|
Wet Basement Solution - What Can You Do About ItOver the past several weeks, the heavy rainfalls have brought more than May flowers. They have created wet basements. The cause of a wet or damp basement may be minor and easily corrected; look for obvious solutions. If lawns are flat or slope toward the house, slope the ground away from the outside foundation and plant grass so that water does not drain into the basement. Install gutters and downspouts, and keep them clear. Also, trim heavy shrubbery so that soil dries quicker and allows for ventilation around basement walls. If this does not resolve the problem, it may be a serious problem requiring the expertise of a contractor. Often the source of water in your basement cannot be easily identified. In some cases it is difficult to determine whether the water is coming from the outside or from condensation on the inside. This is resolved as follows: tape a twelve-inch square of aluminum foil to the damp wall area. Seal all four sides of the aluminum foil as tightly as possible. If in a couple of days, the outside is wet, it is condensation. A dehumidifier in the basement near that wall will help solve that problem. On the other hand, if they side of the foil that was against the wall is wet, it is seepage. This may be more difficult to overcome. It may be necessary to excavate and seal the wall, or a drainage system may be needed to carry the water away from the home. For persistent problems, contractors use a variety of alternative methods; redirecting water away from the foundation or into a drainage or pumping system; installing an interior drainage system on the inner side of the foundation; applying waterproofing compounds to the interior walls (which may be effective in cases in which there is mild seepage); injecting waterproofing substances into the exterior (between the soil and the wall), but this "has not demonstrated a satisfactory performance and is not acceptable under HUD standards." An extreme measure is excavation by exposing the basement walls and treating them to make them watertight. It is important to hire a knowledgeable and competent contractor to evaluate your problem. The BBB suggests the following:
Courtesy of BBB - The Better Business Bureau. Serving Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Albany and Syracuse regions
Tips for Waterproofing Your Foundation
Tips How to Waterproof Your Foundation - Long Term Solution Waterproofing: for ICF/Standard Construction waterproofing_foundation.html Tips for Dry Basement How to keep your basement dry: tips, advice tips_for_dry_basement.html Basement Waterproofing What to do if your basement fills with water. Difference between water-repellent and water-proofing coating basement_waterproofing.html Vapor barrier What is vapor barrier? Why is vapor barrier important? vapor_barrier.html How to choose a Waterproofing Contractor Tips for chosing the right waterproofing contractor how_to_choose_a_waterproofing_contractor.html Sump pump What is sump pump? Do you need one? Submersible or pedestal? sump_pump.html Wet basement - what you can do about it Wet Basement - what you can do about it. Do it yourself or hire a waterproofing contractractor. Suggestions from BBB wet_basement_solutions.html Green rooftops Buildings across the country are going green on top. Ecological approach to roofing, benefits of it green_rooftops.html Hidden Causes of Water Damage in Homes Helpful hints for preventing water damage in your home - what can cause a water damage hidden_causes_of_water_damage_in_homes.html |
Main MenuNeed a Contractor?Waterproofing Directory Contact Us Site Map Add Your Site Info Waterproofing ArticlesTips for Waterproofing Your FoundationTips for Dry Basement Basement Waterproofing Vapor barrier How to choose a Waterproofing Contractor Sump pump Wet basement - what you can do about it Green rooftops Hidden Causes of Water Damage in Homes |