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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 water
intrusion in a basement 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.
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 water
intrusion in a basement 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.
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 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.
out is to waterproof the basement before you fill it with furniture, drywall and expensive
flooring. While ACM 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.
Should I waterproof before I finish my basement?
When it comes to basement waterproofing, 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
How much does waterproofing cost? Is it worth it to just go with the most expensive
solution?
solution?
ACM Basement Waterproofing
121 Freeman Ave. Islip, NY 11751
(631) 581-0600
121 Freeman Ave. Islip, NY 11751
(631) 581-0600
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How does water get into a basement?
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 waterproofer 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.
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 waterproofer 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.
| Click to see a diagram showing the 8 ways through which water enters a basement. |
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