Basement Waterproofing Problems

Sump Pump Failures

Sump pumps, when poor quality or improperly installed, often fail. Sometimes this is due to clogs, electrical problems, or mechanical failure. Other times failure is due to a lack of features that would have alerted a homeowner to sump problems. Such features include alarm systems, battery backups, remote controls, backup float switches, and other mechanisms that prevent failure.  When a sump pump fails, it can take days, weeks, months, or even years to notice the problem.  By the time problems are detected, the damage that has occurred is far more expensive than any prevention would have been.

Here are the warning signs that you should consider professional sump pump installation services.

• Constantly running pump
• No battery power backup
• No water in the sump pit or a water level that is higher than indicated level
• Frozen, clogged lines, or flooding on a consistent basis
• Leaking from around the pit or sump liner

Wall and Floor Seepage and Leaks

Cinder block is naturally permeable, so when your home is being built, a waterproof coating is put on the exterior of the wall to stop moisture from entering through the wall. As time goes on, this coating wears down and becomes less effective, allowing for water penetration. This problem will continue to worsen over time, if not properly repaired.

Cove joint seepage is a common problem in both block and poured concrete basements, and it’s usually a good indicator that you have a particularly high water table in your area. During heavy rains or major snow melts, the water table rises and creates enough pressure under your basement floor to force the water through and create new channels.

Tie rod leaks are commonly seen in poured concrete basement walls. Many times, leaks happen because the tie rod has rusted and expands, causing cracking and allowing water to trickle in and seep through the walls or floor of your home.

Leaks around pipes are extremely common. In fact, almost every basement has at least one pipe penetration where water is seeping in. The material used to seal around the pipe loses its bond to the wall allowing water to come in. Unfortunately, this is a problem that will continue to worsen over time and must be addressed quickly and properly.

Damp Basements / Mold

Basements not only experience leaks, floods, and drainage problems, they are often overwhelmed with high humidity. Humid basements lead to condensation that will ultimately lead to musty, foul-smelling basements.  Odor problems and growth of mildew and mold both present unsightly and unfortunate results including allergies and rotting wood.  Where major water intrusion isn’t present, dehumidification may be a homeowner’s best defense.  Professional grade dehumidifiers that displace massive amounts of water from the air can help keep a basement clean and dry.

Basement Floor Cracks 

Cracking basement floors are a common problem in the Midwest. They are caused due to concrete shrinkage or foundation settlement. If addressed early, and caught before you start to see water seeping through, you can usually prevent future structural and cosmetic damage.

Urethane injections are offered by Crossroads as a solution for repairing cracks in basement flooring, trickles of water from pipes, and tie rod leaks.  First, we grind down the crack—it must be as straight as possible—and thoroughly clean it out. We then inject urethane, a sealer, into the crack from dirt to the top of the concrete floor. Once the urethane has bound to the concrete, it adds structural integrity, helps prevent minor water seepage, and is ready to be painted or stained, if necessary.It may also be necessary to repair tie rods. This is accomplished by first cleaning out the crack and area around the tie rod end to free it of debris. A small hole is then drilled adjacent to the crack, penetrating into the crack. This allows the epoxy to fill the crack completely, providing a permanent solution.