealing your crawl space and reducing the moisture.

Can Water Be Completely Eliminated?

It can be quite a task to rid your crawl space of water, but it can be achieved. This task can be achieved by installing an appropriate crawl space drainage and sump pump system. This process eliminates water from entering into your crawl space. However, moisture can still enter through the concrete walls and floor, which is why sealing doors and vents and using sump pumps and dehumidifiers are so important.

What is a Vapor Barrier?

Well, it's a very important aspect of waterproofing your crawl space and removing the moisture that's causing mold! A vapor barrier is used to reduce the amount of water seeping through your concrete walls and floor into your crawl space. A vapor barrier also helps prevent your crawl space and upper living levels of your home from being consumed with foul smells and bad odors. Your crawl space is more prone to moisture, as moisture tends to flow from warmer locations into colder locations.

Sealing Doors and Vents

Some homeowners tend to overlook their doors and vents as a possible source of air and moisture. By properly sealing the doors, and installing vent covers, you can reduce or possibly stop the cycle of cold air, humidity and moisture from entering your crawl space from the outside.

If you seal your crawl space door and there is still air and moisture entering into your crawl space, you may want to consider investing in new doors to provide the airtight seal you desire. New doors are an inexpensive way to rid your crawl space of moisture.

What About Structural Damage?

Structural damage should be a great concern to any homeowner. It is best to schedule routine examinations of your basement or crawl space for rotting, warping, sagging or damage caused by moisture, dampness, wetness, mold and mildew. Sagging floors are very common in crawl spaces consumed with moisture. The best option is to resolve the problem before it becomes too significant.

Smells?

In one word, yes! Bad smells and foul odors come from a hidden source of mold and mildew. Mold can grow anywhere, and is prone to growing underneath sub-flooring, on the floor joists, and on debris that has been left behind and forgotten about. The only sure way to rid your crawl space of bad smells and foul odors is to completely rid your crawl space of mold and mildew--thus find the source of moisture. This can be achieved by waterproofing the crawl space!

Solution

Contacting a waterproofing expert is the best and most effective way to protect your home from the effects of moisture. Contact the experts at JES Basement Systems for crawl space repair in Virginia.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Expert in VA Sponsors and Participates in Charity 5K Run

Fri, April 8 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Virginia Beach, VA- Two JES Basement Systems employees have participated in the March 26, 2011 Rebuilding Together® 5K Race in Richmond. JES also sponsored the event. JES provides wet basement solutions, crawl space encapsulation and foundation repair to most of eastern Virginia; and as a 15-year expert they have grown quite involved in the community.

The two employees; JES Office Manager; Patty Griffin, and JES Foreman; Terrance Austin began the race at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011. The trail led from River Road United Methodist Church through Sleepy Hollow. Griffin and Austin completed the race together serving as each others' support. The team finished in 35 minutes and 39 seconds. Griffin placed second in her age bracket.

According to Amy King, director for Rebuilding Together Richmond, the 5K brought in about $3,000 that is going toward the National Rebuilding Day being held Saturday, April 30, 2011.

The race is proof to Richmond locals that people still want to help those in need all the while representing their employers.

"I ran the 5K for two reasons: I wanted to represent JES and I wanted to do it just to see if I could because I had just taken my exercise to a new level. It felt good to complete it and yes I did train for it with coaching by Richard Masters and Barry Kennedy," Griffin continued, "I could not have done it without Terrence. He was a huge encouragement the whole time. Terrence was a great running partner."

JES also provided custom printed water bottles, which the participants utilized at the completion of the 5K. The bottles read, "Water is for drinking. Not for your Basement or Crawl Space!" This creative slogan was developed by JES marketing specialist, Eric Lackey.

About JES

JES Basement Systems is a local basement, crawl space and foundation repair expert. They specialize in crawl space repair in Virginia and service much of the eastern half of Virginia. With 15 years of experience and as a member of the internationally recognized Basement Systems, Inc. network-- JES is an experienced and certified expert.

About Rebuilding Together® Richmond

Rebuilding Together is a national organization where people come together to rebuild low income housing areas, offer assistance to the elderly and disabled homeowners in maintaining their properties, and repair non-profit facilities.

The Richmond branch is planning to restore the East End focusing on Peter Paul, 7th district, this year and Eastview, 6th district, in 2012. It is hoped that the future assistance will surpass the superb work from last year: 42 homes and one non-profit facility restored; $160,000 cash donations; $700,000 in market value; 1,200 volunteers; and more than 12,000 hours of volunteer work.

VA Home Repair Experts Can Turn Your Homes Worn Out Areas Into Successes

Mon, December 20 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Virginia Beach, Va.- JES has built a strong and growing clientele in the Mid Atlantic around repairing failing foundations on residential homes and commercial buildings. While foundation failure keeps JES in business, the company also specializes in basement waterproofing, crawlspace moisture control and home improvements. Growth over the past five years has been phenomenal for JES, but 2010 proves to be the company's best year to date with total net sales up 50% over 2009.

In fact, all departments within the company excelled over last year's records. Marketing efforts generated 32% more leads, 21% more appointments were scheduled and 44% more jobs were installed.

To accommodate a growing work load and staff, JES expanded its headquarters in Virginia Beach this year by 12,000 sq. feet. The Manassas office relocated at the beginning of the year, giving it an additional 4,000 sq. feet over the previous space, and an additional 5,400 square feet of warehouse space is scheduled to be added by the end of next year.

"Part of the success at JES is attributed to a hard working, talented team of employees, from the engineers who review the designs to the crews that install the products," says Jesse Waltz P.E., Founder and President of JES. "The fact that 20% of our business comes from customer referrals is a testament to our employees' competency, professionalism and commitment to customer service."

A key tool to helping JES manage the business is BizWiz, a Web-based business software Waltz developed over the past four years. The catalyst for creating BizWiz came from Waltz's experiences in using other business management tools that fell short in tracking capabilities and reliability. BizWiz provides real-time data on a company's activities and performance, including leads, sales, marketing, gross profits, personnel and other information. "BizWiz provides us with the data to help us identify our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to make sound and confident decisions," says Waltz.

JES has also garnered many industry awards this year. As a member of an international network of over 300 dealers in the foundation and waterproofing industry, JES installed more CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation Systems, SmartJack floor leveling and beam stabilizing systems, and foundation piering systems than any other dealer. Additionally, Inside Business magazine awarded Jesse its 2010 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and named JES to the Roaring 20, an honorary distinction that recognizes 20 of the region's fastest growing companies that are making significant contributions to the local economy.

"Our achievements this year have been amazing, but we are not a complacent company," exclaims Waltz. "We are always looking at how we can do things better and ways to grow the business."

JES Basement Systems is a local basement, crawl space and foundation repair expert. They specialize in Crawl space encapsulation in VA Beach and service much of the eastern half of Virginia. With 15 years of experience and as a member of the internationally recognized Basement Systems, Inc. network-- JES is an experienced and certified expert.

Crawl Space Expert in VA Beach Provides Food Supplies and Gifts for a Family in Need

Thu, December 9 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Virginia Beach, VA- With just 16 days until Christmas, JES Basement Systems has made this Holiday very special for one local family in need. Through the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program, JES was able to donate food, supplies and gifts to this local family that they adopted.

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program serves as a nonprofit organization that provides seasonal assistance to local families in need of various items. From food to clothing and toys, this program desires to meet the needs of families struggling during the winter season.

It was founded in 1972 by the superintendent of the local welfare department-- Miss Lucy Corr.

JES Basement Systems is a local basement, crawl space and foundation repair expert. They specialize in Crawl space encapsulation in VA Beach and service much of the eastern half of Virginia. With 15 years of experience and as a member of the internationally recognized Basement Systems, Inc. network-- JES is an experienced and certified expert.

JES Receives Roaring 20 Award for Growth

Wed, November 10 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Virginia Beach, Va. (November 9, 2010) JES, a leading engineering solutions company specializing in foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawlspace moisture control, was recently named to Hampton Roads Roaring 20 - an award that recognizes 20 of the region's fastest growing companies that are making significant contributions to the local economy. To qualify for this prestigious honor, a company must be headquartered in Hampton Roads for at least three years, have realized gross revenues of at least $2 million in 2009 and experienced three years of growth.

Established in 1993, JES has grown from one employee into a company with three locations and over 100 employees with a 64% increase in annual gross revenue over the past three years. Founded by Jesse Waltz, a professional engineer, in his native Pennsylvania, JES originally focused on waterproofing basements. However, when he relocated the business to Virginia to be closer to family, he quickly realized that the area did not have as many basements so structural repairs were added to the company's services, which is now the biggest part of the business.

While JES was growing, Waltz also consulted around the country on foundation repair and business management, but still wanted to monitor his business while away from the office. As a result, Waltz developed BizWiz®, a Web-based business management system designed for the foundation / basement / crawlspace repair industry and other home improvement industries. BizWiz provides real-time data on a company's activities and performance, including leads, sales, marketing, gross profits, personnel and other information. Currently this management system is being used by 40 companies in the United States and Canada, and it is revolutionizing the way they do business.

About JES Construction
JES is a structural engineering solutions firm specializing in residential and commercial foundation repair, basement waterproofing systems, and crawl space moisture control systems. The company is Virginia's largest authorized dealer for Foundation Supportworks' products, Basement Systems® products, and CleanSpace® crawl space encapsulation products. JES operates out of three locations in Virginia including Virginia Beach, Chester, and Manassas, and serves Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northeastern North Carolina. For more information about JES Construction please visit www.jeswork.com.

About the Roaring 20
The Roaring 20 award honors 20 of Hampton Road's most dynamic businesses based on revenue and employee growth. Finalists were chosen based upon a formula that takes into account both dollar growth and percentage rate of growth over the company's three most recent completed fiscal years. Other judging criteria included critical factors that resulted in company growth, challenges/obstacle overcame and future outlook of long-term sustainability. An independent panel of judges of local business leaders and university business faculty worked with Cherry, Bekaert & Holland LLP to evaluate and assess the criteria.

For more information contact:

Eric Lackey
Office: (757) 558.9909
Toll Free: 877-JES-WORK
Cell: (757) 749.5875
elackey@jesnow.com

Michelle McLees
Office: (804) 425.9914
Toll Free: 877-JES-WORK
Cell: (804) 519.1909
mmclees@jesnow.com

JES Team Walks For A Diabetes Cure

Tue, November 9 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Type 1 Diabetes is a sometimes fatal disease of the autoimmune system that unsuspectingly takes hold of a person's life, utterly changing it forever. From daily blood sugar testing to insulin injections and the projection of other potentially severe health problems -- Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that hurts many throughout the World and two very special members of the JES team.

Erica Lackey and Ben Waltz have become the inspiration to the JES team for some time now as they both fight their own battle against this disease. We believe in a cure and we support them in their fight, which is why the JES team participated in a walk to cure Diabetes on October 23, 2010 to support Erica, the daughter of JES Marketing VP, Eric Lackey; and Ben Waltz, the son of JES owners, Stella and Jesse Waltz.

The walk was conducted by the Tidewater Chapter, the Virginia Beach chapter, of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is the world's leading researcher for the cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

The Walk to Cure Diabetes is actually the organization's largest event and ranks as one of the fastest growing fundraisers in the world.

We are so proud of Erica and Ben and are proud to support the efforts of the Tidewater Chapter. We believe in a cure.

As always, there's a lot of love and support within our team, and we extend the same genuine care to our customers in need of crawl space repair in Virginia. Be sure to contact us with any of your questions -- we can help!

If you want more information about Type 1 Diabetes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Tidewater Chapter -- be sure to contact them today and join us in supporting the research to finding a cure.

JES Basement Dealer in VA Is #1 and #2 Dealer in Two Competitive Networks

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

Virginia Beach, VA - JES Basement Systems is the official number one dealer of the CleanSpace network, number two dealer of the Total basement Finishing network, and number five dealer of the Basement Systems network. They received these prestigious awards at the 2010 annual convention held in Connecticut from August 18-20.

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".

JES is a family owned business with 15 years of industry experience. They primarily service the eastern side of Virginia and have become a heavily involved member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. As an authorized foundation repair expert, they utilize patented wall straightening, piering, and underpinning services.

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 which hails as the largest basement waterproofing network in the world. TBF has provided basement solutions for over 20 years.

For basement waterproofing in Virginia Beach contact JES Basement Systems today, at 1-800-677-5773. They're highly trained and certified basement environment experts ready and willing to serve you.