Damp basements can result in water damage to your home or possessions. Acculevel offers waterproofing services and basement and crawl space repairs. This helps protect your home, as well as the foundation. Here is more information about the connection between basement repair and a dry home:
As soil becomes saturated with water, it swells. This puts pressure on the foundation and creates cracks in the concrete walls or the floor. These begin as hairline cracks but, due to the hydrostatic pressure, they can widen and multiply over time. The cracks allow water to enter, resulting in damp floors or walls and pools of water.
As part of their basement repair services, a contractor seals cracks to prevent water leakage. For smaller cracks, the technicians use an epoxy fill to seal them. This helps prevent the water from entering the space.
If the cracks are caused by something other than hydrostatic pressure, such as shrinking concrete, the technicians may use a double-sealing method for a poured concrete wall. This involves applying an epoxy inside and then going outside to dig the ground around the crack and seal it with mortar, mastic, and plastic. Sealing cracks helps prevent water from seeping into your basement or crawlspace and causing biological growth or structural damage. This also helps prevent dampness and the risk of flooding.
Drainage or grading issues may also cause hydrostatic pressure. Constant saturation makes it more difficult for exterior drainage systems to move the groundwater away from the foundation, resulting in increased pressure around the basement. A contractor can help relieve the pressure with interior drainage tunnels and a sump pump. Acculevel offers several types of sump pumps that include protection from power outages.
An interior drainage tunnel is a system of pipes installed under the floor. A Water Tunnel system uses holes to collect water from the wall joints, the footing, and underneath the floor. It directs the water away from the basement, relieving the hydrostatic pressure. A sump basin collects the groundwater. Once water is detected in the pit, the pump expels the water. Channeling water away from the basement helps keep the foundation and walls dry, preventing water from entering the concrete. Lessening the pressure also helps keep the walls intact, preventing them from bowing.
Increased humidity around the foundation allows moisture to collect in your home, creating an environment for biological growth. A contractor can provide encapsulation, which is a plastic seal that directs moisture to the drainage system, helping prevent moisture collection. The polyurethane membrane material we use offers additional strength and does not support biological growth. Additional solutions include installing a whole-house dehumidifier and using spray foam insulation to prevent drafts.
Keeping your home dry prevents respiratory illnesses from biological growth and allows you to safely use your basement for storage or recreational purposes. Acculevel can repair bowing walls and offers annual maintenance services to check the condition of your drainage systems. To schedule a free inspection with a contractor and learn more about basement repair services, we invite you to complete our online form today.
