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Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure your basement stays dry and free from water damage. Here are some tips for waterproofing your basement:
By following these simple tips, you can protect your basement from major flooding problems and enjoy a dry, safe space for years to come!
Last but not least it’s always important to have an experienced professional inspect your home at least once a year as part of a routine maintenance schedule. This way you can be sure that any potential problems are detected and addressed in time before they become serious issues. With regular inspections and repairs, your basement will be waterproof and safe.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
When you think of a crawlspace, you probably think of it as a small space that connects your home to the ground. You also may believe that there’s always moisture in this area or that it can become moldy if not cleaned regularly. However, there are ways that you can use to reduce moisture in your crawlspace and make sure it stays dry:
1. Place a Vapor Barrier On The Ground
One of the most important things you can do in crawlspace waterproofing is to place a vapor barrier on the ground. This will absorb moisture from below, keeping it dry and cool. It also protects against mold and mildew growth, which can be toxic if they’re not properly controlled.
If you’re using plastic boards in lieu of tarps, use them only as a temporary solution until you’ve finished installing your vapor barrier!
2. Provide Adequate Ventilation for The Crawlspace
Ventilation is important to prevent moisture and mold in your crawlspace. You can install a fan in the crawlspace, or you can install windows or doors that provide ventilation.
If you have a basement with an unfinished ceiling and no access to fresh air, then it’s important to have these windows open during the summer months so that this space doesn’t get too hot or humid.
You can install a sump pump in the crawl space of your home. A sump pump is a mechanical device that removes excess water from a building. It’s installed in the crawl space, connected to a drainage system, and should be installed in a watertight pit.
When it comes to sealing cracks and holes in the foundation as a way of crawlspace waterproofing, there are two types of sealants: flexible and rigid. Flexible sealants can be used on any surface that’s not concrete or masonry. These include wood decks, fences, and decks; concrete slabs; and even fiberglass insulation.
Rigid sealants are designed specifically for use on surfaces like concrete slabs as well as brick walls.
In conclusion, it is important to understand that moisture in the crawlspace of your home can cause problems. The most common causes of moisture in crawlspaces are poorly sealed cracks and holes in foundation walls or insufficient ventilation. In some cases, these problems may be caused by other factors, such as poor drainage or inadequate insulation levels. If moisture is not properly managed, mold growth may result, which can lead to structural damage as well as a host of health issues!
Talk to a crawlspace waterproofing expert today!
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks, Metro Inc. Today! 800-639-1131
A basement is one of the most important parts of your home. It’s where you can store all your things, but it can also be a part of the foundation of your house. If you have a basement that floods when it rains or gets wet from any other source, then there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening again and hopefully prevent mold from growing in the future.
Install a Sump Pump
Sump pumps are the most important part of your basement waterproofing system. Sump pumps are installed in a pit on the basement floor, and they pump water out of your home when it gets too high to keep it from flooding.
Sump pumps can be powered by electricity or a battery, but most people use electricity because it’s easier to install and maintain. If you’re worried about having to change batteries regularly, you can get a backup battery-operated sump pump for emergencies that won’t use up all your power supply.
Look for Standing Water
It’s important to look at what’s on the floor, ceiling, and walls. Water stains are often caused by standing or surface water that has seeped into the walls and dripped down into cracks in the concrete or stone foundation. They can also be caused by leaks around plumbing fixtures, such as toilets or showers (especially if they have been used recently).
Inspect your Home’s Walls Regularly
One of the best ways to prevent basement flooding is by inspecting your home’s walls regularly. You can do this by checking for cracks and holes, as well as signs of water damage and mold.
If you notice any of these problems, call a professional who has experience in basement waterproofing.
Clean Out the Area Around Your Foundation
You’ll want to look around your foundation and make sure there isn’t any debris or plants growing around the perimeter. If you see any, remove them as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent water pooling in this area is by keeping it clear of weeds and leaves that could act like a dam, preventing water from flowing away from the foundation properly.
As you can see, keeping your basement waterproof is work, but it’s also essential to keep your family safe. Even one leaky water pipe can cause serious damage to the foundation of your home, so make sure you find the best basement waterproofing system for your needs.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
A home is a big investment, and the foundation is a crucial part of that investment. If your foundation is damaged, it can cause all sorts of problems for your home—and your wallet. That’s why it’s important to know the different types of foundation repair methods so you can make the best decision for your home.
One of the most common types of foundation damage is settlement. This happens when the soil underneath your foundation shifts or settles, causing the foundation to sink. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including poor drainage, expansive clay soils, or even tree roots. If you notice cracks in your walls or doors that won’t close properly, these could be signs of settlement damage.
If you have a pier and beam foundation, the good news is that this type of damage is usually fairly easy and less expensive to repair. In most cases, piers can be installed to stabilize the beams and joists and level out your foundation.
If you have a slab foundation—which is a type of concrete foundation where the floors are poured directly on top of the slab—settlement isn’t the only type of damage you need to worry about. Cracks in the slab itself can also occur, which can lead to even more serious problems like water leakage.
Slab foundations are typically repaired by mudjacking or polyjacking. Mudjacking is a process where concrete is injected underneath the slab to raise it back into place. Polyjacking uses polyurethane foam instead of concrete, which is less messy and causes less disruption than mudjacking.
If your home has a retaining wall as part of its foundation, then that’s another potential area where damage can occur. The most common type of retaining wall damage is called “toeing out,” which happens when the wall starts to lean outward at the bottom due to soil erosion or poor drainage. This can cause cracks in the wall and eventually lead to collapse if it’s not repaired quickly enough.
To fix a toeing out retaining wall, crews will excavate around the base of the wall to expose the roots. Then they will install new drainage systems and backfill with new soil to stabilize the area around the wall. In some cases, steel rods may also be used to reinforce the wall from within.
These are just three of the most common types of foundation damage and repair methods. If you think you may have damage to your foundation, it’s important to call in a professional as soon as possible so they can assess the situation and recommend the best course of action for your home. Ignoring foundation damage will only make it worse—and more expensive to repair—so don’t wait!
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
There is little doubt that you are unnerved when you see cracks in your foundation. It is common for many people to associate the appearance of cracks on a building with a poor design or construction of the building. However, this is not always true. Foundation cracks and other types of cracks occur due to various reasons. Different types of cracks also mean different things, and not all types of cracks should be a cause for concern.
Here are some points that you need to know about different types of foundation cracks and what they mean when you see them in your house.
1. Vertical Cracks
Most vertical cracks run up and down the foundation, though some of them slant up about 30 degrees. It is common to see vertical cracks on the foundation during the foundation’s curing process. The reason why vertical cracks are common, especially in new buildings, is that they are caused by the concrete shrinking process.
Most vertical foundation cracks are small and, therefore, harmless since they are usually just at the surface of the foundation. But you should be concerned if you see vertical cracks that are wider than 1/8 inch or 3 mm. You need to call a foundation repair expert if you see such cracks.
2. Diagonal Cracks
Diagonal foundation cracks are caused by uneven settling of the foundation. They usually have a slanting orientation, with an angle of between 30 and 75 degrees. At the start, diagonal cracks are usually narrow and are commonly known as hairline cracks. But if left unrepaired, these cracks can expand and provide an easy route for water to penetrate the foundation. As water seeps through these cracks, they become even wider.
Therefore, if you see diagonal cracks, especially those that are becoming wider, you should consult a professional foundation repair company to avert any further damage to your building.
3. Stair Step Cracks
Stair step cracks are a combination of diagonal and vertical cracks. They are referred to as stair-step because they take the form of a staircase. These cracks appear diagonally and are clearly visible along mortar joints. Like diagonal cracks, stair step cracks are also caused by the non-uniform settling of the foundation.
You should consult a professional foundation repair company when you see stair step cracks. The technicians will determine whether the cracks simply need to be filled or there is a structural issue that needs to be addressed.
4. Horizontal Cracks
Horizontal cracks occur due to lateral pressure exerted on the foundation. This can be a result of hydrostatic pressure, frost heave, large roots, or other occurrences. These cracks indicate a severe structural problem and may be associated with other issues, such as foundation wall bowing. You should contact a foundation repair contractor immediately if you see horizontal foundation cracks.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to want to convert their basements into living spaces. Finishing your basement is an easy and cost-effective way to increase the square footage of living space in your home. Waterproofing is one of the first steps that homeowners take to make their basements habitable. However, there is much more to be concerned about than water seepage. In this blog, we discuss various factors to consider when choosing basement systems to ensure that your basement is safe to live in.
Hazards In Your Basement
While basement systems are primarily designed to prevent basement flooding and other water damage issues in the basement, they also help to create a safe environment in the basement by keeping various other hazards at bay. Some of the hazards you should be aware of when choosing basement systems for your basement include:
This is a common problem in moist basements. Mold infestations often occur as a result of water seepage as well as high levels of humidity in the basement. Mold spores produce mycotoxins that can cause various health problems.
You can prevent the occurrence of mold and mildew in your basement by investing in basement systems that are effective at keeping water out of the basement. Not only should the systems be effective at preventing flooding but also at keeping humidity levels down. Consider including a dehumidifier or a ventilation system in your basement system to maintain healthy humidity levels.
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the soil. This gas can rise through the soil and penetrate your foundation. High levels of Radon in your basement can result in various health problems. This radioactive gas has been linked to the development of various forms of cancer. It is, in fact, the second leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually linked to lung cancer.
You can keep Radon at bay by ensuring that your basement system includes the installation of a gas barrier. The gas barrier will keep Radon out of your basement and help ensure a safe environment.
Aside from Radon, there are various other noxious gases that occur in soils and can penetrate your foundation. These include methane. These gases not only result in bad smells in the basement but can also be dangerous to your health. Accumulation of gases such as methane can even result in the risk of an explosion.
Installing a gas barrier will help to keep these gases out of your basement.
Want to create a living space in your basement? Consult a professional basement waterproofing contractor to ensure you create a safe living space.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
Basement waterproofing is an important step toward making the basement healthier and more functional. A basement that is dry and well-ventilated can be used as a laundry room, living space, and more.
By waterproofing your basement, you also avoid the unpleasant basement odors that are common in many homes. Keep in mind the fact that if your basement has a high level of indoor pollutants, these contaminants can spread into other spaces in your home through doors and floors.
Another reason to do basement waterproofing is to maintain the structural integrity of the basement’s walls. Water and moisture can cause notable damage to your basement’s walls and thus affect the rest of the building. Here are some telling signs that your home needs basement waterproofing.
If your basement is persistently damp or has a musty smell, this is a sign that it has a high level of moisture. The moisture could be seeping in through the basement’s walls or floor. A recent case of flooding in the basement can also cause this space to have a musty smell. Basement waterproofing will help seal any cracks on the basement walls or on the floor, thus eliminating the seepage of water into the basement.
Musty smells are associated with the growth of mold in damp areas. Apart from the presence of a moldy smell in your basement, you may also experience visible signs of growing mold. These include black, white, green or brown patches on wooden surfaces, ceilings and other areas. If you see these signs, you need to call a basement waterproofing company.
Water can seep into your basement through the floor or walls if these surfaces are porous or have cracks. You can see the water as patches on the walls or small pools on the floor of the basement.
Efflorescence is the movement of dissolved salts through porous materials such as bricks, concrete, stucco or other building surfaces. The salt is eventually deposited on the surface of the material, and will appear as a greyish or white material when water evaporates. If your basement has signs of efflorescence, it needs to be waterproofed.
Moisture and water can seep into your basement through cracks on the floor and walls of the basement. Therefore, it you spot any cracks in the basement, you should contact a professional basement waterproofing contractor.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
There are several causes of wet basements, such as a burst pipe, drainage problems, poor home design, etc.
Wet basements can be a serious problem for homeowners because they can cause damage to the house and its contents. In order to prevent this from happening, as a home owner you should take the necessary steps to fix the wet basement.
What are the Different Types of Basement Waterproofing Options?
It is essential to know the different types of basement waterproofing options in order to make the best choice for your home.
There are many different types of waterproofing options that you can choose from. The following are some of the main ones:
How to Prevent Water and Moisture Damage
Water seepage/entry is one of the most common causes of wet basements. As a homeowner, it is important to know how to prevent water and moisture damage in your basement.
As mentioned above there are three major ways of preventing water and moisture damage to your basement. These are:
1. Epoxy injections and sealers
These are meant to be a temporary solution especially where the cracks are small or the home owner doesn’t have a budget for a more permanent fix. However, epoxy injections and sealers should not be applied over painted walls or on walls with efflorescence.
2. Exterior waterproofing
This is a more long term fix and involves digging around the foundation to expose the source of the leakages. The foundation is then waterproofed using polymers and waterproof membranes. This is a more expensive approach and takes more time. It should be done by an experienced foundation repair contractor.
3. Interior drainage
This is a way of waterproofing the foundation from the inside. It involves the use of things like a sump pump and a French drain system. Most homeowners consider this method the best as there is no major digging around the foundation and it is more cost effective.
Conclusion
If your basement floods, it is vital to get the area cleaned up as soon as possible. The sooner you can start the cleanup process, the better for you and your family. Do this with the help of a professional basement contractor. An experienced contractor can easily find the root cause of wet basements and fix it once and for all.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
Mold is a common problem in basements that are neglected, such as those that are persistently wet or humid. Mold has notable harmful effects on your health and property.
Mold and mold spores can cause allergies, respiratory illnesses and other health issues such coughing, sneezing and general discomfort. Mold also causes damage to property when it grows on items and materials such as leather, drywalls, timber, furniture, ceilings and many others.
In many cases, mold is usually hidden in places that you cannot easily access, so may not see it. But if you know the signs of a possible mold infestation in your basement, you can request for help in good time and thus avert the negative effects that are associated with the growth of mold.
It is important to get the help of a professional mold removal company if you experience any signs of black mold in basement. Here are the key signs that you should look out for.
Pools of water on the basement floor suggest that water is entering the basement. This can be through the floor water seepage through the basement walls. The high moisture in the basement can cause the growth of black mold in basement.
Just like the presence of water pools on the floor of your basement, the presence of damp spots on the basement’s walls also denotes that water is infiltrating the basement. The dampness on walls will cause mold to grow in your basement over time. Therefore, if your basement is constantly damp, you are likely to find mold hidden in some areas of the basement.
Damping areas are often associated with musty smells. The musty smell often occurs due to the growth of mold. So, if your basement has a musty smell, you could be having a serious problem of black mold in basement even if you haven’t seen any mold yet. A professional mold removal service provider can help you locate and remove the mold.
In addition to having a musty smell in your basement, you may also spot patches of mold growing in different areas of the basement. Some of the areas that are susceptible to mold infestations include drywalls, floor tiles and ceilings.
Condensation on surfaces occurs as moisture in the air condenses and forms tiny water droplets. High relative humidity creates an ideal environment for mold to grow. High humidity in your basement also means that the basement has a high level of moisture. So if your basement has a persistently high level of relative humidity, you need to consult a mold removal company for mold inspection.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131
Basement ventilation is a controversial topic. Some people will tell you not to ventilate your basement while others will tell you ventilation is important for your entire home including your basement. Basement ventilation is important as the conditions in your basement have an impact on indoor air quality in the upper levels of your home. However, those against ventilation argue that ventilation will compromise basement waterproofing.
If you’re concerned about ventilation and basement waterproofing, it is best to consult with a waterproofing contractor. Contrary to popular belief, these contractors don’t only focus on installing waterproofing systems. They also ensure other factors that affect the health of your basement are considered. They can therefore be of great assistance in determining the best way to ventilate your basement and ensure that it remains clean and dry.
Here’s how a professional contractor can help.
Natural ventilation is one of the best and cheapest ways to ventilate your basement. It’s as simple as throwing your basement windows open. However, windows in the basement are one of the most common entry points for moisture in the basement. A professional contractor will help you ensure you can ventilate your basement without allowing excess moisture into the space. They can help you with a selection of windows and their installation. They will seal the windows for you to prevent penetration of moisture. They can also install window wells and drainage systems to keep excess moisture out.
Natural ventilation may be a great option in the summer when the weather is good. However, you can’t throw open your windows when the weather is bad. You will need to find an alternative to ventilate your basement. Professional contractors can help you determine the best option for your home. They will guide you through the options available in the market and help you select and install a system that meets your needs. A whole home ventilation system will ensure air circulation within the entire home including the basement without compromising basement waterproofing.
While circulation of air helps to improve the quality of air in your basement, you may need to go a step further to reduce the levels of humidity in your basement. A humidifier will remove the moisture in the air and reduce it to healthy levels. A professional contractor can help you select a humidifier with the right features and the best size for your needs.
Are you grappling with how to ventilate your basement? Talk to your basement waterproofing contractor for guidance.
Contact the Professionals at Basement Cracks & Leaks Today! 800-639-1131