Kansas has beautiful homes with attics, basements, and more room and quality for a lot less than the national average. You want to make sure you keep your hidden treasure of a home protected from the elements and able to withstand many of the weather hazards Kansas has to offer. This includes flooding and water damage in general.
Three Reasons Why to Waterproof Your Basements:
Here are four reasons why basements are so easily prone to water damage and why waterproofing them is a good idea:
1. It’s Dark
In general, water evaporates at around ½% per gallon spilled. There are multiple variants that can affect this number, however, such as room temperature, what the water spilled in and on, how large the room is, etc. None of these variants pose to be an advantage for basements, especially the room temperature. Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, which makes it more difficult for water to naturally evaporate. Without proper basement waterproofing, the water will have nowhere to go except into any slightly porous material in your basement, damaging anything that allows the water in; this is known as “the path of least resistance.”
2. It’s Underground
The city of Manhattan resides in Kansas, which is an agricultural state. Thus, our topsoil is one of our prized possessions. Unfortunately, nearly 200 million tons of topsoil a year are eroding, which is an issue not just for our farmers but for residential homeowners as well. Soil erosion can cause foundational erosion and cracks in homes with lawns, gardens, and yards. Because basements are underground, they are particularly susceptible to all leaks or seepage that may be caused by any sort of cracks in the house’s foundation. Waterproofing the surfaces of the bottom level of the home may not be able to prevent soil erosion, but it can prevent further water damage if the water, unfortunately, does penetrate the home.
3. It’s Not Used As Often
“Out of sight, out of mind.” This cliche has been used for years, but it is especially fitting when it comes to basement water damage. The basement is one of the least used rooms in many homes, making it an easy prey to long-term water damage. Because the basement is not on the main level of the home, nor the upper levels with the bedrooms, it can be easy to miss signs of water damage. Signs of water damage can be subtle, such as odd smells, to obvious ones, like black mold or staining. Basement waterproofing can guarantee that you don’t have to perform weekly water damage checkups, and you can enjoy the basement only when you want to.
Importance Of Basement Waterproofing
It first appears as a tiny trickle or small puddle. Perhaps you first notice a lingering musty smell. Moisture in your basement can lead to an array of costly and time-consuming repairs: structural damage, toxic mold, degraded billing materials, ruined furnishings.
Moisture is always present underground – and especially during rainy periods. It penetrates through basement walls and floors whenever any of the following conditions exist:
- Inadequate waterproofing of exterior walls during construction
- Cracks caused by expansion and contraction as the seasons come and go
- Joints opening between walls and floors due to foundation settlement
- Openings created to allow access for water pipes and cables
- The general failure of the building medium due to initial poor quality
What Causes Water Damage in Basements?
What causes water damage issues in your basement? Here are a few things to look for:
- Wall or floor cracks: when the foundation of your home is compromised, water is very good at sneaking in between small cracks and crevices and causing damage.
- Faulty plumbing: Pipes that line the inside of your walls are just one example of where water damage can occur. If the plumbing is backed up, or if the pipes are not checked regularly, disaster can strike.
- Excess water in the soil: The soil and ground of your home is very important. If there is too much water surrounding your home, however, it can push the soil into your home and cause the seals of your basement to become compromised.
- Puddles: when you see excess water in places where it should not be, that is a very good indication that you have a problem.
Basement Waterproofing Methods
Protecting a basement that is below ground level can require the application of sealant materials, the installation of drains and sump pumps, and more. Depending on the home’s location, age, and building materials, you might choose multiple basement waterproofing methods to protect your home.
1. Interior Protections
Sealing the interior is the first step in preventing future water damage from leaks or flooding, started by opening a trench inside the basement. Next, an internal French drainage system is installed within the trench to direct water that gathers to a sump pump. Internal sealants are then used to seal cracks that may let water seep through to the basement. Though they cannot stop flooding in the long term, sealing closes up cracks on walls, floors and ceiling so no water gets inside.
Interior waterproofing methods for your basement are typically the easiest and most affordable. Interior waterproof sealants do a good job at keeping humidity levels down and preventing condensation. While these products and processes are an important step in the overall waterproofing process, they do not address the underlying problems causing the moisture. The bigger problems are usually found on the outside.
2. Exterior Waterproofing
More extensive (and more expensive), these methods to block water from ever making its way inside in the first place. This can include exterior drainage systems and coating the exterior walls with a waterproof barrier. Exterior waterproofing for your basement typically requires the excavation of the soil surrounding the foundation, a labor-intensive process requiring heavy tools and machinery. Once all the soil around the foundation has been removed, a waterproof sealant can be applied to the exterior walls. Good gutters will also help a lot. When properly installed, gutters direct rainwater away from the foundation of your home
3. Addressing Drainage Issues
Poor drainage is the most common cause of basement moisture. These methods can include repairing a poorly functioning drainage system, or adding a drainage system if there isn’t one in place. The goal of these drainage systems is to direct water (whether it be groundwater or rainwater) away from the foundation of your home.
Each home is different, so be sure to thoroughly examine how the existing drainage around your home is functioning. Additional drainage systems may be needed. Ask the basement waterproofing experts at Lamunyon about sump pumps, French and surface drains to solve your problems. When basement moisture is a problem, you could be inviting a host of other problems into your home such as mold growth, rodents, pests, and insects. Long-term or hidden issues can even cause severe structural damage to your home.
How Do the Professionals Waterproof Your Basement?
Below is a list of the few things they can do:
- Water Diversion: These waterproofing experts use special equipment to effectively divert water away from your basement walls and, instead, lead the potential water flow to a sump pump. They also can inspect your basement and ensure that this is the right move for your home.
- Drain System: This is a low-profile option. It goes along your basement wall and protects against water intrusion. It uses a safety seal to ensure proper waterproofing.
- Sump Pump and Battery Backup: This system works to drain water away from your home, reducing erosion and improving indoor air quality. They are energy efficient and work in combination with other basement waterproofing products to create permanent solutions for your basement water issues. Installing a sump pump with a battery backup ensures that should your home lose power, the sump pump will continue to operate, keeping your basement dry.
Basement Waterproofing In Kansas
Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair is a locally owned and operated basement waterproofing service company located in Kansas. Established in 1973, Lamunyon is the most experienced water restoration and waterproofing company in North Central Kansas. This is evidenced by our company being backed by nearly 30 different partners, including IICRC, NADCA, and an A+ rating on BBB. Their trust has been upheld for local Kansas residents by providing specialization in water damage, basement and crawl space waterproofing, mold services, foundation repair, sewage cleanup, and hardwood floor drying, all performed by IICRC WRT-certified technicians following industry guidelines on site.
We offer certified technicians for emergency service response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to both residential and commercial projects. Dozens of areas throughout North Central Kansas, including the Pottawatomie, Geary, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties, are serviced.
Basements are incredibly useful areas of our homes. Because of this, we want to make sure they are kept in as good of condition as possible, which can be difficult without professional help. Our team of basement waterproofing experts is the professional help you’re looking for.
