Is your basement always damp? Do April showers bring a wet basement along with those May flowers? Then it might be time to consider waterproofing your basement and installing a drain system with a sump pump. A wet basement not only prevents you from enjoying additional space in your house but also can turn your basement into a giant petri dish perfect for growing unhealthy molds and fungi.
A dry basement is a useable basement
Installing a drain system is filthy, backbreaking work, but it's not complicated. With a little instruction from our drain tile experts, you can do a first-class job. And DIY pays off big: Pros charge $5,000 to $8,000 for a typical job (120 linear feet of drain tile). You can install yours for less than $1,500 in materials and tool rentals.
Meet the experts
Rite-Way Waterproofing has been in the business of installing basement drain systems since 1965. The pros there know what works, and they'd better, because the company has installed 100,000 systems, each with a lifetime guarantee. They also know what doesn't work—half of Rite-Way's current jobs involve replacing failed systems installed by other contractors.
CAUTION
A drain tile system creates a perfect pathway for dangerous radon gas to escape. If you've never tested for radon, it's smart to do so before you install a drain system. That way, you can plan for a radon mitigation system as well.
Before you get started
Installing a drain system is filthy, backbreaking work, but it's not complicated. With a little instruction from our drain tile experts, you can do a first-class job. And DIY pays off big: Pros charge $5,000 to $8,000 for a typical job (120 linear feet of drain tile). You can install yours for less than $1,500 in materials and tool rentals.
Control the dust
Techniques for cleaning vinyl siding
Use one cleaner that cleans everything
Stop using four to six products to clean your bathroom. The pros use one multipurpose cleaner that does it all. Our pros recommend Mr. Clean Multi- Surfaces Cleaner with Febreze ($3 for 28 ozs.). With a multipurpose cleaner, bathroom cleaning takes five minutes.
Vinyl siding usually cleans up easily with nothing more than soap and water, and a yearly scrubbing will keep it looking new. For basic cleaning, use general-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Apply it with a soft-bristle cleaning brush, scrubbing the full length of each lap (Photo 1). Start at the bottom to avoid streaking, and use your garden hose to rinse off each section before it dries.
For tough spots like paint drips, tar, and pencil and pen marks, use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad (Photo 2). Use ammonia cleaners or a solution of 1 part bleach in 4 parts water to clean mold and mildew stains. (However, never mix ammonia and bleach.) Rinse thoroughly while the siding is still wet.
Don't use paint thinner, nail polish remover, spot removers, paint remover, straight chlorine bleach or furniture cleaner on vinyl. These types of cleaners can damage the surface of the siding.
Techniques for cleaning vinyl siding
Use one cleaner that cleans everything
Stop using four to six products to clean your bathroom. The pros use one multipurpose cleaner that does it all. Our pros recommend Mr. Clean Multi- Surfaces Cleaner with Febreze ($3 for 28 ozs.). With a multipurpose cleaner, bathroom cleaning takes five minutes.
Vinyl siding usually cleans up easily with nothing more than soap and water, and a yearly scrubbing will keep it looking new. For basic cleaning, use general-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Apply it with a soft-bristle cleaning brush, scrubbing the full length of each lap (Photo 1). Start at the bottom to avoid streaking, and use your garden hose to rinse off each section before it dries.
For tough spots like paint drips, tar, and pencil and pen marks, use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad (Photo 2). Use ammonia cleaners or a solution of 1 part bleach in 4 parts water to clean mold and mildew stains. (However, never mix ammonia and bleach.) Rinse thoroughly while the siding is still wet.
Don't use paint thinner, nail polish remover, spot removers, paint remover, straight chlorine bleach or furniture cleaner on vinyl. These types of cleaners can damage the surface of the siding.
Techniques for cleaning vinyl siding
Use one cleaner that cleans everything
Stop using four to six products to clean your bathroom. The pros use one multipurpose cleaner that does it all. Our pros recommend Mr. Clean Multi- Surfaces Cleaner with Febreze ($3 for 28 ozs.). With a multipurpose cleaner, bathroom cleaning takes five minutes.
Vinyl siding usually cleans up easily with nothing more than soap and water, and a yearly scrubbing will keep it looking new. For basic cleaning, use general-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Apply it with a soft-bristle cleaning brush, scrubbing the full length of each lap (Photo 1). Start at the bottom to avoid streaking, and use your garden hose to rinse off each section before it dries.
For tough spots like paint drips, tar, and pencil and pen marks, use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad (Photo 2). Use ammonia cleaners or a solution of 1 part bleach in 4 parts water to clean mold and mildew stains. (However, never mix ammonia and bleach.) Rinse thoroughly while the siding is still wet.
Don't use paint thinner, nail polish remover, spot removers, paint remover, straight chlorine bleach or furniture cleaner on vinyl. These types of cleaners can damage the surface of the siding.
Techniques for cleaning vinyl siding
Use one cleaner that cleans everything
Stop using four to six products to clean your bathroom. The pros use one multipurpose cleaner that does it all. Our pros recommend Mr. Clean Multi- Surfaces Cleaner with Febreze ($3 for 28 ozs.). With a multipurpose cleaner, bathroom cleaning takes five minutes.
Vinyl siding usually cleans up easily with nothing more than soap and water, and a yearly scrubbing will keep it looking new. For basic cleaning, use general-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Apply it with a soft-bristle cleaning brush, scrubbing the full length of each lap (Photo 1). Start at the bottom to avoid streaking, and use your garden hose to rinse off each section before it dries.
For tough spots like paint drips, tar, and pencil and pen marks, use a nonabrasive bathtub cleaner or nylon scrub pad (Photo 2). Use ammonia cleaners or a solution of 1 part bleach in 4 parts water to clean mold and mildew stains. (However, never mix ammonia and bleach.) Rinse thoroughly while the siding is still wet.
Don't use paint thinner, nail polish remover, spot removers, paint remover, straight chlorine bleach or furniture cleaner on vinyl. These types of cleaners can damage the surface of the siding.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start-you'll save time and frustration.
- Flashlight
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Shop vacuum
- Safety harness
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.
- Poly sheeting
- Duct tape
Shopping List
Comments from DIY Community Members
Share what's on your mind and see what other DIYers are thinking about.
Section D
Vestibulum nec erat eu nulla rhoncus fringilla ut non neque. Vivamus nibh urna, ornare id gravida ut, mollis a magna. Aliquam porttitor condimentum nisi, eu viverra ipsum porta ut. Nam hendrerit bibendum turpis, sed molestie mi fermentum id. Aenean volutpat velit sem. Sed consequat ante in rutrum convallis. Nunc facilisis leo at faucibus adipiscing.
