|
Doing basement waterproofing can be a costly process which can stress out not only the person that owns the home, but the contractor as well. The level of stress involved will of course depend on the scope of the damage and the amount of repairs that are necessary. Most of us do not want to end up spending the thousands of dollars that repairing a flooded basement will entail, so the best bet will be to do as much preventative stuff as possible to avoid this scenario all together. How does one make sure that there are no cracks or crevices, due to water leakage in their basement's future? Now, no one can be one hundred per cent safe, but there are a few areas to consider, that if handled well, can avoid a wet situation in your basement. 1. Trees Although they look great in our yard, and are good source oxygen, tree lovers need to proceed with caution when planning the position of the green giants in the yard. Some trees have roots that grow fast, and destructively, causing hairline cracks in your foundation that can eventually lead to water entering into your basement. Trees should be planted from fifteen to twenty feet away from the foundation of your house. 2. Drains Basement waterproofing can be avoided, simply by maintaining your drainage system, as blocked gutter systems lead to water stagnating around the foundation of your house. Avoid this by removing waste, leaves, and any other material that could possibly cause a clog, and make sure your downspouts divert water at least 10 feet away from your house. 3. Soil It is important to make sure the top soil is separated from house's foundation at an incline of a minimum quarter of an inch per foot. This enables the water to drain in the direction of your yard, instead of toward your house. It is not difficult; just add soil, smoothly distributing it, until the highest grade is located at the perimeter of the house. 4. Cracks It is possible that you may find hairline cracks in your basement, without signs of water seepage. This is an excellent clue that more preventative measures numbers one through three should be revised. The upside is there isn't actually any leakage, but if in the future there is, you can bet that hairline cracks in your basement wall will be the entry point. Special hydraulic cement can be used, or basement waterproofing primers or paints. Rubber based sealants are also a good option to use, as they form a thicker base over the crack after drying. Other options include epoxy or polyurethane sealers that take care of cracks from the inside to the outside. If you are vigilant in your maintenance of your house downspouts and gutter, as well as your landscaping, you can effectively prevent basement moisture, it's all just a matter of knowing what to do and where to look. Once you know the signs, prevention is a breeze. Your lower level can actually be the only one in your neighborhood the local basement waterproofing contractor doesn't have to add to his estimate list. At DryMaster LLC, we have been serving the good folks of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware for over 20 years. Basement Waterproofing Penns Grove NJ is a multi-step process, depending on the root cause of the moisture
Related Articles -
basement, waterproofing,
|
