Basement Repair Naperville IL prevents excess moisture from entering a submerged area of your home, improves insulation and energy efficiency, reduces health risks caused by mold and mildew, and increases the value of your home. A free inspection will pinpoint the exact repairs you need.
Settling foundations often cause cracks and bowing walls. Look for signs of settling such as hairline cracks or wet spots in the foundation walls and floor.
Basements are a valuable part of any home and provide storage spaces, recreation rooms, and even additional living quarters. However, a leaky basement is not only inconvenient but also leads to costly repairs and structural damage to the rest of the house. The best way to protect a home is by waterproofing the basement before it’s too late.
There are several waterproofing options to choose from, but they all work to prevent water and moisture from entering the basement space. These solutions include interior drains, sump pumps, and dehumidifiers. Interior options can be less expensive than exterior solutions, and they don’t require excavation or drainage systems to be installed. They are generally reactive, meaning that they deal with moisture after it has already gotten in through the basement walls or concrete floors.
Another effective method of waterproofing a basement is by using hydrophilic coatings. These products are injected into the wall cavities and create a barrier between moisture and the basement. They can be applied to either cinder block or poured walls, and are a great option for basements with existing cracks or leaking joints.
The last thing you want is a humid and dingy basement that attracts critters and insects. In addition to making the space unappealing for family members and guests, humidity can also increase energy costs by forcing the air conditioner to run constantly to keep the space cool. Basement waterproofing can reduce the humidity in your basement by containing excess moisture, which will lower energy bills and make the home more comfortable year-round.
A properly waterproofed basement can be a source of pride for homeowners. It can also help them maintain and improve the value of their home, which will make it a more attractive option for potential buyers. On average, a wet and flooded basement can decrease a home’s value by up to 10%.
The most important step in waterproofing a basement is making sure that it’s properly drained. Poor grading, clogged gutters and downspouts, and old drafty windows can all allow moisture to seep into the basement and cause damage to the foundation. Inspect and repair these issues regularly to minimize moisture in the basement and protect the structure of the home.
Foundation Cracks
Whether your home is built on a poured concrete foundation or has brick and stone walls, basement crack repair is a must-have. Foundation cracks are often a sign of shifting soil that must be addressed. Left untreated, these cracks can lead to a host of problems including moisture intrusion and mold growth. A botched basement crack repair job can worsen the situation and lead to even more costly repairs in the future.
Basement cracks are a common problem for both old and new homes. Some homeowners may try to repair the cracks themselves, but DIY solutions are not always effective and can actually make the cracks worse. Depending on the cause of the crack, it may be best to consult a professional to get the job done correctly.
Most basements have a nonstructural slab of concrete as the floor, but older homes may feature basement floors made of brick and stone. Poured concrete is the most common foundation material used for basements in homes today. If you’ve recently had a basement poured, it may have some hairline cracks that form due to the natural curing process. These cracks are not usually a sign of a problem, but keep an eye on them to see if they widen over time.
If the cracks are in the mortar joints where the basement floor meets the walls, it may be caused by a lack of bonding and requires a professional inspection. Those in a stair-step pattern may be caused by shifting soil that could compromise the structural integrity of the wall.
Cracks that extend from the top of a basement wall to the floor are often caused by hydrostatic pressure building in the soil. If the pressure continues to build, it can lead to wall bowing and collapse.
Other types of cracks include:
- Diagonal cracks that run from one corner of the basement to another.
- Horizontal cracks that appear across a foundation wall.
- Vertical cracks that extend down from the interior of a foundation.
If the cracks are accompanied by doors or windows that stick or jam when opened and closed, it may indicate a shift in the foundation and warrant a professional evaluation.
Air Leaks
One of the most important things you can do to prevent basement moisture is to seal leaky foundation cracks. A reputable basement waterproofing company can use an epoxy injection method that has proven to be the most long-lasting and effective. This method does not require removing drywall, which means you can keep the basement drywall and finishes intact.
Leaks in unfinished portions of the basement can also be sealed with caulking and canned spray foam. The most common area where leaks occur is around the perimeter framing that sits on top of the basement foundation. The sill plate and rim (or band) joist are often poorly insulated or not insulated at all, which allows outside air to leak in. This air can bring water vapor, radon gas, mold spores, chemicals from pesticide treatments and other subsoil contaminants into your living space.
Another major source of basement air leakage is the gaps and cracks in the basement and crawl spaces. Basement and crawl space leaks are usually in close relationship to leaks in the attic, and they are a significant contributor to energy loss in homes. They can also be sources of dangerous pollutants – such as water vapor, radon gas, and mold spores – that can find their way into living areas of the house.
Most of these air leaks can be fixed by sealing the attic, repairing holes in the basement walls, and installing adequate insulation in the basement and crawl spaces. However, you may need to use a blower door test or other diagnostic tools to pinpoint the problem areas.
A few other items to look out for include puddles, damp spots or wood rot that can indicate that water is seeping through your basement walls and floor joists. If you notice any of these, you should seek a basement repair specialist as soon as possible.
A wet basement can increase the humidity in your home to levels that are harmful to drywall, furniture, wood floors and other materials. This can also lead to mold and musty odors. To prevent this, basement drainage systems can be installed to channel water away from the wall and down into a sump pump pit. It is also recommended that you ensure the grading around your house is properly sloping so that rainwater does not flow toward your foundation and cause water seepage.
Mold
Mold is not just a nuisance—it poses significant health issues for the home’s residents. A serious infestation can release spores that irritate the eyes and respiratory system, exacerbate allergies, and even trigger asthma attacks in individuals with weakened immune systems. Mold can also damage or destroy the surfaces it grows on, including wood, wallpaper and carpeting.
Thankfully, there are ways to prevent mold growth in the basement and protect your health. One easy step is to install a dehumidifier and fans in your basement. Another is to regrade your yard to direct groundwater away from the foundation. Additionally, installing downspout extensions can redirect water away from the house’s walls and help prevent moisture buildup in the basement.
To get rid of mold in the basement, it’s vital to identify and address the underlying cause of moisture intrusion. At-home solutions such as bleach, borax and vinegar only provide temporary relief because they don’t address the source of the problem. If you notice any discoloration of the walls or a musty odor in the basement, it’s likely that mold is present and needs to be removed.
If left untreated, mold in the basement can ingrain itself into the structural supports of your home, causing cracks and weakening your foundation. It can also eat away at other building materials, such as wallpaper and paint. This deterioration can result in costly repairs and decrease your property value.
Luckily, early intervention can prevent mold from spreading to other areas of the house and save you money in the long run. If you see discoloration of the wallpaper or a musty odor, you need to call in a professional for mold removal immediately. They’ll inspect the area and remove any visible signs of mold, as well as test for the presence of toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) which can be deadly. They’ll also offer preventative services to keep mold from returning in the future. This includes cleaning up the space, fixing leaks, and preventing humidity problems that lead to mold growth.