The Ultimate Guide to Foundation Waterproofing

Ensuring a dry and healthy basement is crucial for the integrity of your home. Foundation waterproofing is the best defense against water damage, mold, and structural issues. Here’s everything you need to know to protect your home effectively.

The Importance of Foundation Waterproofing

1. Prevent Structural Damage: Water can weaken your foundation, leading to cracks and structural instability. Waterproofing helps maintain the strength and safety of your home.

2. Avoid Mold and Mildew: A damp basement is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can cause health issues. Waterproofing keeps your basement dry, reducing the risk of mold growth.

3. Increase Home Value: A well-maintained, dry basement adds to the overall value of your property. Potential buyers will appreciate the added protection and reduced risk of water damage.

4. Protect Personal Belongings: Basements often serve as storage spaces. Waterproofing ensures your belongings are safe from water damage.

Common Waterproofing Methods

1. Exterior Waterproofing: This involves excavating around the foundation to apply a waterproof membrane, ensuring water is kept out from the outside. It’s highly effective but can be costly and labor-intensive.

2. Interior Waterproofing: Interior methods, such as sealants and coatings, provide a barrier on the inside walls and floors. While easier and less expensive, they are often less effective than exterior methods.

3. Drainage Systems: Installing a French drain or a sump pump system helps manage water that infiltrates your basement. These systems redirect water away from the foundation, keeping your basement dry.

4. Crack Injections: For minor leaks and cracks, epoxy or polyurethane injections can seal the gaps. This is a quick and affordable solution for small-scale water intrusion.

Signs You Need Foundation Waterproofing

1. Visible Cracks: Cracks in your foundation walls or floors are clear indicators of potential water issues. Addressing these early can prevent more significant damage.

2. Dampness or Wet Spots: Persistent damp spots or water puddles in your basement are signs that waterproofing is needed. Ignoring these can lead to mold growth and structural damage.

3. Musty Odors: A musty smell in your basement often indicates mold or mildew. This is a clear sign that your basement is retaining moisture and needs waterproofing.

4. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper: If you notice paint or wallpaper peeling off your basement walls, it’s a sign that water is seeping through and affecting the interior surfaces.

DIY vs. Professional Waterproofing

While some waterproofing tasks can be tackled as DIY projects, professional services ensure thorough and long-lasting protection. Here’s why hiring experts is often the better choice:

1. Expertise and Experience: Professionals have the knowledge and experience to identify the root cause of water issues and apply the most effective solutions.

2. Advanced Tools and Techniques: Waterproofing companies use specialized tools and techniques that are often beyond the reach of DIY enthusiasts. This ensures a higher quality of work and better results.

3. Comprehensive Solutions: Professionals provide a full range of services, from initial assessment to complete waterproofing solutions, ensuring all potential issues are addressed.

4. Warranty and Support: Reputable waterproofing companies offer warranties and ongoing support, giving you peace of mind and protection for years to come.

Maintaining Your Waterproofed Basement

1. Regular Inspections: Conduct periodic inspections of your basement to catch any new cracks or signs of moisture early.

2. Keep Gutters Clean: Ensure your gutters and downspouts are clean and directing water away from your foundation. This prevents excess water from accumulating around your home.

3. Manage Landscaping: Proper landscaping can help direct water away from your foundation. Ensure the ground slopes away from your home and avoid planting water-intensive plants near the foundation.

4. Monitor Humidity Levels: Use a dehumidifier in your basement to keep humidity levels in check. This helps prevent condensation and moisture buildup.

Final Thoughts

Foundation waterproofing is essential for maintaining a dry, healthy, and structurally sound home. By understanding the importance, methods, and maintenance tips, you can protect your basement from water damage effectively. For the best results, consider hiring a professional waterproofing service like Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC, to ensure your home remains safe and dry.

The Importance of Internal Drainage System Inspections

When it comes to maintaining a healthy and functional home, there’s more to consider than just what meets the eye. Your internal drainage system, hidden beneath floors and within walls, plays a crucial role in safeguarding your property against water damage and ensuring a dry, stable foundation. In this blog post, we’ll explore why investing in inspections for internal drainage systems is a wise decision that can save you from potential headaches and costly repairs in the future.

1. Prevention is Key:

One of the main and primary reasons to opt for internal drainage system inspections is prevention. Water damage, if left unchecked, can lead to a host of issues, including mold growth, structural damage, and compromised indoor air quality. Regular inspections can catch potential problems before they escalate, preventing costly repairs down the line.

2. Identify Hidden Issues:

Unlike visible plumbing fixtures, internal drainage systems are hidden away from plain sight. This makes it challenging to spot issues until they manifest as visible water damage or dampness. Inspections use specialized tools and techniques to identify the hidden problems such as leaks, blockages, and deteriorating components before they become major issues.

3. Protect Your Investment:

Your home is without a doubt one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make. Protecting its structural integrity is crucial for preserving its value. Internal drainage system inspections are a proactive measure that helps safeguard your investment by ensuring that water is directed away from your home’s foundation, preventing potential damage.

4. Mitigate Health Risks:

Excess moisture and water damage provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Mold spores can negatively impact indoor air quality and pose health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions. Regular inspections of your internal drainage system help prevent conditions conducive to mold growth, promoting a healthier living environment for you and your family.

5. Extend the Lifespan of Your Foundation:

A solid foundation is the backbone of a sturdy home. Internal drainage systems play a vital role in maintaining the stability of your foundation by preventing water from seeping into the soil around your home. Inspections ensure that your drainage system is always functioning optimally, helping extend the lifespan of your foundation and preserving the structural integrity of your home.

6. Addressing External Factors:

External factors, such as changes in landscaping or the addition of new structures, can impact the effectiveness of your internal drainage system. Inspections take into account these external influences and assess whether any adjustments or modifications are needed to maintain optimal drainage.

7. Peace of Mind:

Knowing that your internal drainage system is in good condition provides peace of mind for homeowners. It eliminates the uncertainty associated with potential water damage, allowing you to enjoy your home without the constant worry of hidden issues lurking beneath the surface.

Choosing a Professional Inspection:

While DIY inspections may catch some obvious issues, hiring a professional for internal drainage system inspections brings a level of expertise and specialized equipment that ensures a thorough evaluation. Professionals can provide detailed reports, offer recommendations for maintenance or repairs, and answer any questions you may have about the health of your drainage system.

In conclusion, investing in inspections for internal drainage systems is a proactive and cost-effective approach to maintaining the integrity of your home. By identifying and addressing potential issues before they escalate, you not only protect your investment but also ensure a safe and healthy living environment for you and your family. Don’t wait for water damage to surface—take the initiative to keep your home’s internal drainage system in check.

Waterproofing is becoming an increasingly crucial issue all throughout the country. Much of this is due to more and more properties are being built in newly drained areas. One of the first questions you should ask when buying a new home is how things stand from the perspective of drainage. Here are the main questions you should feature on your drainage checklist.

Does Your Property Have Enough Drains?

The first question you need to ask is if your property even has drains. Believe it or not, there are still plenty of properties that do not possess this essential feature. As a result, you will want to make sure that a home and its surrounding area is properly supplied with drains. Be sure to do this well in advance of signing off on a deal.

Your next question should concern whether there are enough to make the area safe to live in. The number of drains should be fully proportional to the total square footage of the home plus its surrounding area. If you find that there are only one or two drains over a property that extends for 40,000 square feet, this is not good.

Most home building experts maintain that having more drains on a property is superior to having too few. Building codes in your area are also very likely to reflect this opinion. When it comes to dealing with potentially dangerous drainage issues, the more backup you have, the better.

Do You Have the Correct Drains?

It isn’t enough just to have them on your property. They need to be the right kind of drains that can handle a series of very specific tasks. As a result, your property may need to feature several different varieties such as planter, deck, trench, and more. Before you purchase a new property, be sure that all of the proper ones are present.

Keep a running drainage checklist to consult when building the property with a planner. In this case, you should confer with your architect, consultant, and engineer in order to make sure this issue is not lost sight of. Between them, they should agree on what types of drains to utilize in any number of different areas across your property.

Are They in the Correct Locations?

You may have all the drains you need as well as all of the correct kinds of drains. But are they located in all the right places? For example, you may have drains everywhere except for a planter section. You may be lacking drains in an area of deck that is bordered by curbs or an extension of wall. These are areas where drains are crucial.

You also need to be sure that all of the drains that you place in these areas are actually in good working order. A drain that doesn’t properly do its job is worse than useless. You need to be sure that all of your drains are properly draining. This will save you a lot of time, money, and effort when it comes to maintaining a safe area.

Do Your Drains Ensure Proper Water Flow?

It’s always a good idea to maintain a drainage checklist in order to permit a safe level of water flow. This will ensure that the membranes of your drains won’t be overworked. The water that flows through these membranes needs adequate space to pass all the way through.

You need to be sure that the drainage mat is able to extend for a comfortable space all the way under the clamping ring. This will give the proper level of clearance so that you don’t end up having to rely on tiny weep holes to handle all of the water draining out of the membrane.

You also need to be sure that all of your decks have a downward slope toward a drain. If you have flat decks, this is an invitation for standing water. You will need to consult with your planners in order to ensure that this issue is properly addressed.

Finally, you must also ensure that all of your drains are set at the correct height. If you are on a sloping surface, they should never be set at the lowest point. Give them the proper level of height to be able to do their job without taking on extra strain.

Get in Touch to Learn More

Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions LLC is here to be your one stop shop for expert Raleigh drainage solutions. We offer a wide range of services to fit your every need. Our friendly technicians can come to your home to diagnose your issue and provide an expert solution. Get in touch with us today to learn more about a drainage checklist can help you.

Basement Repair Companies Offer Money-Saving Assistance

Today, basement repair companies often help customers save money. Obtaining dry, watertight living spaces enhances the quality of daily life immensely. Yet over the long term, this objective also helps property owners prevent costly financial losses. Have you created a basement waterproofing plan for your property yet?

What makes basement waterproofing such a wise investment? Experts recommend drawing up a comprehensive written plan for waterproofing. An experienced basement repair company typically serves as an excellent resource for this project. Consider just a few strong reasons to develop this document for your home or business:

Avoid Preventable Long Term Water Damage

Repetitive water damage in a basement eventually generates significant repair bills. Catching (and correcting) this type of harm at an early stage makes sense. Basement repair companies prefer to furnish long term solutions for customers whenever feasible. Yet fixing a damaged basement without also implementing waterproofing solutions represents only a stop-gap measure.

For example, a leaky basement creates optimal conditions for mold growth. If mold damages wooden steps in the basement, a customer may request assistance from a basement repair firm. Replacing rotting boards and removing the mold resolves the problem temporarily. However, to ensure a permanent solution, property owners must gain adequate basement moisture control.

Help Reduce Threats to Home Foundations

Asking basement repair companies for assistance developing comprehensive waterproofing plans ultimately assists residential foundations. Water leaks in basements gradually expand small cracks in concrete. Over time, these gaps enlarge in size. They may ultimately cause foundational damage.

Of course, man-made structures rest upon strong foundations. Deep cracks in this location sometimes prove expensive to correct. In cases of severe damage, owners may even find it less costly to completely rebuild. In this respect, developing and following a comprehensive waterproofing plan offers immense value. This strategy usually helps minimize the risk of foundational damage from water leaks.

Preserve Your Remodeling Options

Additionally, investing in a waterproofing plan helps many property owners optimize their remodeling options. If you own an unfinished basement, remodeling this location potentially increases you home’s usable square footage. You might decide to install a downstairs apartment, a home office, or some other desirable improvement. Yet waterproofing remains an essential first step.

Many basement repair companies (like Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC) supply useful assistance developing basement waterproofing plans. These firms appreciate the vital importance of securing dry conditions in order to initiate remodeling successfully. Consider maximizing your ROI in North Carolina real estate. Create a careful, complete waterproofing plan for your property. You’ll ensure you don’t lose money remodeling prematurely!

Help Deter Basement Termite Infestations

Some species of termites thrive in damp, moist conditions.(1,2) Maintaining dry basements and preventing water intrusions helps make homes less attractive to these destructive pests. Most termite colonies prefer outdoor locales. Yet the insects cannot distinguish between damp, rotting wood outside and indoors.

Termite infestations potentially cause significant real estate damage. The insects chew channels through the interiors of boards and beams. They can cause extensive havoc in wood framed homes and buildings. Some sources estimate termites produce approximately $5 billion in total property losses worldwide every single year.(1)

Maintain Realty Resale Values

Finally, experienced basement repair companies help customers create waterproofing plans that help preserve real estate resale values. Simply developing and implementing basement moisture control improvements may assist you down the road. Buyers sometimes hesitate to purchase homes or businesses which lack adequate waterproofing.

For example, consider the choice between a home with a wet, musty basement and one with a dry basement? Most people automatically select the residence with adequate waterproofing. Comfortable, watertight buildings simply appeal to more buyers!

Obtain Skilled Basement Repair Assistance

Do you require help developing a basement waterproofing plan? Or would you like an expert to perform repair services to fix a wet, damp cellar? In the Greater Raleigh Area, customers rely on Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC. We offer knowledgeable solutions whenever customers require the help of basement repair companies. Our coverage zone includes Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and outlying communities.

We offer a variety of useful basement waterproofing and moisture control services.(3) Ask us to install interior basement drains and sump pumps. We also provide assistance implementing dehumidifiers, sealants, and diversion drains. We’ll help you obtain comfortable, dry premises in North Carolina as affordably as possible.

Tips on How to Clean up Flood Water Damage

Flood water can happen for several reasons like broken pipes, clogged rain gutters, poor drainage, a leaky roof or clogged toilets, sinks or showers. After a flood, the clean-up can intimidate the average homeowner, but if you follow a few guidelines, you can clean up the home much easier after the disaster. Let’s look at how to clean flood water damage in the home.

Tip #1: Shut off the Gas and Electric

Even when it comes to shutting off the gas and electricity, only do it if you can do this safely. Remember: Water conducts electricity. Call in the professionals and leave it to them if you can’t do it safely. Your priority after floodwater strikes the home should always be to stay safe. This is the foundation for learning how to clean flood water from the home.

In some cases, you can’t inhabit a building after a flood because of the hazards to your health. Usually, turning off the electricity is so straightforward that it requires no tools. Just locate the service panel. You will often find it located in the basement.

For the gas, you will find the gas safety shut-off valve at the meter. In most cases, you will find it outside, but if you don’t have one outside, it may be located under the stairs, in the garage or beneath the kitchen sink.

Before you attempt to shut it off, check to see that you turned off all the gas appliances and pilot lights. Next, go to the safety valve and turn it into the off position. You can tell that you turned it off when you have it at a right angle from the pipe.

Tip #2: Call the Electrician

Next, you must speak with an electrician to have them examine the electrical system for signs of damage. You will want to look at the building’s overall structure. Check the foundation of the home for signs of damage, such as cracks. In cases where you receive your water from a well, you may need to disinfect the well, depending on the type of damage.

Tip #3: Take Water out of a Flooded Basement in Stages

Let’s say that you have a flooded basement. You will want to pump it out in stages if the water has risen over 6 inches. Many homeowners encounter a flooded basement and their first reaction is to get rid of all the water at once. This can result in severe structural damage to the home because of how it pushes in the walls or heaves the floor.

If you want to know how to clean flood water from the home basement, only start pumping water out if the water inside is higher than the water outside. You may even want to measure this beforehand to prevent damage to the home. Once the water levels reach the same level, stop pumping.

Tip #4: How to Eliminate the Odor

If you want to know how to clean flood water from the home, you will need to eliminate the odor. Ventilation by itself won’t get rid of the odor. You need to mop the concrete walls and floors with a bleach solution. Usually, you will use 3/4 cup of household bleach for every gallon of water.

You will need to rinse and dry the water from the concrete once you finish. When you apply the bleach solution, open the windows since the vapors can damage your lungs and organs. Whenever you use bleach products indoors, make sure that you have good ventilation.

Tip #5: How to Remove Standing Water

Before you ever enter a watery area, always check to see that the water doesn’t connect to an electrical source. After you determine that, you can use either a shop vac or a pump to remove the water. Read the instruction manual ahead of time to learn how to use it.

In some cases, they may require you to remove the filter before you use it. Use your local city system, and while it may flood the city’s capacity at first, it won’t take long before you can drain away the rest of the water.

Conclusion

One of the most important elements of learning how to clean flood water is to pinpoint the source. Learn what started the flooding and figure out how to stop it from happening next time. In some cases like with a broken pipe, you can’t do much to stop it from happening, but you can take the right action after it happens to prevent further damage to the home.

How you respond after the flooding happens will play an equally important role in what happens next and what the cost of the damage is. If you are facing floodwater damage in your home, it’s essential to act quickly and safely.

To find and fix the cause contact a trusted and experienced professional like Drainage and Waterproofing LLC. With their expertise in drainage and waterproofing, they can help prevent future flood damage and keep your home safe.

Water can penetrate the basement in a variety of ways, but it most commonly happens because of a damaged foundation or floor. In some cases, the plumbing broke, or the sump pump stopped working. When all of this happens, what types of basement waterproofing methods do homeowners use, and how do they choose the right one? Let’s take a look at the most common waterproofing methods.

Foundation Crack Injections

In some cases, you can repair poured foundation cracks with foundation crack injections. This low-pressure injection will either use polyurethane or epoxy as a form material to repair the home’s foundation. You would use this method to repair cracks in the flooring or concrete slab.

Whether you should use epoxy or polyurethane depends on the type of damage. You would use epoxy when you want compressive strength. On the other hand, you would use polyurethane if you worry about the sealant leaking out the back of the crack before it can adequately seal. Epoxy takes 12 hours to dry before you can walk on it, and it takes seven days before it fully cures. This can be problematic if it leaks out the back part without sealing it fully.

French Drains

French drains have grown in popularity as a waterproofing system because it channels the water out and away from the foundation. This method of waterproofing will lay a perforated pipe in a shallow trench to channel the water away with gravity. In some cases, you will request to have it installed in the basement floor or buried in the soil next to the home’s foundation.

The biggest downside of a French drain is the cost with a national average of $5,000. It costs so much because it requires you to dig around the foundation. While it may cost a lot, you won’t encounter water in your basement anymore. You would think of this as the most effective waterproofing method because it stops water from getting into the basement and channels it away from the foundation.

Cementitious Coating

The cementitious coating consists of sand, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals and silica-based substances. It works by a chemical reaction. You combine the active ingredients with lime to create a hydration reaction. Once the reaction completes, you have a waterproof seal. Many experts in this field will apply a cementitious coating because of how easy it works.

Most consider it the easiest method to waterproof a basement.

The downside, like with the French drains, will come from the cost of the materials and the labor to apply them. You go through a great deal of cutting, reinforcing, detailing and handling during the process of installation. It requires thorough supervision to ensure that you install it correctly. They also can’t bridge cracks in the substrates.

Thermoplastic

In some cases, people will waterproof their basements with thermoplastics. Most experts list it as the strongest waterproofing material on the market, and it can provide you with up to 50 years of water protection. The professional who installs it will heat the plastic from solid to semi-solid to seal the sheets and panels together.

Thermoplastic can resist impact better than other waterproofing materials due to the elastomers in it. The material provides you with high elongation and tear resistance. You can even bridge large cracks with it.

The most common places where they use thermoplastics include concrete slabs, foundations and tanks. Thermoplastic’s greatest disadvantage stems from its higher cost. In some cases, it will cost $10 per pound, but it can reach up to $42 for a roll.

EPDM Rubber

This has become a popular basement waterproofing method that deals directly with the home’s foundation. It’s the ideal choice to damp-proof the home foundation. The material remains stable in high or low temperatures. It resists tearing and has good electricity resistance.

EPDM’s biggest drawback comes from its lack of aesthetic appeal. They prepare this waterproofing material with rubber, and it has a simple appearance, but some may not like it. Most commonly, you will see it used to waterproof a roof, but you can use it for the basement as well.

EPDM rubber costs less than some of the other choices at $3.25 per square meter on the low end. The maximum you should pay for this is $15 per square meter. The biggest influence on the cost will be the thickness. You can buy it either in 45-mil or 65-mil. Keep in mind that the thicker choice offers you better waterproofing capabilities.

Final Thoughts of Types of Basement Waterproofing

You can waterproof the basement with several materials, and the more costly methods tend to keep the water out better. To decide on a method, think of your individual project requirements and figure out which one will have the most effective application.

Having a basement is a great aspect of home ownership in the Raleigh-Durham area. After all, not all parts of the United States can offer the option of this extra indoor space. But many homeowners take having a basement for granted. They forget that basement moisture can cause costly damage if not controlled. Below, we explore the six primary causes of basement moisture and how to stop them.

Six Causes of Basement Moisture

Water is one of the most damaging elements on Earth. One only has to consider the Grand Canyon to understand that water can carve its way through even the most resilient materials. Around your home, water can unfortunately create cracks and seep through brick, wood, rock, concrete and soil. This leaves your home particularly vulnerable to basement moisture. Moisture even develops inside your basement from environmental changes.

Below are the six main causes of basement moisture:

Poor Drainage in the Soil
It is very important that you have proper drainage for water around your home’s foundation. Otherwise, rainfall and groundwater can make their way through your foundation and into the basement. Instead of routing itself around your home’s hard external surfaces, water from soil builds up around the foundation and finds a way in. Once inside your home, a tiny leak or seeping water turns into damaging basement moisture.

Ineffective Gutters
Rain gutters along the base of your roof and down the side of your home are supposed to properly direct rainfall away from the building. But when these gutters are poorly constructed, become clogged or malfunction, damaging water drains directly toward your foundation. There, the water seeps into your house and becomes basement moisture.

Improper Slope
The slope of the land on which your home sits also plays a role in properly directing water away from the structure. An improper slope can enable water to collect at the foundation and seep inside.

Hydrostatic Pressure
Water building up around your foundation creates hydrostatic pressure. Gravity then forces the water down and outward to relieve the pressure. If the water is not properly redirected, it forces itself through existing cracks and even creates new ways into your basement.

Basement Cracks
Obviously, having cracks in your basement’s structure enables water to make its way inside. Water even has the power to expand cracks, particularly during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter.

Condensation
Even without water seeping in through your home’s foundation or basement walls, condensation creates a basement moisture problem. Even slight moisture creates bad smells, mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can be very expensive to eradicate once they occur, particularly if they grow within your basement’s structure and spread to other parts of your home.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to prevent or stop these six causes of basement moisture. The professionals of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions of Raleigh, Southern Pines and Fayetteville can help. Below are three key solutions we offer to rid your home of this moisture and keep it dry for years to come.

Top 3 Ways to Stop Basement Moisture

Preventing basement moisture is actually easier than you might think. You only need to call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions to evaluate your moisture threats and install basement waterproofing.

The top three methods of basement waterproofing include:

Indoor Waterproofing
From the inside of your basement, there are a variety of methods for basement waterproofing and preventing moisture. These methods include sealants and coatings used to fill cracks and provide a waterproof barrier.

Outdoor Waterproofing
Outdoor basement waterproofing methods keep damaging water outdoors, where it belongs. These effective options include exterior sealant applications and gutter systems.

Drainage Systems
Basement moisture quickly builds up if your home does not have adequate internal or external drainage. Common types of basement drainage include the installation of sump pumps inside or French drains outside.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions Today

If you suspect your home has basement moisture problems, Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions is ready to help. We proudly serve the Raleigh, Southern Pines and Fayetteville areas, as well as surrounding communities. We provide a free inspection of your home to determine the best methods of basement waterproofing to solve your moisture problems. Then, we develop a detailed written plan for you that includes a project timeline and cost estimate. Call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions today at (919) 508-7503.

Drainage Problems

According to Edward J. Murphy and his famous theory, problems arise at the least convenient times. Murphy is the engineer who remarked, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” While your mind is typically not on your lawn or foundation during the holiday season in North Carolina, it actually should be. This holiday season is likely not the time you want to prove Mr. Murphy right, especially when it comes to home drainage problems.

Experiencing drainage problems is never convenient. But these issues can disrupt your holidays in dramatic ways. January is even worse when it comes to drainage issues in the Raleigh, NC area. In fact, January is the third wettest month of the year and brings potential for ice to form wherever water seeps, drips or drains.

Below are three big ways drainage problems can affect your holiday season and how you can prevent these issues or fix them when they occur.

Pooling Water and Moisture Woes

Most households are busy during the holiday season, welcoming guests and extended family for festive events. But if you have drainage problems affecting your foundation, these celebrations can become musty, mildewy and mucky. Frankly, drainage issues can become embarrassing problems in front of your loved ones and friends.

Standing water from poor drainage also turns your lawn into a swampy, muddy mess. If people walk on the wet ground, they can accidentally track mud into your home, ruining carpeting and messing up your clean floors. Wet ground is a slip-and-fall risk that can lead to serious injuries. Drainage problems in the basement can make this space smell badly. Your damp basement can also grow unsightly and unhealthy mold or mildew that triggers your guests’ allergies, headaches or other conditions.

Instead of waiting until after the holidays or even next spring to have your home drainage and waterproofing checked, consider scheduling this service now. Remember Murphy’s Law and put yourself one step ahead of potential drainage problems just before one of the wettest times of the year. Drainage and Waterproofing Solutions provides a range of services year round. We can help you have one less problem that can go wrong for your holidays.

Bad Odors Indoors and Outside

A musty basement smell is a sure sign of a foundation drainage problem. If your basement smells badly or has mold or mildew growing within it, you need help from Drainage and Waterproofing pros. You may even be used to the musty smell wafting around your basement or other damp areas of your home. But your guests will notice it right away. Some may even suffer health effects of the mold and mildew, as mentioned above.

Outdoors, stagnant water in your lawn develops characteristic smells, too. Besides potential for smelling badly, drainage problems take away from the beauty of your holiday lights or your home’s year-round curb appeal. Pooling water and mucky areas of your lawn indicate you should call the Drainage and Waterproofing pros.

More Expensive Problems If You Wait

Waiting until spring or summer to have your drainage problems fixed may sound less stressful than handling them during the holidays. But have you considered how much more it will cost you, to wait to fix the issues? In fact, the longer you wait, the more you will likely have to pay for repairs, improved drainage and waterproofing.

The drainage problems you see, smell and otherwise sense around your home are actually subtle signs of bigger issues underground. Poor drainage can seriously affect your home’s foundation, particularly in the freeze-thaw cycle of winter. Water seeps into the foundation concrete, expanding cracks with each wintry weather storm.

Instead of regretting your decision to wait, call the Drainage and Waterproofing Solutions professionals to fix the problems now. We provide a multitude of drainage solutions to suit your specific needs. We also provide waterproofing services to stop water erosion and prevent future problems. Call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions at (919) 508-7503 for scheduling.

There are several types of waterproofing that you should consider for your home. The protection that this technique gives will be invaluable for its future. Basic basement waterproofing is a tactic that should be employed as the home is being built. From there, it will be helpful to check the status of your waterproofing from time to time.

What Are the Most Common Waterproofing Methods?

When it comes to basement waterproofing, there are several techniques that you can make use of in order to do the job. One of the most basic is applying several coats of sealant to your basement walls and floors. The formula you use should be as strong and cost effective as possible. Even with the best formula, you may notice subsequent issues.

For this reason, most experts tend to recommend against using store bought sealants as your primary weapon against basement leaks. The main issue with these sealants is that they tend to last for a limited period of time. As a result, you will need to check the progress of leakage on a regular basis in order to keep ahead of further decay.

A much better method is known as exterior waterproofing. This is the most effective way to keep your basement free from leakage and water damage. However, it is also a much more expensive and intrusive solution. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good result by making use of it.

The best time to make use of the exterior method is during the construction of the home. This is the time at which basement waterproofing issues will be most acute. At this point, the builder will want to make sure that they use the best possible method of waterproofing. Doing so will prevent issues that arise when the home is occupied.

However, even after the home has been built, you may find it needful to employ exterior waterproofing to your basement. Doing so is the best way to keep this area free from flooding and other issues for the longest amount of time. Despite its greater expense, the results that come from this treatment are usually far superior.

Regular Sealants Can’t Do the Job

Common store bought sealants are meant to be a temporary solution for your basement waterproofing needs. Due to their very nature, they are not meant to last beyond a certain period. This is due to the fact that the adhesive material they contain is gradually worn down. The erosive nature of leaking water will overpower them.

For this reason, sealants are recommended only in situations where you need a quick fix to a relatively minor leakage issue. The true long-term solution will be to adopt a method that offers you a far more reliable method of keeping your basement dry.

Keep in mind that contractors may make use of several methods to secure your basement from water leakage. These may include sealants, vinyl liners, and waterproof coatings.

Basement Waterproofing Doesn’t Need to Be Intrusive

It is true that basement waterproofing is, on balance, more expensive and intrusive than other methods. However, the level of intrusion that you can expect will depend on a number of factors. These include the size, type, age, and condition of your home. It also matters what general condition your basement is currently in.

The intrusive nature of basement waterproofing can be seriously reduced by adopting the exterior method during the building of the home. If you are lucky enough to be in such a position, it can greatly minimize your subsequent waterproofing costs. Even if you are buying an aftermarket home, you can still use this method to secure your basement.

The first step of exterior waterproofing is to dig a trench in the floor of your basement. This newly founded trench will normally be from 4 to 18 inches wide. Once dug, it will extend around the entire perimeter of your basement. As the home is still in the process of construction, this will minimize any perceived intrusiveness.

The contractor that you have hired will then place the drainage pipes into the trench. These pipes are in place to move all collected moisture to a specially selected drainage area. This is known as the sump pit. A nearby sump pump will then move the water from the pit. Its final resting place will be safely outside of your home.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions for Info

Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC, is here to be your foremost provider for basement waterproofing and all issues related to the protection of your home. We serve clients in Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville, and all surrounding areas. Our goal is to provide our clients with the highest and most affordable level of protection from water-related hazards.

There are many issues with your waterproofing and drainage that may need to be addressed. Many of these issues are so minor at their outset that you can barely spot them. As a result, they can develop into a costly problem before you even realize it. The way for you to avoid these issues is to arrange for a waterproofing inspection.

A Waterproofing Inspection Saves Time and Trouble

You can usually spot the telltale signs of a water flooding issue. These will be such symptoms as puddles in the basement, damp spots on the ceiling, and water damage to various items, such as furniture. But there are many other signs, some too subtle for the average eye to notice. These are the ones that only an expert may be aware of.

It’s always a good idea to have a professional inspector come in to check for signs of poor drainage or shoddy waterproofing. These are issues that can cost you a great deal of time, energy, and money. If your home is suddenly flooded, you may spend thousands of dollars on repairs. A quick inspection can help to forestall this undesirable fate.

The best time to arrange for a waterproofing inspection is as you read this. You very likely have not had such an inspection in your home since you bought it. And if your home is over 40 years old, it may well be time for such an investigation. Most of the drainage systems in older homes are prone to develop issues if not properly checked.

After you have had your initial inspection, you should follow it up once a year. This will allow for a routine series of checks that will keep your system running smoothly. If any heavy renovation is required, it will already have been done on the initial check. As a result, these supplementary inspections will be quick and cost effective.

What Makes a Good Waterproofing Inspection?

There are a number of qualities that you should look for in a waterproofing inspection service. One of them will certainly be expertise. You want to be sure that the service you are employing for this task is well prepared. It’s always a good idea to make sure that they have the skills, qualifications, and experience that an inspection requires.

You can do so by asking for proof of their credentials. A reputable service will never be abashed to give you all the evidence you need to make an informed decision. You can also check the web to see proof of their credentials. This is the place to go to in order to view proof of all of the certifications that North Carolina makes mandatory.

Once the inspector arrives at your home, they should know exactly what to look for and where to find it. The inspection they conduct should be focused, professional, and courteous. They should be able to get right to the heart of the natter with no waste of your time or money. They should always answer questions in a courteous manner.

Once you have established a relationship with a drainage and waterproofing service, it should be ironclad. You should always be able to reach them with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. They should, in turn, be able to respond in a quick and professional fashion. This will ensure prompt and professional service.

What Issues Should You Check For?

There are a number of issues that should always be looked out for during the course of a waterproofing inspection. These include excess humidity all over the home, water in your various nooks and crannies, mold and mildew growth, and cracks or buckling areas in your walls. These are some of the most obvious signs of a waterproofing failure.

However, there are plenty of other symptoms that you should always take into due consideration. For example, you may notice the paint on your walls beginning to peel, blister, or bubble. You may also notice odd stains on your floors and walls. This will be all the more noticeable if they are made of concrete.

You may also begin to notice rotting wood fixtures in your home. When you touch them, they may be wet. This is a sure sign that excess moisture is beginning to damage to the various fixtures. Now is the time to call for a waterproofing inspection.

Contact Drainage and Waterproofing Services for More Info

Drainage and Waterproofing Services, LLC, is here to be your ultimate authority for all issues in this realm. If you think you spot any kind of trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are the foremost source for quick and cost-effective service in the Raleigh area. Get in touch to arrange for a professional waterproofing inspection.

There are plenty of methods that you can adopt to waterproof your home. This is a level of care that should also extend to the rest of your property. The best way to do so may be to build a retaining wall. This will be all the more true in areas such as Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, and Chapel Hill because of flooding.

Proper Drainage is Essential for Your Home

The entire reason to build a retaining wall on your property will be to ensure the proper level of drainage. This is crucial during the rainy season in North Carolina and the rest of the Triangle Area. Since heavy rain is a factor in the prevalence of flooding, you will need to protect your home against its effects.

The best way to do so will be to make sure that your retaining wall is in place and fully up to speed. You can handle the expense of building such a wall on your own. However, if you aren’t an expert in these matters, it may be better to call on a qualified local service. This is where we can step in to do the job.

The Main Types of Retaining Wall Drainage

There are four major types of retaining wall drainage to be considered. The first is known as a weep hole. These are small orifices in masonry walls that are drilled in order to provide drainage throughout the length of the structure. These are easy to make although they must be placed sparingly for best results.

The second major type of retaining wall drainage can be achieved via specially molded PVC pipes. These pipes are set up in order to allow water to pass through the wall without putting too much pressure on it. The relief that these pipes bring can help to keep your wall fresh and viable for many more decades to come.

You can also order a wall built of materials that are designed to be permeable or granular. This creates an aggregate system for drainage that allows the water to flow directly through the interior of the wall. It then flows out the other side on to the ground without ever having been trapped inside the wall.

The last major type of retaining wall is one that is built on an incline. You can use these natural areas of your property as the perfect perch for such a structure. You can incorporate additional inclines built into the wall as a conduit. This will serve to draw water away from the wall without touching it.

What Does a Drainage System Consist Of?

The average drainage system will tend to consist of a base of crushed stone or gravel. Other elements may include some type of filter fabric or perforated pipe. These are the most common building blocks of a retaining wall. If you are not sure if your wall requires drainage, a few factors need to be considered.

The first will be how high your wall is. If you plan to build a wall that is 4 feet or higher, it will definitely require some sort of drainage system. If the wall is to be terraced or tiered, this will be a necessity. The more nuanced your design is, the higher the chances that it will need to drain off water.

If you build your retaining wall from poured concrete or cinder block, you will need to include a system for drainage. This will also be the case if you are building your wall on soil that is predominantly clay or otherwise impermeable. In this case, the water will pool around your wall if not properly drained away.

You will definitely need a drainage system if there is already ground water present in and around the area. This will be all the more true if the ground around your wall slopes down toward it instead of away from it. This type of ground should be avoided for wall building unless there is no other option.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing, LLC for Solutions

If you own a property in the Triangle Area, you already know how hard it is to keep it dry. This is an issue that has caused concern for home owners since the area was first settled. The best solution to the problem will be to build a retaining wall. This will keep water at a safe distance away from your home.

Drainage & Waterproofing, LLC has long been the leading expert in these matters. We serve homes in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and all surrounding areas. Our skills and experience are second to none. Now is the time to get in touch with us to learn more about what we can do on your behalf.

Damp Proofing

When it comes to securing Raleigh waterproofing services, you want to do it the right way. There is no point in paying top dollar for a job that will only get halfway done. This is all the more crucial if you happen to live in an area that is subject to heavy flooding. The time to get your home fully secured is now.

Why is Waterproofing Your Home So Crucial?

There are a number of reasons why you are very soon going to need expert Raleigh waterproofing services. The main thing to keep in mind is that, even though concrete is rock hard and not eroded by moisture, it’s still heavily absorbent. It can pick up and hold water for many years. It is also very porous to vapor.

The upshot of these qualities is that concrete can very quickly become a means of viable transport for water. Keep in mind that concrete is everywhere in your home, especially in your foundation. This means that it can easily bring that water indoors. And when it does, it will dump it on you without any warning.

Can Damp proofing Be a Viable Alternative?

Many people believe that damp proofing can be a viable solution to the usual type of Raleigh waterproofing services. However, this is a belief that is all too easy to prove mistaken. It is true that damp proofing can do a lot of good for your property. But it doesn’t accomplish as much as you may wish for it to.

The most that damp proofing can really do is to slow down the movement of water vapor from the soil outside your home to your basement. However, you need to keep in mind that this will absolutely not do anything to prevent excess water leakage. It will also be of very limited help if your home should be flooded.

The truth is that, even if you have excellent maintenance in place with your gutters, water can still get into your home. This will be the case even when you have managed your surface water with proper grading. The reality is that there are always bound to be high levels of moisture that will be present in the soil.

Dampproofing isn’t Meant to Deal with Flooding

Damp proofing usually consists of a thin black coating that covers nearly all foundation walls. It’s basically a covering made primarily of asphalt. The intention behind damp proofing is to reduce the transit of water vapor through concrete or block. It does its job well enough under most normal circumstances.

Damp proofing can go a considerable length toward retarding the path of this moisture. But it can’t put a stop to it altogether. And if the progress of the moisture from the soil to your home is unchecked, it can lead to serious damage. This can include flooding into your basement from the slab and the four walls.

The major issue with damp proofing is that it stops only a limited amount of moisture that creeps in from the soil that surrounds your home. It has never been intended as a long term solution to the progress of large amounts of liquid water. It also doesn’t help to bridge the cracks that appear in concrete walls.

Waterproofing is Your Best Solution in Raleigh

If you live in an area that is subject to the effects of heavy flooding, you are going to need more than routine damp proofing. This is all the more true when the rainy season begins. Raleigh waterproofing services can provide your home with a much more viable system. This is a solution that will save you energy and money.

A full waterproof coating is much thicker and more resilient than any kind of damp proofing. It provides a coated base that is tough, durable, yet still fully flexible. As a result, it can far more easily perform the basic task of patching over any small gaps that may appear in the foundation walls that line your home.

A further proof of the efficiency of waterproofing is that it can go a great deal farther to keep water out of your home. It can do so by blocking water from breaching the walls of your foundation.

This is particularly crucial when it comes to water that accumulates over the years against your foundation base. A professional waterproofing job will keep the water from causing hydrostatic pressure against your foundation.

The Time to Secure Your Home is Now

There is no time like the present to get started on securing your home. You should begin to do so by starting right at the most vulnerable area. This will be the foundation of your home. You can contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC for expert Raleigh waterproofing services and a great deal more.

Can Drain Tile Save Your Basement?

Coming home to a flooded basement is a nightmare no home owner cares to face. You can take plenty of preventative measures to prevent this bad dream from ever coming true. One of the smartest things that you can do in order to keep your basement safe and dry is to install drain tile. Doing so is a quick, easy move.

How Can Drain Tile Protect Your Basement?

Drain tile is not actually tile. It’s actually a system of subterranean drainage that is laid around the footings of your foundation. Think of it more as a sort of drainage pipe that is useful in a home, rather than business, setting. When properly put together, it will act to keep water from running into your cellar.

It’s important to keep in mind that, if given half a chance, water will always try to creep into your home. In doing so, it will always choose the path that offers it the least amount of resistance. If you have a basement in your home, you can be sure that it is always in an appreciable level of danger from water.

This is where drain tile, once properly installed, can come in to save the day. Drain tile will give water the easy path it craves. As it does so, it will draw the water into the pipe system rather than the floor of your basement. This is due to the fact that the pipe used for drain tile is made to be very porous.

After the water has been directed into the pipe, it will then be drained away. True to its name, drain tile uses a specially calibrated combination of gravity in conjunction with your sump pump. It will then direct the water into a nearby dry well. It may also release it above ground to go to a storm or sewage drain.

Drain Tile Can Be Retrofitted to Your Home

One of the main questions that you may have may concern whether or not drain tile will work in an older home. You may live in a home that was built in the middle of the last century or even before. As such, it naturally includes a drainage system that seems incompatible with more modern and efficient models.

However, this does not mean that you can’t make use of a drain tile system to help modernize your home. As it happens, you can easily retrofit your drainage system to take full advantage of the latest developments in this crucial area. It’s a cost effective move that will save you a great deal of time and energy.

Retrofitting will involve the digging of a drainage trench around the outside of your home. This will take place at the foundation level. The installer will use a large backhoe. Keep in mind that in order to gain access to the foundation, you may need to remove pathways, decking, or trees that may be in the way.

Drain Tile Works Best in New Homes

It is true that retrofitting drain tile in an older home is not as expensive or time intensive as people may think. However, its most effective location will be in conjunction with the foundation of a newly built home. This will give you the maximum level of flexibility that you will need to complement your home design.

Drain tile can be installed shortly after the foundation of your home is near to being finished. When this time comes, you will need to dig a deep trench. This will be laid alongside the footings on the exterior of your home. The people who do the work will place the pipe in the trench and cover it with washed gravel.

One thing to note is that you will need to employ a very special size and grade of gravel. It needs to be at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in size. This will help avoid future blockages. After the gravel has been laid in place, it will then be covered up. The installers will do so with landscape matting or other fabric.

The fabric needs to be porous in order for the water to drain through. Once this fabric is safely in place, it will be covered in soil. It can then be safely brought up to ground level. The entire process is usually completed in a few hours.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing for More Info

Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC is here to serve your needs in these vital areas. If you live in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, or Durham, give us a call. We can waterproof your home and attend to all of your property drain tile needs. Years of expertise make us the go-to service in North Carolina.

Flood damage is a major topic of concern in North Carolina. This is due to the fact that climate change has caused flooding to be more prevalent. It has also caused the level of damage that occurs during flooding to grow more acute. As a result, you will need to do all that you can to protect your home and family.

Clean Out Your Gutters and Spouts

North Carolina is a region of the country that is very prone to floods. Since you can’t do anything to prevent flood damage, you may as well prepare for it. The best thing you can do in this regard is to make sure that all of your various drains are clean. This includes all of your home’s gutters and spouts.

Contrary to popular belief, huge floods aren’t the real culprit. It really won’t take a whole lot of water to produce flood damage in your yard. As a matter of fact, the fault for the damage is almost more on you than on nature. This is because you may have failed to take a number of simple and routine precautions.

However, this doesn’t mean that your efforts to protect your home are doomed. The best thing you can do to give your home added safety against flood damage is to prepare in advance. Make sure that all of your gutters and spouts are cleaned and emptied on a regular basis. This will soften the impact of heavy flooding.

The point of cleaning out your drains is so that the water left behind by flooding will drain in a safe manner. The best way to guarantee this will be to make sure that all of the downspouts are cleaned and facing outward. Doing so will channel the water to a location that is safely out of reach of your home.

Make Sure Your Roof is Properly Reinforced

Another key method to use when trying to prevent flood damage will be to make sure your roof is in good shape. If you are like most home owners, you may not even think of your roof as being an effective deterrent for floods. In fact, you may not even have thought about damage to your roof unless you have seen it.

If you have ever had to replace shingles or stop a leak, you know how crucial your roof really is. A leak in your roof, no matter how minor at first, can lead to a high level of flood damage. Your best bet to keep your home safe is to make sure that you replace your roof. You should do so at a rate of every 25 years.

While you renovate or replace your roof, you should also consider adding a layer of waterproofing material. This can be set up at an interval that lies just beneath the shingles. The idea here will be to make it much harder for rainwater to penetrate your roof. This will prevent damage to your walls and your ceiling.

Pay special attention to the walls, ceilings, and floors in your home. If there has been a major storm recently, check all of these areas for flood damage. You want to look for leaks, stains, pools of water, and strange smells. Doing so will prevent further damage from water as well as dangerous mold and bacteria.

Move Your Expensive Furnishings to Higher Ground

One of the most crucial things that you will need to do is protect your home furnishings. This is all the more true if they are antique, rare, or otherwise expensive and irreplaceable. They may be items that you can’t easily replace. If this is the case, you will want to do all that you can to protect them.

Your best bet will be to move them to a much higher area in your home. You may also wish to move them into storage in an area of increased elevation. Flood damage can occur at any time of the day or night. For this reason, you’ll want to have these items moved out of the way even before the storm begins to brew.

You need to keep in mind that the number of flood zones in the state of North Carolina has been steadily on the increase in recent years. 1 in 5 areas in this area see flood insurance claims that come from well outside of the normal flood zone areas.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions for Info

Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC is here to be your go-to authority for flood damage and other issues. We serve clients in Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville, and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Our goal is to give you full protection for your home and property. Contact us today for more info.

Property Drainage Do’s and Don’ts

Property drainage is a major issue. This is due to the fact that many areas in the region are prone to extreme differences. Some properties will be in hilly areas. Others will be in places where the ground is more level. The key to correct property drainage will be knowing what the situation needs.

Do Install Trench and Channel Drains

It’s a very good idea to install trench and channel drains. These type of drains are needed to contain and direct water so it doesn’t pool. This will be all the more true if your drains are located near areas that are inconvenient. You don’t want standing water causing drainage or sanitation problems in your back yard.

Don’t Dig Trenches on Your Property

It’s one thing to install properly formed trench and channel drains. This will be essential to get the property drainage you desire. But just digging trenches without proper drainage materials will lead to disaster. It can create huge pools of muddy water that will soon overflow. More harm than good will be done.

Do Let Drainage Water Go Back to Earth

The key to property drainage done right is letting the water that is drained find its way back to the earth. This is a natural process that you ought to do all that you can to encourage. Once it does so, it will be subject to a series of natural filtration processes. These will purify it before it goes elsewhere.

Don’t Allow Runoff to Flow into the Drainpipe

You don’t want to add to pollution by letting your runoff flow directly into the drainpipe. This can allow all kinds of debris and dangerous chemicals to run into local water sources. It’s better to filter this water through plants or soil before you send it back down the drainpipe. This will help to purify it.

Do Make Use of In-Ground Drainage Systems

You should always use an in-ground property drainage system. You can install one either in or directly below the surface. Doing so will heighten the ability to drain off this excess water. It will help to keep bulky and unsightly pipes from gaining attention from animals. The beauty of your landscape will be untouched.

Don’t Ignore Signs of Mold or Mildew

Never ignore signs of excess dampness in your basement. This can lead to the growth of dangerous mold and mildew. They can also be tell tale signs of a very serious drainage issue. If you spot any damage, you should take action to fix it immediately. Excess water, mold, and mildew can cause serious foundation issues.

Do Make Sure Your Home Foundation is Sloped

It’s always best to have a home foundation that is sloped. You want it to have dimensions that are well suited to encourage a higher level of runoff. A sloped foundation is far more manageable in this regard. If your foundation is not well rounded, you can alter it. It’s best to hire an expert local service to do this.

Don’t Channel Your Drainage Toward Your Home

One of the worst mistakes that you can make is to allow drainage to channel back to your home. Letting this water get back into your home will cause pools of standing water to form. This can cause damage to your property and also the foundation. It can also encourage the growth of dangerous mildew and bacteria.

Don’t Try to Change Your Natural Slope

When it comes to efficient property drainage, you want to make sure you have every angle covered. If your home is on a natural slope, you already have a lot of the work done for you. You should ignore advice from so-called experts who claim you should change this slope. Doing so will cause more harm than good.

Do Hire an Expert Local Drainage Service

You may not know the first thing about property drainage or how it affects your home. This is the reason you should always hire an expert local property drainage service to take care of these issues on your behalf.

It’s much better to bring in an expert instead of poking around and possibly making things worse. The local service you hire can diagnose any issues you have. They can then do the work to fix them.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions for Info

Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC is here to be your one stop shop for all of your needs in this area. We serve clients in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and the surrounding region. Our friendly service team can come to your home to quickly fix any issue. Get in touch with us today to get more details.

Waterproof a Crawl Space

Have you ever thought about how to waterproof a crawl space in your home? There are many reasons why this may be needed. The area is a very critical part of the structure of your home. Flooding in this area is always a possibility. If this happens, it can cost a lot of money to fix, not to mention time and energy.

What Are the Main Dangers of a Flooded Crawl space?

There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure that your crawl space never gets flooded. The main reason is because this area is so crucial to the well being of your basic structure. If this area should get waterlogged, it can compromise its integrity. This can lead to it being evacuate or even demolished.

This is the area from which most of the air in your home will circulate. You can’t afford to let the air get contaminated by standing water. It will create humidity issues that can make the quality of the air suspect. It can also give mold and bacteria a free space in which to multiply and lead to health issues.

A Vapor Barrier Will Protect Your Soil

The soil in your crawl space needs to be kept as dry as possible. This is an area where flooding or excess humidity is very undesirable. Many crawlspace floors are left completely unprotected. Instead of keeping this area bare, you can cover it up with plastic sheets. This will prevent water from forming pools.

This is the kind of job that you may not be qualified to do on your own. Getting the plastic sheets laid just right can be a tricky operation. They need to cover the area in a symmetrical and effective fashion. They also need to be monitored to make sure they are doing their job. Your best bet is to hire a pro to do it.

You Need to Seal Up the Leaks

Your crawl space is not an area where you can afford to have too many gaps, leaks, cracks, and other fissures. You don’t want rain or flood water getting into this area and causing all many of issues. Water can also enter through the vents, piers, foundation, and many other points. The time to stop this is now.

This is all the more crucial if the house was not new when you bought it. One of the very first things you will need to do is give this area a thorough going over. It may not have received this kind of attention since it was first built. If this is the case, there may be problems that are just building up to occur.

Sealing off all of the areas where water can enter is a good way to extend the life of your home. You can use caulk and other materials to seal off some of them. However, there may be other areas, especially around your foundation, where you may need expert help. A crawl space drainage pro can handle this task.

You May Need to Use a Sump Pump

If water has already gotten into your crawl space, you may need to hire a sump pump to get it out. This is the kind of job that may require more than one person to handle. The main issue will be using the right size pump to cover the area. Your best bet will be to hire an expert service to gauge the details.

A sump pump is the best solution to handle flooding issues. This is true even if the water has been standing there for a long time. It may take a few hours to get every last drop of water out. However, the sump pump system is a complex and thorough one. It can remove water from even the most hidden nooks and crevices.

Make Sure Your Drainage System is Working

The last thing you need to make sure of is that each and every element of your drainage system is working in good order. This is crucial since, without the proper amount of drainage, you can expect your crawl space to flood on a regular basis.

You can hire a professional service to handle this task on your behalf. The goal will be to check the exterior and interior drainage systems in your home. This will certainly include your crawl space. Getting a clean bill of health in this area is essential to your safety.

Contact Drainage and Waterproofing to Waterproof a Crawl Space

Drainage and Waterproofing Solutions is here to be your one stop for all of your water drainage needs. We serve customers in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and surrounding areas. We realize that these are critical issues that demand cost effective solutions. Get in touch with us today for more info about how to waterproof a crawl space.

Landscape Drainage Issues

Have you been noticing suspicious pools of water in your yard? Are your gutters not draining out the way they should be? These and other landscape drainage issues may be signs that your drainage isn’t proceeding in the right fashion. They can be indicators that a minor problem is about to develop into a big one.

Is Water Still Pooling After a Storm?

If your yard in Raleigh is still muddy even days after a storm, this can be a sign of poor drainage. Pooling water is one of the most common landscape drainage issues in the area. Your best bet is to take notice of the issue and act before it grows into a larger one. If not, the issue is sure to get worse.

Pooling water may be a sign of clogged drains in your yard. It may also be the result of your sump pump backing up. Whatever the issue may be, it will make for a nasty mess. If not treated in time, your entire yard could be flooded out. This is a situation that calls for fast diagnosis and treatment by an expert.

Is Water Building Up in Your Spouts?

Another tell tale sign of landscape drainage issues is water pooling up in your spouts. If this occurs, you will have a blockage that could lead to messy pools of water and debris all over your yard. The water that forms can quickly turn putrid. This can cause harmful bacteria and mold to build up into a hazard.

It’s a very good idea to inspect your drain spouts on a regular basis. This is crucial to make sure that they are doing their job in the proper fashion. If you notice any blockages, now is the time to take action to remove them. If you are not able to do so, you can hire an expert local service to do the job for you.

Is the Soggy Area Still Getting Bigger?

You may already have noticed and taken measures to deal with soggy areas in your yard. This is one of the most severe landscape drainage issues that home owners report. However, you may also have to admit that nothing you do seems to work. The soggy area in your yard may still be there and may even be growing larger.

This may be due to any number of causes. If you have recently had rain storms or are expecting them, the problem may grow even worse. The area may continue to grow larger, causing your yard to become a serious health hazard. If this occurs, you can experience serious and very costly damage to your property.

Is the Soil in Your Yard Eroding?

One of the most unpleasant landscape drainage issues that you can experience is soil erosion. This can happen when the water backing up in your yard is allowed to sit for too long. It can slowly but surely start to eat away at the soil in your yard. This can leave your property a soggy mess where nothing can grow.

You may notice the formation of rivulets in the affected area. The water may soon turn nasty, thanks to the growth of bacteria and mold. You may also begin to see fissures forming under the water. This is due to soil in your yard being eroded. The time to call in experts to drain the area and fix the issue is now.

Do You Notice Stains on Your Foundation?

There are few things more worrying to a home owner than a potential issue with their foundation. This is the area that literally underpins the entire structure of your home. It’s a problem that goes well beyond average landscape drainage issues. You will be in serious trouble if it develops a crack or an open break.

Your best bet in a situation like this is to get to the root of the issue. You can do so by doing a full inspection of your foundation. Landscape drainage issues can cause water to pool around or leave stains on your foundation.

If you notice any such stains, you need to take action right away. If water is left too long at the base, it can begin to erode and crack your foundation. This is an issue that can lead to damage that costs serious money to repair.

Contact Us Today for More Info

If you are currently experiencing any of these issues, the time to act is now. You can call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC for prompt and expert service. Our goal is to help home owners in the Raleigh area take care of all of their landscape drainage issues. Call us today to learn what we can do for you.

Problems Caused by Poor Drainage Outside Your Home

Poor drainage is a bigger problem for your home than you may think. In fact, it is a major cause of structural damage to homes throughout the Triangle Area. But you can avoid this type of structural damage through a well-designed exterior drainage system. Below, we explore problems caused by water and how you can protect your Raleigh area home.

Effects of Poor Drainage

Poor drainage outside can cause a multitude of health, financial and safety problems in and around your home. Many of these issues occur because of the absence of gutters. Other causes include sloping landscapes and excess soil moisture.

Problems caused by poor drainage around your home include:

• Structural foundation damage and loss of foundation stability
• Insect infestation
• Mold and allergens
• Termite infestation
• Premature aging and discoloration of exterior brick and concrete
• Soil erosion and landscaping damage
• Interior and exterior wall cracks
• Sticking doors and windows

When your home does not have an adequate solution for outdoor water management, you face the expense of structural damage and the other issues listed above. Your home also loses value. But you can overcome the effects and problems of poor drainage through implementation of a proper water management system. Such a system fixes poor drainage and prevents foundation damage and the other concerns related to water and excess moisture.

Four Types of Exterior Drainage Systems

There are four primary types of exterior drainage systems. These include:

French Drains
French drains are the most widely used drainage systems. These drains direct water through channels to a drainage ditch, other areas of the property, a dry well or the street for routing to the sewer system. The water first flows into a trench filled with gravel. It is then directed into a perforated pipe that carries it away from your home.

Footing Drain
Also called a foundation drain, a footing drain keeps water out of your home through use of a perforated pipe installed around the foundation. Installation of this type of water management system starts with a trench dug around the home’s perimeter. Then the drain is installed with the concrete footing and walls that form the foundation. Waterproofing methods are also used on the foundation’s exterior to prevent moisture intrusion.

Gutters
The role of gutters does not end with directing water away from your home’s roof. Gutters must also adequately divert water away from the home’s foundation and walls. Poor drainage from gutters can quickly cause expensive damage. But through use of properly installed gutters and downspouts, this type of water management system directs runoff to a catch basin or storm sewer.

Grading Drainage
A sloped lawn can cause many problems because of poor drainage. But reworking the grading around your home can direct water into a storm sewer. Drainage and waterproofing professionals assess the gradient need and make changes according to the building code, of course.

Call the Raleigh Drainage & Waterproofing Pros to Fix Your Poor Drainage Problems

As you can see, poor drainage is both costly and damaging. But these water management problems are easily corrected through a logical drainage system. The types listed above are the common methods used for homes with and without basements. Because these methods involve more than just installing pipes or digging trenches, it is important to work with reputable contractors. Using a search engine such as Google.com can be a reliable resource for searching for a tried and trusted contractor. In the Raleigh-Durham area, your local expert is Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC. Call the pros at Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions at (919) 508-7503 for a consultation.

What Causes Concrete Foundation Cracks?

Modern homes are well-designed and constructed to meet stringent government standards, including those enforced by your local lawmakers. Still, components of your Raleigh home construction can wear down over time and under exposure to the elements. Particularly vulnerable to damage is your foundation. If you experience concrete foundation cracks, it is very important to find the problem and repair it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the damage and impact on your wallet only increase.

Concrete is prone to cracking wherever it is used. This material expands and contracts according to temperature changes. Moisture and drainage problems also wreak havoc on concrete, particularly in your foundation that supports the weight of your entire home. You may not find concrete foundation cracks for long after they form. But even cracks that have been around for awhile need repair.

Where Concrete Foundation Cracks Typically Occur

Concrete foundation cracks most frequently occur in weak areas such as around basement window frames, corners, along walls and piping areas. After you find concrete foundation cracks, check on them often to maintain awareness of their progress. 

Meanwhile, call your local foundation waterproofing and basement moisture control pros. They will find out if water drainage is the source of your concrete foundation cracks. You possibly need a French drain to direct water away from the outer walls of your foundation. Whatever the damage or moisture problems, your Drainage & Waterproofing pros will develop a written plan to fix your problems and control moisture within your basement.

If your concrete foundation has not shown any cracks but you have moisture or water seepage in your basement, Drainage & Waterproofing pros can help. Excess moisture causes many problems beyond those associated with foundation damage or other structural problems. You can also experience health issues related to mold and mildew.

Causes

Concrete foundation cracks occur from a variety of problems. These include:

Excess Moisture or Drought

The soil around your foundation is very reactive to moisture and drought. It shrinks up when dry, pulling away from your home’s foundation and leaving a void, as a result. That void where earth once supported the foundation now leaves room for the concrete under your home to shift and move. The most minor movement leads to concrete foundation cracks. 

Likewise, excessive moisture in this soil around your home causes the earth to expand and provide too much pressure against the concrete. The moisture or improperly draining water can cause cracks, seepage through the walls and too much moisture in your basement or crawlspace.

Earthquakes

Although the Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville and surrounding areas of North Carolina do not generally experience earthquakes, even slight earth trembling can create similar effects. An unstable foundation weakens over time and can move or shift. This leads to concrete foundation cracks and moisture problems.

Stormy Weather

What our region lacks in earthquake activity, it makes up for in storms. Particularly during spring and summer months, we experience wet spells of torrential rain. We are also frequently bombarded by hurricane-related weather. Even in winter we can experience a snowstorm now and then or sudden freezing and thawing. Any weather producing water or moisture can cause concrete foundation cracks.

If you already have cracks in your foundation or new ones occur, moisture only becomes a bigger problem. Even without cracks, you may notice water seeping almost from nowhere through the walls of your basement. Or maybe you encounter standing water after a storm in your basement or crawlspace. These are all problems for which you need a complete and immediate solution to prevent costlier structural issues.

Plumbing Problems

Your pipes must be secured and leak-free. It is also important to have a sump pump and basement waterproofing to ensure excess water does not cause concrete foundation cracks and other concerns.

Flooding or Drainage

Whatever causes excess water around your foundation, such as from flooding or improper drainage, your foundation is at risk. Water creates hydrostatic pressure that your foundation cannot bear. Over time, your basement or crawlspace experience moisture control problems, leaks, seepage, flooding or concrete foundation cracks.

Intense Heat

Your foundation can crack because of intense summer heat. Concrete expands under the sun’s extreme temperatures. Then, at night when it cools, the foundation shrinks back to its previous position. This is a lot of pressure on your structure and undoubtedly can lead to concrete foundation cracks and all of the moisture problems explored above. 

Protect Your Foundation, Basement and Crawlspace to Protect Your Entire Home

It may seem minor that your basement occasionally feels moist, has an odd odor or sometimes has standing water after a storm. But these are major issues that lead to concrete foundation cracks and excess moisture at the base of your home. In turn, you can experience expensive structural damage throughout your home and even major health problems. 

Concrete foundation cracks caused by water intrusion, drainage problems or moisture are preventable and can be fixed. Even in newly constructed homes, it is important to place moisture control, drainage and waterproofing at the top of your list of home maintenance priorities. 

To make this easier, simply call the pros of Drainage & Waterproofing for a consultation. We provide a range of key services to help you avoid concrete foundation cracks, in the first place.

Our services include:

• French drains
• Basement waterproofing
• Foundation waterproofing
• Crawl space moisture control
• Basement moisture control
• Crawl space sealing
• Retaining walls

Call Drainage & Waterproofing today at (919) 508-7503 to make your home’s foundation, drainage, moisture control and waterproofing a priority. We look forward to creating a custom solution for all of your concrete foundation crack prevention, drainage and waterproofing needs.

Do’s and Don’ts of Building Retaining Walls

Many North Carolina homes are built on properties with slopes, hills or inclines. This makes building retaining walls to prevent landscaping issues, soil erosion and protect your foundation from improper drainage very important. Even a slight incline can keep you from achieving your lawn and garden dreams. The drainage issues such a slope creates can also cost you a lot of money if water reaches your foundation. All of these reasons make building retaining walls a necessity.

Building retaining walls is generally best left to the experts. Although there are many aspects of lawn care that you can DIY, these structures require drainage planning and skillful engineering. Below, we explore some do’s and don’ts of building retaining walls to help you visualize your project and enlist the right professionals when you are ready to begin.

Don’t start building retaining walls without proper permits.

Many communities require permitting before building retaining walls. While this sounds like unnecessary red tape, the permit serves a highly valuable purpose. 

The permit process serves to ensure the walls built on your property do not direct water and drainage problems onto your neighbors’ land. Sometimes these permits require submission of engineering plans and compliance with a property inspection. Your local Raleigh, Southern Pines and Fayetteville area pros of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions understand your city’s laws and proper methods of building retaining walls.

Do choose materials that suit your property.

Building retaining walls includes the process of choosing the right materials for your property. There are many materials to choose from. You can request natural stones, bricks, poured concrete, timbers and other options. But your best choice are materials designed specifically for this purpose. 

Working with the pros of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions makes the material selection process easy. We know which materials will suit your terrain and aesthetic when building retaining walls around your home or commercial property. We can make recommendations for the greatest value and longevity of your retaining walls. 

Do choose pros with experience in building retaining walls.

Besides needing expert help in getting through the permitting process for building retaining walls, you need pros who know how to engineer these structures. The last thing you want is a disaster on your hands after a heavy rainfall. 

When building retaining walls, proper engineering means many things. For example, the walls need strong support. This support starts with appropriate trenching and foundation material. 

Your retaining walls also require a perfectly leveled surface. Otherwise, your walls will lean like the Leaning Tower of Pisa before falling apart after a downpour. Any slant at the bottom looks exaggerated at the top.

Proper engineering and for building retaining walls you also must ensure proper stacking of the above-ground materials. While you do not want a wall that improperly leans, you do need one with a slight backward slope to prevent soil erosion. You need walls with appropriate drainage and backfill, too.

Don’t build one wall where you need multiple.

Many people building retaining walls try to cut corners by building one wall where multiple will work better. Tiered walls require close attention to positioning, distance and height to ensure strength and support. 

Having tiered walls instead of one tall one adds visual depth and interest to your property. These shorter walls are less prone to failure, too. Being shorter, they hold less soil weight and therefore experience less pressure. 

The pros of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions can develop an engineering plan that meets all of the support needs for your property while also providing the most visual interest. 

Do call upon the experts of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions.

For your Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville or surrounding area property in North Carolina, call upon the experts of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions for your retaining wall design, engineering and construction. We are the pros for building retaining walls and other drainage, waterproofing and moisture control services such as:

• French drains
• Basement waterproofing
• Foundation waterproofing
• Basement moisture control
• Crawl space encapsulation
• Retaining walls
• Crawl space sealing

Call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions today at (919)508-7503.