Interior

• Flooring
  Our crews take special care to protect your property by putting plywood on your lawn to protect your grass. To protect your flooring, we put runners in high traffic areas. We also seal off doorways and vents, and cover personal belongings with plastic, before covering the rest of the work area with plastic walls to seal it off. We use air scrubbers with Hepa filters and jackhammers equipped with Hepa vacuums to help reduce dust.
• Door Installation/Replacement
• Drywalls
  Cracks in walls: The most common sign is cracking basement walls. Horizontal or stair-step cracks in brickwork or drywall are also tell-tale signs of foundation movement.
• Basement Remodeling
• Framing
  It is preferred you do not. The new concrete is a richer mix for strength, making it more brittle. Using a construction type adhesive on carpet tack strips and framing base plates is recommended. If you nail into the concrete to help hold the material in place as the adhesive sets, use caution and stop if the concrete starts to break up. When using nails, pre-drilled holes and limit penetration to less than ¾ inch.
• Tile Installation
• Fireplaces

Construction

• New Construction
• Foundation Installation

Landscaping and Fencing

• Landscaping
  SM solves the problem of getting water from the drain tile system away from the house without creating obstacles for homeowners to contend with. It also solves the aesthetic issues involved with discharging water past your landscaping or on the front side of the house.
• Excavation
  Excavation for a basement egress window well can be a dangerous job in the wrong hands. Fortunately, our crews have been fully trained and take safety precautions for both your home’s and their own well-being.

Exterior

• Window Installation/Replacement
  Standard Water provides radon mitigation, basement waterproofing, and egress window installation in MN and Western Wisconsin so you can have peace of mind in your home. Don’t let radon gas or a faulty sump pump cause you stress, fill out the form below to get started...
• Gutters
  3 – Maintain gutters and lengthen downspouts. See U of M Extension Environment report Moisture in Basements: Causes and Solutions at standardwater.com/resources/

General

• Insulation
  No. The plastic over the gravel below the concrete ends at that area. When the temperature and humidity in the basement relative to the temperature of the floor in that area are right, the floor will discolor from condensation. Cold water/soil below floor vs warm/humid air in the basement. The plastic adds a degree of insulation hence the seam being the most affected area. More intense conditions may cause more darkening or even swearing. Reduce humidity with a dehumidifier and promote more air exchange. Seal the new concrete.
• Masonry
  In most cases this is efflorescence. If you have concerns that there may be mold present, you can have it tested by a mold testing/removal contractor. Efflorescence is excess minerals and salts which form as blotchy, powdery or crystalline deposits on the surface of the masonry walls and other concrete surfaces. Over time efflorescence loses its transparency and eventually will turn black, especially when it finally works its way out from behind certain paints. One recommended way to remove efflorescence is to use a wire brush. First, wash the area with water, then scrub with a solution of one part vinegar and five parts water. Elbow grease may be required. Immediately wash again with an alkaline solution of diluted household ammonia.
• Caulking
  Framed energy walls are recommended, constructed of 2”x4” wood or metal studs. The plate and framed wall should be placed and sit just in front of the top part of the Diamond Drainage Board. About a 1/2” from the foundation wall. If you’re using closed cell foam for insulation, you must seal off the top part of the Diamond Drainage Board first, as mentioned above. If you’re using batting, first install a vapor/moisture barrier on the foundation wall. 8 mil poly is commonly used. You can attach it to the top foundation wall with ¼: anchors. Tuck the vapor/moisture barrier between the top part of the Diamond Drainage Board and the foundation wall. You can then seal it with a bead of caulking at this point if you wish. We offer this service using our Diamond Brite Vapor Guard.