Foundation and concrete waterproofing is a necessity. Thus, it makes sense that ‘waterproofing concrete near me’ is such a popular Google search in the country right now.
Don't be alarmed if water penetrates your foundation slab. You can stop water seepage in various ways, such as by installing a drain tile, sump pump, or French drain. This post discusses such options and how hydrostatic pressure affects water seepage.
What causes foundation leaks?
Hydrostatic pressure is the major cause of water leaking through your foundation slab. Hydrostatic pressure develops as water collects outside your foundation walls or beneath your foundation slab. The weight of water is around 60 pounds per cubic foot. So, tens of thousands of pounds of pressure might be pressing against your walls or slab if the earth surrounding or under your foundation is wet with water.
Concrete naturally has pores in it. This implies that water could penetrate your concrete on its own. This is why basement waterproofing and foundation leaks go hand in hand. Water will exploit such spaces to penetrate your foundation if you have cracks or poorly sealed cove joints.
Here are a few other ways water can enter your foundation:
Through pipes in your walls and your floors
Plumbers dig holes larger than the pipes when installing pipes in your foundation. Hydraulic cement fills the spaces left by the pipes after they have been placed through the holes. Outside water may fill the spaces left when that cement dissolves, as it will, and leak into your foundation.
Through cove joints
The cove joint is between your foundation wall and the foundation slab. Moisture can utilize these spaces to penetrate your foundation without a drainage tile system to catch accumulating water.
Through foundation cracks
Water can enter your basement or crawl area through foundation fractures of any size.
Through degrading concrete
Water can enter your foundation through the holes if portions of your foundation slab or walls start to disintegrate. Also known as honeycombing.
Over-the-top seepage
The gap between your foundation wall and the first level allows water to enter your basement.
Windows and window wells
Water might leak through cracks or gaps in your basement egress windows or window wells and penetrate your foundation if not properly sealed and drained.
How to prevent water from seeping through the foundation
By managing the water that saturates the soil outside your walls and beneath your slab, you may stop water from penetrating through your foundation slab.
A French drain can help collect water.
The earth will get saturated with moisture if water collects in a low area of your yard or close to your foundation, which can cause hydrostatic pressure.
Gutter extensions will help prevent water from seeping through the foundation.
Water from your gutters should fall at least 20 feet from your property. If not, water could soak the ground near your foundation. We advise cleaning out your gutters as frequently as possible to avoid accumulation and obstructions, which would otherwise enable water to spill over the edges.
Grading your property will counter poor drainage.
Water will flow into the soil close to your foundation if your land slopes toward your house, increasing hydrostatic pressure.
How to stop water from seeping through
Installing a vapor barrier
A sheet of thin (10 to 20 mil thick) polyethylene called a vapor barrier is installed around the foundation walls. Diverting any gathered moisture into a drain tile below will prevent water from penetrating your walls.
Installing a drain tile system
At the foot of your foundation walls, a drain tile system consists of a perforated pipe installed in a bed of washed stone. It is possible to install this system outside the foundation walls or underneath the slab. Any groundwater outside or rising will seep into the perforated pipe and go to a sump pump.
Installing a sump pump
A gadget called a sump pump is located in a sump pit. Any water accumulating in your drain tile system will be dumped into the sump pit, which will stay until the pump kicks on and expels the water through discharge pipes outside your house once it reaches a particular level. The discharge line will move water far enough away from your house to keep it from reaccumulating close to the foundation.
Conclusion
Foundation waterproofing is an integral part of contracting that almost every home needs. If you’re looking for a good contracting agency to help you with your repairs, look no further than Zavza Seal. They are one of the best waterproofing contractors in Long Island today. You can call them today to get a free estimate on their services.
