WfcZlfAeZbC0Y1QbFzPKZ18CdLOuX: Basement

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Basement Waterproofing Options: What's Best for Your Home or Business?

If every rainstorm leads to puddles in your basement, or if the room feels damp and humid year-round, it's time to look into basement waterproofing. Depending on how your building is constructed and what you want to spend, you have an array of options.

A wet basement isn't just frustrating-it's also potentially dangerous. In addition to the general unpleasantness of a room that's always damp or leaking, you're risking water damage to any belongings you store in the room, or you're losing good storage or living space because the basement is uninhabitable. Basement leakage and humidity can damage your home's foundations, potentially leading to costly structural repairs and replacements. And then there's the mold that can thrive in a damp, dark environment such as a basement. Mold growth can damage your property and put you and other building occupants at risk for severe allergies and respiratory diseases. If you're struggling with a wet basement, don't wait to consider basement waterproofing. Here are a few options that might work for your home or commercial space.

Sealants

If your basement is made of poured concrete, you may experience seepage or leakage due to cracks or holes, especially in areas where pipes penetrate the foundation. In this case, your basement contractor may be able to apply a sealant to the interior or exterior walls and surfaces. The sealant is pressure-injected into the cracks to ensure that it completely fills the open area, stopping water from entering the foundation or wall. This basement waterproofing option can last several years, if applied properly.

Weep Holes

For basement foundations that are constructed from cinder blocks, a sealant alone cannot stop the leakage or seepage. Cinder blocks have holes in the middle that can hold accumulated water, which then contributes to structural damage and mold growth over time. One of the most common basement waterproofing scenarios for cinder block foundations involves drilling small holes, known as "weep holes," into the lowest blocks, to allow for water drainage. As the water drains out of the foundation it goes into drains around the perimeter of the basement to be channeled out of the building.

Sump Pumps and French Drains

A sump pump collects accumulated water from drainage areas and pumps it out of the basement. Generally, the water will be moved far away from the building, perhaps to a nearby dry well. Professional sump pump installation -including a battery backup for power outages-can ensure that your basement stays dry even in the heaviest of rainstorms.

Another common basement drainage option is a French drain, and you can have one installed inside your basement or around the perimeter of your building, depending on your needs and your budget. A basic French drain is a trough, covered with gravel or rocks, through which a perforated pipe is run. Water enters the pipe by trickling down through the rocks and is directed, via a specifically designed pipe pathway, away from your property. An interior French drain will be installed below your basement floor and may collect water from the foundation's weep holes. An exterior French drain is designed to keep water from getting into the foundation in the first place; the water will enter the drain rather than seeping into the foundation and will be channeled away. A French drain can be installed together with a sump pump or can act on its own, depending on the system's design.

A professional basement contractor will be able to advise you on the strategy or combination of strategies that's right for your home or commercial building. He'll also be able to look for signs of existing mold or water damage and can help you correct those issues before the problems get worse. Your basement may not be the most beautiful or most used room in your building, but that doesn't mean you can just ignore leaks and water damage. Waterproof your basement and foundation today so that your home or commercial building will work for you tomorrow and in the years to come.

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Top 4 Reasons Why Waterproofing Basement Space Is Important

When you have water in your basement, you may be worried about the cost of fixing the problem or you may simply not see the point in spending money on repairs when you never go into your basement. The reality, however, is that waterproofing basements can be an affordable process and is one that is very necessary to protect your home. There are many reasons why waterproofing basement space is the right choice when you are experiencing leaks or dampness in your basement space, and just a few of those reasons are listed below.

1) A wet basement is a breeding ground for mold and mildew

Mold and mildew grow and thrive in damp, dark places. A wet basement, therefore, creates a perfect environment for these unpleasant organisms to grow. Once mold begins to take hold, the problem can quickly become worse and the mold can eventually spread into your walls and in other areas of your house. This can become a very expensive problem to fix if you don't act quickly in waterproofing basement space and you allow the mold problem to spread.

In addition to potentially growing out of control, mold and mildew are also simply unhealthy items to have in your home. There are certain mold that are considered to be toxic and that can cause you to become seriously ill. Other types of mold aren't necessarily going to create serious health problems, but the mold spores in the air can aggravate asthma and make respiratory problems worse. The elderly and children tend to be most affected by mold, so it is especially important to look into waterproofing basement space if you have someone young or old in your home.

2) A wet basement attracts bugs

Bugs such as spiders, cockroaches and mites are attracted to wet spaces and are likely to move in and make their home in your wet basement. By making sure your basement is properly waterproofed and keeping the dampness and the water out, however, you reduce your chances of these bugs moving in. No one wants a home infested with cockroaches and if they are living in your wet basement, it is only a matter of time until they move themselves upstairs.

3) A wet basement can undermine the foundation of your home and affect its structural support

When your basement space is wet, and especially when is subject to repeated and long-lasting water or dampness, rot can begin to develop and the supports for your home can start to weaken. The entire structural foundation of your house can be affected over time by water in your basement or crawlspace. Waterproofing basement spaces is thus absolutely essential to making sure you avoid this problem.

4) A wet basement will lower your home values and make passing inspection impossible

If it comes time to sell your home, buyers are going to be on the lookout for water and water damage in the basement. Home inspectors are also going to spot signs of water problems. This can lower the value of your house and sometimes make it impossible to sell.

Avoid this and other problems by taking the appropriate steps in waterproofing basement space at the very first sign of a problem.

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What To Consider When Hiring A Contractor To Waterproof Your Basement

Basements are a fantastic space to transform as an entertainment or additional bedroom, a bar, home fitness room or office. But, if you have a superannuated home, your basement may hold a lot of moisture due to leaks, making it unusable. Before you can commence any basement-remodeling project, you should make it dry and impermeable to water. Basement waterproofing is not something many of us have received training for, so it is usually more practical to enlist the help of professionals. It is important that professionals perform the making a basement waterproof because if done improperly, moisture will remain in that area which can weaken the supporting structures and degrade the quality of indoor air.

An experienced contractor can quickly determine problems, recommend the best course of action, and complete the project quickly and within a reasonable budget. However, many contractors offering waterproofing services, so how should homeowners select the right one to work with? Below are a few pointers.

Get referrals

The easiest method to look for waterproofing contractors is to obtain referrals from people you trust because they can give an impartial appraisal on the ability and professionalism of the service provider. If you were not able to get sound recommendations from people you know, you may go online to search for testimonials. Do a comparison of multiple these companies

These service providers are different in terms of price and calibre of services, so it is prudent to obtain estimates from three to five of them so you can figure out which one provides the most favorable package. Reliable service providers will do an evaluation first before providing a quotation. Also, do not hesitate to inform them that you are still comparing prices. In a lot of instances, your preferred contractor will bring down their price to match the lowest quote you obtained. Nevertheless, reputation and workmanship, and not price, must always be the determining factors when choosing a contractor, and so remember to request references. The best contractor to work with is one who has several skills, so any problem that comes up during the project can be managed promptly.

Check if they are licensed and insured Ideally, these companies must have personal liability coverage plus worker's compensation. This will save you from liability if a worker is hurt in your residence while carrying out his job, and cover the price of repairs if they accidentally damaged your house.

Make sure to have guarantees in black and white Once you have selected a contractor, obtain a written contract. This will outline the expectations of both parties, the payment details, and other promises made by the contractor.

Pick someone you are comfortable working with

In order to get what you want, being able to communicate freely with your contractor is crucial. If you feel uncomfortable with a contractor when you first met them, choose another one.

Foundation Repair Is a Vital Part of Any Basement Waterproofing Strategy

Basement waterproofing can involve a variety of scenarios. You might have a basement contractor install an interior or exterior foundation membrane to repel water or a French drain and sump pump to channel water out of the space. You might use a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air. But none of these proven methods will be completely effective if your foundation remains cracked and deteriorating.

In order to stand strong and protect your home and your family from water damage and flooding, a foundation needs to be solid. Even small foundation cracks can grow quickly, thanks to changing temperatures, humidity levels, and other factors. Plus, once water starts seeping into your foundation, the water itself can cause cracks to grow. If you see signs of foundation cracks or are considering basement waterproofing, have a professional examine your foundation for problem spots. Then, he can come up with a plan to repair the issues and help you move forward.

Signs that your foundation might be deteriorating or cracking include:

Visible cracks in interior basement walls or floor Cracked or gapping masonry on the exterior of your home Sloping flooring Door and window frames out of square Water damage and mold growth even after some basement waterproofing steps have been taken

If you see signs of foundation problems, even if you haven t experienced any physical fallout yet, it s time to call in a professional foundation contractor. It may be only a matter of time before cracks worsen and make that area of the building dangerously unstable. Meanwhile, water seepage can be deteriorating your home from the inside out and making conditions ripe for hazardous and unhealthy mold growth.

Depending on what problems you re having and how serious they are, the necessary foundation repair might take several forms. For small and medium-sized cracks, a basement contractor can inject an epoxy or urethane foam to fill each crack and make the foundation solid again. When foundation deterioration has led to bowed walls, a foundation expert can reinforce the walls with steel rebar and concrete or even high-tech carbon fiber panels. A foundation that s cracked due to settling into the ground can be reinforced from underneath, using additional concrete and steel piers driven deep underground. Only a professional foundation contractor will have the knowledge and experience to determine exactly what strategy is right for your needs.

Once your foundation is truly solid and secure, you can be confident in whatever other basement waterproofing systems you choose to implement. Those systems, from French drains to industrial dehumidifiers, will be able to do their job more efficiently and effectively. Getting water out and keeping it out will be easier, and your basement will be a safer, healthier, and more pleasant place to be.

6 Tips For Keeping Your Basement Dry

There are few things worse than a wet basement. It causes frustration, anger and stress and trying to come up with solutions can be overwhelming. However, before you decide to hire a basement waterproofing company, consider some ways that you can remedy it yourself, and for thousands of dollars less. Wet basements can develop health hazards, such as mold. They also become structural hazards because of cracking and shifting caused by frost heaves. Here are some tips to help you keep your basement dry.

Outside:

Many, if not most, wet basement problems are due to poor drainage around your home's foundation, which can be addressed three ways. Getting the drainage around your home remedied is essential for two reasons.

• Gutters and downspouts - your first line of defense is repairing or replacing gutters and downspouts to ensure that water does not pour down into the ground surrounding the foundation. Today's gutter systems are made from durable vinyl that will not rust or deteriorate. Make sure the gutters are covered with screening to keep out leaves and debris and that the downspouts are directed away from the foundation.

• Drainage - occasionally a downspout cannot be redirected away from the foundation and you may decide to install a drywell. This involves digging a hole, lining it, placing an open-bottomed, perforated plastic barrel into the middle, fitting it with a PVC overflow pipe and attaching it to the downspout. Although the process is simple, it is hard work and will take all day to complete. The hole and the barrel are filled with stone and make sure that the attached downspout slopes into the drywell.

• Ground slope - when the surrounding ground is flat or sloped towards the foundation it causes water to run down along the walls, seeping into your basement. Build up the ground with top soil and plant deep-rooted grass or ground cover since they will protect against erosion.

Inside:

There are inside measure that you can take to keep your basement dry if the problem is not severe, such as flooding.

• Basement walls - these are constructed of cinder block or concrete, which is porous, so they are susceptible to seepage. If the seepage is not severe, you can use a special waterproofing paint to seal off the walls. This can be found at home improvement stores.

• Humidity - set up a quality dehumidifier based on the square footage of your basement. This will help keep the environment fresher and drier.

• Cracks - if you have cracks that will let water in, use a crack repair kit to fill them in. After repairing them, paint the walls with sealant paint.

Keep in mind that many sales reps from waterproofing companies are can sometimes be fear mongers who will stir up your emotions in order to make a sale. Before you hire a basement waterproofing company and sign a contract, make sure you get a few different opinions and quotes before jumping in.