When it comes to upgrading or even maintaining your home, the areas that add to your homes aesthetics or conveniences tend to get the most attention. It’s not until an unexpected mishap or an emergency situation arises when many home owners think about the hidden elements of their home. Basement waterproofing tends to fall into this category.
Basement waterproofing entails sealing off your home’s foundation from either the outside or the inside in an effort to eliminate any excess water from rain or snow from entering your home unexpectedly. Additionally, it includes preventative measures that will stop water from the municipal sewer system or from overland flooding from entering your home.
Exterior waterproofing is a process that involves removing the dirt around the exterior of your home, exposing your exterior foundation walls. Then a waterproof membrane is attached to your foundation walls, shielding the porous concrete from being exposed to water saturated in the ground. To ensure this water has a way of flowing away from your home, weeping tile is installed at the bottom of the trench dug around your home. The dirt is then replaced, leaving the exterior of your home looking just as it was prior to the project. Interior waterproofing is a similar process to the exterior method, with the exception of the waterproof membrane being affixed to the interior of your foundation walls. A trench is burrowed around the perimeter of the interior walls for weeping tile to be laid. This will help to lead any water that gets between your foundation wall and the membrane away from your home.
Installing a backwater valve is a crucial step in ensuring your basement remains dry. A backwater valve only allows for water and sewage to flow out of your home. If the municipal sewer system ever gets overwhelmed, it could result in sewage water entering your home through floor drains and plumbing fixtures. With a backwater valve installed on your main drain line, water and more importantly sewage is not able to bypass the one-way valve, keeping your home safe from the excessive amount of damage this would cause to your home and possibly your health.
The final device that helps complete any waterproofing project is a sump pump. A sump pump may not help prevent water from getting into your home, but it does limit the damage that the water can cause. A sump pump consists of two main sections, a basin and a pump. The basin is usually the lowest point in your basement, if water does get into your home it will find its way to the basin. As the basin begins to fill, a float will rise triggering the pump to begin expelling the water from the basin out and away from your home through designated pipes. Many internal waterproofing weeping tile installations will also lead to a sump pump, this helps transfer any potentially damaging water from your home.
If you do not have an appropriate basement waterproofing system in place, the effects of severe rainstorms, fast melting snow, flooding, and sewer backup can be devastating. A significant amount of water in your basement will not only damage your walls, floor, furniture and other belongings, but it could also be detrimental to your family’s health. In these extremely unfortunate cases, you would need to look into a water damage restoration specialist to help get your home back to its original, safe condition.
If you find yourself in an unexpected cleanup scenario due to water, fire or mold damage, call United Water Restoration today to schedule a free in-home assessment 647-931-4203.
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