If you are a homeowner with a block wall basement and the blocks are leaking water into your finished areas, you definitely have a problem. Leaks in block walls (individual cement blocks as opposed to poured concrete walls) are difficult to control. Concrete walls can be injected with hydro-foam; however, block walls have cores that are too large to fill and cracks in masonry that are too numerous to inject. Another attempt at a solution would be to apply a coating of hydraulic cement to the walls, but this is only as good as the surface it is applied to. For instance, this method is relatively ineffective on older walls with peeling paint and oxidation.
The best advice is to pursue a permanent method to control leaking block walls. A foundation membrane made of tough durable high-density polyethylene material can be installed over the existing masonry wall. The floor along the leaking wall can then be removed and the membrane can run down to the footing drain. This method is used in conjunction with a new or existing sump pump footing drain. The membrane material has double-dimpled construction which traps and allows water to run behind it and into a footing drain. The membrane is fastened to the wall with plastic mushroom anchors and the top edge is sealed with foam-backed rods. This process of complete sealing eliminates the possibility of the presence of mold.
The polyethylene membrane material comes in sixty-five foot rolls, which ensures the existence of a minimal number of joints. Seams are overlapped by at least twenty inches and are filled with butyl caulk. When the concrete floor is replaced, the bottom of the membrane is totally sealed as well. If and when the wall leaks, the moisture runs behind the membrane and into the footing drain. The membrane will continue its protection even if the wall settles or shifts.
Since the moisture is sealed behind the membrane, the result is a totally dry basement, which can now be framed with studs and finished with drywall or other products. This will add more square footage of living area to your home. Remember, a usable, livable, dry basement will be a great value and will bring you peace of mind.
Be sure to call a good local contractor specializing in waterproofing. They have a remedy for all of your wet basement problems. A representative will determine your needs and install a polyethylene membrane and sump pump footing drain, if applicable.
If you're in need of basement waterproofing Grand Rapids or basement waterproofing MI, Kent Basement Solutions can help! Jeff French (article author) Manages of Kent Basement Solutions, which offers free no-obligation estimates. Call us at 855-968-5368 today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_French
