Basement Waterproofing Tips
As mentioned earlier, there are many different issues concerned when it comes to basement waterproofing Rochester NY or anywhere else. So where do you begin? Below you'll find some information on the different areas of basement waterproofing and how you might handle them.
It is also important to remember that each of these project areas will take different skill levels to repair. If you do not feel comfortable making certain types of repairs to your home or you would just prefer to let a professional handle it from the beginning, you will need to contact a professional basement waterproofer. If that is the case, take a look at our Contractor Spotlight.
Basement Wall Cracks
Basement wall cracks are common with concrete walls. There are various causes for cracks and methods that can be used to repair the crack. You can repair the crack yourself or you can hire a professional to assure the job is done right.
What Causes Basement Cracks?
As mentioned above there are numerous reasons why this can occur, but we'll only cover a couple here.
First, the type of soil surrounding your home can actually be a factor. The combination of certain types of clay and varying weather conditions can cause the soil to expand and contract, putting pressure on your foundation. Eventually causing cracks. Unless your a soil expert, it can be difficult to determine if this is the problem.
Second, the amount of groundwater surrounding your home creates pressure (hydrostatic pressure) that can and will cause basement wall cracks. We'll cover some ways to alleviate this pressure in a minute.
How Can You Fix A Basement Wall Crack?
Once again, there are numerous methods to fix the crack itself, but what is causing the crack and what type of crack it is will determine the best method.
Polyurethane Foam. Once the crack is cleaned off and dry, you spray this foam directly into the crack (even a hairline crack) and the foam expands to fill the crack. It is very fine and flexible so it does a good job at filling the crack.
Epoxy. Epoxy resins will not only fill a crack, but will make your basement wall stronger. Once again, clean out the crack and make sure it's dry before injecting the resin.
Hydraulic Cement. This method will be a bit more involved. First you'll need a saw with a blade specifically for masonry. Or a good cement chisel. You need to widen the crack with clean edges. When it's clean and dry, mix the hydraulic cement to a peanut butter like consistency and fill the crack. The cement will set up and expand quickly so don't take too much time or you'll have to start over with a new batch!
Sump Pump Repair
Sump pumps are the first line of defense in basement waterproofing. A sump pump removes water from the sump pit. Rain water and natural ground water can enter the sump pit if it is below the water table. That being said, regular sump pump maintenance is the best way to insure a dry basement. So let's just go over some of the basics about sump pumps.
There are two basic types of sump pumps, pedestal and the more popular submersible. The pedestal model sits above the sump pit and the submersible is sealed so it can sit in the sump pit or basin. For now that is the only difference you need to know.
The sump pump is a very simple mechanism and can be maintained by regularly checking a few parts
The float. This is the piece that looks like a ball floating on the water. The float rises and falls with the level of the water in the sump pit. When the water rises to a certain level the pump will engage and remove most of the water. It is important that nothing is obstructing the float from moving freely, so check often.
The valve or check valve. The sump pump removes water through the valve. When properly installed, the check valve insures that the water removed does not flow back in. It is important to check that the valve is not clogged with debris. Also make sure the arrow on the valve is pointing away from the pump and not towards it.
The impeller. This part is responsible for pushing the water out. It is possible that the impeller can become clogged with debris, so checking for this should be a regular part of maintenance.
Electrical wiring. You don't have to be an electrician to check this. Just make sure the wires appear to be properly connected and are not cut or frayed in any way.
Warning: A sump pump is an electrical device submerged in water. Any maintenance or installation should be done with the device unplugged!
Structural or Foundation Repair
Structural or foundation problems can occur because of seismic activity. But in the Buffalo, NY area settling is generally going to be the culprit.
In a new built home, some settling of the foundation is to be expected and should be dealt with by the builder. But in older homes, settling or shifting of the foundation will generally be caused by one or two factors:
1. Too much moisture in the soil
2. The soil is not strong enough to support the structure.
Luckily, there are methods available to correct both of these situations. Stabilizers have been developed that can be injected directly in to the soil to deal with moisture. Professional contractors can drill deeper and anchor your foundation into firmer ground, even lifting it up!
The solution to your foundation problem will depend on what is causing it. Because the foundation is vital to the integrity of your home, I recommend contacting a foundation contractor to determine what needs to be done. It's not worth trying to do yourself.
Mold Removal or Remediation
Mold removal or "remediation" is important when it comes to your home. Left untreated, mold has the potential to cause health problems and damage to your home. Not to mention the effect it will have on the value of your home if you plan to sell.
There are different methods and treatments used to deal with mold, but it will generally come down to the same process when it's time to get rid of it.
1. Identify the problem (mold) and what's causing it. Moisture allows mold to thrive. So where is the moisture coming from? This needs to be found and fixed.
2. Isolate the problem. The affected area needs to be contained to stop the spread of the mold. Only then can it be properly dealt with.
3. Remove the mold. There are various products on the market today that are designed to kill mold. How severe the problem is and what type of mold will determine the best solution.
4. Correct any damage. Mold can damage your property. Wood and even cement can be effected. That is why it is best to deal with mold sooner rather than later.
Yard Drainage
Do you get pools of water in your yard after it rains? Are you having problems with water leaking into your basement? You may have yard drainage problems.
It may not seem like a big deal to have water in your yard, but it can lead to multiple problems.
French Drains
Despite their name, french drains originated in the United States. These drains provide surface and ground water a path to follow away from your home or structure.
The design of a french drain is really quite simple. It involves only a trench, some pvc pipe with drainage holes, and gravel. It is a project that some homeowner's may choose to do themselves. Just know what you're getting yourself into before you get started.
I said the design of a french drain is simple, but there is a lot of work involved. First, you need to dig the trench (Read small ditch). Installing the pvc will be the easiest part. Next you need to fill the trench with a larger size gravel. And top it off with geotech fabric, topsoil, and grass seed.
Definitely a project some homeowner's can handle, but it is important to make sure the drain is designed correctly and pointing the right way to be effective. A contractor that specializes in french drains will generally have all the tools they need to finish this project in a day depending on its size.
Basement Remodeling
Many homeowner's, looking to increase the living area in their home, are turning to basement remodeling as the ideal solution. But before you start building walls, hanging drywall, and putting down flooring, some important steps must be taken first.
1. Are there any leaks in your basement? Water or moisture is a finished basements worst enemy. Any leak must be fixed prior finishing your basement.
2. Are there any cracks in your basement walls? Even if it's not leaking, any potential source of water leakage should be dealt with before investing in your basement.
3. Your sump pump should be working properly to avoid water backup that will destroy all that hard work. It is also a good idea to install a battery backup for your sump pump. Take no chances.
4. Once all sources of water infiltration have been eliminated, you still need to put up a vapor barrier on your basement walls to protect any drywall or paneling you put up.
5. Depending on the level of humidity in your basement, it may be necessary to run a dehumidifier to keep it dry.
Your basement can become a beautiful living space and you can avoid a lot of headaches if you follow the recommendations listed above. Remember, water is a basements worst enemy!
To keep this information handy, bookmark Basement Waterproofing Rochester NY on your computer.
It is also important to remember that each of these project areas will take different skill levels to repair. If you do not feel comfortable making certain types of repairs to your home or you would just prefer to let a professional handle it from the beginning, you will need to contact a professional basement waterproofer. If that is the case, take a look at our Contractor Spotlight.
Basement Wall Cracks
Basement wall cracks are common with concrete walls. There are various causes for cracks and methods that can be used to repair the crack. You can repair the crack yourself or you can hire a professional to assure the job is done right.
What Causes Basement Cracks?
As mentioned above there are numerous reasons why this can occur, but we'll only cover a couple here.
First, the type of soil surrounding your home can actually be a factor. The combination of certain types of clay and varying weather conditions can cause the soil to expand and contract, putting pressure on your foundation. Eventually causing cracks. Unless your a soil expert, it can be difficult to determine if this is the problem.
Second, the amount of groundwater surrounding your home creates pressure (hydrostatic pressure) that can and will cause basement wall cracks. We'll cover some ways to alleviate this pressure in a minute.
How Can You Fix A Basement Wall Crack?
Once again, there are numerous methods to fix the crack itself, but what is causing the crack and what type of crack it is will determine the best method.
Polyurethane Foam. Once the crack is cleaned off and dry, you spray this foam directly into the crack (even a hairline crack) and the foam expands to fill the crack. It is very fine and flexible so it does a good job at filling the crack.
Epoxy. Epoxy resins will not only fill a crack, but will make your basement wall stronger. Once again, clean out the crack and make sure it's dry before injecting the resin.
Hydraulic Cement. This method will be a bit more involved. First you'll need a saw with a blade specifically for masonry. Or a good cement chisel. You need to widen the crack with clean edges. When it's clean and dry, mix the hydraulic cement to a peanut butter like consistency and fill the crack. The cement will set up and expand quickly so don't take too much time or you'll have to start over with a new batch!
Sump Pump Repair
Sump pumps are the first line of defense in basement waterproofing. A sump pump removes water from the sump pit. Rain water and natural ground water can enter the sump pit if it is below the water table. That being said, regular sump pump maintenance is the best way to insure a dry basement. So let's just go over some of the basics about sump pumps.
There are two basic types of sump pumps, pedestal and the more popular submersible. The pedestal model sits above the sump pit and the submersible is sealed so it can sit in the sump pit or basin. For now that is the only difference you need to know.
The sump pump is a very simple mechanism and can be maintained by regularly checking a few parts
The float. This is the piece that looks like a ball floating on the water. The float rises and falls with the level of the water in the sump pit. When the water rises to a certain level the pump will engage and remove most of the water. It is important that nothing is obstructing the float from moving freely, so check often.
The valve or check valve. The sump pump removes water through the valve. When properly installed, the check valve insures that the water removed does not flow back in. It is important to check that the valve is not clogged with debris. Also make sure the arrow on the valve is pointing away from the pump and not towards it.
The impeller. This part is responsible for pushing the water out. It is possible that the impeller can become clogged with debris, so checking for this should be a regular part of maintenance.
Electrical wiring. You don't have to be an electrician to check this. Just make sure the wires appear to be properly connected and are not cut or frayed in any way.
Warning: A sump pump is an electrical device submerged in water. Any maintenance or installation should be done with the device unplugged!
Structural or Foundation Repair
Structural or foundation problems can occur because of seismic activity. But in the Buffalo, NY area settling is generally going to be the culprit.
In a new built home, some settling of the foundation is to be expected and should be dealt with by the builder. But in older homes, settling or shifting of the foundation will generally be caused by one or two factors:
1. Too much moisture in the soil
2. The soil is not strong enough to support the structure.
Luckily, there are methods available to correct both of these situations. Stabilizers have been developed that can be injected directly in to the soil to deal with moisture. Professional contractors can drill deeper and anchor your foundation into firmer ground, even lifting it up!
The solution to your foundation problem will depend on what is causing it. Because the foundation is vital to the integrity of your home, I recommend contacting a foundation contractor to determine what needs to be done. It's not worth trying to do yourself.
Mold Removal or Remediation
Mold removal or "remediation" is important when it comes to your home. Left untreated, mold has the potential to cause health problems and damage to your home. Not to mention the effect it will have on the value of your home if you plan to sell.
There are different methods and treatments used to deal with mold, but it will generally come down to the same process when it's time to get rid of it.
1. Identify the problem (mold) and what's causing it. Moisture allows mold to thrive. So where is the moisture coming from? This needs to be found and fixed.
2. Isolate the problem. The affected area needs to be contained to stop the spread of the mold. Only then can it be properly dealt with.
3. Remove the mold. There are various products on the market today that are designed to kill mold. How severe the problem is and what type of mold will determine the best solution.
4. Correct any damage. Mold can damage your property. Wood and even cement can be effected. That is why it is best to deal with mold sooner rather than later.
Yard Drainage
Do you get pools of water in your yard after it rains? Are you having problems with water leaking into your basement? You may have yard drainage problems.
It may not seem like a big deal to have water in your yard, but it can lead to multiple problems.
- Hydrostatic pressure on your foundation
- Basement cracks and leaks
- Rotting wood structures
- Soil erosion
- Mosquitoes
- Mold and fungi problems
- Unusable yard space
- Gutters. They should effectively direct water away from your property.
- Grading. The soil surrounding your home should also direct water away from the structure.
- Surface drains and french drains. These will allow for the removal of yard water to a specified area where it cannot affect your home.
French Drains
Despite their name, french drains originated in the United States. These drains provide surface and ground water a path to follow away from your home or structure.
The design of a french drain is really quite simple. It involves only a trench, some pvc pipe with drainage holes, and gravel. It is a project that some homeowner's may choose to do themselves. Just know what you're getting yourself into before you get started.
I said the design of a french drain is simple, but there is a lot of work involved. First, you need to dig the trench (Read small ditch). Installing the pvc will be the easiest part. Next you need to fill the trench with a larger size gravel. And top it off with geotech fabric, topsoil, and grass seed.
Definitely a project some homeowner's can handle, but it is important to make sure the drain is designed correctly and pointing the right way to be effective. A contractor that specializes in french drains will generally have all the tools they need to finish this project in a day depending on its size.
Basement Remodeling
Many homeowner's, looking to increase the living area in their home, are turning to basement remodeling as the ideal solution. But before you start building walls, hanging drywall, and putting down flooring, some important steps must be taken first.
1. Are there any leaks in your basement? Water or moisture is a finished basements worst enemy. Any leak must be fixed prior finishing your basement.
2. Are there any cracks in your basement walls? Even if it's not leaking, any potential source of water leakage should be dealt with before investing in your basement.
3. Your sump pump should be working properly to avoid water backup that will destroy all that hard work. It is also a good idea to install a battery backup for your sump pump. Take no chances.
4. Once all sources of water infiltration have been eliminated, you still need to put up a vapor barrier on your basement walls to protect any drywall or paneling you put up.
5. Depending on the level of humidity in your basement, it may be necessary to run a dehumidifier to keep it dry.
Your basement can become a beautiful living space and you can avoid a lot of headaches if you follow the recommendations listed above. Remember, water is a basements worst enemy!
To keep this information handy, bookmark Basement Waterproofing Rochester NY on your computer.