Here’s one you may have encountered in your home. Weak spots develop over time and you could find your basement a tad on the damp side. There are many ways to prevent this from happening because if you don’t correct the problem, you may find mold and mildew developing in your basement.
That stuff is not only nasty but it can also make you and your family sick. You may find water if there are a lot of weak spots in the foundation and around the basement walls.
Here are some maintenance tips to keep seepage at bay.
1. Caulk is Your Friend, Use it For Quick Repairs
Okay, we know, caulking is not really meant to be used as a waterproofing material in your basement. However, and you can say you saw it here, it does a pretty good job of sealing cracks and holes that could end up leaking some water into your home.
Find yourself some top quality, waterproof caulk that will accept paint and apply it generously to any exterior location that could be a potential water seepage spot. Don’t be shy. Shield weak spots around windows, doors and siding and not only will you keep moisture out, your energy bills could actually go down.
Depending on the amount of damage or cracks around window sills or other planned openings in a wall, we recommend the use of caulk guns or pneumatic sealants, which would make this task a lot simpler. It’s paramount that the caulk type allows for painting over or the use of plaster glue to hide the repairs and make the transition seamless – look for acrylic types which set regardless the presence of moisture.
2. Masonry Sealer For Fundamental Repairs
There’s no nice way to say this. Some building materials really shouldn’t be used as building materials simply because they are porous and act like rock sponges with water.
In particular, clay brick and split-face masonry blocks, which are your main culprits, the amount of moisture can astound you.
Cement blocks and concrete bricks are not quite as porous. The good news is that you can create a moisture barrier by slapping on clear masonry sealer to any and all brick or stone surfaces.
Use a brush or a sprayer and water will not be able to move from the outside to the inside – like your basement. This process is inexpensive and takes a little over 2 hours to complete properly, it’s advised to use silicone-based materials with anti-fungal properties to ask as an additional barrier against the growth of mildew on that particular surface.
3. Tuck And Roll Is The Main Point Here
It’s actually called tuck pointing. What it is, is when damaged mortar on joints between masonry blocks is removed and replaced with new mortar. Foundation mortar cracking is quite common in Frisco since the city is situation above fault lines, so small tremors are quite common, this movement can result in cracking of joints and the introduction of moisture, and subsequently signs of mold or mildew growth.
The new mortar is fashioned in such a way that it creates a natural water removal system. This is a common solution to houses that contain brick or stone and well, the mortar isn’t going to last forever and when it starts to give way, it opens a passage for water to leak in.
Chimneys bricks are another target that can be remedied with tuck pointing. The idea is to keep water from penetrating the outer surface of your home and present a solid wall, rather than a Swiss cheese surface on which moisture can hold on to.
4. This Is Grounds For Dispersal
The best way to prevent water seepage in your basement is to pay particular attention to the landscaping that surrounds your home. For example, grading the yard the wrong way can result in water pooling around the foundation of your home and working its way into the basement.
As pretty as it may look to have peat moss, mulch or chips piled around the outside of your home, what you are doing is creating a giant water collection system that will sit in place and eventually leak into the foundation. It’s vital to take note of irrigation and the situation of sprinklers, pint their effective area away from the house and relocate plats with watering needs away from the foundation.
Tree roots will find the path of least resistance, so if you have any nearby trees, be mindful of their patter growth and understand that they will look for water and nutrients, even if they are unfortunately based around the foundation of your house. While beautiful and bountiful in shade, threes can be a big part of the problem, so consider placing a synthetic barrier around the foundation of the house so three roots won’t grow near it.
Stop Basement Seepage Problem Now
Your basement is supposed to be dry and comfortable. It’s not supposed to look as if a river runs through it. When ground seepage becomes a problem you can’t deal with any longer, why not give us a call? In the San Francisco area, call GCD Restoration for assistance in San Francisco, CA area or advice on how to best protect your home from water finding its way into your basement.
