Most basements are like attics; they are the least favorite and least visited parts of most homes. In most cases, homeowners leave their basements untouched for the longest time until the need for an extra room arises. Leaving the basement unoccupied can be a real problem, especially when there’s an undetected leak, high humidity, or cracks. To reiterate, your basement should be water-free and dry or may need a Woodridge foundation repair soonest.
The following part of this article goes over basement leaks, repairing, sealing, and preventing the leaks.
When You Need Basement Leak Repair
There are many telltale signs of a basement leak problem. Some of the commonest indicators of a basement leak include;
Mold Problems: Molds thrive in humid areas with the right temperature. Basement humidity levels can rise if it is locked for a long time. The high humidity and other factors can prompt mold growth and spread. Mold problems may start small but grow fast, spreading to the walls and floors. Mold problems should be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid extensive damage to the basement.
Signs of water damage: Water damage is one of the deadliest problems you can face. Water problems are often silent killers, destroying your property without notice. Some common signs of water damage include water spots, a pool of water, wood rot, buckled hardwood floor, etc. You must address this problem as quickly as possible to prevent further issues. Leaving water damage unattended can also lead to mold and mildew problems, foundation problems and can compromise your property’s structural integrity.
Musty smell: A heavy or musty smell often indicates a water-related problem. You just might catch a water problem early enough by paying attention to the air quality in your basement.
Humid basement: Basements locked for an extended time are bound to become humid. A great way to let out the stiff and humid air will be to open the windows and let out the air. However, letting out the air is just a temporary solution to a growing problem. Have your basement inspected to be sure your foundation isn’t at risk.
How do basement leaks happen?
Most homeowners take great care to ensure their property is in good condition. However, some issues, like water damage, may be beyond them. If you have noticed water problems in your basement, chances are high that one or more of these factors has caused it.
Cove joints: The space between the basement floor and basement wall is called the Cove joint. Sometimes, water builds in this area and can seep into your property over time. The success of the seepage will depend on the availability of cracks or holes. However, you should know that it’ll get worse once a crack is detected.
Honeycombing: This is the deterioration of some basement wall sections. As noted earlier, water leaks can be dangerous. Once a small crack has been found, the crack will only become wider over time, thus exposing the basement to more leaks and bigger damage.
Over-the-top seepage: Sometimes, water leaks into the basement through the ground floor. This problem is common in homes wherein the ground floor has a plumbing problem or leak. The accumulated water from the ground floor leak may find its way into the basement to cause damage.
Pipe Penetration: Pipe installations in the basement often involve making larger holes than the pipes to allow easy penetration. After installation, the holes are filled with hydraulic cement to hold the pipes in place. However, the hydraulic cement can break down over time, creating space for water to fill the void and causing damage from within the basement walls or floors.
Cracks: Cracks are the obvious and most common causes of basement water problems in most properties. Cracks could be due to substandard or aging construction materials, water pressure, ground shifts, and other reasons. Irrespective of the cause, cracks create a fault line through which water can seep into the basement to cause extensive damage.
Sealing leaks in your basement
Now that you know the common ways water can get into your basement, sealing is the next line of action. However, before sealing, you should assess the cause of the leak and determine whether it’s something worth DIY-ing or not. For example, cracks are often a bigger problem that requires professional attention. In most cases, cracks may come with additional issues like leaning, bowing, or sheering walls. You may need to fix those problems first before sealing the cracks. This will prevent further recurrence.
After caring for the associated problems, you can seal your basement to safeguard it from water problems. Epoxy injection is recommended for an effective seal. To do this, apply a surface patch using an epoxy bonding solution. Proceed to inject the affected area with the 2-part epoxy for a final seal.
Epoxy injection is considered an excellent solution for sealing basement leaks because of its waterproof properties. Using this material ensures that water is effectively blocked out of your basement to prevent further damage.
Preventing basement leaks
Sealing the affected part of your basement is just one side of the coin; preventing future occurrences completes the equation. Below are some recommended ways to prevent basement leaks.
Vapor barrier: Vapor barriers are thin polyethylene sheets, 10 to 20mm thick, applied to the basement walls. The sheets keep moisture away from the basement wall and channel it away into the drain tile system.
Drain tile system: Homeowners can either install the interior or exterior drain tile system to protect their property from leaks. The interior drain tile system collects and channels away the water building up in the soil under your basement floor. The exterior drain tile system addresses the water building up outside the basement. Both interior and exterior drain tile systems are channeled into the sump pump.
Sump pump: Sump pumps are designed to sit under the basement floor, collect water, and disperse it at certain levels. This ensures the effective removal of pooling water and prevents basement flooding.
French drain: French drains are perforated pipes buried shallow in the yard. The perforated pipes collect water from easily waterlogged areas and channel it away.
Gutter extensions: rainwater can sometimes cause basement leaks, especially when rainwater pools at the base of the basement. Gutter extensions cover the affected areas and ensure the collection and appropriate disposal of rainwater, ice, and snow. Looking for foundation repair professionals who don’t compromise on quality? Get in touch with http://www.seepageseal.com/ today.
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7841 Woodridge Dr,
Woodridge IL 60517,
(630)474-5325
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