If you are a weekend warrior with a basement waterproofing project, it can be challenging. The winter of 2014 has been rough on the residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut with above average snowfalls and the upcoming rain and melt is sure to cause some leaky basements.
The first step, you need to find out where the water is coming in from. Sometimes the leak is visible and is simply a wall crack or around a pipe penetration. If you are unsure, the best way to identify were the water is coming in is to place a garden hose on the ground on the outside of the house in the area were the water is entering into the basement. Let the water run for 45 minutes then turn the water off for 15 minutes. Often you will see the water entering the basement. If the water still is not coming into the basement, repeat this process. If no water appears after an additional running of the hose, you can assume that you have a water table issue. Most basement leaks are from wall cracks, floor cracks, around pipe penetrations, tie rods, where the floor and walls meet or the bulkhead.
Secondly, you need to research what material and techniques will hopefully fix the problem. Next you need to purchase, rent, and/or borrow the tools and equipment to do the job. Lastly you need to learn the skills and find the time and energy to do the job.
Now the research will reveal a maze of conflicting information on basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair. The research will range from the quick fix of Flex-Seal “As Seen on TV” to an array of products at the box stores such as hydraulic cement or drylok paint. Most of these products don’t work or at best are a short term solution. If you really think about, how can paint stop water that is under pressure? The pounds of pressure the paint will stop are very low, and in most case less than 10 lbs per square inch. The manufactures warranty EXCLUDES leaks from cracks or efflorescence. Hydraulic cement does not expand or contract while the concrete that the hydraulic cement is on does expand and contract due to temperature changes. Due to this movement, the hydraulic cement will crack and pop off, and you can bet that the crack will leak again.
These DIY fixes are not permanent fixes and will cause the homeowner more headaches and costlier repairs in the long run. Most professional waterproofing companies will offer consultations to diagnose and options to solve your basement waterproofing problem with a warranty that transfers. Contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair Inc. today and speak to a live basement waterproofing and professional about a permanent fix for your basement leaks.
E-mail: info@a1foundationcrackrepair.com
Toll Free: 866-929-3171