Vulcan Basement Waterproofing In Great Neck, NY
First Steps in Waterproofing Your Basement
The first step in trying to remedy the problem is to figure out what type of problem you are dealing with and where the water, if any, is coming from.
Check for pools of water on the floor or damp spots on the wall.
Check the condition of the concrete and look for condensation on water pipes. Insulate water pipes.
Get a good basement ventilation system keep the windows in the basement closed on days when the relative humidity is higher than 40-45% outside.
Seal any cracks or crevices and use a sealer on the walls and floor to help reduce the effects of moisture entering from the porous masonry.
Make sure exterior downspouts are redirecting water away from the foundation of the house.
All of these steps will help alleviate minor water problems. If, however, the problem is more severe, you will need to contact a Vulcan waterproofing professional for more involved solutions.
A More Detailed Inspection for Basement Water Damage
Even if none of the above problems seem to exist, continue with a more detailed inspection of your basement walls.
- Poured concrete walls
efflorescence (a whitish powder) could indicate seepage and porosity that tend to worsen. - Wall surfaces
Search for vertical or horizontal cracks. Some may have fully penetrated the wall, opening routes for water entry – depending on local water table and soil conditions. - Construction joints
Explore for openings where basement walls and floors meet. Such gaps can admit water and insects, as well as lead to cracked floors. - Mortar joints
Inspect mortar joints especially around below-grade piping and conduits when leakage appears, your floor space could be rendered unsafe for storage, carpeting or laundering use. - Structural points
Examine corners where frames butt against foundation walls. These junctures are often uneven, resulting in gaps. - Efflorescence
The appearance of efflorescence warns that basement water seepage is threatening your foundations and that cracks will endanger your basement floors. - Water pipes
Check your pipes for excessive condensation. - Masonry block walls
Look for signs of staining in the block closest to the basement floor. This could mean water is building up inside the wall and deteriorating the block’s integrity.