×
Waterproofing
Waterproofing
Do you find water on the floor in your basement after heavy rains? Can you smell mold? While there are many causes of wet basements, each leads to the same potential problems: damage to a home’s foundation, damage to interior furniture and decor, damage to personal belongings and many health problems ranging from lung disease and headaches to cancer.
The Precise Plumbing staff are experts at identifying and solving problems with wet basements. First, problems with roofing and siding must be addressed. Water leaking through a roof or siding will quickly make its way to the basement and may cause extensive damage to the foundation and interior of a home. Second, cracks in the foundation itself can allow water to enter, causing the problems noted above. However, these are not the only sources of water that may enter a basement.
There are two general methods used to solve wet basements issues: interior and exterior waterproofing:
The Precise Plumbing staff are experts at identifying and solving problems with wet basements. First, problems with roofing and siding must be addressed. Water leaking through a roof or siding will quickly make its way to the basement and may cause extensive damage to the foundation and interior of a home. Second, cracks in the foundation itself can allow water to enter, causing the problems noted above. However, these are not the only sources of water that may enter a basement.
There are two general methods used to solve wet basements issues: interior and exterior waterproofing:
Interior Waterproofing
While a foundation leak may necessitate interior waterproofing, also common is water entering the basement due to hydrostatic pressure encountered when the groundwater level rises and falls. There are also instances when the exterior of a foundation may not be easily accessed. There are several steps involved with the interior waterproofing process.
A shallow ditch is dug around the inside perimeter of the basement, between six to ten inches from the wall of the foundation. This involves breaking through the basement floor.- Weeping tile is installed in the ditch and directed so that water flows into a floor drain or sump pump.
- Drainage membrane is then installed on exposed exterior walls where the drainage system has been installed.
- A layer of gravel is laid over the weeping tile to maximize drainage.
- Concrete is then poured over top of the system and smoothed so that the floor is brought back to its original level.
- This system drains water both above and below grade and keeps the basement dry.
A shallow ditch is dug around the inside perimeter of the basement, between six to ten inches from the wall of the foundation. This involves breaking through the basement floor.
Weeping tile is installed in the ditch and directed so that water flows into a floor drain or sump pump.
Drainage membrane is then installed on exposed exterior walls where the drainage system has been installed.
A layer of gravel is laid over the weeping tile to maximize drainage.
Concrete is then poured over top of the system and smoothed so that the floor is brought back to its original level.
This system drains water both above and below grade and keeps the basement dry.Exterior Waterproofing
Another effective solution to a wet basement is exterior waterproofing. This method solves water problems caused both by foundation leaks and hydrostatic pressure as a result of rising groundwater.
- First earth is excavated all the way around the foundation of a home, down to the footings, about two to three feet out.
- Any old weeping tile is removed and new weeping tile with filter cloth is installed.
- The foundation walls are inspected, with our team looking for cracks or other voids where water could potentially enter. The voids are repaired using hydraulic cement, which expands to make sure no gaps are left behind.
- A rubber membrane is applied to the entire foundation, acting as the main barrier for keeping exterior water out of the basement.
- Drainage membrane is then applied to the entire foundation.
- Gravel is then laid over the weeping tile to help direct water into the weeping tile.
- The soil is filled back in and the basement is completely waterproofed.
The soil is filled back in and the basement is completely waterproofed.
Do you suspect that you have a drainage problem or have your drains completely stopped working?
Call Precise Plumbing at (647) 878-9293 or send us an email at info@mypreciseplumbing.com
We would be happy to answer any questions and send plumbing professionals to your location to assess your drainage problem.