A leakage in the basement is a nightmare for every homeowner. If left to remain, it can damage the structure in the long term. Leaky basements will decrease the value of the home before the sale.

It can lead to mold growth. Sometimes moisture leads to black mold growth and breathing poisonous air causes various allergies in humans. Hence leakage in the basement should never be taken lightly.

If you find a leakage in the foundation, the next important step is to hire a foundation expert and get your home inspected. They would help you to identify whether a foundation crack repair would solve the problem or if the home needs basement waterproofing.

Why is Basement Waterproofing Important?

No matter if there is leakage or not, there are numerous benefits of waterproofing the basement area. The basement is the foundation structure of any home and protecting the basement is essential to enhance the life of the structure. One of the common threats for homes in the US is flash floods.

Basement areas are located below the ground level hence flash floods pose a serious threat to it. By waterproofing your basement, you can protect your home from water damage. It helps to protect your valuables when flash floods occur.

Leakage in the basement area leads to moisture build-up. Due to the presence of moisture, molds may grow in plenty which can lead to structural damage. It can cause health problems such as skin allergies, difficulty in breathing, fever, cough and more.

Sometimes mold presence is a visible hint to check for water leakage in the basement. If you sense a musty odor in the basement of which the reason is unknown, make sure you arrange a house mold inspection.

Moreover, moisture builds up in the basement to form larger cracks inside the structure. You may hardly notice it as it is not visible outside. By waterproofing your basement spaces, you can avoid the risk of costly foundation repairs. It adds to the value of the home if you are planning it to put for sale.

Apart from damages caused, moisture inside the home will make your home warmer during summer. It increases the humidity inside the home. Moisture leads to oxidation of metals and destroys paper products. By keeping the basement dry, you can improve the functionality of the space.

You can convert it into a recreational space or library or guest room or something else. There is no worry about flood damage when the basement is waterproofed.

Common Basement Waterproofing Techniques

Basement waterproofing is a must-do if you want to protect your home from moisture and water leakage. There are different strategies employed to waterproofing the basement and no one-size solution works for all homes. Each home requires a customized type of basement waterproofing technique depending on various factors.

To make an informed decision on basement waterproofing, it is always better to hire a professional expert who has in-depth knowledge of basement waterproofing. A professional expert would inspect the house, consider relevant factors and help you find a suitable solution to waterproofing the basement.

Read the common techniques used in basement waterproofing.

1. Use of Sealants

It is often a temporary approach to basement waterproofing. In this method, special sealants are used to fill the cracks in the concrete foundation. This will prevent water from penetrating the foundation.

This is an easy and cost-effective technique to protect your basement although it is not beneficial for the long term. If there is high hydrostatic pressure, these sealants are not found to be beneficial.

2. Waterproof Coatings

Another easy method to basement waterproofing is to use paints or coatings that come with waterproofing capabilities. The ceilings and basement are painted with waterproofing materials. This is effective if there are minor humidity issues in your home.

3. Installing Drains

By installing an interior drainage system, you can drain the water away from the basement and keep it dry always. In this method, perforated footer drains are installed around the perimeter of the house. The drainage pipes channel away from the excess water from the basement of the home.

Once the pipes are installed, you can stop water build up in the basement and prevent the hydrostatic pressure on the basement walls.

4. Exterior Methods

When interior remedies do not work, you can think of exterior basement waterproofing It is a costly method and is easier if done during the construction of the home. In this method, polymers and membranes are used to coat the exterior walls of the foundation.

The contractor will dig around the house to the bottom of the foundation and use polymers as a coating to the exterior walls. The water is directed away from the home using sump pumps.

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Basement Waterproofing Contractors

Considering basement waterproofing as a DIY task is not a wise step. Instead, allow a professional to assess the situation and suggest the right solution. However, when you look around for a basement waterproofing contractor, you should consider various factors.

Comprising on the quality and experience of the basement contractor company is a false step as it may adversely affect the security and safety of your home. Listed below are a few questions to ask when you hire contractors for basement waterproofing.

1. What is Your Experience in the Field?

A small mistake in the waterproofing method could result in its total failure. Hence you should not go with an inexperienced contractor for waterproofing. Make sure you ask the experience of the contractor and the success rate.

The longer they are doing the job, the more likely they will suggest the perfect solution for your home. Do not go with contractors who fail to give you the specifics on their experience in basement waterproofing and company history.

Also, you can enquire about the failed projects they had. Any contractors who have many years of experience in the field will have a few failed projects. You don’t have to consider this as a bad thing. It shows the trustworthiness and genuineness of the contractor. You will also know how they have addressed the failure.

2. Are the Workers Insured? 

Another important question is to ask is whether the company provides insurance to the workers. You should go with a waterproofing company that provides workers compensation and liability insurance. If they are not insured or bonded, the liability is on you if something goes wrong during the task.

Moreover, it is a sign that the company is concerned about its workers. It shows the reliability of the company as well. When you hire a company that is fully bonded and insured, both you and your home are protected if any unexpected event occurs.

3. What is the Right Solution for Your Home?

As mentioned above, waterproofing companies offer various tools and techniques to address water leakage issues. From using a simple solution just as an epoxy injection to the installation of sump pumps, there are numerous methods possible.

Some companies offer interior drainage systems or exterior damage systems while others offer comprehensive solutions.

A trained professional will be able to assess the situation and offer a genuine solution that works best for you. They will do the necessary tests and assessments to understand the real issue for water leakage.

They can provide a real solution only after conducting a proper assessment. Ideally, it is better to go with a solution that ensures long term protection for the home.

4. What is Causing the Water Problem? 

The first step is to identify the source of moisture or water leakage. The reasons include hydrostatic pressure, negative grading, wrong installation of sewage pumps, low-quality materials and more. Depending on the cause of the moisture, the remedy should be decided.

The right company will propose a solution that addresses the real source of the water problem in your home. If you are doubtful, you can consult multiple contractors to understand the integrity of the solution. You can ask why the contractor recommends this solution and how it will address future water problems.

In fact, you should be sure that the recommended solution will solve the water problem before you finalize it.

5. What About the Quality of Materials Used? 

The quality of materials used in waterproofing is as important as the experience of the contractor. A reliable and experienced contractor will have in-depth knowledge of the pros and cons of each material used in the process. You can ask for the unique properties of the products advised by the professional.

The cost of the project largely depends on the products used in waterproofing hence you need to make sure the products are of good quality and comes with a warranty.

6. Can You Give Me a Few References? 

Any professional contractor will be happy to share a few references about their previous work. You can check with the references and get a better idea of the service they provide. Any customer who has received excellent service will provide good reviews hence you can choose the right contractor.

Moreover, you can check the company’s website and social media pages to see the reviews. Some of them provide videos of their work as well. By spending a bit of time on the research you can understand the level of professionalism of the contractor you are planning to hire.

7. What are the Additional Costs Involved During the Process? 

Basement waterproofing involves multiple procedures if you are opting for a long-term solution. This may disrupt your routine as it involves moving the furniture or other stuff in the home. Or you may have to hire an electrician for installing an outlet.

Sometimes you may have to redo the landscape if you are opting for an exterior drainage system. In short, your budget may be higher than the estimate. That is why you should talk to the contractor to understand the additional costs involved in the process and how to address it.

8. How Far Does the Work Affect the Home?

The method involved in basement waterproofing can be messy hence require proper planning. Discuss in detail with the contractor about the timeline, the process involved, etc. and how far it will disrupt the daily routine of inmates in the house.

Thus you can preplan and prepare for the event. In some cases, you may have to relocate for a temporary period when the work is carried out.

9. Do You Provide a Warranty and For How Long?

Some companies provide a warranty for materials only while others offer a full-fledged warranty. Make sure you ask the warranty period, terms and conditions and whether it can be transferred to the next homeowner. Ask if the company charges additional fees for service or parts.

10. What are the Pricing Estimate and Financing Options?

Ask for a written estimate of the project and the additional costs that are covered. Basement waterproofing can be a costly affair and you may need financing assistance. This normally happens if you are opting for an exterior drainage system. Some waterproofing companies do offer financing options.

Be clear about terms and conditions if you are opting for financing assistance. If there is a history of water damage, you may check with the insurance provider as well.

Basement Waterproofing Contractors. Call us Now!

Are you living in the Cincinnati area and searching for a reliable contractor for waterproofing? Dry Effect is here to assist you in all kinds of water damage restoration services and basement waterproofing.

Being one of the best-rated companies in the area with excellent reviews, we are second to none when it comes to professionalism and dedication.

Our technicians are thoroughly trained and capable of handling basement waterproofing safely and efficiently. All our workmen are insured and licensed to do the task hence you can rely on us for exterior or interior waterproofing. We offer cost-effective solutions that come with a warranty.

If you are worried about moisture problems in the basement, give us a call now! Let’s discuss how to resolve it!