5 Essential Components in a Basement Waterproofing System

Does your basement have water leaks every time it rains? Has your basement ever flooded during a heavy rain? Are the floors and/or walls of your basement constantly damp? None of these are uncommon, and if you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to contact a moisture management professional about a basement waterproofing solution.

Your home’s foundation is what keeps it stable and safe to live in, so taking the steps to have your basement evaluated to ensure there are no drainage issues that can disrupt the foundation is a necessary action to take. Ensuring you have a stable foundation for your home is imperative to avoid issues such as sloping floors or bowing doors and walls. Issues like these can become hazardous to the safety of you, your family, and home.

Continue reading for 5 essential components for every basement waterproofing system:

Drainage System

The first step to waterproofing your basement is establishing a drainage system to meet the specific needs of your home. Depending on the current conditions of your basement and the layout of your home, this can look very different from basement to basement. One popular system, an interior French drain, collects water from both the ground and water entering the basement from the foundation. Depending on your specific situation in your basement, the products we offer will ensure your basement is protected from excessive moisture.

Sump Pump

Most issues within the basement occur due to poor drainage. There are many factors that can contribute to puddling, or standing water in your basement, such as gutter downspouts draining close to the foundation, negative grading outside the home, diverted water from a neighbor, or a high-water table.

Sump pumps are a great way to collect the extra water inside of your home and divert it away from the foundation. This process not only protects your basement and the contents in it, but it will help to protect the integrity of your home’s wood structure and the foundation.

Overall, sump pumps are a great way to protect your home’s value, the investment that you’ve made into your home, and can help you if you ever find yourself in the home selling process.

Dehumidifier

humidity in a basement can foster a number of issues. With many basements being damp and musty, a dehumidifier can help to transform your basement from a dark, damp, unused space in your home to a great place for storage or an area to spend time with your family.

Signs that your basement needs a dehumidifier:

• Odors following rain or on humid days.
• Damp walls.
• Visible signs of mold growth on floors, ceilings, or walls.
• Condensation on surfaces.

Gutters & Downspouts

Gutter downspouts are often the most when it comes to basement draining. Downspouts must drain a minimum of 4-8 feet from the foundation to ensure proper protection to your foundation and mitigate basement moisture.

Downspouts can be run above and below ground depending on preference and location. To maintain full usage of your yard, we often divert downspouts underground whenever possible.

Window & Vent Wells

When vents are located in your foundation close to ground level, water can find its way into your basement by means of your vents during heavy periods of rain. This not only shortens the lifespan of your vents due to rusting, but it also takes large amounts of water into your basement. Vent wells can be installed to collect such water and force the water to drain through a drainage aggregate such as pea gravel.

Basement Waterproofing by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement

Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement has several products to offer to help with any drainage issues such as sump pumps, basement french drains, or extending gutter downspouts. Depending on your specific situation in your basement, the products we offer will ensure your basement is protected from excessive moisture.

Here at Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement, we provide each of our customers with a full 22-point inspection report. With this evaluation, we provide you with a detailed report of our findings, a full set of photos, and recommendations on what basement waterproofing & drainage solutions we think would work best for your home. 

Contact us today to learn more about our basement drainage systems!

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