Excessive amounts of moisture is one thing that can really cause an extensive amount of damage to a home in a hurry. The basement and crawlspace areas are where the water likes to accumulate, often with no way of escape. It can begin to erode the integrity of the concrete, cause cracks, uneven settling of the ground beneath the foundation and eventually lead to thousands of dollars in necessary repairs. Below are a few ways to keep these areas dry and in good shape.
Waterproof Membranes
A strong and durable waterproof membrane will wonders at eliminating access to water into the basement, or crawlspace area of your home. These can be placed on the outside wall of the foundation, or you can opt for a complete encapsulation of your crawlspace. Keeping these areas dry helps reduce the chances of foundation damage and improves the quality of the air you breathe in the home. The cost of this protective material is minimal and offers a considerable amount of security for your home against unwanted moisture.
Foundation Repair
Bulging foundation walls, cracks and missing pieces all serve to weaken the base that your home sits on. Not only does this raise red flags with safety, but it invites water to enter your basement, or crawlspace areas. This will cause the already damaged foundation to worsen over time. Addressing these problems and getting them repaired is the only way to keep the foundation of your home in good health.
Proper Drainage
Serious plumbing leaks, localized natural flooding and heavy storms can bring a lot of water your way in a hurry. There are times that keeping this water out of the basement, or crawlspace is impossible. What becomes more important is how to get the water out as quickly as possible. Providing French drains inside and outside the basement area will redirect the water away from the home, which minimizes any potential damage. A quality sump pump can then put the water into the right drains that carry it off and away from your property.
Concrete Leveling
Foundations that settle unevenly over time can pose a water infiltration problem. You can end up with cracks and missing chunks of concrete. You should have this seen by an expert and fixed as soon as you notice something is off. Your first clues could be cracks on the walls inside the home, doors that no longer want to shut correctly and windows that refuse to budge open. This is the time to investigate the foundation and see if there are settling problems that need taken care of.
Contact local waterproof experts like Highlander Waterproofing for all of your basement waterproofing Erie PA needs today!