Tag Archives: basement waterproofing

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.

What to Know: Buying or Selling a Home With a Wet Basement

Wet basements are a troublesome issue for any homeowner. Basement flooding and puddles in the basement can cause water damage and can ruin furniture, drywall, and any personal possessions that you might be storing in your basement. Even small amounts of moisture in your basement can cause mold and mildew to grow and can cause other problems in your basement. A damp basement might lead to wood rot and metal rust that can compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Buying a Home With Basement Water Issues

When searching for a home to buy, the last thing that you want to see is a wet basement. Wet basements are a pain to deal with and might even be signs of a foundation problem. However, water in the basement of the home that you are considering purchasing might be a plus. Why? Because wet basements give you a chance to negotiate a lower price. The seller knows that homes with wet basements are harder to sell because they are less attractive to potential buyers. If they have already been having a hard time selling the house, they will likely be open to selling it for less. Homes with wet basements often see a 10-25% decrease in value while on the market. That can be a great advantage for the home buyer.

Why should you consider buying the bargain home with the wet basement? A lot of homes in the current market, up to 40%, have some sort of serious issue. In other words, you are probably not going to find a perfect home. Common problems in homes include:

Foundation cracks or movement
Asbestos in walls or floors
Defective roofing that leaks
Lead paint on walls
Wet basement or basement leaks

Out of these issues, the wet basement is the easiest to fix. It only takes a day or two for a professional waterproofing crew like the ones at Reliable Waterproofing &Masonry to install a sump pump and interior drainage system. Our team also offers exterior waterproofing for added protection against basement water leakage. Proper waterproofing, a small expense compared to the benefit, can even increase the value of your new home by 400% or more.

The best way to approach buying a home with a wet basement is to make it clear that you are willing to buy the home, but that you want to do so at a lower price due to the basement water issues. Once you have purchased the home, invest in waterproofing with a professional, trustworthy waterproofing company to avoid any damage to your property and keep water problems from reoccurring.

Selling a Home That Has a Wet Basement

If you are the one selling the home with the basement water issue, the best course of action is to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Proper waterproofing will raise the value of your home immensely and will make it even more appealing to potential buyers. This might involve putting in an exterior waterproofing system to prevent water from seeping through the foundation or forming puddles in the yard around your home. It might involve putting in an interior drainage system that collects basement water and expels it using a sump pump system. Whichever waterproofing option that you choose, Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry can help.

With proper waterproofing, you might even be able to reconsider selling your home. If your goal in selling your home is to get more usable living space, waterproofing and finishing your basement might be a more appealing option. This option can provide you with the added space you need while saving you the time, money, and stress of moving to a new home. In addition to giving you valuable extra living space, finished basements raise the value of your home, making it easier to sell if that is the route you choose. Finishing your basement is also a less expensive alternative to adding on.

Tips on Waterproofing and Finishing Wet Basements

However, when finishing your basement it is important to start out right. First, you want to make sure that the basement is properly waterproofed. If water seeps into your finished basement, it will likely ruin all of the hard work that you have done. Basement water can wreck insulation, drywall, carpeting, and more in finished basements. Exterior waterproofing prevents water from entering the basement, but interior waterproofing is a less expensive option that also keeps water from collecting in your basement. To provide even further protection from basement water issues, invest in a high-quality dehumidifier for your basement, which will reduce the chances of mold growth or wood rot in your basement. You might also consider having a vapor barrier installed if you have a crawlspace, as this will keep moisture vapor out of your home.

Whether you are buying or selling a home with basement water issues, you will need professional basement waterproofing at some point. When you get to that point, do not hesitate to call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry for professional exterior and interior waterproofing.

Preventative Tips for Basement Waterproofing in Virginia

Preventative Basement Waterproofing in Virginia

While flooding and dampness in the basement can be a troublesome issue for some homeowners in Virginia, it is also an issue that can often be prevented easily. There are a number of steps you can take yourself to keep your protected from basement moisture problems. Consider looking for the following causes of a water problem in your basement and taking action right away:

Gutter Problems: Your gutters may be defective or clogged, causing rainwater to run down the house and gather around the foundation, where it seeps through the concrete. Install gutters or fix and clean any malfunctioning gutters to prevent water pooling near your foundation.
Thick Shrubs and Bushes by Foundation: Large plants right next to the house can keep the soil moist longer, causing the basement walls to be exposed to moisture for longer periods of time. Trim shrubbery often to let sunlight dry the soil faster.
Open and Bare Basement Window Wells: If the window wells in your home are allowed to collect water and debris, they can allow the water to enter the basement through cracks, especially during severe storms. Invest in window well covers and gravel for drainage in the bottom of the window wells.
Leaky Plumbing: Plumbing issues are an obvious cause of certain basement moisture issues, and should be fixed as soon as possible.
Improperly Graded Slopes: If the yard that surrounds your home does not slope away from the house, it may let rainwater collect around the house. The longer this water sits near the home, the greater the chance that it will see through the walls and into the basement. Ensure that your yard is graded properly so that the land slopes away from the foundation, letting water run away from the concrete.

Reducing the Need for Basement Waterproofing in Your Virginia Home

These suggestions are only a few different ways that you can prevent the need for professional basement waterproofing in your home. You should also ensure that water pipes are insulated to reduce condensation, the entire area has adequate ventilation, windows are closed during humid weather and rain, a dehumidifier is installed to reduce dampness, and any cracks in the walls or floors are sealed. These steps will help to keep basement water at bay in your Virginia home.

If there are persistent problems with moisture in your basement, it may be time to invest in professional waterproofing services. Do not let the water in your basement become an issue that you cannot handle – if you cannot find the source and none of the preventative measures listed above are stopping water from entering your home, contact Reliable Waterproofing and Masonry today. We offer several solutions, including sum pump installation and both interior and exterior drainage systems. These solutions will remove water from your basement and keep the area dry for years to come.

Call us right away to learn more about preventing mold growth and other moisture issues in your Virginia home.