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How does water get into a basement?
When you see a puddle of water on your
basement floor, it isn't always easy to tell where
the water is coming from. Although it may
appear to be entering through the floor, the
actual source of the leak may come from several
different sources. Water will take the path of
least resistance, which often means that water
won't come directly through the floor.
The five most common sources of basement
water intrusion are the joint between the
foundation footing and the wall, windows, tiny
spaces around the steel form ties from when
the foundation walls were poured, other cold
poured joints in the walls, and foundation
cracks, even newly sealed ones.
When you see a puddle of water on your
basement floor, it isn't always easy to tell where
the water is coming from. Although it may
appear to be entering through the floor, the
actual source of the leak may come from several
different sources. Water will take the path of
least resistance, which often means that water
won't come directly through the floor.
The five most common sources of basement
water intrusion are the joint between the
foundation footing and the wall, windows, tiny
spaces around the steel form ties from when
the foundation walls were poured, other cold
poured joints in the walls, and foundation
cracks, even newly sealed ones.
ACM Basement Waterproofing
Long Island NY
121 Freeman Ave. Islip, NY 11751
(631) 581-0600
www. wetbasementguy .com
Long Island NY
121 Freeman Ave. Islip, NY 11751
(631) 581-0600
www. wetbasementguy .com
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
In all of these cases, water is generally entering the home as run-off that has seeped into the
ground and found its way into the basement. However, on some parts of Long Island wet
basements can be the result of a high or perched water table. This also doesn't necessarily
mean that the water will come directly up through the floor, however, because the water may
find that the easiest way in may still be the footing joint or the walls.
Water takes the path of least resistance. This also means that if it gets in once, it is likely to
enter again through the same spot. All it will take is the right weather conditions, like a storm
or a heavy snow thaw, and suddenly you've got a flooded basement. In other cases, a home
may have been suffering from a leaky basement for decades.
As every basement waterproofing specialist has come to realize, there is virtually no such
thing as a completely dry basement. Basements are naturally damp, even if there is no
standing water. In basement waterproofing, the goal is to allow people to live healthy lives
without the worry that they may come home one day to a flooded basement and damaged
possessions.
On Long Island basement waterproofing can be a challenge for do-it-yourselfers and
inexperienced waterproofing companies, because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The soil
composition, ground layout, and building structures of Long Island are unique in that there is
so much variation from area to area. Because of this, Long Island basement waterproofing
solutions vary greatly from one house to another, so an accurate diagnosis of the problem is
crucial.
Should I waterproof before I finish my basement?
If you are planning to finish your basement, the best insurance policy you could possibly take
out is to waterproof the basement before you fill it with furniture, drywall and expensive
flooring. While ACM Basement Waterproofing doesn't offer basement finishing services, we do
recommend to all of our customers that they waterproof before they finish. Even if you've
never noticed a leak, the soil conditions on Long Island are constantly changing and the water
table can be expected to move every few years.
While our basement waterproofing systems can be installed in a finished basement, many of
our customers with finished basements contact us after they have suffered thousands of
dollars in property damage. It makes sense to avoid this unnecessary cost by waterproofing
before you finish.
How much does basement waterproofing cost? Is it worth it to just go with the most
expensive solution?
When it comes to wet basement waterproofing solutions, the effectiveness of a solution is not
always a simple matter of the amount of money spent. While the cost of waterproofing a
basement does depend on the method employed, some of the more expensive methods are
not as effective as the simpler, more fool-proof systems.
Over the course of the last century, the French drain has proven itself as the most effective,
efficient and affordable way to waterproof a basement. Although many basement
waterproofing companies offer "patented" versions, they are all variations on the French drain.
For more information on the French drain, visit our French drain page.
In most cases, we recommend to our customers that they include a sump pump as part of
their drainage system. When the French drain fills up with water, this water will flow into the
sump where it can be safely pumped out of the home.
In addition to French drains and sump pumps, ACM Basement Waterproofing also offers a
variety of other wet basement solutions that can be tailored to suit the individual needs of you
and your family. At first, it may seem like the best option is to simply seal up the basement so
that water cannot enter. This can be problematic, however, because water will always find
some other way of entering the house. If you seal up one crack, more often than not you'll
end up with a new leak in a place that never had a leak before since the water has to go
somewhere.
Sometimes it is appropriate to dig out the foundation from the outside and seal the
foundation walls by applying a tar-like basement waterproofing membrane to the walls. Like
sealing a crack, however, this can often cause more problems than it solves. By digging out
the soil, you are weakening the natural protective barrier around your foundation wall. Keep in
mind that this soil has been sitting next to your home's foundation for the entire life of the
structure. No matter how well you attempt to compact the soil after the excavation, it is nearly
impossible to mimic decades of settling. The area that has been excavated will now become a
weak spot where water will sit, searching for a way of entering your basement.
The French drain, on the other hand, is virtually fool-proof. It will deal with water no matter
where it comes from. In addition, it is relatively affordable, can be installed with minimal
damage to your home or property, and work can often be completed in one or two days.
ground and found its way into the basement. However, on some parts of Long Island wet
basements can be the result of a high or perched water table. This also doesn't necessarily
mean that the water will come directly up through the floor, however, because the water may
find that the easiest way in may still be the footing joint or the walls.
Water takes the path of least resistance. This also means that if it gets in once, it is likely to
enter again through the same spot. All it will take is the right weather conditions, like a storm
or a heavy snow thaw, and suddenly you've got a flooded basement. In other cases, a home
may have been suffering from a leaky basement for decades.
As every basement waterproofing specialist has come to realize, there is virtually no such
thing as a completely dry basement. Basements are naturally damp, even if there is no
standing water. In basement waterproofing, the goal is to allow people to live healthy lives
without the worry that they may come home one day to a flooded basement and damaged
possessions.
On Long Island basement waterproofing can be a challenge for do-it-yourselfers and
inexperienced waterproofing companies, because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The soil
composition, ground layout, and building structures of Long Island are unique in that there is
so much variation from area to area. Because of this, Long Island basement waterproofing
solutions vary greatly from one house to another, so an accurate diagnosis of the problem is
crucial.
Should I waterproof before I finish my basement?
If you are planning to finish your basement, the best insurance policy you could possibly take
out is to waterproof the basement before you fill it with furniture, drywall and expensive
flooring. While ACM Basement Waterproofing doesn't offer basement finishing services, we do
recommend to all of our customers that they waterproof before they finish. Even if you've
never noticed a leak, the soil conditions on Long Island are constantly changing and the water
table can be expected to move every few years.
While our basement waterproofing systems can be installed in a finished basement, many of
our customers with finished basements contact us after they have suffered thousands of
dollars in property damage. It makes sense to avoid this unnecessary cost by waterproofing
before you finish.
How much does basement waterproofing cost? Is it worth it to just go with the most
expensive solution?
When it comes to wet basement waterproofing solutions, the effectiveness of a solution is not
always a simple matter of the amount of money spent. While the cost of waterproofing a
basement does depend on the method employed, some of the more expensive methods are
not as effective as the simpler, more fool-proof systems.
Over the course of the last century, the French drain has proven itself as the most effective,
efficient and affordable way to waterproof a basement. Although many basement
waterproofing companies offer "patented" versions, they are all variations on the French drain.
For more information on the French drain, visit our French drain page.
In most cases, we recommend to our customers that they include a sump pump as part of
their drainage system. When the French drain fills up with water, this water will flow into the
sump where it can be safely pumped out of the home.
In addition to French drains and sump pumps, ACM Basement Waterproofing also offers a
variety of other wet basement solutions that can be tailored to suit the individual needs of you
and your family. At first, it may seem like the best option is to simply seal up the basement so
that water cannot enter. This can be problematic, however, because water will always find
some other way of entering the house. If you seal up one crack, more often than not you'll
end up with a new leak in a place that never had a leak before since the water has to go
somewhere.
Sometimes it is appropriate to dig out the foundation from the outside and seal the
foundation walls by applying a tar-like basement waterproofing membrane to the walls. Like
sealing a crack, however, this can often cause more problems than it solves. By digging out
the soil, you are weakening the natural protective barrier around your foundation wall. Keep in
mind that this soil has been sitting next to your home's foundation for the entire life of the
structure. No matter how well you attempt to compact the soil after the excavation, it is nearly
impossible to mimic decades of settling. The area that has been excavated will now become a
weak spot where water will sit, searching for a way of entering your basement.
The French drain, on the other hand, is virtually fool-proof. It will deal with water no matter
where it comes from. In addition, it is relatively affordable, can be installed with minimal
damage to your home or property, and work can often be completed in one or two days.
| Click to see a diagram showing the 8 ways through which water enters a basement. |
| We are open right now 7am-11pm 7 days a week Call ACM Basement Waterproofing now for free advice on your Long Island basement waterproofing solution or any wet basement problems 631-581-0600 |
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631.581.0600
Welcome to wetbasementguy.com, home of ACM Basement Waterproofing Long Island
NY
At ACM Basement Waterproofing, our primary goal is to educate and help you make the best
decision that you can make about how to protect your primary investment - your home. Here
on our site you'll find information about common basement water problems and what we do
to solve them. Below you'll find the answers to common basement waterproofing questions,
and the links above provide a bit more information about our company, our customers, our
services, and what sets us apart from the competition. Call us at 631-581-0600 with any
basement waterproofing questions and we'll be happy to help. We will also schedule a free
estimate to determine the solution that's right for your basement water problems and your
budget.
NY
At ACM Basement Waterproofing, our primary goal is to educate and help you make the best
decision that you can make about how to protect your primary investment - your home. Here
on our site you'll find information about common basement water problems and what we do
to solve them. Below you'll find the answers to common basement waterproofing questions,
and the links above provide a bit more information about our company, our customers, our
services, and what sets us apart from the competition. Call us at 631-581-0600 with any
basement waterproofing questions and we'll be happy to help. We will also schedule a free
estimate to determine the solution that's right for your basement water problems and your
budget.
| Mark McAlpin, owner of ACM Basement Waterproofing, installs an exterior drain leading to an interior French drain |