2010 May

Archive for May, 2010

New Listing - 90 Golf Boulevard, New Britain for $269,900

May 29th, 2010 categories: Real Estate Listings

Complete Remodel. This 4 Bedroom/3 Full Bath Raised Ranch has over 2,500 s.f. of finished space and a two car garage. New Everything - Roof, Vinyl Siding, Windows, Central Air, Heating System, Wood Floors, Tile, Carpeting, Kitchen Cabinets and Bathrooms.

Lower Level Family Room with Wet Bar. Floor to Ceiling Stone Fireplace in Living Room. Granite and Stainless Steel Appliances in Kitchen.

Large Rooms. Master Bedroom Suite with Full Bath and Walk-in Closet.

Great Location Near CCSU, Rt 9, Stanley Golf Course, Stanley Quarter Park and Westfarms Mall.

Virtual Tour - 90 Golf Boulevard New Britain

Directions: Stanley or Ella Grasso to Barbour to Golf

Wet Basements in West Hartford - Blame it on the Clay?

May 10th, 2010 categories: Real Estate Listings

If you’ve spent any time living or looking at homes to buy in West Hartford, you’ll know that West Hartford could easily be called Wet Hartford for all the wet basements in town.

It inevitably comes up during showings, especially if the buyers are from out of town. Over the years, I’ve heard different explanations - high water table, poor town planning and flooding due to the presence of several brooks and streams.

Then there were the sewer backups a few years ago caused by a period of heavy rain, which the MDC blamed on an aging sewage system.

The Hartford Courant has an article today which may explain the reason why so many homes have wet basements and yards - Clay in West Hartford’s Soil Spells Drainage Woes. Having spent the weekend gardening, I can personally attest to the clay content in the soil. However, the soil in town doesn’t seem any worse than others I’ve lived in. Maybe I’ve just lived in towns with a lot of clay in the soil?

Clearly it’s an issue in town. Most homes have a sump pump or some other type of drainage system. But even that may not be enough. You have to have power for a sump pump to work or have one with a battery backup. And a sump pump won’t take care of the moisture that comes in through the foundation - for that you may need a combination of drains, a humidifier and foundation crack sealing.

My current home has two sump pumps, a SaniDry basement dehumidifier and a perimeter drain. Whatever the cause, all of these do a great job keeping our basement dry.