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If your house has a basement, chances are there will be some leak problems as your home gets old. Owning a house means a big responsibility of taking care of it. Your house starts to deteriorate after the day your builder finishes construction. There are several parts of your home that need extra care because they are exposed to harmful elements. The exterior of the house is your first defense against the sun, rain, snow, and dust. Your basement is literally below the natural grade, where it is situated lower than the street sewer. Pumping water out of the basement is a necessity to avoid further damage to your house.
When Is the Right Time?
Experts say that summer is the ideal time for waterproof application for your basement. Summer heat is essential in applying waterproofing materials in your basement. These materials need time for curing to meet their potential strength. The summer’s heat is a big help for curing waterproofing materials faster. This will provide you with peace of mind and prevents you from worrying about a sudden pour of heavy rain, infiltrating your waterproofing process.
But summer months can also mean conventional rainfall in which it can apply more pressure to your house’s foundation and may develop more cracks. Heavy rains can make those cracks larger, making rainwater go into your basement.
The ground can get frozen during the colder months, making it harder to excavate and perform waterproofing on your basement’s surfaces. Colder months also have heavy rains, but it is better to work on your basement waterproofing during summer months. Here’s what you can do to address this:
Doing Foundation Piering
Foundation piering protects and saves the structural integrity of your house, especially the foundation. This type of waterproofing process installs vertical columns right under the foundation to help carry the load of the total weight of your home. The new foundation will help rectify the strength loss caused by moisture infiltration and cracks. It would be best to seek professional help to investigate your basement first if it needs foundation piering.
Installing a Sump Pump
A sump pump’s function is to collect any excess water and dispose of it. It is a chamber that is fed from the street sewer from all over your basement’s corners and also other openings and slits where water seeps in. The downside of having a sump pump creates a total dependency on its function. Sump pumps can fail and will not operate without a backup power supply. This will lead to a bigger problem as your basement may be flooded by rainwater.
Finding the Source
When it comes to doing basement repairs, don’t forget about checking the source of the leak. You can start by doing exterior waterproofing. This way, you can identify precisely how the water seeps into your basement. By installing an outer waterproof membrane and drainage system, you can stop any water from leaking. This method is also a cost-efficient way of repairing your failing weeping tile. Doing slope regrading is the ideal way since it can direct the water flow away from the home’s foundation. While you are doing your exterior waterproofing, it would also be best to inspect for any cracks or openings surrounding the foundation. If you can’t find any cracks or spots that can point to the source of the leak, hiring a professional might be best.
Why is it essential to ensure that your basement remains dry? Remember that your basement is more adjacent to your home’s foundation. Water seepage and water damage can ultimately lead to foundation issues, which can cost you more in repairs.