There is no need to live with a wet basement

by | Apr 17, 2015 | Construction and Maintenance

Recent Articles

Categories

Archives

There is absolutely no need for any homeowner to tolerate having a wet basement. Basement waterproofing contractors in Wilmington DE have new and modern materials and techniques at their disposal that make wet basements a thing of the past. Over the last twenty or thirty years the construction industry has made great strides, especially in the area of waterproofing materials and application methods.

Any structure which is below ground level must be waterproofed. Without adequate protection the best foundation will face problems with moisture which can be caused by water getting through minute fissures in the foundation.

It is bad enough to have a damp or wet basement, it is even worse when the problem leads to structural damage. Evidence of mold, mildew, efflorescence, buckling or cracked walls are ample evidence of a water problem. If these problems are not attacked and rectified quickly they can make the basement unusable.

Basement waterproofing contractors in Wilmington DE area have a number of techniques that they use to keep water at bay. These solutions include sealants that are designed for either interior or exterior application or interior drainage in conjunction with a sump pump.

In cases where the cracks in the foundation walls or the basement floor slab are small, sealants are often used. Contractors have various epoxy and urethane materials available that they inject into the crack, this effectively seals the crack and stops any further problems.

Many new homes are built with a drainage system that encompasses the basement perimeter. A ditch is filled with gravel before the floor slab is poured; the slab is also poured on a bed of gravel. In the lowest point of the basement a sump pump is installed, the water that might otherwise get into the basement finds its way to the sump pit and the sump pump delivers it outside of the building.

As well as leaks, condensation is also a potential problem. Problems that can be traced to condensation are best dealt with by applying interior waterproofing.

To stop water from eroding the basement walls and foundation exterior waterproofing is the best solution. A waterproof asphalt modified polyurethane membrane is applied directly to the concrete walls. To ensure complete elimination of water, exterior weeping tiles are also used; these perforated tiles collect the water and deliver it to a sump pump.

There is little doubt that basement waterproofing contractors in Wilmington DE can ensure that the basement of your home stays dry and mold free.

Related Articles