Waterproof Basement Repair: A Solution to Leaks

Basements are where most of the things are kept, including unused clothes, power tools, lots of boxes, electrical components, and old furniture pieces. Others even use them as a place where they can relax and have fun, where gaming consoles and old TVs are kept. However, after heavy rain, they can leak, and when you notice that there’s a pool of water at the corner, it might be the right time to fix everything before the foundation of the home gets compromised.

There are telltale signs that can help you determine whether it’s time to call the experts or not. When you notice that the floor is frequently wet, there’s moisture on the walls, and several puddles of water, then this can be a problem. See more about water damage when you visit this page.

Also, if there’s green mold or mildew, it can be a sign that water is present, and the humidity levels are rising. Basements should have around 30% to 40% relative humidity as an ideal threshold. However, when it reaches over 70%, expect that the fungi spores are going to thrive, and you need to do some serious cleaning and fixing in your area.

In addition, there’s also wood rot where the rainwater might come in contact with the joists, cardboard boxes, and other furniture pieces which can cause them to become damaged. When the ones that hold the structure of the basement begin to crumple, the roof might unexpectedly come crashing down and everyone can be at risk.

You’ll also notice water damage when the hardwood floors are buckling because they can start to warm. If there’s also the presence of something musty and the air can lead to breathing problems, it might also be the best time to waterproof everything.

How Does the Water Enter the Basement?

Groundwater or poor drainage are often some of the reasons why moisture becomes present in your home. When the rain accumulates near the home and the eaves and drainage systems are not positioned in the right direction, they can be too much for the walls to handle. This is the same when there’s too much water in the soil around a property.

Hydrostatic pressure can be too much, and this can cause the walls to crack. They are going to force their way in, and without adequate waterproofing, homeowners may experience flooding in their homes, compromising the structural integrity of their home foundation. You also need to make sure that the gutters are well-maintained because they are one of the major contributors to water problems and damage. The overflow around the soil can start cracks and molds, so do some repairs on the roof first before checking the basement.

Also, there’s condensation that can occur when there’s too much humidity in the air. When they come in contact with a cold surface like pipes and walls, they are going to turn into droplets. This is very problematic in enclosed places because they can cause mold and mildew to grow. With inadequate insulation, the air can be considered to be stuffy, and it can be hard to breathe.

Methods Used in Waterproofing

Some experts will use a specialized sealant that they are going to apply to the floors and walls throughout the room. Know that rainwater can penetrate porous concrete especially if there’s too much and there are gaps. In an area where the drainage is poor and there’s too much groundwater, the sealants are going to act as a barrier that will be the first line of defense against the walls.

Exterior waterproofing is going to include excavation around the home foundation and applying sealant and specialized solutions outside of the walls. However, this is going to be very expensive, and you might want to make sure that your landscaping isn’t much affected when the work is done.

Fortunately, there are experts who can provide waterproof basement repair solutions who can advise you about what’s the best way to go in these cases. They are going to provide you with a more reliable and long-lasting solution to prevent infiltration in the next years.

What are the Different Services that Can Be Expected?

Aiming for a dry basement can be for the best and you can preserve the structure of your home for the long haul. Know that when repairs are made, they are going to prevent expensive damage and issues that can happen later on.

Some professionals may decide to install a weeping tile system where they are going to identify the problematic walls. They’ll make trenches by breaking the existing concrete, and after removing the debris, they will do some digging. They’ll create space for a weeping tile that’s laid in trenches, so it can include all problematic areas, and they are going to go to a sump pit.

Afterward, a sump system will be installed or a place where the discharge from the sewers will go. It’s going to consist of a sump pump, backup, and a pit that’s located in an area where it can be drained easily. The primary function of an entire pit is collecting groundwater at a given threshold, and when it fills, it’s going to activate the pump. Read more about the pumps at this link: https://trenchlesspedia.com/definition/3318/sump-pump.

Discharge lines are going to be filled with water, and they are going to run through the exterior levels where a hole is present. Also, waterproof membranes will be installed on the interior walls. The experts may prepare the stone rubble walls by removing most of the areas that are already rotten, and they are going to channel most of the water downward. They will then redo the walls and the entire room without the addition of moisture.

Some of the water intrusion problems can’t be solved by band-aid solutions and single treatments. Instead, they may require the ground excavation of the home’s foundation and they are going to require more robust solutions that can last for a long time. Also, ask for quotes from three different companies and the jobs that they can include in their packages to make sure that you have enough money during the repair process.