Capital CleanSpace
Preventing a Water Damaged Basement
Your local waterproofing expert will be able to help you install an interior drainage system, a sump pump, and a SaniDry dehumidifying system into your home to prevent basement and crawlspace water damage. Some common results of water damage are mold growth and foundation cracks. Mold growth can be very hazardous to your family's health, while a cracked foundation will decrease your home's value and allow more water into your basement.
Gutters
The main purpose of an exterior roof gutter system is to direct rain water away from your home's foundation. Gutters carry water from your rooftop into a drainage system and away from you house. In order for this process to happen, your gutters need to be cleaned regularly.
It is important to do this to prevent water from puddling near your foundation, causing multiple water related problems. Water buildup near your foundation can lead to foundation cracks, and sometimes the soil around your foundation will get so soft that portions of your foundation will literally sink below the original level.
Fixing Concrete Cracks
There are several short-term solutions to reducing the appearance of cracks in your foundation.
Hydraulic cement will make a crack look filled, but it will have no flexibility. Rigidity can be a problem because the concrete is constantly expanding and contracting, allowing the cement to loosen and the crack to start leaking again. It won't repair the crack for any substantial amount of time.
Caulk tends to only fill a portion of a cracked foundation. Water will still be able to get into the crack, just not your house (for a short amount of time). This water in the crack will cause the concrete inside the crack to deteriorate. After a while the caulk tends to get loose because it cannot withstand the constant pressure of the water.
Basement Waterproofing
Installing an interior drainage system, a sump pump, and a SaniDry dehumidification system can help significantly reduce water damage, should water get into your basement. An interior drainage system acts like a gutter; it channels the water that gets into your basement to the sump pump. The sump pump collects the water in the sump pit and then literally pumps it out, away from the foundation.
The SaniDry System will dehumidify your basement. The presence of humidity alone can soften your foundation and even lead to mold growth. Mold is the main contributor to the moldy smell that people have come to associate with their basement.
A softened foundation can be easily cracked, which will allow water to freely flow into your basement. Mold on the other hand can be dangerous to your family's health. It is known to increase the probability of illness and of getting a sinus infection, while in some cases it will trigger an allergic reaction or asthma attacks.
Recap
There aren't any do it yourself jobs that will compare to a professional installation or repair job. If you're noticing any issues with your basement or foundation, contact an expert today before the problem worsens. These suggested tips are only short term solutions that can help, but not solve, the underlying issues permanently. There are some problems where your basement will be too severely damaged to use any of the do-it-yourself tips listed.
Thus it is important to contact Capital Clean Space, an authorized Basement Systems Dealer, to get your basement evaluated by their team of experts. Capital Clean Space is your best choice for waterproofing your basement in the Sacramento Ca. area. In addition to providing waterproofing solutions Capital Clean Space can also provide you with solutions for basement walls, floors and ceilings, to make your basement a clean, dry livable space.


