IN's & Out's of foundation waterproofing
Foundation waterproofing ensures a drier and healthier usable living area. We have never encountered a wet basement, crawl space, or foundation condition that wasn't capable of being resolved. Foundation waterproofing turns a basement into a dry, clean, and odor-free area that many prefer over upstairs areas. Foundation waterproofing is a critical step in maintaining your home's value and an important measure for preventing serious damage.
Foundation waterproofing should be addressed before any dwelling is built so that you can have peace of mind for years to come. Every year thousands of homeowners needlessly lose thousands of dollars when they go to sell their homes due to a leaky basement. Sometimes, and we mean sometimes dumping more dirt around the perimeter of your foundation might remedy the problem at hand.
Foundation waterproofing systems are applied externally on the foundation walls, effectively preventing water penetration from seeping through the foundation. Foundation waterproofing is costly and time-consuming, but by handling it this way you can say goodbye to wet basement walls and floors. You can paint an emulsified tar solution over the foundation; asphalt felt may also be added. Foundation waterproofing is often confused with damp proofing. Damp proofing is a process that retards or slows water penetration into the foundation. Damp proofing is usually performed by applying unmodified asphalt coatings to the foundation surfaces.
Basement walls can be coated with waterproofing felt or fabric coated with coal-tar pitch. This serves as an effective barrier against seepage. Basement waterproofing should begin outside your home. Look for areas that contribute to the collection of water next to your foundation. Basement wall cracks will only get more serious as they continue to swell and shrink with temperature and moisture changes, so they cannot be ignored indefinitely.
Basements are closed areas so they are prone to high humidity conditions that lead to dampness and flooding. Depending on the severity of conditions you can have rot, structural damage, or premature paint nonstarter. Basements can leak for a myriad of reasons. Check your gutters and downspouts for leaks and make sure that the earth is pitched away from the foundation of your home. Some methods of foundation waterproofing can be a do it yourself job, but in all honesty why chance having to start all over again and invest more money into a project that could have been completed already.
As always be sure to do your homework when trying to find the best contractor for the job. The lowest price is not always the best way to go and if you choose to make your final decision on price alone be prepared to be disappointed by the quality of workmanship mo
