A majority of homeowners are aware that a leaky basement may be a significant issue that most likely calls for the assistance of a professional. Water may ruin belongings and provide a health risk, but it can also cause structural issues with a house.
One of the most effective ways to stop leaks is to waterproof your basement walls. While there are other approaches that may be taken, one well-liked one involves covering the walls with a waterproof material that will act as a barrier to stop water from penetrating.
Steps To Help Waterproofing Basement Go More Effectively
Clear the area and get ready
The best results are achieved on clean, dry, and grease-free surfaces. Clear the area of any standing water and make sure it is completely dry. Before starting any waterproofing project, it is imperative to remove all standing water. After the area is totally dry, you may assess the damage and decide on the best course of action. Any water left standing might conceal a leak originating from the floor rather than the wall, necessitating a different remedy.
Caulk windows, doors, and window wells to reseal them
It’s always a good idea to conduct a complete perimeter inspection of the house before beginning a waterproofing job. Window wells are frequently used as water entrance points, thus it’s crucial to properly seal them. Expandable foam or silicone caulk are both options. Caulking should also be used to seal windows and doors in order to keep water out.
Fiberglass Insulation
Maybe the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase insulation is the fluffy pink or yellow material that is packaged in large rolls. No doubt you were at some point advised not to touch as it could irritate your skin. Moreover, this fiberglass insulation is excellent, but not for use in crawl spaces or basements. This is due to a few factors.
Secondly, the insulation has a texture that is almost fabric-like, which brings with it absorbency. As they are essentially constructed into the soil, areas below ground are renowned for having moisture problems since the insulation will absorb all of the moisture. Due to this, the insulation is rendered inefficient in a number of ways, including its inability to insulate when wet and its eventual collapse under the weight of water.
Problems caused by a wet basement
It is not advisable to store belongings or live in a wet basement since it smells terrible and is likely to develop mold issues. There are several causes of water seepage, leaks, floods, and dampness in basements; some are simple to remedy, while others call for assistance from a specialist in basement waterproofing. Mold growth, structural issues, and poor indoor air quality may all be avoided by using a reliable basement waterproofing solution.
There is no one waterproofing technique that works for all basements. The best course of action for your property will depend on the problem’s origin, where it is located, and the type of foundation it has. To help you make a decision, we’ve included information on the most common interior and exterior basement waterproofing methods. Our team of professionals follows a process that can assure all of these questions are answered accurately.
Sealants & Epoxy Injections
Although sealants and epoxy injections are sometimes viewed as temporary repairs, some homeowners choose these solutions when installing a drainage system is out of their price range. The goal is to stop moisture from leaking through basement walls where these masonry waterproofing materials are applied. Not only is applying sealants over painted walls or efflorescence not recommended (white mineral deposits that form on the surface of concrete walls), but counting on these temporary fixes to keep your home safe is also not ideal. When the foundation walls expand and compress, the substance in many epoxy injections might break, leaving your home exposed once more. A permanent and highly effective solution is best left to professional installers.
Instead of breaking like mortar-based solutions, the solutions from Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems uses a system of drains and more, including an impermeable membrane, to stop leaks. Essentially, in addition to patching leaking wall gaps, it’s critical to establish a drainage system to prevent further water damage.
Exterior Waterproofing
To waterproof a foundation from the outside, polymers and membranes are frequently applied to the exterior of the walls, a trench drain is often buried, or both methods are used. Outside drainage can efficiently waterproof a basement when done correctly.
Interior Drainage
For the majority of homes, waterproofing a basement from the inside is the ideal alternative because it is less costly and invasive than excavating on the outside. An internal drainage system, often known as a French drain, consists of a trench dug around the inside edge of the basement floor, a drain, and a sump pump. This system drains water from wall leaks and the connection where the floor and walls meet to a sump pump, which then pumps the water out of the basement through an underground drainage pipe. However, it is important to consider that interior waterproofing does not truly waterproof your basement, but only helps to manage water that has already intruded your foundation.
In Summary
Depending on the severity of the problem, some homeowners opt for a temporary fix, but they commonly find that to truly cure their basement water problem, they must have a drainage system installed. For more information about how one of our systems or combination of solutions may be the best step for you to take to protect your home from moisture. Give us a call today at (865) 299-2315 to learn more.
