Foundation leaks are inevitable. Most of the time, they appear on old and unstable foundations that need fixing. Leaks may also appear in newer foundations due to constant pressure and ground shifting.
Leaks have openings that come from different sources. Cracks are the most common type of leak. Horizontal cracks in the walls and floor indicate your foundation needs an immediate professional repair before it tears your house into two.
Irregular leaks, unlike cracks, are concealed leaks that escape the untrained eye. It requires hours of inspection before you discover its exact location.
A simple seal may not even be the clear solution for irregular leaks. You’ll need a waterproofing specialist to repair this type of leak.
Early signs of foundation leaking include running water, cracked walls, uneven floors and excessive moisture. These early signs, no matter how big or small, should be repaired immediately.
You can repair it all by yourself or call a team of professionals to assist your needs.
Your home is your responsibility; therefore by performing the following maintenance regularly your house should be free from leaks.
Tip 1:
Check the pipelines and appliances regularly. Make sure there are no holes and cracks in faucets, toilets, sprinklers, refrigerators, dish washers and water purification systems.
Tip 2:
You need to insulate the hot water lines in the basement or crawl space. Extreme temperatures cause them to crack; that’s why experts recommend you to wrap not only outdoor pipes but also those that are found indoors.
Tip 3:
Check for rots, fungi, mildews and molds. These environmental hazards grow on dirty walls and floor. If remains unnoticed for weeks and months, these things spread. It breaks your foundation and it brings diseases to your family.
Tip 4:
Replace your old water meter before it results to expensive water bills. Water leaking is a massive problem in the country. A study reveals that water leaked from US homes could exceed more than one trillion gallons per year, which is an equivalent of water use in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles combined (American Leak Detection, 2014).
Tip 5:
Make it a habit to look for vertical and horizontal cracks. Sometimes, these cracks have penetrated the wall, which result to openings for water entry.
Tip 6:
You should explore for gaps where basement walls and floors meet. Gaps are a clear indication of leaks.
Tip 7:
Find time to examine corners where frames butt against foundation walls. These uneven junctures result to gaps that eventually leaks.
Tip 8:
Clean your basement floors regularly. The basement floor decreases its level of water crystallization when ignored, keep it dry and cool always.
Tip 9:
Never hesitate to ask for professional help. A team of waterproofing specialists will conduct a thorough examination in and outside the house.
The team will explain the significant findings in detail before they start the project. Nowadays, paying a waterproofing service is worth every penny considering some of these companies offer free home inspection.
As a conclusion, remind yourself that leaks are part of every household. It appears not only on your water pipes but also in your foundation.
You may not have the ability to stop it but you can control its occurrences before things get too late.
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Put an end to water leaks and cracks. Contact 1 877 885-2268 for a free home inspection by a Vulcan Basement Waterproofing specialist.