Foundation Waterproofing

Your foundation is an important—if not the most important—aspect of your home’s construction. Everything built above it should remain nice and level. If your walls tilt or water constantly leaks into your basement, something is definitely wrong with your foundation. You need a solution that can both level your foundation out again and waterproof it against all types of wear and weather. 

The best foundation waterproofing solution is a reliable drainage system complete with a powerful sump pump. The experts at JES Foundation Repair can quickly install this efficient system for you so that your foundation will stay dry—permanently. 

How Will I Know My Foundation Needs to Be Repaired? 

Many homeowners may not even be aware that there is a serious issue with their foundation. They may simply brush off any problem signs they do notice as nothing to worry about. This, of course, is not true at all. It is better to keep an eye out for these smaller problem signs now before you have to shell out thousands of dollars on costly repairs that could have been prevented. 

Here are some of the common problem signs that there is something wrong with your foundation. 

• Leaking 
• Cracks 
• Musty Smell 
• Tilting Walls 
• Uneven Floors 

If you see one or more of these problem signs, you should contact a foundation repair specialist to have your home assessed. After all, foundation problems are the easiest (and cheapest) to fix when you catch them early! 

What Causes Foundations to Break? 

Most foundations constructed today are made of concrete. Though concrete is indeed quite tough, it is not entirely invulnerable. Various factors can slowly chip away at this crucial component of your home and affect other areas as well. 

• Hydrostatic Pressure 

Moisture is one of the most detrimental elements for foundations of any kind. It can infiltrate the soil surrounding your foundation and push up against it. This pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, may grow heavy enough to shift or crack your foundation. 

• Settling Foundations and the Clay Bowl Effect 

When foundations are first constructed, contractors have to dig out a huge hole in the ground where the foundation and the basement’s walls and floor will rest. Once that is finished, they will then backfill the remaining space with some of that soil again. This creates a sort of “clay bowl” around the foundation. 

Once disturbed, that soil will never compact the same again. This loose soil can easily wash away in a harsh storm, which takes away support for the foundation. The moment it settles again, it will very likely crack or become uneven. 

How Do Contractors Waterproof Foundations? 

Contractors do try their best to implement waterproofing solutions when they first construct a foundation. However, these tend to wear over time. The two most common foundation protection methods contractors use are damp-proofing or waterproofing. 

• Damp Proofing 

Damp proofing is a moisture-resistant spray that does not fully waterproof the foundation. Rather, it limits the amount of water that seeps through the foundation’s pores. It cannot seal larger cracks or holes caused by a construction defect, rendering it pretty ineffective should you live in an area that has heavy yearly rainfall or snowfall. 

Damp proofing is not frequently recommended by contractors. However, it is still typically used in areas where hydrostatic pressure is not much of an issue. Unfortunately, this spray is not enough to completely prevent flooding in drier areas, either. Even a single huge storm might cause significant damage to your foundation, or at the very least, the soil surrounding it. 

• Waterproofing 

Waterproofing a foundation typically means installing some sort of layer or membrane over it that will block moisture from trickling through the foundation. Contractors will also install an exterior drain tile that is supposed to help drain water from the foundation. 

Unfortunately, an external waterproof system can damage the foundation over time. Excavating the soil around the foundation in order to repair an already broken system can be costly. You also run the risk of cracking the foundation if you attempt this yourself. 

When it comes to foundation waterproofing, leave it to the experts at JES Foundation Repair. We will inspect your foundation for any waterproofing issues and repair them right away. We can also install an internal waterproofing system that will keep your foundation level and dry for years to come. 

Foundation Waterproofing Solutions 

Foundations are made to be waterproof. Many contractors will install an external waterproof barrier around the outside of your home’s foundation after construction. Despite this, you may find that barrier either wearing down or simply not working as it is supposed to. 

Your foundation needs a more permanent solution that will keep your foundation level and your basement or crawl space dry. Hiring the experts at JES Foundation Repair to inspect your foundation for issues can help. We will offer you the very best in waterproofing solutions. 

• Overall Foundation Repair 

The experts at JES Foundation Repair can quickly and easily identify any foundational problem signs that may arise. We can permanently stabilize and help lift any uneven foundation, as well as offer additional support to your foundation using a variety of methods. From our simple PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting solution to our sturdy IntelliBrace™ wall repair system, our experts can install whatever you need to keep your foundation safe and sound. 

There’s no need to wait until your foundation problems get out of hand, either. JES Foundation Repair will inspect your foundation for free. Being able to catch smaller problem signs early on can not only save your foundation but your time and money as well. 

• Drainage System and Sump Pumps 

Installing an interior drainage system with a sump pump can keep your basement or crawl space permanently dry. 

A reliable, self-activating sump pump system like a SafeDri™ will redirect any moisture that would flood your basement or crawl space away from these spaces. Because it can be fitted with a backup pump, you will not have to worry about your basement or crawl space flooding should your power go out. The pump will continue pumping water away from your home as long as it detects water flowing into it. 

The drainage system connected to your sump pump can involve either an interior or exterior outlet. The main difference between the two lies in where the water drains. 

An interior drainage system will collect any leaking water and channel it to the sump pump system. These are unobtrusive systems that will help keep water away from the rest of your basement or crawl space. 

An exterior outlet system like the YardWell,™ on the other hand, drains moisture onto your yard. You can save on costly water bills by redirecting any water this system collects out onto your lawn instead. The outlet itself will remain relatively hidden and is quite durable against the occasional brush with your lawnmower. 

Couple a good drainage system and sump pump together, and your basement or crawl space will stay completely dry no matter what harrowing weather comes your way. 

• Crawl Space Encapsulation 

Your home’s crawl space typically rests between your ground and first floor. This space holds many of your home’s important components, namely your foundation, plumbing, electrical wiring, and much more. 

These spaces may also become flooded during severe weather, so you need to fully encapsulate the space from the outside elements. JES Foundation Repair can quickly encapsulate your crawl space by installing various waterproofing measures including a vapor barrier, a dehumidifier, a CrawlDrain™ crawl space drain, and a sump pump system to keep this space moisture-free. 

These systems will work together to collect water that seeps up from the ground (the CrawlDrain™ system) as well as water that leaks in from above. The added bonus of a dehumidifier also ensures that any moisture particles in the air will be filtered out. Your crawl space will no longer have to suffer from hidden water damage ever again.

Foundation Waterproofing

FAQ's

How Do I Know When Leaks are Caused by a Shifting Foundation?

Leaks are a bit more complex than a crack along the ground or an uneven floor. Many homeowners cannot tell for certain how these leaks occur in the first place. 

• When Leaks are Caused by Clogged or Misaligned Pipes 

A leak might simply be attributed to clogged or misaligned plumbing. This simple problem will have simple solutions. You can use a safe anti-clog solution you can buy at the store or call a plumber to realign your pipes again. Your issues should not resurface again after that. 

However, if you find that your basement or crawl space faces recurrent flooding due to these oddly misaligned pipes, it is possible that your true issue lies with your foundation. It may put your mind more at ease to schedule a free foundation inspection with our foundation experts just to make sure. Even if it does happen to be a plumbing problem, you will at least have a professional’s opinion on the matter at no cost to you! 

• When Leaks are Caused by a Shifted Foundation 

You will know when your shifting foundation is to blame after you have tried to fix your plumbing and still find leaks throughout your home. A shifting foundation can easily shift your pipes’ alignments again and again, so you need to call a foundation expert to make sure this is not the case with your home. 

JES Foundation Repair offers free foundation inspections, which means you can get an expert’s opinion on the matter at no cost to you. Experts will be able to properly diagnose what is wrong and even offer you plenty of waterproofing solutions perfect for your foundation.

Can I Repair Foundation Problems by Myself?

To put it simply, no. You may not have the proper tools, expertise, and skills to diagnose foundation issues, let alone repair them safely and effectively. There are many things that could go wrong if you try to undertake this work alone. 

• Injury or Structural Damage 

If you try to undertake foundation repairs alone, you will find that there is a fair amount of heavy lifting involved in the process. As such, it can be incredibly dangerous to undertake it without professionals present. If you do something wrong, you could cause serious, or even fatal, injury to yourself or anyone with you. 

Alternatively, undertaking these projects without the necessary skills or experience to know just what you are doing could actually damage your property further. Even if this causes no issues at first, it can lead to problems in the long term. As such, DIY fixes are far less cost-effective than they seem on the surface. 

• Professionals Give Great Results 

By contrast, if you hire a professional to assess and repair your foundation, you will find the process (and the results) to be entirely superior. First and foremost, experts will make the task of repair far quicker and neater. Secondly, they will be able to provide and install the best possible solution for your precise situation. 

Professionals are also more likely to have the special equipment needed on hand (and they’ll know just how to use it, too). This means that you will be able to rely on them to fix your foundation quickly, completely, and efficiently. So, while the costs may seem higher up front than a DIY fix, this is more cost-effective in the long run.

Contact JES to Waterproof Your Foundation in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. 

Waterproofing your foundation can be a tricky process. It is best to leave that to the foundation experts at JES Foundation Repair. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and repair quote with one of our highly trained and experienced professionals. We can help you permanently repair your home and protect it for years to come.