Basement Waterproofing – Approved Paving and Construction, LLC – Call 571-338-4610
It is usually best to waterproof exterior basement walls during initial construction. However, it’s not uncommon for older homes to lack waterproofing. If they do have waterproofing materials in place, they may have worn down and lost their effectiveness over the years.
Basement Waterproofing
Depending on the type of soil, location of the home and the slope of the landscape, a basement can have varying degrees of protection against excess moisture. Regardless, most any home will become susceptible to water intrusion eventually. Water is getting into your basement if you notice:
Discoloration of the Walls
Take action if you see stains on your basement floors, walls or ceiling. (Before calling for service, though, confirm that the stains are not from spills or an overflowing washing machine.) After ruling out those possibilities, you can be reasonably sure the stains are coming from groundwater seeping in through gaps and cracks on your foundation walls. Naturally, this is a concern and calls for immediate action.
Unpleasant Odors
Another sign you need waterproofing is when you step into your basement and notice a distinct, damp smell. The cause might be the humidity coming from home appliances like your water heater, sinks or washing machines. Basements that lack sufficient ventilation are not able to evaporate moisture, so the humidity increases. However, standing water and leaks could also be the culprit causing that unpleasant odor.
Efflorescence
Do your basement walls or floors seem to sparkle when you switch the lights on and look at them from a certain angle? That sparking effect is known as efflorescence. It is an unwelcome sign of moisture on concrete. That powdery, filmy staining is from salt content in groundwater and the breaking down of lime in cement. This indicates too much moisture in the basement that requires prompt waterproofing solutions.