Is Sealing Enough to Waterproof Your Basement?
Many people in Raleigh are familiar with the problems of a leaky basement so sealing a basement is important. They know just how much water can seep in during a rain storm, and how the water can continue to pool even after the rain has come to a halt.
If they have attempted to repair the cracks in their foundation or tried sealing basement, they may also know another harsh truth: seal basement or sealing cracks seldom works by itself.
Let’s explore why your basement likely needs more than just a quick sealant to prevent future leaks.
Basement Leaks 101
The best way to understand why waterproof sealing sealants fail is to first understand why leaks form in basements to begin with.
The soil adjacent to the walls of your foundation is often less compact than the native soil of your property. This occurs because a certain amount of soil must be replaced after your foundation has been built.
This less compact soil expands more when it becomes saturated by water. It will push against the walls of your foundation until it fractures and cracks.
If your basement does have compact soil, it will still likely develop leaks if rain water is allowed to pool near the walls of your foundation. The water will seep through any crack, even the tiniest ones, until it enters your basement.
Why Is Sealing Insufficient to Stop Leaks Permanently?
How to seal a basement? Sealing is a great way to stop leaks, but it seldom works as a permanent solution. Even the best concrete sealants aren’t designed for prolonged exposure to high hydrostatic pressure.
While sealants may hold water at bay for a decent amount of time, the truth is that these sealants will eventually fail. You must fix the cause of your basement leaks to prevent them from recurring.
How Can You Prevent Basement Leaks?
The best way to prevent basement leaks is to correct their causes.
At Raleigh Waterproofing Inc., we start by evaluating the situation that caused the leak. We inspect the soil surrounding your basement, evaluate water’s ability to drain, and look for any outstanding water diversion problems.
We then draft a plan to correct these issues. This can include changing the grade of your soil, adding french drains, utilizing sump pumps, and countless other strategies.
The last step is to waterproof the inside of your basement. We utilize the right sealers that are designed to last a significant amount of time when the excess hydrostatic pressure has been removed from the walls of your basement.
If your basement leaks, or you’ve noticed signs of water retention, then don’t wait for your problem to get worse. Contact the professionals at Raleigh Waterproofing Inc. for all your waterproofing needs.