wet basement Archives

April 22, 2020February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Basement leaks where the wall meets the floor

If your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor you could have a few issues.

Roof water is the number one enemy of your basement. Check your gutters and downspout to be sure they are working properly. If water is cascading off of your gutters near your foundation it can overwhelm your basement drainage system.

Many people try adding dirt to the side of the foundation to stop basement leaks where the wall meets the floor. Often times that does not stop the leak. Fixing the dirt along your foundation may help surface water issues or damp wall issues. If your foundation walls are dry but you are leaking onto the floor the grade outside is not likely the issue.

Seepage at the base of the walls and or through floor cracks…

Ground water can enter your basement through the seam where the walls meet the floor and up through cracks or weak points in the floor. These are signs the original foundation drainage has failed and or there is water building up under the floor.

A buildup of water around your foundation due to failing drainage causes water pressure commonly referred to as hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is what pushes the water through the weakest points which is usually the seam where the wall meets the floor.

Failing foundation drainage occurs when the original drains collapse or fill with soil and or roots. Foundation drains can also clog around the outside so that no water can enter the pipe. Improperly or inefficiently installed foundation drainage can also cause water to build up and create pressure resulting in basement leaks where the wall meet the floor.

How to stop leak at wall and floor seam

There are two ways to dry up your basement. Either way it involves installing new foundation drainage. The new drains are either installed outside or inside. Interior basement waterproofing systems are installed under the basement floor to relieve “hydrostatic pressure”. This is water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation when water has no where to go. Many homeowners have mixed feelings on whether waterproofing a basement from the inside actually fixes the problem. After all, water comes from outside, right? True, but it is not always possible to fix basement water seepage from the outside. If your basement has water under the floor, interior basement waterproofing may be the only fix. Without interior drains, water gets trapped under the floor. This is because your foundation separates the inside from the outside.

Exterior basement waterproofing may be overkill for some basement leaks. If you have wet basement walls up high or at ground level, and/or signs of water running down basement walls, exterior basement waterproofing may be the best solution. The original seal on the exterior of your foundation deteriorates over time resulting in chronic paint bubbling, wet basement walls or chronically damp basement walls. If you see these symptoms you should consider exterior basement waterproofing.

Get a few professional evaluations

Getting estimates for basement waterproofing can be frustrating. Many customers tell us they have three estimates and three different solutions. The issue is most basement waterproofing contractors only offer one method. Naturally the one size fits all contractors will be certain their option is best for your basement. Never the less it is valuable to be educated and explore your options if your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor.

Pioneer offers all solutions. We start with identifying the cause of your problem. We will then review the solutions and the costs.

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Call today at 330-454-8066 and your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor will be a thing of the past

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July 11, 2017 by Ron Lee

Flooded Basement? What Steps Should You Take Next?

Flooded Basement?

A flooded basement can be overwhelmingly stressful and downright devastating. If your basement is finished, thousands of dollars in building materials can be lost. Irreplaceable photographs or priceless family heirlooms may be affected. Once you get through the mess of cleaning everything up, no doubt you will want to take the necessary steps to not only figure out what caused the flooding, but also to prevent it from happening again.

Possible Causes

Ground Water – Hydrostatic pressure can push water in through cracks in the basement floor.

Surface Water – Sources of surface water, such as gutters or improper grading, can lead to excess water around the perimeter of the home.

Storm Water Backup – Water from municipal storm sewers can back up into the basement.

Sanitary Sewer – Sanitary Sewer water can back up due to a clog in your home’s sewer lines.

Steps to Take

Check gutters for proper drainage. If gutters are clogged and overflowing, this can lead to significant water intrusion during a very heavy rainfall. Also, make sure that your downspout is draining far enough away from the foundation.
Check the slope or grade of the areas around your home. Make sure the ground or a concrete pad is not sloped toward your home. This is an open invitation for water to enter.
What if your flooded basement is due to storm water or sewer water? A licensed plumber can determine what is the best course of action. They may suggest installing a backflow preventer or recommend snaking your drains.

When the Problem is Ground Water or Surface Water…

If the flooding is due to ground water or surface water that cannot be controlled, a basement waterproofing system is probably the best option. An exterior basement waterproofing system will redirect water away from your foundation and prevent it from entering through the basement walls and into the home. An interior basement waterproofing system can help to keep ground water under control by draining it to a sump pump. We offer both interior and exterior basement waterproofing as well as a combination of the two. We can determine where the water is coming from and recommend which type of system will work best for your home. You can learn more about basement waterproofing by clicking here.

Our service area includes the following areas of Northeast Ohio:

Stark County, including Canton, Massillon, and Alliance.
Summit County, including Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and Stow.
Wayne County, including Wooster and Orrville.
Medina County, including Medina, Brunswick, and Wadsworth.

Contact Pioneer for a basement evaluation (free for homeowners). We can come up with a solution to relieve your basement problems permanently so that you never have to deal with a flooded basement again! Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our latest blogs.

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June 10, 2017 by Ron Lee

Basement Waterproofing Methods – A Simple Guide to Different Systems

Basement Waterproofing Methods

If you have been shopping around for a basement waterproofing contractor, by now you may have several proposals that all suggest a different way to “fix” your leaky basement. Why are there so many conflicting opinions? Some contractors ONLY offer outside systems and still others only offer inside basement waterproofing methods. On the other hand, you may come across a contractor or two that only installs their own “patented” product. They might present a convincing argument as to why their system is superior. “Patented” simply just means that they can charge a higher price because their claim is that they are the only contractor that can install such a system. The truth of the matter is that no company wants you to think that what they do is simple or common.

Therefore, lets discuss some basic, common sense basement waterproofing methods that have been proven to be successful for many years.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

An exterior basement waterproofing system is done in several steps. First of all, we excavate the foundation down to the footer. Then, the basement walls are inspected for any weak spots or cracks and repaired accordingly. A sealer is applied to the outside of the basement walls and then a dimpled membrane is wrapped around the foundation. A new footer drain is then installed and covered with gravel. Once the soil is put back into place, the surface is graded to slope away from the house.

Exterior basement waterproofing is the best defense against surface water.

Interior Basement Waterproofing

A true interior footer drain is installed in a trench around the footer. The drain slopes down hill which moves the water towards the drainage point. For this purpose, a sump pump system is usually installed. There should be about 1/2″ fall for every 10 feet of drain pipe to promote a good flowing drain. Once installed, the new footer drain is covered with gravel. Lastly, new cement is poured over top of the gravel to finish off the system.

Interior basement waterproofing is the best defense against ground water.

Combination Systems

As the name suggests, a combination system would be an interior AND exterior system, both installed to work together. This may be necessary depending on the type of water seepage problem your basement has. We can utilize this method in certain parts of the basement, or in the entire basement. It may be necessary to waterproof an interior portion of the basement if the area is not accessible from the outside. Additionally, some homes may have an issue with both ground water and surface water. In this case, a combination system may be the best bet.

Which Method is Best for Your Home?

These basement waterproofing methods have been proven to permanently correct water intrusion. So which of these methods is best for you? It all depends on where, and how, water is coming in. Is there a “one size fits all” solution that works for every basement? No. Every home is different. There are different types of soil. There are various ways in which water can enter a basement. And there are factors such as age, quality, and structural integrity of basements and foundations. For these reasons, it is important to assess the problem before determining a solution.

Pioneer Basement Solutions has been employing the above mentioned methods for many years. We have a proven track record and our common sense solutions work. Please explore the rest of our website to learn more about us. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our latest blogs.

Please feel free to contact us for a free inspection (homeowners) to discuss basement waterproofing methods.

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exterior basement waterproofing or interior basement waterproofing?

March 21, 2017March 24, 2017 by Ron Lee

Wet Basement? What is the Cause and Best Solution?

Ever wonder what causes a wet basement or what the best solution is? Having a wet basement and trying to figure out the best solution can be quite stressful to a homeowner. First of all, lets discuss what causes a wet basement. To put it simply, there are two sources of basement seepage; ground water and surface water. How can you tell the difference between the two?

Some basements may have wet walls, which includes moisture on more than just the bottom row of block. This is an indication of water getting into the foundation from surface water activity. The best way to dry out the basement in this case is to restore the waterproofing seal on the outside of the basement walls by installing an exterior basement waterproofing system.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

On the other hand, if your basement walls are dry but there is seepage where the floor and wall meet, it is most likely a ground water problem under the foundation. You may notice heaved floor cracks or discoloration in the cement. When ground water builds up under a basement floor, the best way to fix a wet basement in this case is with interior sub floor footer drains. This allows diversion of the water before it builds up to floor level.

Interior Basement Waterproofing

How Can You Find the Right Contractor?

Look for a basement waterproofing contractor that offers all methods of basement waterproofing. Beware of companies that tell you that there is only one way to fix a wet basement. They may claim to be a full service waterproofing company, yet they only offer their “patented system” and tell you that this is the best and only option. Many of these companies claim to be full service. They train their sales force to review the options they don’t actually install in a way that would cause you to say you do not want them, such as exaggerating the cost or minimizing the benefits.

There is no “one size fits all” solution that works for everyone. Each type of basement waterproofing system works differently so it is important to know what the cause of your issue is.

Call Pioneer Basement Solutions for a zero-obligation quote and basement evaluation. We can offer a no-nonsense solution to fix your wet basement. We do not use pushy sales techniques nor try to use scare tactics in order to intimidate homeowners. Contact us today and learn more about fixing your wet basement permanently and correctly!

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