Why Waterproofing Your Basement is a Necessity

Basement walls support a structure’s weight, keep moisture out and promote a healthy home environment. When they don’t work, moisture invades the basement, damaging keepsakes, carpeting, and furniture, causing mold and mildew problems and threatening the house’s structural integrity. Read on Handyman Naperville IL to learn more.

Hairline cracks in basement walls may be caused by normal settling and don’t pose a serious threat to the foundation, but they should be sealed to keep out soil smells, water, and radon gas.

Basement waterproofing is a crucial step in maintaining the value of your home. It will stop the spread of mildew and mold that can cause health issues for your family and prevent costly structural damage to your foundation. Unfortunately, many homeowners use the do-it-yourself products available on the market instead of hiring a professional to perform this vital work. Waterproofing paints and wall coatings may seem like a good choice at first glance, but they will only delay the problem and are not an effective long-term solution.

Waterproofing a home from the outside involves excavating around the exterior of the house and then applying some kind of waterproof sheeting to the concrete foundation walls. This method is expensive and time consuming, but it does the job well. There are various options available, including spray-applied membranes from Tremco. Sprayguard H3, Watchdog H5, and Tuff-n-Dri H8 are a few examples of these systems. These spray applied membranes will not only prevent moisture from passing through basement walls, but they can also be used to patch cracks and cover up holes in the walls.

Another popular way to waterproof a basement is by installing interior drainage. This is much less expensive than digging up the entire perimeter of the house and applying a waterproofing material. It is often the best choice for homes that have finished basements with teak panelling, fireplaces, built-in wall units, or hot water tanks and furnaces located close to the foundation walls. Interior drainage works by creating a weeping tile system that will collect and drain water through draintile placed next to the footing of the basement.

One final option for basement waterproofing is to install a sump pump. This is an inexpensive way to redirect water from the foundation away from your basement, and it will also help control humidity.

Rust on basement surfaces can be a telltale sign of a water problem. The condensation caused by water will settle on any metal surface, such as steel pipe hangers and drain pipes, causing them to rust over time. This clearly indicates that the basement needs waterproofing as soon as possible.

A basement drainage system helps prevent water damage by removing the moisture that collects under and around a home’s foundation. It also relieves hydrostatic pressure that can lead to concrete wall seepage. Water damage costs can add up quickly, not only from soaking belongings, but from creating an unhealthy, damp environment that fosters mold growth, drives up humidity levels and attracts vermin.

An interior basement drain system consists of perforated pipes that gather groundwater and redirects it away from your home’s foundation. It’s often installed along the perimeter of a basement in a bed of gravel to keep mud out of the pipe. Unlike exterior drain tile systems, which require excavation to install, an interior basement drainage system can be installed in unfinished basements.

A drain tile system is a great solution for new construction, but it can also be used to waterproof an existing basement. It’s usually made of PVC pipe that sits in a trench that is filled with washed stone to allow for a clean, clear path for water to travel to the pipes. A sump pump is placed at the bottom of the pipe to eject the collected water out of the basement.

One of the most common problems that arises with a drain tile system is when it’s clogged. Several reasons exist, including sediment buildup that can block the pipe or soil settlement that can reduce the drainage channel’s effectiveness. The best way to avoid these problems is by having a clog-resistant drain tile system like the BasementGutter(tm) system installed.

The clog-free design of this system eliminates the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. It’s also a more cost-effective option than installing an exterior French drain system, which can be pricey for older homes.

The moisture that makes its way through basement walls needs to find a way out. Otherwise, the water will soak furniture and other possessions, damage insulation, and create a welcoming environment for mold. The best way to stop the influx of moisture and its damaging effects is through a well-designed interior drainage system.

Floor drains may seem like standard fixtures but are vital in basement repair. They ensure that the water that overflows from sinks, tubs, and toilets has a clear path to exit. In addition, they collect water seepage and reroute it to the sump pump. Then, the water is pumped to the surface and away from the home, leaving your basement dry.

A floor drain system works by utilizing a perforated pipe set in a trench along the interior basement perimeter. The pipe is then covered with gravel to keep out mud and debris. This is an essential waterproofing feature that can also help prevent clogs and other problems.

When a floor drain gets clogged, it can lead to the city sewer backing up into your basement and flooding your house. It can also cause foul smells in the basement.

If you are noticing these symptoms, it is time to call in the experts. We can replace the drain tile and the trap with a more effective solution that is clog-free and won’t let sewage back up into your basement.

Having an interior drainage system in place is an essential part of any home, especially in the Midwest where it rains a lot. Water enters your basement through cracks, holes, and pores in the concrete walls. It can also leak from the cove joints, windows and door wells, or burst pipes. A reliable basement drainage system collects and reroutes this water so that it can’t soak your belongings, damage the insulation, or foster mold growth in your basement. Our team can inspect your existing system and make sure that it is properly sized to meet your home’s needs, so you can enjoy a dry basement.

When moisture seeps into a basement it can cause damage to walls and floorboards. It can also create musty odors and encourage mildew growth that can spread throughout the home, causing stains and creating health risks. It can also lead to wood rot and other structural problems that may require extensive repair and replacement costs. Basement waterproofing can eliminate these issues and add to the overall value and safety of your home.

Many homeowners overlook the fact that a wet basement is not only an inconvenience but can cause significant damage to a structure and to personal belongings. Moisture can ruin furniture, carpets, draperies, and electronics, and can also cause wood to rot and other structural damage.

Basement problems usually begin in subtle ways, such as hairline cracks in a foundation wall or a damp basement following heavy rainfall. While these may seem like minor annoyances, they are often indications of much larger problems to come and should be addressed immediately.

These cracks and damp basements can be caused by hydrostatic pressure or by shifting soil around the house. When groundwater accumulates around a home, it tries to escape through the least resistant areas. These can include cracks in basement floors and walls, as well as gaps around doors and windows. When water penetrates these spaces it causes hydrostatic pressure that can push up on walls and even erode the concrete itself.

In some cases, a basement expert or structural engineer might decide that filling these gaps with steel shims is adequate for reestablishing proper support for the foundation walls. However, this is only a temporary solution. The gap will reappear when the soil settles again and more invasive repairs will likely need to be made.

A few steps that can be taken to handle basement moisture include regular inspections for plumbing leaks, checking for clogged HVAC drain lines and ensuring that clothes dryer ducts are properly sized and routed through the walls. In addition, a homeowner can reduce humidity levels and keep indoor air quality high by using dehumidifiers and fans.