Keeping the basement dry is a challenge for homeowners because water will always go downhill, and the basement being the lowest level of the building structure is prone to water and moisture exposure. Basements have unique construction and design that makes it more susceptible to water finding its way towards it.
In this article, we will discuss basement waterproofing Springfield MO, but before that, you must understand the causes of basement moisture.
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Poorly installed and maintained gutters
Poor gutter installation could drive water towards the foundation instead of driving it away, and even if the installation is good, poor maintenance can cause clogged gutters that allow water to flow to the foundation and basement.
The improper drainage system and soil
Problems with the drainage system stem from either from faulty design, installation or poor maintenance and water can make its way to the basement. As long as the water does not drain away from the foundation, it would accumulate around it and ultimately go into the soil as well as the basement.
Hydrostatic pressure
When water accumulates around the foundation, it creates hydrostatic pressure. Due to the force of gravity that exerts pressure on the water it would try to escape to release the pressure and, in the process, force its way through the cracks in the walls and floors of the basement. The pressure of water can be so strong that it can crack the walls.
Cracks in the basement
Water always flows to a lower level, and ground water would find it easy to reach the basement through the cracks in the basement. The cracks provide a path of least resistance that makes an easy entry for water through it.
Improper slope
The land adjoining the building should have a proper slope so that water from the drains and the surface flow away from the building. If the slope is in the other direction, it will drive water towards the foundation and basement.
Waterproofing the basement can lessen the impact of water exposure, and there are three methods of basement waterproofing.
The three methods of basement waterproofing
Interior waterproofing
To keep water out of the basement from the inside, you can do interior waterproofing. Usually, after identifying an existing problem, this method is what people typically adopt. The process of waterproofing takes care of issues related to condensation and consists of using sealants and coatings on the interior surface to prevent water from entering inside the basement.
Exterior waterproofing
As the name suggests, with an eye on preventing water going into the basement, the process entails waterproofing the home exterior. The goal is to stop water from getting inside the home by blocking all possible passages of entry. Coating the exterior walls with some waterproof barrier, and improving the drainage system is part of the process.
Drainage
To address the root cause of moisture in the basement, it would necessitate fixing drainage issues that involve repairing and upgrading a poorly functioning drainage system or installing a drainage system in case it is absent.
The method of waterproofing would depend on the present state of moisture exposure that affects the basement.
