A wet basement can be a huge nightmare for a homeowner. While basements can be excellent places for storage in a home, they are not without their problems. Often, basements that have not been properly treated can experience seepage. Seepage allows water to be absorbed through the cinder blocks, causing water to become pooled. Unfortunately, water seepage can lead to damage in the basement and can cause mold and mildew growth. Through Basement Waterproofing in West Chester PA, a home’s basement can be fully protected, so it is no longer allowing water to come inside.
The first step in the process of waterproofing a basement is to find where the water is entering. Often, cracks around the foundation can be the cause. In some cases, leaking basements can also be caused by failing gutters and downspouts or a poor soil foundation around the base of the home. These areas should first be addressed to ensure the problem will not continue once the basement is treated.
There are a few options that can be used for Basement Waterproofing in West Chester PA:
1. With basements experiencing minor seepage, the walls may simply need to be coated with a primer that is waterproof and paint products. These products are meant to seal off the cinder blocks, so they are no longer absorbent. Unfortunately, it is not always this simple to take care of a leaking basement.
2. If cracks are present in the basement, this can allow water to come directly in and will eventually lead to further degradation in the cinder blocks of the basement. A waterproofing professional will often come out and first use a special leak stopping material to inject into the cracks and openings found in the basement. After the cracks have been taken care of, waterproofing materials and paints can be added to further stabilize the basement and prevent leaks.
3. In some cases, exterior excavations must be carried out. The team will dig down around the foundation about six feet deep and will install a series of drain pipes to keep water from pooling around the foundation and entering the basement. In severe cases, all three actions must be put into place to get the best results.
Those homeowners who are dealing with wet basements need to contact Keystone Foundation Repair. They are the professionals homeowners can rely on to ensure their basement stays dry.