The Basement Doctor named one of Columbus' Top Workplaces for the second year in a row

Columbus CEO Magazine once again partnered with Workplace Dynamics to determine a list of the city's best places to work in 2016. For the second year in a row, The Basement Doctor earned a spot among 70 organizations in Central Ohio!

Our employees were surveyed on our company culture, the benefits we offer and their overall professional satisfaction. In fact, the survey weighs responses to 23 statements to determine rankings in these key areas: direction and values, execution on plans, connection with employees, training, work/life balance, relationships with managers, engagement, pay and benefits.

We are honored to be the only home improvement/waterproofing contractor to make the list, and we were even recognized as a "career-building" company thanks to our extensive training program that includes a mix of video, classroom and on-the-job training. We were also acknowledged for the family atmosphere we like to create for our employees through our company events and the many charitable organizations we support as a team.

 The full list was published in the magazine's May issue. They will also be hosting an awards event for all of the companies on May 25, at St. Charles Preparatory School's Walter Commons. To learn more about the survey process and to see all of the honorees, click here.

Take control of humidity with a professional grade dehumidifer

Nothing causes discomfort in your home quite like humidity, and there is a fine line between too much or too little. Like we mentioned in our previous blog, when the humidity levels in your home aren’t regulated, it can lead to a number of problems such as, mold, musty odors, allergies, upper respiratory illness, poor indoor air quality, pest infestation, and damage to your property.

High levels of humidity are especially problematic in the basement or crawl space, since 50 percent of the air you breathe upstairs in your home comes from the lower level. This is known as “The Stack Effect.” The Stack Effect during the summer pushes warmer air into your house, forcing the cooler air outside. The opposite is true in the winter. This effect is also carrying odors, moisture and mold from the basement to the upper living areas.

Dehumidification is the solution to preventing these issues by maintaining the humidity in your basement at the proper level. Dust mites and mold thrive in environments with relative humidity that is above 50 percent. A dehumidifier would allow you to maintain relative humidity at a much healthier percentage. But, not all dehumidifiers are created equal. The standard dehumidifiers found at most home improvement stores are not as effective as they should be. Below are four key factors that make a professional grade dehumidifier, like the one pictured, the better investment for your home and your health.

1. Conditions

The cooler temperatures in your basements and crawl spaces create unique humidity control challenges for homeowners. Most residential dehumidifiers found in stores are measured in pints of water removed per day at standard conditions of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent relative humidity. Most basements and crawl spaces are cooler than 80 degrees, which means the removal capacity is significantly less. A professional grade unit is designed specifically for the cooler crawl space or basement environment.

2. Space and capacity

Under their standard conditions above, most residential units have the capacity to remove 20 to 65 pints of water per day and only cover a limited amount of space. A professional grade dehumidifier has a much larger capacity of up to 135 pints per day and can cover areas as large as 5,000 square feet.

3. Air quality

A standard unit will provide dehumidification only.  Professional dehumidifiers will also provide powerful air filtration.

4. Energy efficiency

Professional grade dehumidifiers are much more energy efficient than standard units. They are constructed with more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans to help them use less energy when removing moisture.

If you don’t currently have a way to regulate the humidity in your home, now is the time, especially with the warmer weather we are experiencing this month. A professional grade dehumidifier is the key to creating a comfortable, healthy living space for you and your family.

Is your home making you sick? Time to eliminate excess humidty.

 Are you experiencing a dry, itchy throat or eyes, constant sneezing, nasty odors, and just plain sticky discomfort? The air inside your home could be to blame for these symptoms.

Air that is too dry, for example, can increase your chances of getting sick with a nasty cold or flu. Air with too much moisture can mean dangerous mold and mildew growth. Finally, air that is not purified can lead to allergies or asthma.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health today, with 8 out of 10 homes having indoor air health issues.  Believe it or not, 50 percent of the air you breathe upstairs in your home comes from the lower level.  Dust mites and mold love damp environments like basements and crawl spaces with relative humidity that is above 50 percent.

So what is the best solution for homeowners to improve the air they breathe and take control of excess humidity? Dehumidification! Dehumidification can provide the following benefits:

Cleaner air and less mold
When your home is at the proper level of humidity, there less chance for mold, mildew and moisture.  Plus, a proper dehumidifier will provide powerful air filtration to remove unwanted allergens and irritants. 

Increased energy efficiency
This is especially true during the summer. High humidity levels can make temperatures inside feel warmer than they really are. This means adjusting the thermostat more often than necessary, causing energy bills to go up. A dehumidifier will increase the overall comfort of your home and make it feel a lot cooler.

Improvements to your health
If you are already suffering from asthma or other allergies, excess moisture could be making your condition worse, or even be the cause of it. A dehumidifier allows you to take control of the air you breathe.


But not all dehumidifiers are created equal. Check out our blog next week to see the benefits of a professional grade dehumidifier over the ones you can purchase in big box store. You will be making a choice that creates the healthy, comfortable space your family deserves.    

Thank you for voting! The Basement Doctor wins in three categories for the Consumers' Choice Award 2014

Over the past several months, Columbus consumers were asked to vote for their favorite businesses in 2014 based on customer satisfaction. More than 25,000 voted, and we are so proud to announce that The Basement Doctor has won in multiple categories.

Although we have earned this honor every year for the past 17 years, this is the first time we have swept all three categories in our industry: basement waterproofing, finishing and foundation repair.

We work hard everyday to earn the trust of the homeowners we work with, and we couldn't be more grateful to all of our satisfied customers who voted for us. The Consumers' Choice Award prides itself in identifying businesses who offer superior customer service, integrity, and professionalism. It has been known as the "Business Seal of Excellence" for more than 25 years.  Unlike some of the other business awards out there such as the Angie's List Super Service Award, there can only be one Consumer's Choice Award winner in each category. Most importantly, those winners are based solely on the votes and opinions of real customers.

The winning businesses are determined by customer service ratings through a three-part process:
1. Nominations: Consumers are invited to cast their ballot for their favorite businesses.
2. Voting Survey: The Consumers' Choice Award commissions an independent polling firm to conduct a yearly, open ended local survey. Respondents can choose a company from the ballot or select another business not on the ballot.
3. Ethics Review: A national business law firm reviews all top-voted companies to ensure they are in good standing with business regulatory agencies. Businesses with any unresolved issues are decided upon by an independent panel.

We encourage all of our customers and readers to navigate through the Consumer's Choice Award Columbus web site to view our business page as well as the award recipients in other categories. For anyone looking to find a business they can trust, this award truly signifies complete customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Is your home ready for Spring? Take action before the heavy rain hits.

Spring is known for some unpredictable weather. Blue sunny skies one day, and heavy rains the next. Flooding in your basement is mostly likely to happen during these periods of heavy rainfall or when the winter snow is quickly melting during a spring thaw. Standing water in your basement not only leads to costly damage to your property and possessions, but it can also lead to mold and mildew, which can greatly affect your health and the air you breathe in your home.

Below you will find some easy tips to prepare your home for this time of year. These tips can help you to take action to prevent flooding, and will save you money and unnecessary stress.

Click to enlarge.

1. Free your home of any leftover ice or snow.

Snow can melt and then refreeze in foundation cracks for long periods of time. This can cause the integrity of your home to weaken, and make a leak more likely. Clearing the snow or making sure that any water as a result of the snow melt is moved away from your home is key.

2. Stop rain from entering your home through basement windows.

If you have below-grade basement windows, consider using window well covers. They are an effective solution to preventing rain water from coming into the house through those windows.

3. Exterior maintenance.

Clearing your gutters of all debris, extending your downspout lines away from the foundation and regarding the soil away from your home are easy ways to ensure proper water flow so that your home stays dry. If you have below-grade basement windows, window well covers are also an effective solution to prevent rain water from entering the inside of the home.

4. Maintain your Sump Pump System.

If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure that it is plugged in and working properly. When installed correctly and in working order, your sump pump can collect water and push it outside of the house. It is important to clean and inspect your system each spring before the heavy rains begin.

5. Understand your insurance policy.

Carefully check your insurance policy to see if common plumbing leaks or water damage is covered. Standard policies don’t usually cover flooding, and may require additional coverage.

6. Know who to call in the event of a flood or emergency.

A reputable contractor will be able to help if your basement does flood. Check their references and make sure their program includes emergency response so that your house is a priority during a flood or other time of need.