Water in Basements & Wet Conditions
Why Are Basements Prone to Wet Conditions?
The signs and symptoms of issues related to water intrusion and high moisture levels within basements can often be quite apparent. Still, it is important to understand why the problems exist and how to resolve them properly.
Because a basement is essentially built in a hole in the ground, it will inherently be at risk of water intrusion. By building a floor or level of a structure below ground, that portion of the structure is often built within the path of water and/or is surrounded by soils that contain fluctuating levels of water.
Common Approaches to Basement Waterproofing
Many methods have been used in an effort to prevent water intrusion into basements. The two most common methods are:
- Installing a drainage system, such as a French drain or footing drain: This is a very common method of preventing water intrusion, and it is installed during the construction of a home. Typically, this method consists of placing perforated drainage pipe (pipe with holes) along the base of the basement wall. The pipe is surrounded by a layer of stone material and then buried in the backfilled soils. This system aims to allow water to flow through the stone and into the pipe, where it is carried away from the basement. However, it is quite common for the drainpipe to become clogged eventually, and the water will eventually find a new direction to flow, which usually creates problems in a basement.
- Applying a “waterproofing” treatment to the exterior side of the basement walls: During construction, it is also common for builders to apply a “waterproofing” treatment. The types of products and materials applied to the basement walls’ exterior face can vary. However, nearly all types of waterproofing used for such an application are temporary solutions because it is virtually impossible to fully and permanently “waterproof” walls consisting of concrete or concrete block units. The products used are continuously exposed to the outside elements. They will eventually break down and deteriorate, leaving the concrete and/or block walls (which are porous materials) subject to water intrusion.
Choose Carolina Foundation Solutions for High-Quality Basement Waterproofing
In addition to issues with the long-term reliability of those systems and methods, they simply do not address all of the many ways water can enter a basement.
Water can enter a house through any openings, joints, and penetrations. Water can enter through the walls or from beneath the floors. Therefore it is important to invest in a system that properly manages and controls the path of water. It is important to invest in a system that truly protects, not a short-term “fix” that claims and attempts to block water.
Carolina Foundation Solutions specializes in providing such a waterproofing system that will truly protect your basement. Call us at (877) 770-7050 or submit a request for a free inspection today. Our experts are ready to help.
Areas We Serve
We provide expert crawl space waterproofing and repairs across the Carolinas. We have representatives in Asheville, Charlotte, Spartanburg, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington that serve the surrounding areas including:
Charlotte region: Ballantyne, Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Lake Norman, Matthews, Mooresville, Monroe, Rock Hill, Waxhaw, Weddington
Triangle region: Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Raleigh, Sanford, Wake Forest
Triad region: Ashboro, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Thomasville, Winston-Salem
Coastal region: Boiling Springs Lake, Conover, Hampstead, Shallotte, Wilmington, Myrtle Beach
Upstate South Carolina region: Anderson, Clemson, Columbia, Gaffney, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Spartanburg
Western North Carolina region: Asheville, Black Mountain, Brevard, Etowah, Fletcher, Hendersonville
