The state of Virginia has one of the most diverse climates in the whole United States. Virginia has five different regions with five different climates: Tidewater, Piedmont, Northern Virginia, Western Mountain, and the Southwestern Mountain regions. Some areas never really get temperatures down below zero, while there are some mountain areas that have bitter cold winter seasons similar to the Midwest. Some areas like the Shenandoah Valley barely see 30 inches of rain in a year, whereas other areas such as the mountains of southwestern Virginia see well over 60 inches of rain in a year. Makes you think basement waterproofing might be in your future if you live in Virginia, doesn’t it?
Soil Shrinkage
So what does this mean for the foundation of your home? It depends on which area you live in. If you live where it is dry, the soil around your foundation can contract and pull away from the foundation. If you think about it, this is a BIG deal. The soil is what aids in supporting your foundation. If the stable soil isn’t there, your foundation doesn’t have that support. You might notice then that there is foundation sinking and settlement. Signs are wall cracks and floor cracks, walls separating, doors and windows sticking, cabinets sticking, stoops and stairs pulling away from the foundation, garage column cracks, and slab cracks to name a few.
Soil Expansion
The opposite problem is excess water. If you have too much water around your foundation, the pressure from the water and soil will build up causing the walls of your foundation to bow in or lean. You might even notice cracks and leaks in your basement walls. This leads to big problems for your foundation. You will need foundation repair and basement waterproofing. A wet basement means mold and mildew and since as much as half the air that goes through your home comes from your basement, this is a huge problem.
Basement Waterproofing Solutions for You in Virginia and Northern Virginia
Foundation piering and underpinning solutions may work for you in either case. Wall anchors can shore up walls and foundation piers can lift, level, and add support to foundation walls and slabs. Waterproofing options include sump pumps and basins that will pump water out and away from your foundation. Partnered with an interior and exterior drainage system, the water will be moved away from your foundation and yard and toward the street. Another solution is vapor barriers. You can install a vapor barrier to provide that extra layer of protection from wetness. Your air will be dry and clean and healthy to breathe. Another thing to consider is crawl space encapsulation. If you have a crawl space, it is just as important to keep it dry so you can have clean air and be able to use your crawl space to its fullest potential.
All of these options are available from the professional team at Basement Masters Waterproofing. We have years of experience in basement waterproofing and foundation repair in Virginia and Northern Virginia. We are concerned about the homes in our communities and want to make sure that they are safe, dry, and retain all of their value. Plus, these homes are where our customers live! We want you to be happy. So knowing that Virginia and Northern Virginia have such diversity in weather, you have to be prepared for anything, and with the seasons about to change again, it is important to keep our number on speed dial just in case. We will be ready to be there to serve your wet basement needs right away.
