Basement

Concrete floors and walls :

The nature of concrete is such that surface pitting and superficial cracking sometimes occurs. There is little than can be done to prevent this.

Should you choose to paint the floor, be sure to use a product recommended for that purpose - among other things it should be alkali resistant and of a type that would permit continued curing of a new floor.

Do not be alarmed if a white powder appears on some areas of the walls or floor. This efflorescence is caused by salts in the concrete mix that are carried to the surface with the water in the concrete which evaporates in the curing process leaving a salt deposit. This phenomena does not impair the strength or performance of the concrete and the deposit can be readily brushed off and should cease to form following final curing of the concrete.

Floor drains :

Some municipalities require a special type of basement floor drain arrangement which automatically provides replacement water for that which evaporates from the trap below the floor surface. This U- shaped trap (similar in shape to those commonly used under sinks) is designed to hold water as a seal against gases entering the basement from the sewer or household disposal system. For the conventional (non-automatic) types of floor drain and trap, filling with water may be necessary from time to time to guarantee a seal.