Basement Waterproofing

If your basement condensation constantly settles over your basement, it can start to affect other areas of your home as well. Because condensation issues are often the result of high humidity levels, you can bet that all that excess humidity can create other issues around the rest of your home, too. 

The Stack Effect 

The hotter the temperature, the more humidity there will be floating in the air. This is why you might notice your basement feeling a lot muggier in the summertime. Additionally, hot air tends to rise, which means that if you have a humidity problem in your basement, the humidity is likely to rise up to the upper levels of your home as well. You might find that your home is suddenly a lot hotter than it used to be, and crank up your air conditioner as a result. 

Conversely, any cold air that manages to slip through any cracks can also cause issues. Cold air is far denser than hot air, which means it can displace any warm air from your heater and push it up and out of your home. You might then turn your heater up higher to compensate for this chill. Both of these can result in your energy bills skyrocketing. 

Foundation Damage 

These flooding issues can easily seep into your foundation as well. It is possible that the soil supporting your foundation has washed out due to the excess moisture, causing your foundation to settle. It is also possible that the constant flooding has created immense pressure on your foundation from all sides, causing cracks. 

Conversely, a cracked basement floor may also lead to flooding. Thus, this damage works both ways, which is why you need to call a basement expert at AFS to inspect your basement annually and prevent it from worsening. Our experts can also implement quick repairs to both the basement and foundation to prevent any condensation issues from attacking your basement. 

When most homeowners notice issues within their homes, they will often try to fix them themselves. Basement waterproofing issues are not something just anyone should undertake, however. It is always best to leave any repairs you might need to the basement experts at AFS. 

Why DIY Repairs Are Not Recommended 

Your local home improvement store will likely sell a lot of different basement waterproofing solutions that they claim will get the job done. However, you might also find yourself applying the same solutions over and over to treat the same problem, which can cost you a lot more time and money in the long run. This is why you need to invest in a permanent solution that can protect your basement for years to come. 

Additionally, any dehumidifiers you might find at a department store will also not be powerful enough to deal with the dense amount of humidity in your basement. Our dehumidifiers are not only capable of handling lots of humidity, but you can also adjust their settings to reach a humidity level you like. Our dehumidifiers can also filter out any mold or mildew spores that happen to infiltrate your basement as well. 

If you like to DIY your home, ensure any repairs you do try to implement to not interfere with your foundation or other concrete structures much, if at all. If you accidentally damage your foundation while you work, this will only cost you even more in the future. You should always try to leave any necessary repairs to the experts at AFS if at all possible. 

Calling the Basement Experts at AFS 

The basement experts at AFS have plenty of experience installing and repairing any basement waterproofing repair solution that your home might need. We do it right the first time, so you can enjoy your home without any worries.  

Many homeowners get confused when they see standing water in their basement, especially after there hasn’t been a lot of rain. If you check your pipes, your washing machine, and other sources of water but there are no leaks, it’s possible that the water is coming in from the outside. 

Your basement is partially underground, meaning that it’s surrounded by soil. As much as we would like it to be, that soil that surrounds your foundation isn’t dry, meaning that your basement has to constantly combat moisture. 

• Hydrostatic Pressure  

Hydrostatic pressure refers to the accumulation of groundwater against your basement wall. Properties surrounded by expansive soils are the ones most likely to experience hydrostatic pressure since clay soils are excellent at retaining water. If the soil was sandy, the water would simply drain away. 

The weight of the water causes your basement wall to bow inward. Eventually, when enough weight is up against the wall, cracks will begin to appear on the concrete as it weakens under the pressure of the water. These cracks make it easy for the water to simply seep through the wall and into your basement. A clear sign of hydrostatic pressure is bowing walls and water coming from where the wall and floor meet.  

• Rising Water Table 

The water table is an invisible line that indicates where the zone of saturation begins. The zone of saturation is the area underground where the soil is perpetually saturated with groundwater. Water tables are as deep into the ground as you may think. Sometimes, basements will be built just above the water table. 

If your basement floods only during the rainiest times of the year, it’s possible that groundwater is getting in due to the rising water table. As water drains down from the topsoil to the zone of saturation, it accumulates underground until there is enough to cover your basement. If there are any cracks in your foundation, the water will get through. 

Once you learn that the only way to keep your basement healthy is by waterproofing it, it really makes you wonder: Why aren’t basements waterproof from the start? If keeping water out is so important, they should be built with that idea in mind, right? To answer that question, we have to define what basements are used for. Basements are used as utility spaces where the plumbing, boiler, HVAC unit, breaker panel, and other items are stored away. Even though many homeowners are converting their basements into a livable area, they were never meant to be used that way.

Things like proper insulation and a proper drainage system were typically never installed because all a basement needs to do is function properly as a foundation and an underground storage space. As long as it’s all built up to code, there’s no reason as to why it should have to be waterproof unless the owner of the property specifically asks for it. Some construction crews may not be proactive enough to put any waterproofing methods in place, even when they know it will harm the house in the future. Sticking to tradition can also be the reason why these construction crews refuse to build things differently. Other times, the crew simply doesn’t have the experience or the tools to do the waterproofing work.

How updated state codes are is another big reason why basements are built the way they are. If the state codes have yet to catch up to the latest building trends and ways of doing things, there’s nothing the contractors can do to make things different. Sometimes, getting the necessary paperwork to do things differently is so troublesome due to outdated codes that the contractors don’t bother and stick to doing things the old-fashioned way.

Prevention is always the best course of action. Fortunately, there are some things homeowners can do, right in the comfort of their own homes, to ensure they minimize efflorescence formation. However, this is not a substitute for professional help.  

What You Can Do at Home 

Because water and moisture are the primary issues surrounding efflorescence formation, you want to ensure you are controlling the amount of water that is absorbed into the ground. This could mean regularly controlling yard sprinklers and watering plants only when necessary. Furthermore, homeowners should take the time to inspect their own drainage systems, such as their downspouts. You want to ensure that they are functioning properly because they are the backbone of home maintenance. Ensuring proper airflow in your basement will also help to minimize humidity. 

Be wary of DIY repairs or methods. If you find that your drainage system or a pipe has become damaged, it is incredibly tempting to fix it yourself to save money. However, more often than not, this can worsen the issue and may be more expensive in the long run.  

When To Rely on the Experts 

It is important to know when to rely on the experts in order to help you. They possess the proper knowledge and skills to teach you how to prevent efflorescence and to install the appropriate tools. 

AFS contractors can help you select from the numerous preventative options offered. This can include: 

• Sump pumps 
• Drainage systems 
• Waterproof basement wall panels or liners 
• Dehumidifiers 

The Biloxi–Gulfport–Pascagoula area is no stranger to flooding. Not only is this region facing the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s also located in a state that experiences frequent flooding and hurricanes. Given the climate, homeowners of the Biloxi–Gulfport–Pascagoula area are very familiar with flooded basements. Still, if you’ve never experienced a flooded basement before, it’s important that you know what you have to do. How fast you act will determine the extent of the damage and how quickly other problems will arise from the flooding.

The first thing you need to do is get the water out as fast as possible. If there’s a lot, get a bucket and start collecting the water, but if there’s only a few inches, get a wet vacuum and some towels. Once all the standing water has been dried, get fans and dehumidifiers to soak up all the excess moisture for at least a few days, depending on how much water there was. After you’ve saved anything of value, try to look around the basement to see what the source of the flooding was. If you’re not sure what to look for or can’t figure out what went wrong, contact a professional.

During the next few days, you need to take a close look at your basement concrete, drywall, and wood to make sure that no mold has begun to grow. If you notice after the initial flood that leaks are becoming frequent or that cracks have now appeared along the walls and floor, contact your local foundation repair expert and then think about waterproofing your basement. Even if you manage to avoid disaster the first time you experience a flood, there’s always a chance that the basement gets too water-damaged and begins to deteriorate. A deteriorating structure isn’t as easily fixed as a flooded basement, so don’t wait on calling a professional.