Basement Waterproofing: Flooring

Waterproofed Basement Flooring Tile

There’s an old adage in home building that there are three types of basements: Those that used to leak, those that are currently leaking and those that will leak. We’re here to ensure that your basement is the kind that “used to leak.”

Yes, while a trend in homeownership is to transform basements into additional living space, note that basements are usually designed for one — and only one — purpose: They’re designed as a place to store HVAC equipment and other utilities outside of the regular home living space. Noting this, basements are susceptible to their fair share of issues being that they’re a below-ground area of the home. And when there are heavy rains or if foundation issues develop over time, water is likely to find its way inside. That is if you don’t do something about it first. It’s why before you invest the time and money into finishing your basement, you better make sure it’s foundationally sound. That’s where we come in.

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Common Basement Floor Issues

The biggest issue associated with basement leakage through the floor is caused by hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure occurs when the soil around your basement walls and floors becomes heavily saturated, which typically occurs during periods of heavy rainfall. When the soil becomes too saturated with water, it literally presses itself against the foundation, whether it’s on the walls or the floor, and seepage can occur even through the smallest cracks or gaps. In a finished basement, the buildup of hydrostatic pressure can lead to water damage and mold growth. And often the only way to restore a basement that’s been impacted by water damage is to remove and replace the porous building materials (i.e., drywall, carpeting, etc.) that it came into contact with. But if you never resolve the root problem of the damage, then the issue will continue to occur.

Aside from hydrostatic pressure causing water to seep into your basement, other common threats — whether they’re standalone issues or related to hydrostatic pressure buildup — are high levels of humidity, which may lead to mold and mildew growth. These issues may also cause damage to basement building materials, including flooring. What’s more is water can even cause floor bubbling, loose tiles and foul odors in both hard tile and carpeting.

Possible Solutions to Basement Flooring Issues

There are many things that can be done to either correct an existing basement foundation issue or prevent one from occurring in the future, and while we advise you to contact us today for a consultation, here’s a closer look at some of the solutions that may be recommended for a fix:

Sump pumps: Sump pumps are installed in the lowest part of a basement and work to pump out water that has accumulated in the sump basin. The water is usually accumulated via a series of foundation drains or through migration in the soil. Essentially, instead of water coming into the basement when levels get too high in the basin, the pump will work to disperse it safely away from the home. Sump pumps typically are powered by electricity, though battery backup models exist so they can still function if the power goes out during an intense storm.
Crack repair: Crack repair is usually a part of a complete waterproofing solution, largely because repairs may not be indefinite. The bottom line is that water is great at finding a way into the home, and while crack repair may work for a certain period of time, it’s likely to eventually fail. It’s why any sort of crack repair is also performed in a way that if leaks do reoccur, the water drains safely into an interior drain and can be removed via the sump pump.
Dehumidifier: Since basements tend to be more humid areas of the home, and certain sustained levels of humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth, we always suggest having a working dehumidifier in the basement that can capture any excess moisture in the air. If mold or mildew is able to grow in the basement, it could damage building materials.
Other water drainage solutions: Ask us about the other waterproofing solutions that we offer to keep your flooring, whether it’s hard floor or carpeting, in good shape. While many waterproofing technologies focus on the walls, you can’t forget to account for the water that could be building up underneath your property too.

Contact Us Today for More Information

Remember, there are three types of basements: Those that have leaked, those that are leaking and those that will one day leak in the future. Take the steps to make sure that yours is a basement that has put any leaks in the past tense — and for good. For more information on our waterproofing services, contact us today.

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Basement Waterproofing for a Clean Basement