Which Came First? The Water proofer or the Foundation Expert?
You’ve been in your new home less than a year, when you one day notice damp spots on the basement floor. Closer inspection reveals cracks running across the walls and the floor. They’re not big yet, but they weren’t there before.
And the more you look, the more you start to see- like those large cracks near the window wells, and murky water in the cove area. What is going on?
Well, to the untrained eye, it could be many things:
- Too much standing water next to the house.
- Leaky gutters.
- A settling or sinking foundation.
- The aftereffects of that last earthquake that hit your town.
- The results of a badly planned foundation pour.
- Too much lawn sloped toward your foundation, instead of away from it.
- Maybe even termites
But who’s to know for sure? At this point, the best you can do is guess.
Priding yourself on your DIY skills, you travel to a home improvement store and look at the waterproofing materials, sealants, barriers, liners, and the like- but you can’t see spending all that money for a quick fix, especially when you’re not sure what is going on.
So you ask around, getting estimates from several contractors. But now the problem is too much information.
One company says that you need interior waterproofing.
Another recommends excavating all the way around the house, followed by exterior waterproofing.
A third so-called “expert” thinks it’s a foundation problem and recommends installing anchors and push piers, whatever those are.
Then there’s your handyman brother-in-law who thinks all you need is a sub-surface drain- or if you can’t afford that, he’ll help you put in a lovely sump pump.
In cases like this, there is only one sure way to find the answer: hire an expert.
That expert may go by different names- foundation engineer, or certified foundation inspector, but, due to the complexity of the situation, a professional is the only one who can tell you what is really going on.
A professionally trained inspector will do a thorough walk-through of your premises, looking for things like uneven floors, suspicious wall or floor cracks, excessive mildew, leaning walls and chimneys, sticking doors, foundation sink, plumbing damage, loose water or gas line fittings, and other telltale signs of either water leaks, or foundation problems, or both.
Once finished, the inspector will make a detailed recommendation, and upon request will refer you to a list of qualified professional, either in the area of foundation waterproofing or foundation repair installation.
Your next move will be to interview several installers, on the lookout for the one who will adhere the closest to the recommended plan. As this is your home and your money being spent, ask a lot of questions- especially after you have hired the right installer. Get his or her references, and find out what kinds of warranties they are offering for the materials or systems they will be installing in and around your home.
The most important thing to remember about waterproofing and foundation repairs is that without an expert’s recommendation, you won’t have a clue how to properly proceed. With it, you have the solution that will preserve your home from ruin, and guarantee that it lasts for many years to come.
About the Author
Contech Services Inc. can provide foundation waterproofing contractors to structures that are damaged by the detrimental effects of moisture intrusion. They also provide composite strengthening, concrete repair, epoxy pressure injection that ensures long term reliability.
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