How Does Basement Waterproofing Work?

Unfortunately, due to gravity and water’s ability to permeate almost any material, it is extremely easy to find yourself facing the frustrating scenario of a flooded basement. Sometimes a flooded basement happens due to heavy rains and it hits you as a sudden occurrence. Other basement leaks though can be due to a slow permanence of water. If you see the signs of water damage in your basement, you may be realizing quickly you have a much larger problem than a small puddle. Water leaks in your basement and foundation can lead to serious issues, even compromising the integrity of your home’s structure.

If you have reached the point in which you realize you have to do something to fix the problem, you likely have considered the method of waterproofing your basement. As your local Milwaukee basement waterproofing experts, we are here to provide you with the resources and information you need to make the best decision possible for your home. Read on to learn more about how basement waterproofing works and to determine if this solution is the right one for your situation.

Not all solutions are created equal

Basement waterproofing can be loosely applied to mean a variety of things. Unfortunately, some of the methods companies employ that are called “waterproofing” are actually more like water removal and control. Some of these methods can be extremely useful. For example, a sump pump is a method of controlling and removing water that is already entering your basement. Sump pumps can be very helpful in mitigating damages during heavy rains and extreme flooding scenarios. However, water control should not be confused with actual waterproofing.

Waterproofing your basement should provide a long term solution to your wet basement. The first thing basement waterproofing should involve is a proper, professional assessment. How can you fix a problem without first fully understanding it? You wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic when it is making a strange noise and be comfortable with him replacing any old part right away. You would want him to diagnose the issue first and then provide you with a solution that matched the car’s actual problem. In a similar way, not all basement leaks are the same. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for water basement leak repair. What is causing your leak must be determined first.

Some common causes of basement leaks are the following:

• Ineffective gutter, downspout, and drainage systems
• The type of soil surrounding your home
• The condition of your foundation
• Actual leaks in your basement walls
• Pressure from settling soil and buckling basement walls
• Malfunctioning sump pump

These are just a few of the reasons your basement could be flooding and your leak could be a due to a combination of issues. At Zablocki we begin every basement waterproofing project with a thorough assessment of the situation. Then we will offer our diagnosis and possible solutions to you, the homeowner. You will never be left in the dark and we will never start on work until you fully understand and sign off on the work to be done.

Combination of Waterproofing Solutions

Once you have thoroughly determined the problem you are facing, the waterproofing process can begin. So what exactly does waterproofing a basement involve? The answer to that depends upon the problem your basement is facing. Some of the solutions we offer are the following:

• Sealing the Foundation: If your foundation is causing the leaks and the soil surrounding it is aggravating the problem, we will address both issues simultaneously. Here in the Milwaukee area, clay soil can often be the culprit. This soil type often prevents water from draining away from your foundation. In this case, we will work on exterior waterproofing your foundation’s exterior walls. This will create a foundation sealer and prevent water from entering where it isn’t wanted. We will proceed to also backfill the area around your home with stone so as to mitigate water collection.
• Fixing Your Drain Tiles: Underneath your basement are drain tiles which act as a system for carrying water to your sump crock. Unfortunately drain tiles are often damaged and clogged. This can happen due to tree roots or other obstructions blocking the flow of water, which ultimately causes basement flooding. We will work to pinpoint the exact trouble spot for you and replace the drain tiles that are damaged. At the same time, we can provide you with corrugated plastic to run from the base of your interior walls to your drain tile system to help ensure proper drainage during heavy rains.
• Support Beam Installation: Sometimes when soil begins to settle and press in on your basement walls, they can weaken and crack. This leads to not only leaks in your basement, but will also place the integrity of your entire home at risk. We provide support beam installation to help prevent this. The process for installing support beams involves excavating the exterior, placing telescoping screw jacks along the inside wall, and adjusting the screw jacks until your walls stand straight and tall. If your walls are too damaged to simply be straightened, we can also rebuild the walls to match existing walls.

The Zablocki Difference

Keep in mind that not all companies are equal when it comes to basement waterproofing. Our waterproofing contractors are experienced and capable of handling even the trickiest of situations. We are committed to finding you an actual waterproofing solution, not just a quick fix. Talk to us today about our process for waterproofing your basement in Milwaukee.

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