Due to significant advances over the past few years, basement waterproofing products have become much more effective and affordable than ever before. From high capacity sump pumps, efficient sump pits, polyurethane crack injection foams and carbon fiber basement wall bracing have turned basement waterproofing into a profession. With the right knowledge you can transform your basement into an extension of your homes living space.

One of the most common mistakes when attempting any basement waterproofing is treating the symptoms instead of focusing on the disease. Stop putting band aids on the visual things and start looking at the big picture. Where is the water coming from? This is the question that you must keep in mind throughout your inspection and investigation. All of the waterproofing paint in the world will not help if you have a plumbing leak or a natural spring under your basement.  

The cracks and dampness on basement walls are almost always caused by a process called hydrostatic pressure, which is caused by over saturated soil applying pressure against the foundation. Covering up the effects of this process on the inside with cheap basement waterproofing products may hide the aesthetic problems, but your walls will continue to move and eventually collapse. Interior basement waterproofing products are always best used in conjunction with an exterior drainage system. Having your exterior drain tiles checked to ensure they are clear and functional is the first step in getting a clean bill of health for your basement. If any blockages or breaks are found, it's important to have the drains repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.

Top 5 reasons why steel piers are the best foundation repair method:

For more information about steel piers and foundation repair

"About 38 percent of homes have mold and fungus growth due to elevated moisture." (The American Society of Home Inspectors).

Basements and concrete slabs are the largest sources of moisture in your home: The pores in concrete do not only let in moisture, but they actively draw it inside by capillary action. The average basement lets in 18 gallons of moisture each day, several times more than your bathrooms and kitchen combined!

Molds and dust mites aggravate or cause allergies and asthma, particularly, in children. The incidence of allergies and asthma has doubled in the last decade, which has been linked to the increase in air-borne molds in modern energy-efficient homes.

Your basement is not the healthiest room in the house so you need to be careful and actually do something about it when you start your new basement remodeling project.The only effective way to control biological air contaminants like molds, fungi, dust mites, and bacteria is to control the cause. Your goal: eliminate the sources of moisture and reduce humidity in your basement!

Why is waterproofing important?

A wet cellar can dramatically reduce the value of your home. Studies show that most people won't even consider buying a home that has water leaks. Selling a home with water leaks can easily result in as much as a 25% reduction in the sale price if it sales at all.

Even if you rarely have problems with dampness or flooding, it's best to solve the problem completely before doing any remodeling work. Permanent solutions can take time to implement. A good place to start is to talk to a waterproofing expert.

Proper insulation is critical to creating a comfortable, dry basement. Besides keeping out the cold, basement insulation prevents condensation. The ground stays cool year round. It in turn keeps basement walls cool. When the warmer air in the room comes in contact with all those cool walls, it has to give up some of its moisture in the form of condensation. In fact, condensation is the primary source of the moisture that causes mold and mildew problems in basements. Effective insulation separates the warm air of the room from the cool walls, thereby preventing the moisture problems that stem from condensation.

Warning signs that you have waterproofing problems in your basement

·      Mold and Mildew: Fungus that grows in damp and dark areas, and cause discoloration, or musty odors.

·      Moldy Odors: This is the result of the decay process from mold, and dry rot.

·      Peeling Paint: Peeling paint is a sign that you have moisture problems and waterproofing issues. 

·      Damp Spots on Walls: Water has absorbed through your walls. 

·      White Substance on Basement Walls: This is a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your walls together. This white substance is a sign of possible structural deterioration. 

·      Cracked Walls: Should be inspected to determine the exact cause. 

·      Rust on Appliances: Like furnaces. Rust is caused by a wet environment and is the sign of waterproofing issues. 

·      Dry Rot: Black fungus grows mostly on walls or wooden surfaces, causing wood to decay.

Posted by Jonathan Maguire, Atlas Piers of Atlanta 

Garage Column failure is a very common issue around the Atlanta metro area.  In fact, Garage Column settlement is one of the top 3 issues we see in foundation failures.  So what is it and how do you fix it?

Garage Columns are the center columns between two or more garage doors into a garage.  The Column is generally a structural element that carries either a brick load, beam load or header load.  What this means is that the column generally carries a concentrated load where other parts of the home carry a line load across a continuous footing (think of the house over the garage door openings, instead of sitting on the ground they area passed to either side of the opening).

When many houses were built, the soils for the garage were moved into the area (especially when there is a basement) and then compacted.  In many cases, the builder or grader failed to compact the soils enough to carry a concentrated load.  These poorly compacted soils can cause the garage column to settle over time – if you have a brick house then you will have a crack above the garage column as this happens.  As a result of the failure, you may also notice sheet rock cracks in any rooms above the garage.  You may see a crack on either side of the garage floor where the floor slopes towards the middle.

The fix for this failure is typically to install 1-2 helical piers.  In years past, when helical piers were not used as much, we would install resistance or push piers.  It was a dangerous process, that put unnecessary stress on the column and resulted in many companies having warranty issues.  Overall, it’s not a good idea to install a push pier under a garage column.

The typical installation for garage columns is to remove the driveway slab around the column, install 1 helical pier on either side of the column and then lift the column back in to place.  Many of the cracks in the brick veneer will close, but you may still need to repoint (fill in) the mortar for a better look.

Some of the unknowns in repairing garage columns are 1) footing or grade beam under the garage slab, 2) depth of the helical piers, 3) lift results.  Give Atlas Piers of Atlanta a call to determine what solution is best for you.

Damage to homes and commercial structures in the US is commonly related to soil characteristics, with expansive (shrink/swell) soils and collapsing soils causing the most problems. Cracking of foundations, walls, driveways, swimming pools, and roads costs us millions of dollars each year in repairs. Severe or recurring damage can lower the value of a house or property. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, about half of the houses built in the United States each year are situated on unstable soil, and about half of these will eventually suffer some soil related damage.  This damage causes greater financial loss to property than earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes and tornados combined. 

Each spring and summer homeowners in Texas are reminded of this, as the moisture content of their expansive clay soils dramatically increases and decreases with the seasons.  The causes of soil expansion or collapse are related to the type of clay minerals in the soil and original soil density. A change in soil moisture content can cause clay minerals to swell like a sponge or to collapse as it dries.  Expansive clay soils can cause walls and foundations to crack and roads and sidewalks to warp.  

The first sign of expansive soils causing a need for foundation repairs is when you notice a misalignment of doors and windows. Another indication of soil expansion is when your patio or driveway slabs buckle or move away from the house. Non-load-bearing walls, which do not have enough weight to resist the pressure produced by expansion, typically crack before load-bearing walls do. Upon drying, expansive soil shrinks, forming large, deep cracks or "popcorn" texture in surface exposures. 

Decreasing the effects of expansive clay soils can be accomplished several ways. The application of hydrated lime to swelling soils is a common treatment that is usually effective in reducing expansion. Another effective method is to replace the expansive soils with non-expansive fill. This can only be accomplished in new construction projects. The application of protective barriers, such as geo-membranes, that surround the homes foundation help keep soil moisture levels constant and prevent the infiltration of surface water. 

For larger problems caused by expansive soils, helical piers or steel piers can be an effective solution. These piers extend the foundation below the active soil layers to a non expansive stratum of soil. The key to these types of foundation repair techniques is depth. One must bear these piers on deep soils at least three times their diameter below the expansive layers.

Poor drainage can result in ponding of water, which allows clays to absorb water, expand and cause problems. Gutters and downspouts should direct water at least 10’ away from the foundation to help maintain consistent soil moisture. Deep watering of landscaping plants and lawns by drip irrigation systems also can trigger soil expansion.