basement remodeling contractor, home improvement contract, installing sump pump

No builder designs a home to have water in the basement. However, over the years, the foundation can shift, the parging and membrane can crack or separate, water can seep into the landfill around your home, or the window wells can develop leaks. It can happen to any home.

Unfortunately, the damage does not end with the water alone. And the water does not have to be knee deep in your basement to cause you problems. A wet or damp basement can be a serious source of mold, mildew and bacteria. The bacteria that thrive in a moist basement can pose a serious health hazard to family members who play or work in the basement area. Mold Spores may also be vented to the above living quarters via air duct systems.

Fungus and mildew in a damp basement can contribute to chronic colds and respiratory ailments. Further hazards exist such as termites or rodents invading your home through foundation cracks, or electrical appliances or wiring coming in contact with seeping water.

All of the above problems can cause serious damage to your family's health and greatly decrease the value of your home.

1	Seepage from basement window wells.
2	Poor grading around the foundation.
3	High water table entering parging.
4	Basement stairways, poor drainage.
5	Cracks in masonry or masonry joints.
6	Clogged or lack of footer drain fields.
7	Subterranean hydrostatic pressure.
8	Horizontal cracks at or below grade.
9	Clogged, broken downspouts/gutters.
10	Downspouts pour water too close to walls.
11	Non-visible undermining beneath slabs.

In most circumstances, it's the water you can't see, the water that accumulates after the settlement of rain, below the ground against your foundation walls and beneath your basement floor that causes the most serious foundation problems.

igh Water Table. Rain, melting snow or springs will contribute to the rising of the water table. This can result in a build-up of pressure underneath the floor and around and against the foundation walls.

ydrostatic Pressure. It is the pressure exerted against the foundation resulting from water accumulation or high water tables. The higher the level of water, the greater the pressure. In turn, this water under increased pressure, seeks entry through cracks and crevices in walls and floors. The net result-water penetrating your basement. Initially, this water may enter and rest only in the block or in the pores of the concrete; thus damp walls and damp floors.

apillary Attraction. This is the natural action by which water, when in contact with a porous surface, is drawn to and absorbed by that surface. Your concrete basement floor and walls are such porous surfaces. Their porous nature allows them to absorb or soak up water like a sponge. The continuous pressure exerted from the outside causes them to store water like a reservoir, ready to burst. A basement has absorbed as much as 240 gallons of water during an average rain storm.

s_wte.gif (2131 bytes) ettlement. As the earth around your foundation settles, the movement may shift your foundation. Since the air pressure with-in your basement cannot hold against the combination of outside air and outside water pressure, the imbalance of pressure may cause your walls to shift and crack, or your protective parging shield to crack and open, allowing water to flow into and/or under your walls and floor.

MID-ATLANTIC WATERPROOFING

1-800-MID-ATLANTIC - MD / DC

1-800-624-7882 - Virginia

1-800-866-6292 DE - Eastern PA - Southern NJ

1-800-777-6292 Central & Northern PA

1-800-234-6292 Central & Northern NJ

1-800-760-7785 Lower New York & Connecticut

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