I’m sure you’ve heard a neighbor say how much better waterproofing paint works than a friend who claims they will never have to waterproof a newly constructed house. What sounds good to hear may cost you money if you follow these two common thoughts. Below are some of the most common mistakes made by Massachusetts and Rhode Island homeowners when it comes to basement waterproofing.
Myth # 1 – Waterproofing Paint Like Dry Lok Will Fix All Your Basement Water Problems
You walk into any hardware store and you’ll see a number of different types of products that claim to fix all of your basement water problems. One of those types of products is waterproofing paint. Products such as Dry Lok are sold to you as a solution to your basement water problems. There is a catch to using waterproofing paint.
If there is only a little bit of water leaking onto your basement walls due to humidity, then waterproofing paint could help stop the water leakage. However, if you already have moisture trapped behind your concrete walls, the paint will trap the water instead of allowing it to escape. Trapping the water behind your walls will cause mold and mildew to grow, it will make your walls weak and brittle, and your paint will begin to peel off in a short period of time.
Waterproofing paint cannot stand up to the amount of pressure that the ground exerts on your basement walls. Hydrostatic pressure is the name given to the amount of pressure that groundwater places on your basement walls. The pressure of the groundwater against your basement walls is measured in pounds per square foot. In many cases, the hydrostatic pressure that is exerted on your basement walls is well in excess of 1000 pounds per square foot. It is impossible for paint to stand up to that kind of pressure. At first, you may get some relief from your water problem, but eventually the water will begin to leak through again. To fix an active leak, wall cracks, or continuous moisture, you need to install a basement waterproofing system and not just paint.
Myth # 2 – All Cracks in the Walls Are Just Cosmetic
“That’s just a tiny crack, nothing to be worried about.” Many people think that if a crack is very small (less than 1/8″), then it is only a cosmetic concern. While it is true that a tiny crack may look like it is just a cosmetic concern, particularly in new houses where the concrete is still curing, horizontal cracks, diagonal cracks, and stair-step cracks in block walls are serious signs that you have a problem. Horizontal cracks are usually caused by hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil pressing against your foundation.
Horizontal cracks, and sometimes diagonal cracks, are indicators that your walls are beginning to bow inward. Any crack wider than 1/4″ requires professional repair, regardless of whether it is horizontal or vertical. Even small cracks allow water to enter your basement, and once water enters your basement, it freezes and expands in the freeze/thaw cycle of New England winters. Another problem that can occur is radon gas. Radon levels in Massachusetts are very high in many parts of the state, and radon gas enters your basement through cracks.
Myth # 3 – New Houses Never Need Basement Waterproofing
You just finished building your dream house. Everything looks perfect, including your basement, so it won’t leak, right? Not quite.
There are several reasons why new construction creates unique waterproofing concerns. First, when your contractor installs the backfill around your foundation, he uses loose dirt that settles over time. As this dirt settles, it leaves voids and pathways for water to travel straight to your foundation walls. Second, the exterior dampproofing that most builders apply begins to deteriorate after a couple of years. Exterior dampproofing is typically applied as a thin layer of tar or asphalt-based product that is meant to prevent minor amounts of moisture, not water under pressure.
Finally, while building codes dictate that a certain amount of damp-proofing be applied to foundations, there are huge differences in the quality of construction between builders. Grading, poor installation of drainage systems, and shortcuts taken by the builder during construction create many vulnerabilities in new homes.
We’ve worked on houses that were less than 5 years old that had significant water problems. The age of your home does not determine whether you need to have your home professionally waterproofed. The condition of your soil, the quality of your drainage, and the level of the water table are more important than the age of your home.
Myth # 4 – A Sump Pump Can Solve All of Your Water Problems
A sump pump is a crucial tool in keeping your basement dry, but it is not a magic bullet that solves all water problems.
To function properly, a sump pump needs to have a drainage system attached to it. Without an interior drain tile or a French drain system directing water to the sump pit, the pump simply sits there waiting for water that will never arrive. Additionally, sump pumps can and do fail at the worst times. During heavy rains, power failures can take out electrical sump pumps. Finally, the sump pump may be sized too small for your basement, or the discharge pipe may freeze in cold weather.
Seepage through your foundation walls is another type of problem that a sump pump cannot fix. Seepage through your foundation walls requires additional solutions, such as interior drainage systems and vapor barriers. An effective waterproofing system has to include a variety of interrelated elements.
Don’t Waste Money On Unproven Methods
Homeowners waste thousands of dollars each year on methods that don’t solve the problem. The good news is that professional basement waterproofing systems come with a warranty and really work. B-Dry New England has been protecting homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for decades with tested and proven solutions to the root causes of water problems, not just the symptoms.
Call B-Dry New England today at (401) 300-4943 for a free basement inspection and honest assessment of what your home really needs.