Basements add value to a home by providing storage. Also, extra room and a way to escape both the humidity and heat of the summer months…basement waterproofing.
The problem is that many basements experience water infiltration. This leads to everything from swampy messes to foundation issues. Many basements in the Raleigh, Sandhill, Fayetteville, and surrounding areas leak. This is because of the problems that allow water infiltration to persist.
As experts in waterproofing, we aim to provide our customers in the Raleigh and Sandhill areas with reliable basement waterproofing. We want you to make an informed decision about your basement’s waterproofing needs. this is why we want to explain several topics for you.
Let’s take a closer look at basements and waterproofing. We’ll start with why they leak in the first place.
What Causes Basements Water Infiltration?
While there are many individual causes for basement leaks, they can all be traced to the improper diversion of water. This allows water to erode the concrete structures that most basements have, which in turn leads to the inevitable infiltration of water.
Even if you have a perfect basement that has no cracks, they will eventually develop as water runs along your basement’s walls. This is because water erodes concrete as it contacts it. This will happen no matter how many seals or patches are done to the walls.
Waterproofing Your Basement
If the walls of your basement stay intact, water can still seep up from the ground to infiltrate your basement. This can occur due to the way water tends to run down into the water table. Thus, in turn may mean that a portion will pool beneath your basement’s floor.
When this happens, the water can seep up. It can cause foundation shifts that lead to cracks, crooked doorways and a long list of messy problems.
The best way to keep water out is to waterproof your basement.
How Does Basement Waterproofing Work?
Waterproofing a basement requires a two-pronged approach:
- Spots where water may infiltrate the actual basement, such as cracks in the walls, are sealed and repaired as needed. This amplifies the basement’s ability to repel the small amounts of water that will eventually find it.
- Water is diverted away from the basement using french drains, gutters, and other means. This greatly reduces the chances of water pooling around and under the basement, which in turn greatly minimizes the damage that water can cause.
This approach minimizes the water that comes in contact with your basement while further minimizing the amount that can seep into your basement. In most cases, this results in basements remaining dry and usable for their intended purpose.
Does This Waterproofing Require a Lot of Work?
The amount of work that goes into waterproofing a basement depends upon your basement’s unique needs. A variety of factors can contribute to water infiltration, each of which needs to be addressed to ensure a successful waterproofing.
A basement may, for example, have a surrounding area where water slopes down. Addressing this using a french drain to relocate the water is relatively straightforward and uncomplicated. Using our services, this job generally takes less than a few hours.
Complications To Basement Projects
A more complicated job may exist with a basement. This type of basement has undergone considerable damage from prolonged exposure to water. Crumbling walls can take several days to repair. Sealing those walls is relatively straightforward, but this process may need to be done over the course of several rainstorms to ensure that the waterproofing is complete.
The idea to take away is that prompt waterproofing is better for your basement. It prevents more costly repairs while ensuring the prompt success of any services rendered.
Does Your Basement Need to be Waterproofed?
The last thing to understand about almost every basement can benefit from basement waterproofing. Even if your basement is dry to the touch, small amounts of dampness could act as a precursor to future water infiltration.
The best way to ensure that your basement stays dry is to have our experts inspect your basement.
Contact Us Today
To schedule a free estimate, or to review your options for waterproofing your basement, give us a call at (919) 508-7503. You can speak to one of our waterproofing experts, which in turn will help you to determine how to keep water away from your home.