Wet Basement Waterproofing Contractors
Basements in areas like McKean, Jefferson, Elk of Pennsylvania and Olean and Salamanca of New York are imperfect concrete structures built in soils that vary from region to region.
In the PA and NY water in the soil leaking into basements is a problem that has troubled homeowners for more than 100 years. This basement water enters through the floors, walls, and joints between them.
Over the years, general contractors and engineers have developed a wide variety of basement waterproofing methods to keep basements dry with varying success
The older a home gets the more susceptible it is to having a problem. We classify basement water problems in 3 stages.
Stage 1: As the water penetrates the masonry walls and floor, signs of water appear. Signs usually include dampness, discoloration, dark spots, peeling paint, and mold.
Stage 2: As the problem continues, actual water begins to seep into the basement. The weakest point, and therefore the easiest access point, is almost always where the walls and floor meet. This is where you begin to see small streams or puddles forming on the floor or running down the walls.
Stage 3: Finally, if no action is taken to solve the problem, many different types of damages can occur. Mold can begin to grow on stored items, furniture, wall and floor coverings. Water can cause appliances, tools, and support posts to rust.
Basement Water Seepage Problems and Solutions
Water seepage creates nuisance issues such as the need to mop or wet vac as flooding worsens. Rooms or areas of rooms become unusable. Property values are reduced as much as 15% or more! Even interested buyers will be reluctant to buy the home. Any of the signs shown below can indicate a problem or potential future problems.
There are many possible solutions, some of which are more effective than others, including:
- Exterior Excavation
- Interior Subfloor
- Negative-side Sealant
Among the best of these methods is to install an interior subfloor drainage system along the perimeter of the floor with a sump pump, such as Basement Systems' patented WaterGuard and TripleSafe systems. There are a few challenges to this method however.
One is to keep the drain from being clogged by mud over the years. Many homeowners go years without a basement water problem and then develop one due to the existing sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogging with mud.
Another challenge for subfloor systems is to set up the system to accept water from the walls without leaving a large unsightly gap at the edge of the floor which can collect dirt and debris from the floor - another potential for clogging the drain.
In the 1980s, a responsible basement waterproofing company began designing products and solutions to dry wet basements. The company is Basement Systems Inc., and Waterproofing Specialties Inc. is an authorized dealership in Pennsylvania and New York.
At Waterproofing Specialties, we understand the nuances of basement waterproofing in Pennsylvania and New York – that every home has a unique situation and needs a customized basement waterproofing solution. Because water can enter a home in many different ways, we have a variety of solutions that we can customize to solve your specific basement water problem. Call or contact us for a free estimate!
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