If you’ve been having problems with excess water entering your basement, call a professional Handyman Naperville IL to address the issue. Not only does this prevent damage to your belongings, but it also protects your home from future structural problems.
Bowing basement walls can be corrected with helical tie-backs, wall anchors, or steel beams. These methods are the least invasive and require no outside ground disturbance. Waterproofing a basement is not only important for your health but it can help protect your home from damage and even keep pests out. A damp basement is a breeding ground for mold, mildew and other bacteria. Water that seeps into your basement can cause rot, warping and mold. It can also attract rodents and other pests.
The best way to prevent these problems is to waterproof your basement from the ground up. That means repairing cracks in the foundation, adding insulation and installing a drainage system that pumps out excess water. In addition, grade soil away from the foundation. This can be accomplished by digging a trench and creating a French drain or constructing an earth berm.
Other ways to keep moisture from leaking into your basement include installing splash plates or downspout extensions that direct water away from the foundation. It’s also a good idea to make sure your gutters are working properly.
When it comes to basement repairs, it is important to take the time to do it right. Even a minor crack in a wall can cause serious foundation damage if left untreated.
There are 3 basic causes of cracks in a basement wall. They are:
Shrinkage – This is a common issue that occurs shortly after a concrete foundation is poured. The poured concrete dries too quickly and shrinks, causing hairline cracks to appear in the wall.
Settling – This is another common problem that happens after a house is built. As the foundation settles into the ground, a horizontal crack will usually appear along the wall and follow a stair-step pattern up and down the wall.
Stair-step and horizontal cracks in a basement wall should be addressed by a foundation expert. These types of cracks may lead to water damage and mold growth if left untreated. They are also a safety hazard because they can be easily broken.
Insulating a basement may seem like an unimportant project, but it can help improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. It also can reduce the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling.
One way to insulate a basement is to add insulation between the wall studs. This is typically done with foam board insulation that can be cut to fit between a basement’s studs.
Before adding any insulation, though, verify that your basement doesn’t have a water-entry problem. Otherwise, your basement wall insulation could be leaking water into the house, damaging both your interior walls and the foundation.
Another way to insulate a basement is by adding closed-cell spray foam. This type of insulation is usually recommended for basements because it does a much better job of preventing the diffusion of moisture from damp concrete to the interior.
If you have signs of foundation cracks, leaning or bowing walls, or a leaking basement, it’s time to call in the pros. Aside from causing water damage, these issues can also lead to other problems.
If your home’s walls are bowed, this can be a sign that the structure is sinking and will eventually collapse. It can be a serious structural issue, and if not addressed immediately, can lead to more costly repairs in the future.
Occasionally, foundations crack due to the natural settling of concrete. These are called shrinkage foundation cracks.
This usually happens within the first year of building. These vertical cracks may pose no structural threat and are cosmetic.
Another common cause of foundation cracks is the natural drying and settling of poured concrete. This is called concrete curing and often occurs in new homes that are built in regions with high radon gas levels.
