Tag Archives: waterproofing virginia

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.

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!

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.

Preventing Frozen Pipes in VA

Did you have a problem with frozen pipes or broken pipes last winter? Each winter, thousands of homeowners in Virginia lose water service due to frozen and broken pipes and water meters. It’s not too soon to start thinking about how to prevent problems this winter.

Repairing and replacing frozen pipes and water-damaged walls, floors, and items on the floors can be expensive and time-consuming. The homeowner has a further expense by being responsible for paying for water that leaks from a broken pipe. It can cost more than $100 to replace a broken water meter. The following article explains ways of preventing frozen pipes in VA and what to do when a pipe does become frozen.

What can I do now to prevent pipes and meters from freezing?

There are several things you should do before the weather gets below freezing again:

Find the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or breaks, you’ll know where to shut it off immediately.
Identify which areas of your home are most vulnerable to frozen pipes, including basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms, and outside walls.
Insulate your pipes and water meter. By wrapping exposed pipes with insulation or electrical heating wires, you will protect your pipes from freezing. If you do it yourself, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid a fire hazard.
Eliminate sources of cold air sources near water pipes by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, sealing crawl spaces and preventing drafts near doors.Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry offers services in both crawl space sealing and foundation repair to avoid problems with freezing.
Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and, if possible, shut off outside water valves.
For outside meters, make sure the lid to the meter is closed tightly. If snow falls on top of it, don’t worry because snow acts as a good insulator.

What should I do when it gets below freezing?

When the outside temperature is consistently below freezing, there are a few precautions that you can take to prevent water pipes from breaking.

At night, when it is coldest, turn on a small trickle of water from both your cold and hot water faucets. The cost of the extra water is minimal compared to the cost of repairing a broken pipe. If you don’t want to waste water, collect it in a bowl for feeding pets or watering plants.
Leave open cabinet doors, even just a crack, to expose pipes to the warmer air in the room.

What if I’m going to be gone for more than a few days?

If you plan to leave your home for more than a few days, it is wise to take a few extra precautions.

Don’t turn your thermostat down below 50 degrees. It is important to keep a minimal level of heat inside the house.
Ask a neighbor, friend, or relative to check your home occasionally to make sure the heat is working and pipes aren’t frozen.
Consider purchasing a freeze alarm, which costs less than $100. It will call any specified number if the indoor temperature drops below 45 degrees.

What should I do if my pipes do freeze?

If you do have the misfortune of a frozen pipe, there are certain steps you should take first.

Turn your water off immediately at the shut-off valve. Freezing may have caused the pipes to crack, and thawing them without turning off the water may cause them to leak through undetected cracks.
Apply heat to the frozen pipe by either warming the air around it by raising the room temperature or using a space heater. You can also apply heat directly to the pipe with a hairdryer or hot water. For safety purposes, keep an eye on space heaters and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
When the pipes are thawed, turn on the water gradually and check for any cracks or leaks.
If you do have a cracked or broken pipe, your only choice is to a plumber to repair it before you turn the water back on.

These simple measures can assure that you won’t have a problem with frozen pipes or water meters next year. Contact us if you have further questions about how to insulate your crawl space and repair problems with your masonry or foundation wall to avoid frozen pipes.

Best Time to Do Waterproofing in VA

Best Time for Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair

Best Time to Do Waterproofing, Waterproofing in VA, Basement Waterproofing in VA, Foundation Repair in Richmond

Now that Spring is almost here with rain and thawing snow, many homeowners in Richmond and other parts of Virginia are thinking about whether their basements will remain dry. They may ask the following questions: When is the best time to waterproof a basement? Does it make a difference what the weather is? This article will answer some of those questions about the best time to do waterproofing and foundation repair.

Does weather affect the best time to do waterproofing?

Weather is an important consideration when it comes to basement waterproofing and foundation repairs. Some activities, like repairing basement cracks, can be done at any time of the year but are best done when it’s not raining. Others, like excavating foundation walls, should not be done during cold winter months.

How does rain affect waterproofing activities?

Crack Repair

It depends on what materials you are using whether or not you can repair a crack that is actively leaking. If you plan to inject high-pressure polyurethane into a crack, it doesn’t make a difference because the polyurethane is waterproof and dries quickly. On the other hand, if you plan to use epoxy in the crack, it may leak through the crack and allow water to reenter.

Foundation Excavation

It is never a good idea to excavate a foundation while the soil is wet or it is raining for the following reasons:

It is extremely messy!
Working with wet clay is like working with quicksand and is very inefficient. For the same reason, it represents a higher risk for workers.
Working with wet sandy soil makes it more likely to cause later cave-ins.
Both water and solvent-based foundation coatings simply don’t adhere to wet foundation walls.

How does cold weather affect waterproofing activities?

Crack Repair

If you are working indoors, cold weather has little effect on crack repair. It all depends on the type of material you are using.

Polyurethane – Winter is the best time to do polyurethane injection work, especially in parking garages and structures that get extremely cold. Concrete shrinks during the winter, therefore opening gaps to their maximum width, so the polyurethane will be flexible enough to fill the gap year-round. Fluid polyurethane resin is thicker when cold and takes longer to cure during winter weather.
Epoxy – Epoxy crack injection is also feasible during winter months. Cold weather thickens the epoxy resin also. At 77 resin also. At 77°, the epoxy resin cures in 3-5 hours; during the winter months, it takes longer.

Foundation Excavation and Waterproofing

Winter is not the best time to perform foundation excavation and exterior waterproofing for the following reasons:

While it is possible to coat a foundation with a solvent-based product, water-based coatings should never be used in cold weather.
Because solvent-based coatings may require 48 hours to cure, it would cause your foundation to be exposed to freezing temperatures and frost for several days which may result in foundation heaving and damage.
Solvent-based foundation coatings have a terrible odor, and with your windows closed, the smell will penetrate your home for at least a week.
Freeze and thaw cycles increase the likelihood of soil cave-ins which are very dangerous and would require more time to pile and replace the soil into the foundation.

At Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, we work year-round and can take care of all of your foundation crack repair and excavation repair needs. We specialize in masonry repair. Contact us today!

Prevent a Wet Basement this Spring

Waterproofing is often ignored when it comes to your home’s overall “health”. Most of the time it is put off until there is an emergency that needs immediate attention. Water damage can be completely avoided with the proper basement waterproofing services from Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. We offer a variety of basement waterproofing solutions for your Richmond, VA home or business. Our foundation repair and waterproofing products come from Earth Contact Products, a top producer of high quality products. You can rest easy knowing that the waterproofing services we provide will protect your home from water damage. Some of the waterproofing products and services we offer include:

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

Waterproofing Solutions for Richmond, VA

Together these products and services will provide you with complete protection against water damage in your Richmond, VA home’s basement, crawl space, or foundation. Make sure that you do not wait until there is a major problem. Getting repairs and waterproofing installation can cost a small fortune. The best way to avoid this is by installing waterproofing before any water damage affects your home. Contact us today if you notice signs of water damage such as:

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

These signs point to issues that may become serious if your home does not have the proper waterproofing protection. We can help you there. Give us a call today to learn more about our basement waterproofing services. We also provide foundation repair, crawl space repair, masonry, brick re-pointing, and concrete restoration services for those in our service area. Our service area covers most of Virginia. We want to help you protect your home and everyone in it. Contact us today to learn more or for a FREE estimate.

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.

Prevent Dust Mites, Mold, & Mildew with Basement Waterproofing in Virginia

A wet and damp basement can cause many problems. Besides losing living space and ruining personal possessions, a wet basement without basement waterproofing can cause an unhealthy home. Mold and mildew thrive in a damp, dark area. The mold spores can get into the air that you breath, causing you and your family a number of health issues. Among the health issues cause by mold and mildew are:

Stuffy nose
Throat irritation
Coughing and wheezing
Lung infections
Eye irritation

Along with mold and mildew, a wet basement becomes an inviting place for dust mites and critters.

The obvious sign of a wet or damp basement is standing water. However, there are more subtle signs that you may have a wet basement. Some of these signs are:

High humidity
Higher energy bills
Wood rot
Rust on appliances
Condensation on pipes
Musty odor

If you have any of these signs that you have a wet basement, it is important to have an experienced company inspect your home and offer the best solution for the repair. The professionals at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry can come and give you a free inspection.

Basement Waterproofing Solutions in Virginia

Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry can get your basement livable again with proper basement waterproofing. We offer:

Interior drainage systems
Exterior drainage systems
Sump pumps and sump pits
Battery backup sump pumps

Interior drainage system – The simplest and least costly approach to interior waterproofing is a drain channel adhered at the base of the wall, on top of the footing. Water is collected and drained into a sump basin. As the basin gets to a certain level, the sump pump will automatically turn on and drain the water out of the basin and away from the foundation.

Exterior drainage system – Stopping water from surrounding the foundation is the best way to prevent water from entering your basement. With an exterior drainage system, water will not even get near your basement. This is done by installing a perforated drainage pipe along the exterior footing. This is then hooked up to a sump pump that drains the water away from the foundation.

Sump pumps and sump pits – The sump pumps that Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry installs are 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower that can pump up to 5,000 gallons per hour.

Battery backup sump pumps – In case of a power outage, Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry will install a battery backup sump pump that are the most energy efficient lineup of 12 volt backup sump pumps on the market.

All of the products that we use are manufactured by Earth Contact Products (ECP), the leader in the manufacturing of basement waterproofing products in the industry.

To prevent mold and mildew, let the experts at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry install that basement waterproofing system to fit your needs. Contact us today for a free inspection and free estimate.

Waterproofing in Virginia

Is your Virginia home or business experiencing signs of water damage? Some of these signs include water seepage, water stains, mold and mildew growth, water in your yard, wet basement, or flooding. These signs of water damage are a huge annoyance, especially for business and homeowners. Luckily you can forever avoid dealing with water damage if you call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry today.

Do you want to know more signs? Not sure if your home or business is experiencing water damage? Or want to know some things that can cause water damage? Here are a few more signs of water damage or causes of water damage that you may notice in and around your Virginia home or business:

While these problems do not necessarily mean that your home or business is close to collapse, it is not wise to ignore these problems. Unfortunately, it is likely that these water damage problems stem from foundation failure, and water will only make matters worse. Call today to get repairs by Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. We want to help clear up foundation failure and water damage from your Virginia home or business.

Waterproofing Solutions in Virginia

We are proud to say that we offer a variety of solutions for all your waterproofing needs. Whether you need to fix an existing problem (such as water seepage or a wet basement) or you just want to avoid a future water problem, waterproofing can help. We offer waterproofing services and products such as:

These are all great tools to help you keep water out of your basement or crawlspace and away from your Virginia home or business, so make sure to call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. We are a team of professionals with the experience, knowledge, and tools to help repair any problem you might have.

To learn more about our waterproofing services and products, our other services like foundation repair, masonry, and concrete repair, our service area, or for a FREE estimate, give Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry a call today. We want to help you feel safe and secure in your Virginia home or business, and our services can help you get there. No matter the problem, Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry has you covered. Contact us today!