Basement Waterproofing

Causes of water in the basement. Basement waterproofing is just like any other obstacle that you come across in life. You size it up and make a list of the most logical and most cost effective way to get around the problem and move forward. When you find water in your basement, you first think of “where is this coming from and how am I going to get it out of here”. Jerry’s Waterproofing is just a phone call away. We will come out and assist with your problem and get your home back to its dry and healthy state.

The easiest and most cost effective cure for your water problems is to eliminate any sources that may be causing moisture. This could mean removing humidifiers that are located in the basement and properly venting clothes dryers and bathroom vents out of the house. If your main problems are in the summer time when it is humid outside, then venting your basement through the air conditioner will eliminate excess moisture. A quick, but not permanent fix would be to run a dehumidifier to assist in removing water and odors. If ran in a basement, the dehumidifier could actually dry out the air in the basement to a point that would create moisture being pulled to the small cracks in the concrete and over time create a bigger problem.
You may think that the less expensive and less invasive solution is to install a water tight coating to your basement. It is a quick fix, but the water is still there and will buildup and cause major damage in the long run. Removing outside gutters and downspouts is the next step in waterproofing your home. If you do this and water is still residing in your basement, then you will need to take the next step towards complete waterproofing. This is either to install in interior or exterior waterproofing system.
If you are planning on finishing a basement with water issues, it is best to address the issues and resolve them before moving forward with your renovations. The most recommended solution is an active sub-slab depressurization system. This will include a washed-rock layer that is installed below the slab and will draw the moist air away from the slab which will decrease the amount of moisture that is seeping through the cracks in the concrete of your basement. With the installation of this system, you will be taking further steps in protecting your home from Radon, the harmful gas that comes from the soil around your home. Any open connections to the outside, including sumps should be closed off and sealed up.

Follow these 4 steps when waterproofing your basement:

Control the moisture form interior sources.
In the summertime, be sure not to ventilate with outside air.
Correct and remove any gutters and downspouts and ground grading issues.
Install an interior or exterior drainage system.

5 approaches for waterproofing your basement:

Approach 1: Install Proper Gutters and Downspouts and Correct Grading Many basement water issues can be resolved by correcting the grading of the land around your home. In doing this, you will be rerouting the runoff to go away from your foundation. By then adding extenders to your home gutters and down spouts, you will further the distance that the water ends from your home. This step should always be performed before any below ground remedies are implemented since this could resolve your water issues.
Approach 2: Exterior Drainage System The most costly but also the most effective water control approach is to install an exterior drainage system. The team will dig around your entire home and rebuild it very similar to building the foundation of a new home. This will also involve disruption of any plants and other obstacles that may interfere with the digging and building process. Normally, insulation will be installed at the same time as digging as well as any need repairs will be completed. A type of free-draining sand will be used in the backfill process as well as drain tile being installed either beside or on top of the homes footings. There should be a minimum of 12 inches of coarse aggregate placed around the tile. If you are looking to save a few dollars and the headache of hauling in sand or rock to use as backfill, you can install a drainage mat. It is placed against the foundation and then you can backfill with any soil of your choosing. The last required element of this solution is installing a drainage sump that can pump the water to the exterior of the home. This needs to be airtight and have a child proof cover on it.
Approach 3: Interior Drainage Channel above the Concrete Slab When you have water entering the basement, it is the most common practice to install a drainage channel at the base of the wall and the slab floor. This will collect the water and drain it into a sump pump. Installation of this type of system is recommended for homes that have cracks in the concrete walls of the basement. It will not solve the water issues in homes with masonry walls due to the water still being trapped in the cores of the blocks at floor level, because the water is only drained to the top of the slab. This system does not eliminate all of the water from the space, and in time will promote the growth of mold and mildew and a musty small will be present. This is the result of groundwater not being drained from under the slab, only on top.
Approach 4: Interior Drainage Channel within the Slab Edge Installing a drainage channel at the base of the wall on top of the footings is yet another solution. This requires the team to remove and replace concrete on the edge of the slab. This installation is recommended for those with block walls due to the water being completely drained from the cores of the masonry blocks. A drainage channel is attached to a drain pipe that is connected to the sump pump. A hole will be drilled at the base of every block to enable the drainage. It is also necessary to cap the blocks on the top side and install a water-vapor retardant to block any further water from getting into your basement walls.
Approach 5: Interior Drainage System Beneath the Slab Installing a perforated drain pipe inside the perimeter of the footings is the most effective solution to your basement water problems. This install also involves removing and replacing concrete at the edge of the slab. By installing this system, you are allowing the water to drain at a lower level. As with the exterior system, the drainage pipe connects to a sump pump. An absolute must to making this system work correctly, is the installation of a dimpled plastic sheeting that is placed at the base of the wall and beneath the edge of the slab. The sheeting is similar to egg crate and allows the free drainage of the water into a drainage pipe. It is a less expensive solution than some of the more specialized channel systems. It is recommended that this system is used in combination with an active soil gas management system that is connected to a sump pump and perimeter drain pipe.

Address: 3030 Keystone Drive
Omaha, Nebraska, 68134-4843

Phone: 402-392-2211
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Fax: 402-392-4661

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