Discover how self-healing bio-concrete, smart mortar, and crystalline parging allow foundations to repair their own cracks, preventing leaks in 2026 home building. Self-healing concrete: how bacteria in concrete works to heal itself. The construction industry is witnessing a shift toward resilient and autonomous…
Upgrade your existing foundation for better air quality and efficiency. Learn how to repair damp basements and crawl spaces using mineral wool, dimple mats, and 20 mil liners. Basement and crawl space encapsulation: a homeowner's and pro's guide Basement and crawl space encapsulation is a comprehensive moisture…
Musty smells, white salty crusts, or mysterious puddles after a rainstorm? Is that "miracle" interior sealant a waste of money? Is hydrostatic pressure really that dangerous? Can you really waterproof from the inside of a basement and keep it dry. How to waterproof a basement from the inside: An experienced…
A comprehensive look at the benefits, drawbacks, and building science behind using ICF blocks or ICF systems for a high-performance, comfortable, and durable basement. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF Blocks); are they the best way to build a basement? For decades, the highest standard for building a basement was a…
Your definitive guide to helical and screw pile foundations. Learn why they are the ideal choice for difficult lots, prefab homes, and ADUs. We compare costs vs. concrete, explain the installation process, and cover key regional considerations. Helical piles and screw piles: a homeowner's and pro's guide For…
If you're unfortunate enough to have a basement that flooded, or that floods regularly over the years, this guide gives our top tips and information on how to rebuild a finished basement to make it more resilient to water damage in the future. Building a flood-resistant basement: Simple, sustainable solutions for…
Turn an old damp basement into useable living space with proper waterproofing, insulation and a nice under floor heating system. In many homes, basements are increasingly being converted into functional, comfortable, and often very livable spaces, but getting them to be warm, dry, and usable poses a unique set of…
All basements are prone to flooding, which is why we don't really like basements much. So, if it's your turn to look with dismay at your unplanned basement pool and wonder what to do next to fix things, read this guide and we will try our best to help. Flooded basement? That really sucks... Basement flooding can be…
Most finished basements are moldy or will develop mold in the future because they are usually built poorly. Learn what to look for when home shopping. Basements, downstairs in more ways than one For those wishing to become homeowners, one of the decisions you'll face when buying a new property is whether or not to…
Frost heaving of home foundations, basements, decks & garden walls in cold climates can cause issues - especially in clay soils that hold water - Ecohome built to prevent frost heave recently, here's what we did. Frost protected foundations - essential in cold climates Protecting homes and buildings in cold climates…
Gabion cage walls can add thermal mass to homes without adding significantly to the carbon footprint of a home like concrete can. Gabion walls are retaining walls built by stacking stone in a gabion cage or gabion basket that can serve many purposes but are most often used to create tiered or leveled ground in…
Beyond bricks and mortar: Partanna's carbon-negative, storm-resistant 'tree-like' home offers self-sufficiency for a changing world. Imagine a home that embraces nature's wisdom, not just mirroring its beauty but also actively healing the environment it inhabits. This isn't a futuristic fantasy; it's the…
Bill S287 was signed on Jan 30th and signals State sanctioned incentives for the decarbonization of the concrete industry - including the supply, delivery and use of lower carbon concrete. In a breakthrough for reducing the carbon footprint of North American construction, Bill S287 was signed on the 30th of January…
Using naturally occurring microalgae, Prometheus Materials and a team of scientists and engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a carbon zero alternative to carbon intensive portland cement based concrete... suitable for ready mix. In a recent press release, Prometheus Materials, a zero-carbon…
The National Association of Home Builders just completed a study of home foundation trends for 2020 in the US, and the results were both surprising and encouraging! Slab on grade foundations are a clear winner. It's slab on grade foundations for the win! The NAHB study showed that 65% of new single-family home…
