Category Archives: Basement Waterproofing

Water Damage Due To Hurricanes

Every fall the East coast undoubtedly gets hit by some type of hurricane or tropical storm. This year is no different. The repercussions of Hurricane Ida have included torrential rain, flooding, and wind damage. So basically, preventing water damage is vital. These disturbances negatively impact residential homes, commercial housing, and small and large businesses alike. The state of Virginia is in direct line of many of these storms. This is why it is very important to have your Virginian home waterproofed to prepare for the worse.

Sometimes hurricane season can lead to other dangerous weather patterns as well. These disasters will also bring more water damage from lots of wind and rainfall. They also lead to other severe weather patterns. In fact, The Virginia Department of Emergency Management sent out social media alerts to all of its residents preparing them with tornado warnings as an aftermath of Hurricane Ida. In some parts of Virginia, homes were swept away from landslides, and others destroyed from irreversible flooding.

Waterproofing Your Virginia Home

Preventing water damage in and around your home has never been more important. With the increase of storm damage every year, it is in your best interest to protect your most important investments: your home and your business. Without a healthy home, it is difficult to have a stress-free living space. At Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, we would like to help you with prevention if possible.

We solve basement water problems in Virginia. Furthermore, our professional team uses the highest quality of waterproofing systems to prevent future issues. Whether you are in need of basement waterproofing, crawlspace solutions, or exterior drainage, we can find solutions. Our interior basement solutions include sump pumps, channel drains, and polyurethane injection remedies. Phone or Contact Us today so we can give you a free estimate.

Have Water In Crawlspace after Heavy Rain?

Having a damp or wet crawlspace is never a good thing, especially after heavy rain. After all, water in a crawlspace can only lead to more severe issues if the problem is not taken care of in a timely manner. For instance, water in a crawlspace can cause mold and mildew issues, a decrease in air quality, structural crack issues, leaning walls, and other foundation-related issues. Understanding what solutions are available when water seeps into your crawlspace is very important to the overall structure of your home.

waterproofing in Virginia with sump pump installation and red Virginia map

Crawlspace Water Solutions

Let’s start with the bad news: water in a crawlspace. This is an annoyance, there is no way to get around this. However, the good news is that there are plenty of solutions available to you in Virginia. For instance, installing a quality sump pump and an efficient sump pit goes a long way when trying to prevent a wet basement or crawlspace. In addition, there are various interior and exterior drainage systems that professionals can install to prevent further water issues.

Other vital services include controlling poor moisture control which can be remedied with crawlspace encapsulation. This process involves inserting vapor barriers that keep heavy-duty moisture out of your space. Additionally, encapsulation includes sealing vents, and other porous structures, and insulating walls to reduce moisture issues. However, it is important to make sure the crawl space is sealable before starting the process. This is why it is vital to contact an experienced contractor. Many times, installing a home de-humidifier in the crawlspace is the final element to preventing water in your crawlspace. Please discuss these issues with your trusted waterproofing expert. They are there to help!

In Virginia? Get A Free Estimate

At Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, we service much of Virginia, parts of North Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware. Check out our service area map. Ultimately, our waterproofing services include about a 100-mile radius around Richmond, Virginia. Please reach out to us today for a free estimate on all waterproofing problems and inquiries. Call us at 804-674-0273.

Virginia waterproofing service area map — **Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry Service Area**

How Do I Prevent Water In The Basement?

Preventing Water In The Basement

Virginia basements can be known to become wet during the spring months. However, there are several options that can ward off unwanted moisture. Preventing water in the basement is not something to put off. In fact, waterproofing your basement sooner than later is definitely going to save you money and time in the long run. That’s why Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry provides quality service and excellent waterproofing products by ECP.

At Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, it is our mission to get your home back to safety and security. With our team, you can rest easy knowing that the waterproofing services we provide will protect your home from future water damage. Additionally, we are backed by one of the leading manufactureres of waterproofing products: ECP.

Waterproofing Products We Offer

Some of the waterproofing products we offer include the following:

Sump pumps
Sump Pits
Interior drainage
Exterior drainage
Battery backup sump pumps
Vapor barriers

Utilizing these products and services together will provide you with complete protection against water damage. We service the Richmond, Virginia area and want to ensure your basement, crawl space, or foundation is not damaged to the point of no return. Furthermore, do not wait until there is a major problem before reaching out for professional services. In fact, getting repairs and waterproofing installation can cost a small fortune, so the best way to avoid this is by preventing water in the basement before it is a major problem.

Noticing Signs of Water Damage This Spring?

Mold and mildew
Water stains
Wood rot
Basement flooding
Humid crawl space

If your home does not have proper waterproofing protection, these basic damages can occur quite quickly. This is where we come in. Contact Us today to learn more about our basement waterproofing services. For Virginians, we also provide foundation repair, crawl space repair, masonry, brick re-pointing, and concrete restoration services. Call Us Today at 804-674-0273 for a free estimate.

Are Bowing Walls Serious?

What You Need To Know

bowing wall spotlights with damaged wall in backdrop

First Things First. Are bowing walls in your Virginia home serious? The answer is a definitive yes.

Bowing walls occur when excessive exterior pressure affects the foundation and its wall support. Because of this pressure, walls curve inward forming a “bow”. When this exterior pressure becomes too much for foundation walls, they begin to bow, crack, or even break. You should not ignore a bowing wall in your basement. In fact, if you continue to ignore a pressurized wall, it may eventually collapse and cause severe damage.

As established, bowing walls occur because of exterior pressure, or hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is caused when the ground around your home is saturated with water. When too much water accumulates, it starts to “push” or exert pressure against your foundation walls. Additionally, when this water turns into frost, the soil expansion becomes permanent during colder months. This is why it is important to have an industry expert inspect your home’s foundation.

Call A Foundation Expert

When foundation experts come and inspect your home, they will get a better picture of the damage that has occurred. When it comes to your foundation, severe damage can completely compromise the integrity of the entire structure and cause your house to be too dangerous to live in. So this is why it is vital to get a professional analysis. At Reliable Waterproofing and Masonry, we will inspect your bowed walls and discover where the problem began. For instance, is there a tree root causing hydrostatic pressure, or has severe precipitation and perhaps a lack of waterproofing lead to bowing foundation walls.

A Few Solutions For Bowed Walls

There are several solutions for bowed walls. When answering the question: are bowing walls serious, we can all agree that they are, in fact, quite serious. With this said, what can you do about this?

Exterior Drainage Systems: We can install state of the art drainage systems to keep your basement dry and to decrease wall damage. These exterior management systems provide more space for water to flow within the soil beneath a home. Some exterior drainage products include channel drains, sub-surface drainage, and dry wells.
Foundation Repair: Oftentimes, it is necessary to fix foundation issues before installing exterior draining systems. For instance, in order to properly install any new exterior system, proper wall anchors need to be in place, and helical and push piers should be in place to ensure a foundation’s safety before starting new waterproofing measures.
Interior Drainage Systems: Another great option to prevent bowing walls is to install interior drainage products. In fact, these diversion water systems take the increased moisture away from the foundation surface and filters it through an interior source like a sump pit.

We Can Fix Bowed Walls

Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry can help with your bowed wall woes. Reach our expert foundation contractors in Virginia today by filling out a form on our Contact Page. Or, Call our main office at 804-674-0273. Let us find solutions to all of your bowed wall issues AND all of other waterproofing and crawlspace repair.

The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Waterproofing

Aside from the obvious locations, is there any difference between exterior and interior waterproofing? We’ll discuss the differences between the two solutions and show you how they both can help keep your Richmond area home or business dry and stable.

Buildings Should be Dry and Safe

We all know that your home or business is probably the biggest investment you have. Keeping them stable and secure is important not only for the structure but for the people that live or work in them. Making sure you have a reliable form of waterproofing will protect your investment and the people in your life.

The Richmond, VA area can see high rain amounts, large snowfalls, and hurricane-strength storms. All of this water can damage your home and basement. If you think you need some type of waterproofing done for your building, how do you decide if you need interior or exterior waterproofing? There are many options to choose from and the best first step is to find a trustworthy waterproofing contractor.

However, you want to be educated before you begin speaking with a contractor so that you know that you are on the same page with expectations and that they are being honest with you. Knowing the difference between exterior and interior waterproofing and their proper applications is a start.

Interior Waterproofing

If water enters your basement, it must be promptly rerouted outside and away from the building. Interior drainages systems usually consist of a system of drains and pipes that collect the water from leaks or under the foundation. This collected water is sent to a sump pit, a large “bucket” that is installed into the floor of your basement. The pit looks like a large plastic trash can and will store a large amount of water.

A sump pump sits inside the sump pit and pumps the water out of the pit and away from the basement. Sump pumps use a float switch to automatically start when the water reaches a certain level. You can also add a battery backup pump that will run if the power goes out during a storm or other reason.

In addition to the sump pump system, another solution is a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier used by Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry uses a thick vinyl sheeting to encapsulate the basement or crawlspace. This barrier can seal out humidity and moisture from the outside, keeping the area inside dry.

Cracks should be sealed to prevent water from entering the home or business. This can be done with an epoxy or carbon fiber strip. In some cases, property owners may decide to use all methods of interior waterproofing.

Exterior Waterproofing

The best way to keep your basement dry is to keep the water from even entering the home or business. Exterior waterproofing uses solutions that collect the water and move it away from the foundation walls. Clean, properly placed gutters and downspouts are the first lines of defense when it comes to water drainage. If the water easily flows to the downspouts and then drains five to ten feet away from the foundation, that will go a long way to keeping water out of the basement.

Another solution, the waterproof membrane is similar to the vapor barrier. This sheeting is installed around the exterior of the foundation walls. The membrane seals out moisture, preventing the concrete walls from absorbing it or allowing water to enter cracks and other openings. This can involve some excavating but is a very valuable way of preventing water from entering your home or business.

Other tools for exterior waterproofing are drain tiles. A trench is dug around the building and the drain tiles are laid inside, surrounded by gravel, then it is all buried. The tiles collect water before it can reach the foundation and directs it away from the basement walls. This solution, too, involves excavation to be performed.

In most cases, exterior waterproofing will cost more to install than the interior solutions, but it is also more effective. If you can keep the water from even entering your basement, you don’t have to worry about it. Also, foundation walls can weaken from constant contact with water. If you can keep the soil surrounding the walls dry, you can help prevent them from losing their strength and stability. In the long run, the cost of exterior waterproofing is less than the cost of foundation repair, water damage, and health issues caused by wet basements or crawlspaces.

Interior and Exterior Waterproofing Solutions

As you can see, both methods have their pros and cons. You will have to work with and trust your contractor to come up with the best solution for your situation. Every building has its own set of variables that will influence the decision on how to best proceed. An experienced and educated contractor will be able to determine the most effective method.

No matter what solution is implemented, your basement will be drier and more stable than one without any waterproofing. Contact the waterproofing experts for the Richmond, VA area at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry today for your interior and exterior waterproofing needs.

Yikes! My Basement has Sprung a Leak

Plentiful spring rain leads to concerned homeowners.

Rain. We’ve seen plenty of it in our area this Spring. We’ve also had lots of calls from homeowners concerned because they have noticed a problem. People looking for a basement waterproofing company that can help because every time it rains they notice their basement walls and floors leaking. It’s been a bigger problem this year than other years, and many people wonder if is it a big problem that they need to have fixed right away. Let’s talk about the causes of basement leaks and what it can do to your home.

Causes of basement leaks

When the soil around your home’s foundation is oversaturated with water from heavy rain, it puts pressure on your foundation walls. This is the biggest cause of leaks. Even a hairline crack can leak. You can experience anything from seepage to running water through cracks caused by hydrostatic pressure (the build-up of that water around your foundation.) If the soil is poorly compacted, this can make the problem even bigger as loose soils tend to absorb more water.

Window Wells are another cause of problems. Window wells can leak at the seams. Sometimes window wells can fill up with rain runoff. This is why it is really important to keep your exterior drainage in good condition and keep gutters free of debris, and your downspouts clear.

How is that water getting in?

Cracks. Cracks in doors, cove joints, the floor, the walls, as well as cracks in mortar joints or masonry foundation walls.

So what can water do to the overall health of your home?

Water can lead to mold spores, mildew, wood rot, and rust. It can make the air in your home unhealthy leading to asthma problems and other health issues. It can ruin your belongings, making living spaces un-livable. It can lead to major foundation problems if you don’t take care of problems early. Your home is one of the biggest investments you will make. Protect your home and more importantly, your family, with waterproofing solutions made to fit the needs of your home. Contact Reliable Waterproofing and Masonry, a professional basement waterproofing company, for an expert analysis.

Do You Have Waterproofing for the Coming Rain?

The forecast for the next few weeks is filled with rain. While the colder temperatures are finally here for the winter, it doesn’t mean there’s no way to get waterproofing for your crawlspace or basement. Waterproofing at any time of the year is better than none at all. In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the available waterproofing options at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry and what you may wish to consider.

Get to the Root of the Problem

In many cases, waterproofing companies will come out and say that they are resolving the issue and everything seems fine until the next big thunderstorm. The problem with their method is usually that they are covering up the problem rather than getting to the heart of it. Most waterproofing cases will involve some form of foundation repair because most leaks and water problems are caused by foundation problems.

Waterproofing Solutions

The first step is to perform any foundation repair necessary. In many cases, this will involve foundation underpinning like push piers or helical piers. The steel piers are driven deep into the solid ground where they provide solid support for your home’s foundation. Any mold problems will also be taken care of before any other work starts. Next, any superficial cracks are sealed. After this, options like vapor barriers, interior drain systems, exterior dimple drainboards, and sump pumps and dehumidifiers.

Vapor barriers keep water from coming back in by keeping moisture and damp out. They are also great for unfinished crawl spaces. Interior drain pipe systems under the floor are a great option to make sure that any water that does come in is directed to the sump pump immediately. The sump pump is a safeguard that cuts your stress and worry during storms and flooding because you know your basement or crawlspace will be safe. Lastly, exterior dimple boards will direct water away from the home and towards the sump pump, and dehumidifiers will get rid of any extra moisture in the air.

Need Waterproofing in Your Virginia Home? Call Us!

Call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry today for waterproofing in your Virginia home. We are happy to come out and perform a free estimate and find out what’s going on. Once we have an idea, we’ll be able to recommend the best course of action to resolve it and get to work. For more information, give us a call today!

Recent Virginia Rains Cause Wet Basement Issues

If the recent rain in Virginia is causing you a headache, it might not be the change in pressure and temperature. You might be experiencing problems with a wet basement that is causing stress in your daily life. Many people use their basements for storage or extra living space. When they become wet, this can lead to unnecessary stress and frustration. Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry knows what a headache a wet basement can be, and we’re happy to help you get back on track to a dry, mold- and foundation damage-free home.

Causes of a Wet Basement

This may be the big question on your mind: “Why does my basement or crawl space keep getting more water in it?” You may have sealed all the cracks you could find, but the water keeps coming. This is a sign that there may foundation repair that is necessary to truly solve the waterproofing issue.

In most cases, wet basements are caused by hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls. What is hydrostatic pressure? This is when water seeps into the looser backfill around the foundation and saturates the soil. The soil becomes heavy and dense and pushes against the foundation wall. The wall isn’t ready to have this kind of pressure on it, and it begins to feel stress and eventually crack or bow. Cracks let in water and cause wet basements. However, it’s not the right solution to just seal the cracks because this will not solve the problem. The water will continue to press against the foundation and cause more cracks and more wet basement problems. It’s important to get to the root of the problem instead of just fixing the surface issues.

Other causes of a wet basement might be water seepage through cracks in the windows or doors, improper yard drainage systems, or tree roots growing into the foundation. However, even simple things like a downspout too close to the home leaking water into the foundation or grading that lets the water pool at the base of the home should be taken into consideration when looking for the source of a wet basement problem. These, of course, can easily be remedied, but they may have caused foundation damage. This is why it’s important to contact a professional to perform an inspection. Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry will perform a free estimate on your home to determine the cause and how we can fix the issue.

How to Solve Issues with a Wet Basement

There are as many ways to solve wet basement issues as there are causes. The way to solve the issue will depend on what the cause is. As mentioned, if it is simply an issue of a downspout too close to the home or a grading issue, this can be easily remedied and the issue resolved. However, in most cases, the issue is more serious than a misplaced downspout and has caused foundation repair damage. In these cases, a different approach must be taken that is centered on getting to the root of the problem while also fixing the surface damage that is letting in the water and causing wet basement issues.

Foundation repair can be performed with helical tiebacks or plate anchors which will be driven deep into the ground into stable soil. This will support the foundation and attach to it with a plate. Once attached, all weight is transferred to the tiebacks or anchors and we can resolve any foundation issues occurring. Next, fixing issues with a yard drainage system will be massively helpful in eliminating wet basement issues. Once the yard is draining properly, it will not drain into the foundation and will cause little to no problems. After that, you can move on to interior waterproofing and vapor barriers. For an extra layer of security, a sump pump can be installed that will redirect any water that does make its way inside, out.

Don’t let the rainy weather give you a headache this month! Take charge and give Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry a call. We’ll set you up with a free estimate and find out what the problem is. We’ll give you a timeline and get to work resolving the issue. Give us a call today and find out what we can do for you!

Solve Waterproofing Problems with Interior Drainage and Exterior Drainage

Have you been struggling with waterproofing problems for years on end now? It doesn’t seem to matter what you do, the water just keeps coming back? Have you tried crawl space encapsulation methods only for them to fail? If your outlook is glum for basement waterproofing, it’s time to look at the full waterproofing package: interior drainage and exterior drainage. A complete package of waterproofing on the interior and exterior along with an inspection of your foundation for cracks will provide you with peace of mind and a dry basement.

Foundation Cracks

Before anything else, you need to get your foundation inspected for any cracks or damage that may be the root cause of your water problems. These cracks can let in water, moisture, and even pests. They can also cause instability in your foundation which could lead to eventual bowing walls and collapse. Your foundation is never something to mess around with or try DIY solutions–you should always call a professional, like Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, for their expert advice and assistance. Fixing foundation cracks may fix all of your problems. Always have your foundation inspected first thing if you have persistent waterproofing problems.

Interior Drainage and Waterproofing

Interior waterproofing is probably the most familiar type of waterproofing for most people because that’s usually the first option. A sump pump, crawl space encapsulation, etc. These are all methods that can be used for interior waterproofing in your home. Crawl space encapsulation is one of the best methods to keep out water and moisture because there is a layer between your home and the soil. However, if the land your home is sitting on is not graded correctly, there might be problems with water pooling in lower areas of your basement or crawl space. We can work with this by correcting the grading issue and installing a sump pump system for added security and assurance that if any water does enter your basement or crawl space, you will not have to deal with it.

Interior waterproofing is necessary, in almost all cases, to make sure that no water is in your basement or crawl space, but many waterproofing companies won’t go the extra mile to assure you that your waterproofing woes are behind you. Interior drainage systems, like sump pumps, are not waterproofing. They are a security system in case water does end up entering your basement through some means (usually cracks in the walls). Exterior drainage systems need to be considered as well when you have persistent waterproofing problems.

Exterior Drainage Systems

Exterior drainage systems can include grading the yard so that soil is higher near the home and lower away from the home. This assures that water that drains from gutters, which should have downspouts at least five feet away from the side of the home, and other sources will not cause water to soak into the soil directly above or beside your foundation. This water can cause hydrostatic pressure on the side of the foundation or it can enter through any cracks that you may have. Neither of these is a good option for your basement or crawl space.

Another option is a drain system in your yard. If your yard is persistently collecting water and becoming a swamp every time it rains, there are some steps that you can take to prevent it and to prevent it from affecting your foundation. We can advise you on the best drainage system for your yard that will be most effective at taking water away from your home and redirecting it to other areas so that your yard and your foundation are not constantly covered in water.

Dual Approach Waterproofing Outcomes

This type of dual waterproofing and drainage system approach, along with a prior inspection and fix of any foundation problems, will assure you that your water problems are most likely far behind you. While there can be extenuating circumstances, in most cases, this dual approach will help you finally get rid of the worry and frustration that comes with water in the basement or crawl space. Give us a call today to get started!

Keep Your Basement Dry This Spring

It’s been a crazy winter this year with snow, ice, and torrential rainfalls. All of that moisture has to go somewhere once the warm weather returns. The soil will be oversaturated, so the water will take the path of least resistance: cracks and low spots around your foundation. You need waterproofing to make sure your property is protected.

Prepare Your Property

There are some things you can do now to help prevent your basement from becoming flooded. Take a walk around your property and look for the following things:

Are your gutters and downspouts clear and emptying far from your foundation? Make sure that the gutters are not cluttered with debris and are flowing cleanly to the downspouts. The downspouts should empty a minimum of 3 feet, but we prefer it to be around 10 feet from the foundation.

If snow or ice is piled up against the foundation, clear it out before it melts. The melting snow and ice will trickle down your foundation walls and could cause all kinds of problems.

Check for low spots or sunken concrete around the foundation. Water will naturally pool in low spots, again, running down alongside the foundation walls.

What Water Can Do To Your Home

It only takes a small crack for water to enter your home. If the water enters the crack and freezes, it will expand, making the crack bigger. Water in your basement or crawl space can lead to property damage, mold growth, pest infiltration, and structural damage.

Even if water doesn’t enter your basement, it can still cause problems. Oversaturated soil can exert a great amount of pressure against the foundation walls. This can cause the walls to crack, bow, lean, or even collapse.

You must install a professional waterproofing system, like the ones from Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry.

Waterproofing Options

When our experts come out to your property, we’ll inspect it and see what kind of issues your foundation has. We can help shore up walls with wall plates and helical tiebacks, along with lifting your foundation with steel and helical piers.

If you need waterproofing services, we can install sump pumps, channeling, and exterior waterproofing systems. We want to keep your home dry and safe.