Basement Waterproofing in Montclair NJ |
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Imagine you have a basement filled with everything you could ever want. Maybe it has a ping-pong table, maybe an air hockey table, maybe a giant flat screen 4K TV, maybe it has room for you to play with your kids, maybe you have the latest gaming console or virtual reality or augmented reality system, or maybe you have a station for you to paint. Whatever it may be, the basement is a very common space to have experiences that you truly take joy out of. We know how important it is to preserve that space which can hold so many memories, so many valuable items, and can be a place that is super important to you as the homeowner. We understand that and it will show in our thoughtfulness about giving a solution that fits the needs of the home and its foundation. There are different methods and solutions that are more fitting to different homes and situations so choosing the proper contractor that can execute the proper job in the proper way is crucial. We want to do our part to help ensure that water is not going to screw with your basement and will be transparent with you about our recommendations (i.e. if it would benefit from interior drainage vs exterior waterproofing) and if/how we think we can help. Below is some useful information on the subject.
3 Major Types of Basement Waterproofing Methods
Sealants and Epoxy Injections
Sealants on their own are predominantly seen as a bandaid in the basement waterproofing process, being inadequate by themselves to successfully waterproof a basement. They can be effective at filling cracks, and can prevent new moisture from seeping inside and can be quite effective at this, but while they certainly can help sure up a basement and make it more waterproof they do not address the root cause of the water seeping in, which usually comes from the exterior of the home.
Interior Drainage
For most homes, waterproofing a basement from the inside is an ideal option, mostly because it is more cost-effective and less intrusive than excavation from the outside. Digging a trench along the inner perimeter of the basement floor and installing a drain and sump pump to carry water out is what an internal drainage system, also known as a French drain, entails.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing often necessitates the soil surrounding the house to be excavated. Unsurprisingly, this process can take quite a bit of work, requiring serious machinery and tools. An optional step is to include a sealant that is used to help waterproof the exterior walls. Gutters are also important contributors to the exterior system as help to keep rainwater away from the house's foundation. If not properly installed however, these systems can work against your home as poorly installed gutters that are installed too close to your foundation can direct water towards the base of your home's foundation, which is the opposite of what you want, you want the water going away from your home. Thus it is very important to make sure that your gutters are helping and not hurting your home's susceptibility to water damage.
Sources: 1 2
Sealants on their own are predominantly seen as a bandaid in the basement waterproofing process, being inadequate by themselves to successfully waterproof a basement. They can be effective at filling cracks, and can prevent new moisture from seeping inside and can be quite effective at this, but while they certainly can help sure up a basement and make it more waterproof they do not address the root cause of the water seeping in, which usually comes from the exterior of the home.
Interior Drainage
For most homes, waterproofing a basement from the inside is an ideal option, mostly because it is more cost-effective and less intrusive than excavation from the outside. Digging a trench along the inner perimeter of the basement floor and installing a drain and sump pump to carry water out is what an internal drainage system, also known as a French drain, entails.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing often necessitates the soil surrounding the house to be excavated. Unsurprisingly, this process can take quite a bit of work, requiring serious machinery and tools. An optional step is to include a sealant that is used to help waterproof the exterior walls. Gutters are also important contributors to the exterior system as help to keep rainwater away from the house's foundation. If not properly installed however, these systems can work against your home as poorly installed gutters that are installed too close to your foundation can direct water towards the base of your home's foundation, which is the opposite of what you want, you want the water going away from your home. Thus it is very important to make sure that your gutters are helping and not hurting your home's susceptibility to water damage.
Sources: 1 2
