A leaky basement could cause several problems to your house such as odors, mold, damage to valuable belongings and structural damage. You might have bought your house already containing some exterior waterproofing system around the basement. It could be a french drain system or a waterproofing compound applied to the below-grade walls. However, these types of waterproofing systems do not prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up under the slab and then causing water damage in your basement. A basement that leaks can only happen in two ways, through the wall or through the floor.
As showed in the illustration below, the most common leaky area in a basement is where the concrete slab meets the block wall. This location cannot be treated from the exterior. Even supposing we were to excavate all the soil away from the house down to the footing, we won’t be able to treat the joint that leaks.
What are the Common Basement Issues in Hillsborough?
1) Floor Seepage
North Carolina is known for its erratic weather. Extreme precipitation with hot and cold weathers can cause severe damages to your Hillsborough home, especially by causing leaks and cracks in your foundation. The weakest part of your foundation is where the floor and the wall meet. The walls are installed over what is know as the footer before the floor is poured, causing cold seams where the concrete has voids. The floor also shrinks when it cures, provoking gaps between these separate parts. Oftentimes, the result of floor seepage is caused by the force of ground water, which can be strong enough to seep in through these spaces.
2) Wall Seepage
When the water saturates the ground, the first part of your home that it comes in contact with is your foundation walls. Over time, your waterproofing membranes break down, making your home vulnerable to seepage. Concrete is a very porous material and is capable of absorbing large amounts of water. When a block is embedded with water, for an extend period of time, it loses its structural strength.
3) Cracks
Whether they are on the wall or on the floor, basement cracks pose a serious structural threat to your home. Cracks, even those from the normal settling of the foundation, indicate the water is flowing under your foundation and eroding the soil around your home.
4) Efflorescence
Efflorescence, this white powdery substances comes from the migration of a salt to the surface of a porous foundation. In places where it occurs, the wall actually begins to flake away. The efflorescence is mostly noticeable where the walls have been painted. In this places, the paint will peel or flake away from the wall, exposing the foundation damage.
How Do These Basement Problems Get Fixed?
Dual Pressure Relief System installation is the only effective way to relieve the pressure and waterproof your basement.
Typically, the installation follows this process:
Step 1: The inside perimeter of the floor is cut about 8-10 inches from the wall. A trench is excavated and cleared of all debris.
Step 2: The lowest course of block is drilled at every core pocket to release and remove the entrapped water. This step is not necessary with brick or poured concrete walls.
Step 3: A drainage pipe is laid in the trench and pitched towards the sump pit(s). All subfloor voids are then filled with 3/4″ washed gravel.
Step 4: A vapor barrier is installed over the excavated trench and the floor is re-cemented to its original level over the drainage, exerting pressure against the wall and thereby adding stability to the foundation walls.
Step 5: To discharge the water collected through the drains, a submersible sump pump is installed in each sump it. The water is then discharged away from your home.
Call Our Basement Waterproofing Company in Hillsborough for an Estimate Today!
Give us a call today at 919-847-7072. You can also contact us by using our online contact form, to learn more about the benefits of our mold remediation, crawl space encapsulation and basement services and schedule your free estimate today! We will visit your Hillsborough home to give you the most accurate price point for the job. Our trained specialist will guide you through the options to determine the best solution for you and your budget.
All work is performed by Hillsborough Crawl Space and Basement Technologies trained technicians and each project comes with a Life Time Warranty. All of our work is fully licensed and insured.
