Category Archives: Waterproofing

3 Tips to Get Ready for Spring 2022

Spring is almost here, and it’s time for a lot of changes in our environment. Whether it’s more rain, less cold, or more pollen, there are a few things that we can do to get our home and property ready for the spring weather. While many of us take up D.I.Y. projects once warmer weather hits, we might want to ignore bigger projects that our home needs. However, these projects will save you money in the long run by completing them while the problem is not debilitating.

Fix Up Concrete Cracks

This spring, it’s time to fix up those sidewalk, deck, and driveway cracks you’ve been avoiding. Unfortunately, these “little cracks” can add up to big problems in the future. During the winter, water can get into the cracks and then freeze. This can cause even bigger issues. Additionally, when water gets underneath the slab, it can cause erosion which may lead to empty areas beneath your concrete slabs that are not supported. One great way to resolve this issue, and the issue of cracked or uneven concrete, is with concrete restoration. There’s no need to fully replace a concrete slab when you can simply resolve the issue. Contact Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry for more information on our solutions.

Check on Sump Pumps

If you have a sump pump in your basement or crawl space, you probably rely on it to protect you against any water that happens to make its way into your home. Unfortunately, when sump pumps are not maintained they aren’t going to protect you. This is why it’s so important for the regular maintenance of your sump pump. If you’re not sure how to do this, it’s time to call in the professionals. If your sump pump has reached its max lifetime and isn’t doing the job like it used to, it might be time to repair or replace it. A sump pump is an invaluable part of any waterproofing system in homes with recurrent waterproofing problems. Put this on your spring honey-do list!

Check Your Foundation for Cracks

Over the winter season, the variable weather and temperatures can wreak havoc on your foundation. This means that you could end up coming out the other side with cracks in your foundation. While these may not do much, to begin with, over time they can let in water and pests, grow bigger and more dangerous to your foundation, and eventually turn into bowing walls. Bowing walls lead to a very unstable foundation, and they need to be fixed immediately and can cost big bucks. However, when you catch foundation cracks from the beginning, you’re going to save a lot of money. This is why it’s so important to do a regular check of your foundation, inside and out, to make sure that everything is up to par. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, give us a call at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry is Happy to Help This Spring

Whether you need foundation repair help, have waterproofing woes, or you’re interested in concrete restoration, Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry is happy to help. Contact us for more information and get a free estimate. Let’s make this spring 2022 a great one for your foundation.

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**

Noticing Pooling Water?

Are you noticing pooling water around your home or business? In some cases, this may just be a case of a lot of rain. However, in most cases, pooling water probably means there may be larger issues at hand. Typically, the main reasons why standing water occurs are poor drainage, low spots in the yard, and soil compaction. These are pretty common occurrences and there are solutions to these water-related issues. But first, let’s take a look at the symptoms of poor drainage around your home.

Symptoms of Poor Drainage

Some of the major problems that can occur from continuously standing water are:

Clogged Gutters
Pooling Water
Basement Leaks
Cracking and Flaking Walls
Mildew and Mold buildup
Mosquito Attraction
Difficulties With Yard Maintenance

Drainage Solutions

The good news is that there are solutions to poor drainage problems-some are simple solutions, and others are a bit more work. A few simple options to lower the impact that water is having on your yard are to clean your gutters out, extend your downspouts, and install a rain barrel to collect the overflow of water.

On the other hand, some more intrusive waterproofing methods include proper yard grading to eliminate compacted soil, installing a french drain system, and installing a newer sump pump system. Although these methods take more time and cost more money, they will ensure that your foundation is not influenced any further by improper water drainage.

Call the Experts

If pooling water will not go away on its own, you should call an expert to inspect the problem. If water damage is not mended then these so-called smaller issues will lead to more substantial issues such as foundation problems. This is definitely something you want to avoid. Please call your Virginia Foundation experts today, so we can find solutions today!

Mold Prevention: What You Should Know

For homeowners in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas, it is important to know the signs and causes of mold growth, as well as how to mold prevention tips. When heavy rains and floods come, your basement will be prone to water seepage which in many cases can cause mold to grow. Where moisture is present, mold wants to be. That is why it is vital to keep your home and basement safe, clean, and dry to prevent mold and all of the hazardous issues that come along with it.

There are many ways that water and moisture can enter your home. Most commonly, it is because of poor drainage. If your gutters are clogged, or if you have short downspouts that don’t direct water away from your home, water can pool up around the base of your foundation and leak into your basement. This can especially occur if you have cracks in your foundation walls or if your pipes are leaky.

Another way that your basement can be wet is through high humidity situations. When water evaporates, perhaps from wet clothing that is hanging to dry, it creates a very humid atmosphere. From this humidity, condensation can grow on metal pipes, basement floors, and walls. Since your basement doesn’t see sunlight and isn’t ventilated as well as the rest of your house, the humidity won’t go away by itself. This creates a venue for mold to grow as well.

Mold Prevention In Your Basement

The best way to start mold prevention in your Richmond, Virginia home is to sufficiently waterproof your basement and keep moisture as far away as possible. Some ways you can do this are to invest in a proper drainage system, such as extended downspouts or new gutters. You can also hire a waterproofing company, like Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, to install various exterior and interior waterproofing systems into your home. Another thing you can do is keep your basement clean and tidy, and invest in a dehumidifier to remove moisture that is in the air.

If your home has experienced water seepage or flooding, it is important to take action immediately to prevent mold from growing. One option is to hire a professional mold removal/prevention company or water damage specialist to clean and protect your home. If you want to do it yourself, it is vital that you clean everything out that has been damaged by flood water. If the damage is serious, items like carpet and dry wall may have to be completely removed and replaced. You should use detergent or another cleaning product to clean your possessions that have been damaged by flood water. Above all, get rid of standing or pooling water as soon as you can, as this can cause toxic black mold to grow.

When inspecting your house for mold growth, check the following areas where mold loves to grow:

Wall Cavities
Drywall
Ceilings
Floors
Pipes
Carpets
Insulation
Wall Paper
Wood frames
Furniture
Storage Boxes
Ducts and Vents

You will usually recognize mold through musty smells and damp spots throughout your home. If you have noticed any signs of mold, or seen visible mold and mildew in your home, you should get it removed as soon as possible. The growth of mold is very dangerous and can cause serious health issues to you and your family.

Don’t hesitate to call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry today with any questions and concerns you have about mold growth in your basement and home. We are your professional waterproofing company in Richmond, Virginia, and surrounding areas!

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.

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.

Crawl Space Sealing

We’ve written about crawl spaces from time to time, but we’re pretty passionate about making sure your home and your family are protected from the dangers of an open crawl space.

Over half of the air we breathe in our homes comes from the crawl space underneath. Even with a concrete slab, you still have water, pests, and mold spores in the crawl space, contaminating the air that you breathe. If your crawl space has a dirt floor, it’s even worse.

As the air rises from the crawl space and fills the rest of your house, it is replaced with air that comes in through open vents and cracks in your foundation. This circulation of air is called a “stack effect” and is what you see when a chimney pulls the smoke up and out of the house, instead of filling the room.

So, you can see that whatever is in the air in your crawl space will eventually end up in the air throughout the house. If your crawl space is not sealed, you will be dealing with excess moisture, insects, critters, and more. The dirt floor may even be dusty, but if you dig down a little bit, you’ll hit wet earth which is evaporating into the crawl space’s air.

Seal Off Your Crawl Space

The only way to manage the humidity level of your crawl space is to seal it off with a vapor barrier. Crawl space encapsulation is one of the best ways to keep water, bugs, and mold out of your home. Don’t be tempted to run to the local hardware store and pick up a sheet of vinyl to do it yourself. The sheeting is probably not thick enough and you won’t be able to close off every opening in your crawl space.

A professional installer, like those at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, will use professional-grade encapsulation material and will make sure to seal off doors, vents, pipes, walls, and more. They’re trained and have the right tools, products, and knowledge to do the job right.

Keeping the crawl space dry will prevent musty odors, mold growth, and pest infestations. In addition to possibly making you and your family ill, these problems can also attack the structural integrity of your home or office. They can cause wood to rot and metal parts to rust. Mold and insects may eat the wooden materials holding your house up and animals can tear up the foundation, die, or leave waste material.

If the humidity in the crawl space is high, the floor above can weaken, causing problems throughout the house. In addition to the destruction that can occur, your energy bills may rise. Having a drier crawl space can help keep those costs in check. If there is a lot of humidity in your home’s air, your air conditioning will have to work harder to cool the house. Studies have shown that you can save 15-25% on your electric bill by taking care of crawl space dampness.

The Right Way to Seal Your Crawl Space

If you want to protect your home and family, make sure your crawl space is sealed and dry with professional crawl space encapsulation by someone like Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. The area should be completely sealed off from the outside air. A thick vinyl sheeting will be installed, covering the floors and walls. The thickness of the sheeting will allow people to walk on it to service equipment, store items, and install a dehumidifier.

You can find out more information at this website put together by the Department of Energy, Dominion Power, and Advanced Energy.

Let Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry make sure your home is dry and safe. We care about your family and your home. Contact us to learn more.