The valid inclination of desiring a healthy home is damaged by crawl space moisture. Most houses built on crawl space foundations suffer from poor moisture management. Some of the common symptoms of a crawl space moisture problem are:
These symptoms are most often noticed in the humid spring and summer seasons but can occur at any time of the year. Often, the heating and air conditioning contractor is the first person the residents call to deal with the problem. Typically though, the problem is not due to a failure of the air conditioning system; it results from poor moisture control in the crawl space.
For many decades, building codes and conventional knowledge have agreed that ventilation with outside air is the primary method of moisture control in crawl spaces. In the humidSpring and Summer, however, ventilation with outside air only worsens moisture problems. Current studies indicates that a new type of crawl space system, with NO vents to the outside, water drainage and a heavy ground vapor barrier can provide greatly enhanced moisture control and significant energy savings when properly installed.
But how is the water getting in the basement? If you’re noticing water in your basement, investigating the solution should start outside your home.
Foundation Wall Leaks
Wall cracks are far and away the most common source of seepage in poured foundations; and they happen for a number of reasons. Older homes were often built using masonry, such as brick and stone, newer masonry foundations are made of concrete block. The mortar holding the masonry units together tends to wear away over time, providing an easy pathway for seepage into your basement. Fortunately, they are easy to fix. It isn’t as economical to repair as a crack; still there are quite a few options.
Seepage from Floor
It happens quite frequently, especially during heavy downpours, but it isn’t as common as wall seepage. The water table builds beneath your basement floor, leading to seepage through cracks in the floor and the cove joint. An Interior Drain Tile System is usually the best way to resolve that issue. Consider that water pooling on your floor doesn’t alwaysmean it must be coming from beneath the floor, it might be coming from a wall crack and pooling in a low spot.
Sump Pump Problems
They fail all the time, fortunately, there are many answers. Unless you’re a professional, you might not to want tackle this project yourself. Call for sump pump inspections and ask for a customized system to meet your needs.
Overflowing Window Wells
Window wells are great for letting natural light into the basement. But when they fill with water, you need to be careful because an overflowing window well can create a horrible mess. It is a failure as far as the potential of the sump pump problems for causing damage. Drains installed during original construction often fail. Periodically make sure there isn’t any debris clogging the drain and secure it by getting a custom window well cover. When it rains, the pipe the drain connects into can quickly fill up, causing the drain to back up.
Grading Problems
If the grading isn’t sloped away from your house, your chances of a basement seepage problem increase significantly. If your house is situated on flat ground, make sure the grading does not extend above the top of the foundation (brick line). Otherwise, water can easily seep through the openings in the mortar. If the grading cannot be corrected, in most instances, you may need to use an Exterior Waterproof Membrane to solve the problem.
What type of basement waterproofing repair system you choose to install is dependent on your home’s unique situation and construction, including what type of foundation system is in place. Crawlspace waterproofing is an important investment for a clean, safe home. It will prevent floods, mold, and mildew, as well as infestation by water-loving insects. Here are the three basic steps or solutions for waterproofing the crawlspace. It’s also important to note that in many cases, not just one type of repair, but rather a combination of approaches, may be necessary.
Step one: Crawl space vapor barriers
Crawl space vapor barriers are the first line of defense against high humidity and poor indoor air quality. These crawl space vapor barriers can be used on the basement walls to prevent water and moisture permeation through the wall. By continuing the vapor barrier from the ground to up the foundation walls you will create a permanent vapor barrier against most water and water vapor, creating a healthier home environment.
These same poly crawlspace encapsulation barriers are ten to twenty mils thick, perforation resistant and made of a high tensile strength material that stops soil moisture from entering the space from the soil. When installed by professional waterproofing contractors, these swimming pool type liners encapsulate the crawlspace so that moisture cannot attack exposed wood and create mold and mildew.
Step two: Excavating and sealing
Once the crawl space vapor barriers are in place, the next action is to stop water infiltration through the below grade foundation walls. This waterproofing will also direct water down to an installed interior or exterior French drain tile system that can drain to either a sump pump or to daylight away from the foundation. This is done by excavating the exterior foundation and sealing the below grade walls with polymer membrane coating and dimple board. This will stop water from being wicked from the exterior soil into the crawl space.
Step three: Seal the crawlspace
The final step to waterproofing your crawlspace is to seal or close in it. Crawl space sealing prevents the humid outside air from settling in the space creating condensation and promoting mold growth. There have been many studies done proving that a sealed crawl space creates a healthier and more energy efficient home due to the elimination of humidity fluctuations.
It is to be noted that there are many contractors who provide these services but if you want to get the best Basement Waterproofing services it is necessary to carry out research and search for the best contractor.