| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How is water getting under my house? Most Likely there is either poor or nonexistent perimeter and lateral drainage for the foundation. An inspection is needed to find out for sure. Why does my basement leak? Water penetration is caused by several factors. Building codes only require damp-proofing, which is nothing more than a vapor barrier. damp-proofing can fail within the first 3-5 years, therefore allowing water to enter through cracks and/or the cold joint. The drain tile that is installed on most homes may become clogged with silt and settlement, either because inadequate materials were used to save money, or improper installation, causing it to fail. There are many places and ways in which water can enter a foundation. In simple terms, your basement leaks for one (or both) of two reasons: 1. hydrostatic pressure - water penetration up from below your basement floor. This is the result of the ground water table rising upward. 2. lateral pressure - water penetration through your foundation walls. This can result from water movement through natural underground veins, from poor ground drainage or downspouts that empty too close to your foundation, or from water simply building up in the hole in which your house sits. How serious is my water problem? Every situation is different, but any signs of a leaky basement should be evaluated and addressed as soon as possible. The water that you don't see escaping through the foundation wall is also a source of trouble. This water will cause lower wall deterioration, cracks or bulges in the walls, and many other concerns. A thorough inspection by a trained professional is needed to determine the extent or severity of the problem. Why should I fix this problem? Three reasons: Health concerns, structural decay, and poor resale value. Studies have shown that a basement water problem can reduce the value of a home 10% or more. It is economically foolish not to waterproof, because the increased value from waterproofing will definitely exceed the cost of the waterproofing. You should look at waterproofing not as an expense but as an investment in the value of your home. "Projects that should take priority are those that will protect your home from deterioration and damage" - Consumer Reports "Making Your House Pay Off" November 2002 Another reason to waterproof: more space. A finished basement can make a wonderful living room, home theater, exercise room, home office, etc. According a Consumer Reports study, a finished basement will also significantly increase your home's value. After all, your basement is probably one-third or more of the total square footage of your home - why waste it? But before investing in a finished basement, waterproofing is essential. "Money spent finishing a basement will yield an average return of 119%" - Remodeling Magazine Will my home really be damaged if I don't fix it? Over time, yes. Given enough time, water can do serious structural damage to your foundation walls - not to mention make your basement a damp, unpleasant place to live. This is particularly true if you live in a climate where winter temperatures often dip below freezing. During winter, water inside your foundation walls will freeze and expand, which will only accelerate the cracking and deterioration process. How can I tell where the water is coming from? Water can enter a foundation through several different ways. The most common is at the cove area, where the floor and the wall meet. This, simply put, is a natural seem in which the water can most easily penetrate your foundation. Hydrostatic pressure (water does not stack very well, immense pressure builds up around the foundation when the ground is saturated) will force water through cracks in your foundation walls and/or floor. Several other sources are probable, though not as easily noticeable. Our licensed inspectors are trained to determine the exact source of your problem, and advise the most effective solution for your particular situation. How do I begin to deal with the problem? There are many options on the market for fixing a basement water issue. The problem is that most of them don't work! The place to begin is with a professional inspector who will diagnose your problem and recommend the right solution. In most situations, an interior drainage system is the best way to stop floor water or flooding. However, every basement is different, and you should beware of companies that offer a "one size fits all" solution. At Barrier Waterproofing Systems, our inspectors are experts in the field, and our inspections are free. Call us at 636-332-5999, or request a free inspection online. Should I use an interior sealer like Dry-Loc? Interior sealers can be useful to address isolated damp spots, or as an extra measure of precaution. We do not recommend interior sealers as a complete solution to a significant problem. First, sealers are a "band aid" applied to the ''negative side'', and do not address your real problem: water is penetrating through your foundation. The band aid will eventually fail and the water penetration will resume. In addition, sealers trap water within the walls, which can actually accelerate foundation deterioration. Also, like all other wall treatments, interior sealers do not solve the problem of hydrostatic water pressure from below your basement floor. What if I plan to sell my home shortly? All the more reason to waterproof it. If you are trying to sell a home with a leaky basement, you have two bad choices: conceal the defect and be exposed to a lawsuit when the buyer discovers his wet basement, or reveal the defect and accept a dramatically reduced price for your home. There is a better way! Waterproof your home before putting it on the market and recoup the cost of the waterproofing (and then some) when you sell it. Why didn't my home inspector discover the problem? Most home inspectors are general practitioners who know the basics about all aspects of a structure plumbing, roofing, electrical, etc. If they inspect a house that doesn't have water under it at the time of the inspection, the problem is easily overlooked. A specialist is better equipped to detect the residual signs of water/moisture problems; even in the midst of a drought. Why do I have cracks in my foundation walls and/or floor? There are several factors that can cause foundation walls and/or floors to crack, resulting in several different effects. A crack in a foundation wall is a sign of settling or movement. Walls that are subjected to relatively high soil pressures can crack and buckle, or bow. Cracks can pose serious short and long-term problems: in the short run, cracks can be an easy means for water entry into your basement. In the long run, cracks can compromise the structural integrity of your foundation. Large cracks, cracks that have visibly grown over time, or bowed or buckling walls need immediate attention. Remember, the entire weight of your home (15 to 50 tons) sits on the foundation walls, so the integrity of the walls must be maintained! Cracks in your basement floor can also be caused by settling and shifting in your foundation walls, in the footer underlying your foundation, or in the floor (or "slab") itself. However, floor cracks are more frequently caused by hydrostatic pressure. The water pressure from below the floor must escape somewhere, so it pokes a hole or crack in your basement floor. Water penetration through a foundation wall can ultimately deteriorate the foundation wall reducing its strength, allowing movement in the wall itself. I have leaking cracks in my foundation wall, the salesman had some kind of wall covering that will drain the wall into their drainage system. Is this a good idea? NO! Just another example of the one size fits all solution. Ask yourself, ''What caused this problem, and how does this product solve it''? The answer most likely is lateral pressure forcing water through the crack. That ''shower curtain'' as I call it, is nothing more than a band-aid hiding a potentially expensive repair in the future. Never contract for an interior drainage system if wall cracks and/or wall seepage are your concern. I put up new gutters, ran extensions away from the house, & re-grade, why do I still get water in my basement? No amount of roof water control and grading will stop the ground from getting saturated when it rains. If grading kept water from going into the ground, there wouldn't be trees on hills or the sides of mountains. Foundation protection has to be in the ground next to the foundation. What causes the musty smell in my basement? Unfortunately, the musty smell you have is much more than just a bad smell. Mold and fungus spores that float in the air cause it. This will contribute to allergy and asthma problems, as well as other more serious health issues. Mold can go unnoticed, growing behind walls and under flooring. You may want to ask your doctor about the affects of mold on yours and your families health. What is the white chalky substance on my walls? Efflorescence. Concrete is made of three materials: stone, lime cement, and sand. Efflorescence is the chemical breakdown of the lime cement, the bonding agent that holds your walls together. The water inside of your foundation walls is slowly bleeding the lime cement out of the wall, leaving the white, chalky substance. Over time, there will be nothing to hold the wall together, resulting in cracks and foundation deterioration. Do we have to dig out our foundation to resolve the problem? In some cases this can be avoided. If a truly waterproof basement is what you want, than yes the foundation must be excavated down to the footer, where we will install our ''Barrier Dual Drainage System'' using our exclusive ''Pink Jacket'' membrane. An interior drainage system can control water from flooding a basement, and is a more cost effective method in certain situations, but does not waterproof a basement. If there are cracks in a foundation wall or floor, water will continue to enter into the basement and be collected by the water control system. Over time water penetration will continue to deteriorate and weaken the structure; walls subjected to high soil pressures (hydrostatic pressure) will eventually bow, bulge, lean, or completely buckle. Sealing a wall from the inside alone with interior crack patches will trap water inside the wall and actually speed up the deterioration of the wall. Should the previous owner have to pay for fixing the problems that I have? You would have to prove that the previous owner knew about the problem and failed to disclose it. Legal fees could cost more than repairs and you might end up being burdened with both. Will insurance cover the cost of the repairs that I need? Sorry, but no, unless the problems were caused by storm damage. Most insurance Companies consider water intrusion a maintenance issue. Can we ever finish our basement with confidence that it will stay dry? Absolutely. We can fortify your home, permanently eliminate water intrusion or prevent basement flooding, and provide you with a total moisture control and indoor air quality solution for the life of the structure. What is the cost? With waterproofing, like anything else, you get what you pay for. We don't purchase our products at the local home improvement warehouse. We only use the best products that the industry has to offer. You should be wary of extremely expensive proposals, but also of cut-rate "pick-up truck" contractors. At Barrier Waterproofing Systems, our prices are always competitive with our reputable competitors, and cheaper than many. One thing is certain: your cost will be a lot less than the increased value in your home that comes with a dry basement! 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 636-332-5999 or click here to contact us now. |
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