Tips to Avoid Basement Leaks - Atlanta, GA

Water can get into a basement in many ways such as cracks in the basement floor or foundation. A wet basement is not a good thing, not only is it an unpleasant living space but can become an idea growing environment for toxic mold and mildew. Cracks in floors and foundation walls can be repaired inexpensively if they are accessible. There are several different types of concrete repair kits on the market. The manufactures of these products always make it seem so simple and it is if the crack is out in the open. It’s the cracks that you can’t see that cause the problems. you should always best to consult a basement water proofing expert to assess the situation. Most of these contractors have tools and techniques for finding water leaks better than you can with just your eyes.

Basement flooding is no joke. It may cost a few hundred dollars to repair a foundation crack but compare that to a toxic mold remediation and it seem like peanuts. After the leak has been found and repaired you might even want to consider basement water proofing to prevent future basement seepage. Foundation waterproofing is a great way to dry out that moist and smelly basement and turn it into comfortable living space. Keep in mind that many times the furnace is located in the basement. If you do have mold it is possible that the spores from the mold can get sucked in by the furnace and blow out all over the house. Mold can be very dangerous to people and pets. It can cause all types of breathing problems like asthma and bronchitis.

The best way to find a basement flooding expert is to search the internet. Type in your problem and you should see several local contractors for hire. We had a saying in real estate that went like this “10% of the agents got 90% of the work” it is the same in almost any business. If your home is ever the victim of a flood, fire or severe water damage it is very important to act on it quickly. Mold can start growing in a matter of hours and you don’t need that.

Why Concrete Cracks

Concrete does not dry it sets and shrinks as a natural process of it curing occures. This shrinkage causes the concrete to develop stresses and to relieve this stress the basement can sometimes crack. Shrinkage cracks are typically less than 1/16th" in width and will eventually run the entire length of the concrete wall, from top to bottom. Common areas for a shrinkage concrete crack to develop are under a basement window, in the middle of a long wall or where the foundation steps down.

Once the concrete cracks it is possible for water to leak into a basement through the crack. There are several ways to repair a basement crack leak. One effective way to repair this is to perform an injection of polyurethane foam into the basement crack.

Polyurethane Foam Injection

Foams and epoxy are injected into the crack in a liquid form. This allows a gentle and slow filling process of the crack that will completely fill the crack. After a few minutes the polyurethane will begin to react with the water in the crack to begin foaming. Water is actually the catalyst that converts the liquid polyurethane into foam. This foaming action increases the volume of the polyurethane up to 30x its liquid form.

As the polyurethane foam expands it fills the basement crack from bottom to top and front to back. The finished foam will be a closed cell structure that will not allow water to leak into the basement crack. In fact, if there are any voids in the soil outside of the basement- such as under a rock or if the foundation is backfilled with gravel-the polyurethane foam will expand and extend out into the void.

The polyurethane foam forms a strong bond to the concrete. This bond will be able to withstand the hydrostatic pressure that may develop from high ground water levels. High ground water levels are typically caused by heavy rains.

Why Polyurethane is Better Than a Patch

No other concrete crack repair process can do what polyurethane injection can do. Surface patching of the crack is just that. Only the inside of the basement wall is covered by a repair. Chiseling out the crack and filling it with hydraulic cement only fills a portion of the crack. Water can still enter the basement crack and will eventually force out the patch or hydraulic cement.

Fast and Easy Repair

Basement crack injection is a quick repair process that stops water leaks. The technician does not have to drill into the concrete to do it. For this reason the basement crack repair is a clean process. The technician will attach ports to the surface of the basement crack that allow the liquid polyurethane to enter the basement wall and stop the leak.

Once the basement wall crack repair is completed, water will not be able to leak into the basement. Now the homeowner's possessions will be safe. As will any insulation on the basement walls, the drywall or the framing used to finish the basement.

The most cost effective way to prevent basement leaks is at the beginning of the construction process. There are many great concrete sealers on the market and they can be easily applied to the outside of the basement walls before the hole is backfilled. Also it is much easier to install some type of drainage system to divert the water from creating hydraulic pressure around the foundation and forcing the water into the basement.

I am guessing you reading this because you have water in your basement and your home was built years ago. I wish I had could tell you about quick and easy cure to this problem but there is not one. Sure there are all types of crack sealers and paint on waterproofing products on the market. None of these products will work effectively until the hydraulic water pressure has been removed or diverted.

You have 2 choices when it comes to diverting the water pressure. You can do it from the inside of the basement which consists of jackhammering a trench about one foot wide and one foot deep around the entire basement floor. A pipe is installed and the trench is filled with gravel. The trench is then finished with concrete and the pipe is attached to a pump that turns on if it detects water. This method usually cost less than the exterior method and can work well if done correctly.

The other choice is to dig a trench around the entire house and install a system to divert the water. This is a huge job and can be very expensive considering that patios, decks, plants and other structures may have to be disturbed. If this is done correctly the water problem can solved permanently.

Simply fixing cracks in walls and painting sealer on interior walls is just a waste of money. Water carved the Grand Canyon and until it is diverted away from your basement walls it will always find a way in.