The Advantages of Interior Waterproofing
With summer storms on the horizon you may be considering getting sandbags for your egress doors or installing a drainage system outside your home, This post is to ask you to think again!
Though exterior solutions to wet basements seem like a good option to keep your basement dry, here is the advantage of installing an interior waterproofing system.
Exterior
Before diving into the interior solutions, here is a brief list of some exterior solutions you may be considering
Contractors who recommend exterior systems generally use one of three methods.
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Grading: Some contractors will lead you to believe that by simply adjusting the grading of your property will solve any leaky basement issues. While this might help this situation, it will not address the root of the problem which is soil saturation. This is where the majority of the water in your basement comes from.
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French Drain: A French Drain is a drainage system that sits below the surface collecting water. This system can be installed in the interior or exterior of your home. When used externally, there is a trench dug around your home like a moat to collect any water that would instead seep its way into your home. This once again does not protect you from all of the water that is already in the soil and can access your home below the surface. The biggest problem with this option is that since it is exposed to the elements, it easily allows any sediment or debris as well as water into the trench which can clog the system very easily.
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Footing Drain: This is the same drain pipe as the French Drain system, but it’s installed all the way down at the footing of the foundation. This system has the same flaws as the French drain, but clogging here is an even bigger issue given that the entire system is feet below the surface.
Another thing to consider is the fact that each of these options will make a mess of your yard right during the time of year you want to use it the most!
Interior
Our best recommendation for an interior solution is the WaterGuard Drainage System! This system collects any and all water that may enter your basement or crawlspace. When it comes to water, if there’s a will there's a way, even if it has to come directly through the wall. Due to hydrostatic pressure, the pressure water exerts when it is resting. When increased saturation leads to increased pressure, and the water moves to find a lower pressure area. This lower pressure area is also known as your home. Through the process of osmosis water can actually travel directly through your foundation walls.
The WaterGuard System will not tear up your yard or try to fight hydrostatic pressure, instead, it lets nature do its thing and just simply collects and removes the water as it enters your home.
There is a patent-protects product called CleanSpace Wallie Liner that lines your walls (hence the name) to capture any vapor that comes through the foundation. This line is sealed off by a French Drain style system. This trench-like product and the actual product called WaterGuard. It takes any water that the CleanSpace Wallie Liner collects and directs it to a sump pump. The sump pump will then push the water up and and away from your home.
To read in further detail about the features of a WaterGuard System, click here!
(Based on a project in Fort Belvoir, VA)
Call us today to get a free estimate on having a dry basement!