You might use the basement area for storing your unwanted items or maybe a laundry room. Or have you transformed the basement into a play area for your kids? Your purpose does not define the problems as the basement is leveled below your ground floor thus prone to water issues.
Common Basement Problems You Might Face
Basements are an important part of your entire home, so do not take them lightly. Below is a list of common problems observed in basement areas.
● Mold formation
If you notice black patches on the walls or peeling paint, mold is definitely growing around. When your kids wheeze a lot, one possible reason could be the breeding molds underneath. Look minutely in areas like drainage pipes, sump pumps, ceilings, walls, beams, floors, and gutter areas around your home’s basement for possible moisture buildup. If your basement is damp, do not hesitate to treat it as soon as possible. In the end, it will not disappear by itself.
● Cracked basement floors
Your basement relies on the soil beneath, and due to water issues, soil may lose its original place. As soil constantly expands and shrinks, this leads to upward, downward, or bulging basement floors. Additionally, if your builders mismatch the concrete-water ratio or neglect while building foundational structure, basement floors become faulty and unable to support your home.
● Failed sump pump
Installing a sump pump in your basement already hints about water issues in that area. Their job is to collect excess water and drain it out of the basement.
But if you don’t check them often, you may have standing water in the basement for a long time without your knowledge due to a broken backup system or damaged battery in sump pumps. And just as days pass by, your basement becomes a breeding spot for mold and pests.
● Flooding Basement
If your residence area is prone to flooding, water is an enemy sometimes. Multiple sources of water can exist, like surface water, broken water pipes, or underground water. These sources could be draining water down into your basement, causing it to leak.
● Root intrusion
If trees and shrubs grow around your basement, roots can intrude, causing various problems like shifting foundations and clogging your home’s drainage systems. Strong intrusive roots make your basement weaker, thus providing ample space for water intrusion, so plant your trees at a distance.
Basement Waterproofing Techniques
Repairing your basement is a better idea than regretting it later. So, hire professionals right away to get to the root of your water issues. Basement waterproofing is one effective technique for creating a barrier between water and your home’s structure. By following three basic steps, you can restore a well-recovered dry basement to its original condition.
Step 1: Right detection of the source of water intrusion
Step 2: Home improvement design plan and implementation for preventing leakages. Step 3: Routine checkup to water penetration in the future.
Based on the issues, your service experts will follow all the steps mentioned earlier and run one or more techniques as mentioned below.
● Interior Waterproofing
The interiors of basements may have falling wall paint or sagging floors due to moisture. In such cases, you can go for the following interior basement waterproofing techniques. If you do not have easy access to the basement’s exteriors, interior waterproofing is the best option for you.
Crack sealants
You can apply hydraulic cements mixed with water with a putty knife which will help you to seal cracks anywhere in the basement interiors. This cement mixture dries up and expands to fill the gaps on the applied surface.
Interior French Drain
Installing a French drain inside the basement perimeter will channel the water to the sump pump, which will ultimately throw water into your home’s exterior. So, you should install both a sump pump and a french drain for effective operation inside your basement.
● Exterior Waterproofing
Water can easily penetrate through your basement’s exterior walls, and professional basement waterproofing can help you waterproof the exterior in many ways.
Excavation
Excavation is a labor-intensive job that starts with digging up soil around your basement area. After finishing up the excavation process, your professionals apply waterproof sealants like solid bentonite or synthetic sheets to form an envelope against water. Lastly, drain tiles may be added at the bottom to drain water away. Although this process takes more time and money, it is one of the most effective ways to waterproof your basement walls and exteriors.
Gutter system
Any overflowing water from your roof directly goes into the gutter system to keep the basement dry. So, if you need one, build one with the help of professionals. Or, if you already have a system, routinely check the gutter area for debris collection and intruded roots that may block water from passing through.
Exterior French Drain
The French drain system has gravel, a perforated pipe, and weed-block fabric. You can install one outside your basement perimeter to prevent any water source, such as surface water, underground water, or lawn water, from seeping into the basement’s structure. Over time, this system can become dysfunctional if you do not check it regularly to avoid clogs from roots, debris, or dirt.
● Install sump pump
You can hire experts to install a sump pump in your basement if they are prone to water issues. A professional will install the pump by digging a sump pit in your basement and directing water outside through its drainage pipe. Once the water drains out, there is no chance of backflow as these sump pumps have check valves to prevent such scenarios.
Sump pumps are automatic, so you don’t have to worry about switching them on and off during water inflow. Thus, these self-operating devices allow the basement to remain dry with no signs of leakage.
● Dehumidification
Your basement is one such area where moisture issues are bound to happen due to inadequate ventilation. To keep basements dry, you can ask your professionals to install dehumidifiers, which help avoid sagging and settling of basement floors. With their use, humid air gets trapped in and passes through cooling coils to dry the air around the basement area.
● Window well covers
One source of water intrusion in your basement waterproofing area is through the window gaps. In this case, steel or plastic window well covers are of great help. They work as a barrier to debris, snow, and water droplets, keeping your basement moisture-free.
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