Through our basement waterproofing experiences, we have found that the top concerns of home buyers or existing owners could be summed up in one word: WATER!
Waterproofing your home in Huntersville, NC, is the most effective way to prevent a wet basement, keep buyers interested, and maintain the house’s structural integrity. Water leaks through roofs, pipes, and basements are perpetual concerns. A wet, leaking basement is consistently ranked first as the most severe home maintenance issue.
Flooding is caused by various factors, including poor construction and wear and tear. The American Society of Home Inspectors studied that more than half of all U.S. homes have had a flooded or wet basement, and 38% of such homes are vulnerable to basement mold and other structural integrity issues.
Water frequently infiltrates the foundation during heavy rains, melting of the snow, or in regions where the water level is high. For example, suppose you notice a dampness and a musty odor in your basement. Regardless of how minor it is, you must resolve it immediately before significant damage occurs. The damage can range from structural instability to mold and mildew growth.
Basements are the foundation of your investments, and they are responsible for carrying the load of your house or structure, so it is a good idea to protect them. Continue reading for some basement waterproofing advice.
Foundation Crack Repairs and Maintenance
Water can penetrate your basement through cracks in your foundation walls and flood it. Waterproofing paint or the filling of cracks with sealant is a common waterproofing solution. Basement walls and floors can be sealed with sealers. They provide a rapid and simple remedy, but it’s a temporary solution.
Waterproofing paint and sealants will only safeguard your foundation wall from minor water ingress and damage. If there is a lot of water coming in through the wall, the paint won’t be capable of keeping it out.
Properly Grading the Soil Around Your Home
In addition to gutter issues, the soil slope around the foundation perimeter can cause wet basement problems. The soil should curve away from the property to prevent rainwater from accumulating against basement walls.
The angle and soil type are also important considerations. The soil should slope downward six inches in just the first four feet from the foundation wall. Following that, it can be graded more gradually, but Water should never be allowed to run back toward the house.
If your grading needs to be improved, use clean fill dirt to enhance the soil around your house. Stir the soil to the proper slope before finalizing with a stack of topsoil. Then, to avoid damage, sprinkle grass seed on top. Alternatively, use stone or mulch.
Whatever the top layer is, make sure the slope is formed with fill dirt. Or else, Water will run through the porous layer and into the basement. Also, for evaluating improvement, never use straight topsoil. This soil is far too organic. However, it will retain moisture against the foundation if required, which is the exact reverse of what you want.
It is also critical to avoid landscape designs that retain soil near the house. A brick, stone, or timber landscape leaning around flower beds adjoining to foundation walls may be visually appealing. On the other hand, these edges could also prevent water from draining away from the foundation, raising your risk of basement flooding in Huntersville, NC.
Properly Maintaining Your Gutters
Gutters collect water and channel it away via downspouts. We suggest implementing downspout extensions if your home does not already have them. Downspouts with appropriate rain gutters and downspout extensions are a great way to keep surplus water away from the foundation’s edges and the basement. Ensure they’re clean and not clogged with debris if you already have channels. Install gutter guards to prevent debris from blocking up your gutters.
Know Why Gutters Are Important To Your Foundation! Watch this video.
Installing a Sump Pump
A sump pump collects Water in your basement and pumps it out and away from your house in Huntersville, NC. If you have a sump pump in your basement already, you must retain it in good working order to avoid blockages. Put water into the sump pit to test your sump pump. If the pump starts automatically, your sump pump is operational. Many prudent homeowners in Huntersville, NC, install a backup sump pump as a precautionary measure. This will keep the pump running even if there is a power failure or if the primary pump is overwhelmed by heavy rain.
Control Humidity and Condensation
Condensation and humidity are a common issue with basements in Huntersville, NC. Condensation occurs when warm, humid air meets a cold surface like pipes. You can shield your pipes with foam insulation to prevent condensation from forming. You can also help protect the basement walls to help avoid condensation. A dehumidifier can be used to reduce humidity levels.
Windows in the Basement
Water can enter your basement through cracked basement windows or poorly sealed windows. The first step is to repair any broken windows. Appropriate sealing also aids in deterring water from entering through windows. Eventually, if heavy rains fill your home’s window wells, placing window well, covers could help.
Pay Attention to the Warning Signs
There will be warning signs. Don’t dismiss them. According to basement waterproofing specialists, the sooner you figure out where the damp is coming in, the sooner you can fix the problem. Chipping paint, moldy patches, dampness, if not outright puddles, imply that repairs are required.
Other warning signs to look for are as follows:
- Efflorescence – a white and powdery residue on your basement walls.
- Peeling wall paint is caused by trapped and seeping moisture, which causes the color to bubble or peel.
- Walls bow inward as a result of pressure.
Schedule a Free Inspection & Quote
If you notice unusually wet or moist areas in your basement contact HydroHelp911 for a free inspection. Our team of basement waterproofing experts, has many years of experience resolving these issues. We will rapidly and efficiently get to the root of the problem and solve it for you in a cost-effective and long-term manner.
Contact us today or give us a call at 704-741-9737 and solve all of your waterproofing problems.
WHY IS THERE WATER IN MY BASEMENT AFTER HEAVY RAIN?
Flooded basements caused by heavy rain or snowmelt are never caused by higher water tables. The water table rises and falls gradually and seasonally. If basement leaks appear after heavy rain or melting snow, the source of your problem is much easier to identify and repair.
The primary reason for basement leaks is a problem with the drainage and the outside house. Water will innately leak into the basement through the walls when enough water is collected in the soil around the foundation. Water may even force its way up through the basement floor’s center.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT CAN AGGRAVATE A LEAKY BASEMENT PROBLEM?
Houses shift and settle naturally, and these movements can exacerbate a leaky basement. But unless your home is built on a low landscape, water will flow freely in the general direction of the house, softening the soil under and around the foundation. Water can pool around your home and weaken the soil if your drainage system is not installed correctly. If your neighbors build a new swimming pool, your basement may suffer as well.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING AND WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
As the name implies, basement waterproofing is the process of waterproofing your basement. Since basements are generally damp, a wet basement indicates more significant problems. Mold can multiply rapidly in a damp basement or a basement that retains a lot of moisture. Black mold can spread quickly and endanger the structure of your home as well as the well-being of your family.
If you utilize your basement for storage, you risk getting the items stored there wet. Furthermore, if you have a leaky basement, the value of your property may suffer.
Waterproofing your basement protects the worth and structure of your home, improves its capabilities, maintains your stored items dry, and contributes to the health and wellness of your family members.
