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Exterior Waterproofing requires excavation to the foundation footing, or the bottom of the foundation. Regardless of your circumstances, whether you are experiencing seepage or dampness through the walls, exterior waterproofing will always solve your problem. If anyone suggests otherwise, they are trying to sell you a stand-alone interior water control system, this method of de-watering does not waterproof a basement. Never contract for a water control system if dampness, seepage and or cracking on the walls are your concern, as this may result in further damage to your foundation! Waterproofing the exterior of a foundation completely eliminates water and moisture penetration through the walls into a basement. For a basement to be absolutely waterproof, it needs to have protection from sub-surface water for all of the below grade walls. All of this protection must span from grade level down to the foundation footing or a depth deeper than the basement floor. The important difference is in the materials we use to waterproof the walls. Most companies are using the same sealant that was being used twenty years ago, tar. Tar is not waterproofing, it is damp-proofing. Tar can not expand and bridge future cracking. Very quickly tar loses it's elasticity and cracks. With the seal compromised, the whole process leading to water penetration and structural deterioration begins all over again. Barrier Waterproofing Systems utilizes our exclusive, spray applied membrane "Pink Jacket" . Pink Jacket is the ONLY waterproofing membrane in the industry labeled ''FOR RETROFIT USE ONLY''. Pink Jacket is a pink in color, water-based, highly elastomeric membrane with the ability to bridge foundation cracks. Pink Jacket creates a superior multi-layer foundation seal that permanently eliminates water penetration. Successfully blocking the sub-surface water from basement walls is not enough. The water that enters the ground around your foundation will not do just that, disappear, although sometimes it may seem that way. We have engineered a system to move the water that has been blocked by the waterproofing materials. Otherwise, the water would cause immense pressure (hydrostatic pressure) to build up outside the foundation walls. Water doesn't stack very well so it usually finds its way to the area under the basement floor and then rises from under the floor as it tries to seek its own level. Disastrous floods can, and very often do, occur without a single drop of water penetrating the basement walls. Waterproofing without proper drainage is destined to fail, and vice versa in many cases. You would be better off having good drainage and no waterproofing! (a statement that one size fits all water control system companies loves to sell). It's true that a good roof is not waterproof but since it drains so well there's not a problem. Let's not forget though, your roof is not surrounded by tons of backfill saturated with tons of water...you get the point. Basement drainage is much more complex, it has to be deeper than the basement floor which is very deep in the ground. Barrier starts the all important drainage process by securing a 2 3/8'' insulating drainage board, manufactured by Owens Corning, from the footing to the grade level. The drainage board serves 4 purposes; It protects the membrane during the backfill process, it eliminates lateral pressure against the walls, it drains the walls, and, has an insulating value of R-10 to keep your walls warm and dry. Now we have to move all this water away from the structure. We place a 12'' strip drain on top of the footing to collect the water from the drainage board. A 4'' perforated drain pipe is now placed below the front of the footing to intercept any rising ground water. The drains are covered with 12'' of crushed, clean 3/4'' gravel and covered with a geotextile fabric to avoid contamination. There are two methods of moving the water that waterproofing has blocked from penetrating the walls, installing a gravity drain or installing a pump system. A gravity drain is a downhill pipe sloped away from the house. It's often referred to as a daylight drain. A daylight drain is the preferred method but there must be a destination for this pipe, or pipes, well below the basement level to which the water can flow. If the property is so flat that you can watch your dog runaway for three days, then we have to use a pump system. The'' Barrier Dual Drainage System'' will drain 237 gallons of water per FT., per hour. Simply put, IT WORKS! Exterior Waterproofing & drainage is by far the best protection for a basement. It is used almost exclusively when houses are being built. However, in retrofit (re-doing other systems that failed) situations, older homes with established landscaping, connected utilities, patios, decks, additions, garages, etc., Exterior Waterproofing can be at best impractical, if not close to impossible, so other very effective methods must be applied. For a less expensive approach to correcting a flooding or leaky basement, Click here to see our section on Interior water control systems. Why Exterior Waterproofing? As stated above, for a basement to be absolutely waterproofed, it needs to have protection against sub-surface water for all of the below grade walls, sealing a wall on the inside (negative side) traps water within the wall and actually speeds up the deterioration of the wall, which could lead to foundation walls bowing and serious structural damage. Water concealed below grade can get under the footings in a foundation, and destabilize the structural integrity of your home or business. This can lead to cracked foundation walls and footings, and very costly repairs. Standing water and heavy moisture can lead to an infestation of mold, mildew and fungus on the joists, studs and drywall in the basement, not only can mold lead to wood-rot and costly repairs, it can be quite damaging to your health. Exterior waterproofing will prevent any water from damaging your home and save you thousands of dollars in the long run. For more information about exterior waterproofing for your basement, total moisture control and indoor air quality solutions, or to schedule a FREE inspection and estimate call today for an appointment at 636-332-5999 or Click here to contact us now. |
Failed Tar applied
damp-proofing to a
12 year old home.
damp-proofing to a
12 year old home.