The
foundation of your home not only supports the entire structure, it keeps water
from seeping into the basement of the borne. Keeping the basement waterproofed
and dry requires some care. It is not unusual for a house to experience basement
wetness at some point in time. You can take measures that prevent moisture problems
from developing.
Proper drainage and grading carries surface water away
from the foundation. This is essential during periods of heavy rainfall or rapid
snowmelt. Surface water can be described as water from rainfall, sprinklers, hoses,
etc.
Drainage
Keeping your gutters
free of leaves and debris prevents water from pilling out and collecting around
the foundation. Proper pitching of gutters towards their downspouts directs the
flow.
Downspouts should be sound and unclogged, especially at elbow connections.
Downspout outlets need to be intact and unclogged in order a carry water away
from the house.
Grading
When your
house was built, the yard was graded so that the ground would gently slope away
from the house in all directions. Over time soil settles. This sometimes forms
a low area which traps surface water. The collected water can then seep through
the foundation Into the basement. If this happens, fill these depressions and
replant to prevent erosion.
Concrete walkways and patios can settle too
and cause water to run toward the foundation of the house. Flower beds and perennial
gardens round the house should also be checked. Basement doors and windows should
be properly sealed and caulked to prevent water entrance.
Never change
the drainage pattern of your yard in such a way that water tends to run towards
the house.
Ground Water
If surface
water is being properly diverted away from your foundation and you still have
basement wetness ground water may be the problem. If water seeps through the floor
at the joint between the floor and basement wall or at a lower point of the wall
itself, it is usually due to the presence of ground water.
This may be
caused by season high water tables or underground springs and seeps. If your home
is in the flood plain of a nearby stream or creek, it may be affected during periods
of heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. If the house was built in the path of a natural
drainageway or on a site that is lower than the surrounding area, you could also
be affected.
Normally, a footing drainpipe is laid along the base of the
foundation when a house is built. A basement wetness problem caused by ground
water may indicate the pipe is either damaged for clogged.
If ground water
is not properly channeled or eliminated, the resulting hydrostatic pressure can
literally force water into the basement of your home through cracks in the floor
and foundation walls. This ground water problem needs to be corrected in order
to prevent these cracks or openings from enlarging.
If your basement has
visible water and you cannot locate the cause, call a waterproofing specialist
to help you. This is a problem that should be given immediate attention.
Maintaining
your home's foundation will help keep your basement dry and comfortable. A strong
foundation not only supports the structure itself, it supports your investment.
Hydro-Clay
System
70% of all basements will develop leakage of some kind during
their lifetime! The age of the structure does not matter. Over half of the leaks
are in homes under free years old.
There are many causes of basement leakage:
1. Cracks to walls and floors due to structural changes such as settling.
2.
Insufficient runoff due to improper landscaping and high clay content.
3.
High water table.
The solution fur cracks and poor runoff is the Hydro-Clay
System.
With our patented Pressure Pumping Process, we have eliminated
the need for digging. There is no damage to sidewalks, driveways and landscaping
plantings.
During the process, Bentonite Clay is injected Into the soil
around the basement at 3-4 foot intervals. The Bentonite coats the walls from
footing to grade.
As the Bentonite absorbs groundwater, it swells up to
15 times its volume and thickens. creating an impenetrable gelatin membrane, which
protects against further water penetration.
This system is effective against
water entering cracks and tie rods in poured walls, and more.
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