Identify Your Problem
Click on the type of problem or service are you looking for.
|
 |
 |
| Water Seepage | Dampness | Mold |
 |
 |
 |
| White, Chalky Powder | Sump Pumps | Crawl Spaces |
 |
 |
 |
| Cracked Walls | Bowed Walls | Basement Finishing |
Water Seepage
Exterior footing drains eventually clog. Water builds around the foundation, creating hydrostatic pressure, that forces water in through the weak points of the foundation.
Dampness
Excess moisture entering the basement environment from either groundwater seepage, or vapor transmission does not get evaporated fast enough, creating dark, damp spots on the walls and floor.
Mold
Food sources, heat, and excess moisture combine to create mold growth in the basement. Excess moisture needs to be eliminated in order to prevent mold growth. See Wet Basements. When finishing a basement, in addition to eliminating excess moisture, the materials used to construct the project must be moisture and mold resistant.
White, Chalky Powder
As excess moisture passes through the foundation walls, it dissolves the salt and lime in the mortar. As that moisture evaporates to the interior, it leaves the white residue on the basement walls. This residue is called efflorescence.
Sump Pumps
Basement seepage problems are caused by clogging drainage systems. When new systems are installed, they are often run to a sump pump system, rather than to an old gravity drain. This is done for two reasons. First, these old gravity drains are most likely clogged as well, and second, in many cases there are no gravity drains to run to.
Crawl Spaces
Open vents and dirt crawl spaces allow excess amounts of moisture to accumulate inside the crawl space environment. This leads to dry rot and mold growth on the floor, floor joists, and insulation above.
Cracked Walls
Expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can also create basement wall cracks. In more extreme cases, foundation settlement or sinking, will cause cracking in the walls and floors.
Bowed Walls
Expanding soils on the exterior of the foundation walls can created pressure on the basement walls forcing them to crack and bow.
Basement Finishing
Finishing a basement is the least expensive way to create additional space in the home. Basements are different from other parts of the home in that they are prone to excess moisture problems. The right materials must be used to create the walls, ceilings and floors.
