Most houses don't need there own irrigation system! Trenches being dug around your foundation, drainage lines being installed, giant De-humidifiers, metal sheeting around the inside baseboard of your basement (about 10 to 12 inches high) as an extra shield , but $12,000 to $16,000 later...."Your basement is dry!" None of this is necessary in almost all cases!!!
Here are some How to Tips and Ideas.
Q: Do you have standing water in your basement after heavy rains, 2 inches or more?
A: You need a sump pump. If you have one, you need a better one. If you notice that the water doesn't slope or run off to the sump pump (unfinished basements). A new hole must be either dug or you need to level and pitch your basements floor to allow for the water to drain properly into said hole.
"Dig A New Hole!" That's what I would do in my home. But, one things for sure you can't have standing water in your basement. It leads to all kinds of mold growth, spores, bugs, smell, etc...
Q: Do you have water damaged baseboards,walls,tile flooring, etc...?
A: You have to determine where the water is coming from. If you can't seem to find the source, one place you might look is at the floor itself. Water can come up through pores and cracks in the concrete itself. A good indication is if water is in the middle of the basement floor. If you have carpet or tile look for damp spots. If the baseboards or wall finish seems warped or discolored higher up than the water level has ever gotten, then that's your leak! If you can get to the cracks or holes in the wall yourself, what I use is called Drylok©Filler it has a 10 year guarantee when installed properly by a professional. But, will work well for the do-it-yourselfer!
Q: Do you have mold or discoloration on your floors,rafters,ceiling,walls, etc...?
A: This is a good indication that there might be some water leaking from somewhere. Determine where it's coming from! That's the first step. Take a flashlight down there and just look at all the cracks,pipes,seams,joints,etc...
Find it fix it! You don't want to breath in mold spores, black mold, or any kind of mold for that matter for an extended period of time. Mold won't necessarily hurt you in small doses, but if you live, sleep, and eat in a place that has mold, it's not in your best health interests to keep it that way!
Q: Do you have cracks or leaks in your basement floor?
A: If you do, my best advice is not to pay $5,000 and up to fix said cracks or leaks! If your a do-it-yourselfer...You can use a basement sealing product that I use called Drylok©. It comes in white and has the same 10 year warranty/guarantee as the filler. Personally I would use the filler first, then the sealer. You will need a few 5 gal. buckets depending on the sq.ft.'idge of your basement. You will want to clean the surface thoroughly. Make sure you buy respirators with this product it does require them! The smell is strong and is potent.
Q: Does water just seem to come from nowhere when it rains or after a heavy snow melt?
A: Check the floor! If you have carpet look for wet or damp spots. If you have tile look for a white powder residue on the surface or discoloration.
If you find it to be wet and damp and or any discoloration. Follow the answer above! Or Just Call Me!
Ryan A. Wilcox
Owner Dynasty Remodeling
