Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to frequent basement waterproofing, crawl space vapor barrier, and foundation repair questions.
Q: Why does my basement leak?
A: Water begins to build up around your home’s foundation and then seeps through the walls and floor. The leading cause of water in your basement is that the drain tile on the exterior of your home has begun to break down or become clogged due to the soil settling or poor installation.
Q: Why is there a musty smell in my basement?
A: The odor is caused by dampness and high humidity. Mold thrives in a damp basement environment. This smell often results in increased respiratory infections, asthma, and allergies.
Q: Why are the walls stained?
A: Stains are evidence of dampness in that wall area or acidic residue. Acidic residue, also known as efflorescence, results from water that builds upon the exterior of the basement wall that then travels through the block.
Q: Can I do anything on my own to correct the problem?
A: Cleaning your gutters and regrading the soil away from the home’s foundation may help. If this doesn’t correct the problem, please call The Basement Doctor®.
Q: Someone told us that they would do exterior waterproofing to prevent the water from reaching the basement. Is this a good idea?
A: Exterior waterproofing is often unnecessary and more costly. Pipes placed in the ground around the home become clogged and cracked because they are still exposed to the original conditions that caused the water to enter your basement. Soil settling is inevitable, and any pipes or tile installed in this environment will clog and break.
Q: What type of warranty do you have?
A: Waterproofing is warranted for the home’s life and is a transferable warranty. Foundation work depends on the type of work we do. We assure you we have the best warranties in the industry, at absolutely no charge to you. We feel that the peace of mind you gain from our work should be free.
Q: Will this type of work increase the value of my home?
A: Definitely! This will not only enhance the value of the house, but the home value will also increase by more than the cost to fix it.