FOUNDATION & BASEMENT WATERPROOFING IN SEATTLE, WA

Basements are a common feature in Seattle homes. They offer extra living space, storage, and the potential to increase the value of your home. However, basements can also be a source of water damage if they are not properly waterproofed. Waterproofing your basement will help to keep it dry, preventing mold and mildew from growing and protecting your belongings from water damage. There are a number of different ways to waterproof your basement, and the best approach will depend on the construction of your home and the level of moisture in the air. However, some common methods include installing drainage systems and applying waterproof sealants to the walls and floors. By taking these steps, you can help to protect your basement from water damage

In foundation waterproofing, the first step is to identify the source of the leak in the wet basement. This usually is done by conferring with the home or business owner to determine when and where the problem began to occur. It helps in the diagnosis if the basement is unfinished because water leaves a trail. However, a well-trained Basement Advisor can also help find the source of the problem in a finished basement.

WATERPROOFING SOLUTIONS IN THE SEATTLE AREA

With all the diverse weather issues faced by Seattle area home and business owners, the question might surface about when and how to protect one of their most significant investments. The “when” would, in a perfect world, be at construction. But the world isn’t perfect and most often an owner notices their structure's problems after the fact. In Seattle, that may mean finding wet basement problems after a season of torrential rains that cause excessive flooding in poorly-draining areas that surround a structure, whether home or business. When this happens, a professional foundation repair specialist needs to be brought in to do a comprehensive analysis to determine the best solutions to an owner’s problem.

Wet basement solutions come in a variety of strategies, most involving the sealing of the foundation wall cracks in poured concrete foundations (poured concrete is the most common type of foundation in the Seattle metro area). Cracks are easily visible in an unfinished basement. These leaking cracks leave water stains on the foundation wall. However, in a finished basement, the diagnosis should begin by identifying the area where the water is first entering the basement, then searching around the exterior of the structure for a crack. A good number of these cracks extend to the top of the foundation wall, which is normally exposed above the soil line. Cracks can also be sealed from the interior using an Epoxy / Urethane injection process or from the exterior using a Wall-Clay process. Both methods are reliable in preventing additional seepage through the crack and into the basement.

There is another common basement waterproofing problem where the source of the water leak is at the cove joint where the floor and wall meet. This is frequently caused by hydrostatic pressure, which occurs when the water table rises after a long period of rain or snow melt. The accumulated weight of water in the ground (8 pounds per gallon) forces water underneath the structure’s footing and up into the basement. The best solution for this type of problem is the installation of a Drain Tile System, where a sump pump is used to discharge the water. The drain tile (sometimes referred to as a French drain in other areas of the country) relieves the hydrostatic pressure by providing an easier path for the water to escape, thus eliminating the water’s pressure so that the seepage problem goes away. This problem can be addressed from either the interior or exterior of the structure.

Sump Pump Installation

At My Foundation Repair, we understand that Seattle residents need a reliable sump pump installation service provider. For this reason, our company offers quality installations designed to protect your property and keep it dry.

Not only do we proudly offer sump pumps that are built to last, but we also guarantee long-term performance by providing warranty coverage that covers parts, labor, and more. Our certified technicians will come out to your home promptly and assess your situation with expertise, so you can have confidence in your investment and the job being done properly. If you're in need of professional sump pump installation in Seattle, look no further than My Foundation Repair!

SEATTLE BASEMENT WATERPROOFING CONTRACTORS

Basement waterproofing is an important home improvement project that helps to protect your home from water damage. Basement waterproofing contractors in Seattle can help you to choose the right products and materials for your home and to install them correctly. By keeping your basement dry, you can avoid the problems that can be caused by mold and mildew growth, wood rot, and insect infestations. In addition, a dry basement is more comfortable to live in and can increase the value of your home. If you are concerned about water damage in your basement, contact a Seattle basement waterproofing contractor today to discuss your options.

CAUSES OF WET BASEMENTS IN SEATTLE

A wet basement is a common problem in Seattle, especially during the rainy season. There are several possible causes of a wet basement, including leaks in the foundation, overflowing gutters, and poor drainage around the house. In many cases, a combination of factors is to blame. For example, a clogged gutter may cause water to overflow and seep into the basement, while a cracked foundation can allow water to enter the basement even when there is no rainfall.

The best way to prevent a wet basement is to address all potential sources of moisture. This may involve installing gutters and downspouts that direct water away from the foundation, fixing cracks in the foundation, and improving drainage around the perimeter of the house. By taking these measures, you can help keep your basement dry throughout the year.

FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING AND GRADING ISSUES

Sometimes a diagnosis will show water coming in over the top of the foundation or through the mortar joints between the bricks that sit atop the foundation wall. This problem happens as a result of the exterior grade being built up above the top of the foundation wall, either by soil or, possibly, by a previous construction of a driveway, a walk area, or a patio. This can be readily confirmed by running a garden hose on the ground beside the problem area. Warning: water will often enter the basement rather quickly, so it is recommended that you be ready to turn the water off quickly.

Unfortunately, lowering the grade is not usually a viable option in this situation. It is usually recommended that an Exterior Subsoil Membrane be applied to the lower graded portion of the wall when this problem is encountered. The solution only needs to cover the wall from the soil line down and then overlap the foundation by only about 6 inches. Foundation waterproofing membranes are also effective for waterproofing brick, stone, and other hard surface foundations.