Basement Waterproofing Myths

Your basement should never be wet, damp, or moldy, and you shouldn’t ever see cracks in your walls or floors. It’s a part of your home, and should always provide a safe and dry living space. That said, however, many basements fail over time as your home settles and your foundation is exposed to moisture, freezing/thawing cycles, and pressure from the surrounding earth … damage is particularly obvious in older homes.

The one element that can be most devastating to the structure of your home is water. Whether from rain or a broken pipe, water is a truly destructive force and must be dealt with before any damage becomes too severe. It can cause cracks in your foundation that allow water to seep in, and mold and mildew to grow. If left unchecked, water damage can lead to costly home repairs.

Unfortunately, there are many myths associated with basement waterproofing that prevent people from contacting us before the damage is done. We’ve prepared a list of some of the more common myths we hear about on a regular basis:

1. Waterproof paint is all you need to fix a leaky basement.

Nope! At best, waterproof paint will reduce the amount of vapor that gets into your house, but to properly divert any water away from your foundation, you need a proper basement waterproofing strategy – in some cases, interior waterproofing may be enough, but for many homes, exterior waterproofing will do much more to completely solve the problem. It’s extremely important to consult with a professional to eliminate any moisture in your basement, as we have the experience and tools to permanently solve the problem — save the painting for after the repairs are complete!

2. Waterproofing your basement will not keep the water out.

What? That doesn’t even make sense! We’ve heard countless horror stories from customers who tell us that years ago, they hired another waterproofing “expert” who claimed to have fixed the problem, only to have their basement flood with the next rain storm. If you’re paying for waterproofing, and you’ve hired a company who knows how to do it properly, you should never have water in your basement again. Waterproofing isn’t the problem … unprofessional repair companies that don’t stand by their work are fully to blame.

3. Only sump pumps will keep water out of a basement.

Homeowners often think that if a specific solution didn’t work for one basement, it won’t work for any basement. Not at all. There are many options available to address a leaking basement. Simple downspout extensions and French drains may be enough to solve the problem. In other cases, wall crack injections may be a better option. Sump pumps will certainly work well to remove any water, but they’re most effective when used as part of a complete waterproofing solution.

There is no “one size fits all” plan to waterproofing a basement. Every situation and home is different, and a customized plan is essential for an effective repair. Call us today for a free in-home estimate.

4. Basement waterproofing is a costly repair.

While we can’t say that every job is inexpensive, we’re 100% certain that a repair done right will save you thousands of dollars in future repairs down the road. And unlike many of our competitors, we don’t recommend unnecessary solutions at inflated prices. The first step for any successful project is to properly identify the problem, it’s source, and the right solution … the first time. In most cases, the waterproofing repair will cost much less than you’d expect.

At High & Dry Foundation Repair, our team of foundation repair specialists will prepare a comprehensive foundation repair plan for your home whatever your needs may be. We will do our absolute best to perform the work as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

If you have a wet basement, mold, or worrisome cracks in your floor or foundation walls, the time to deal with it is now. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Contact High & Dry Foundation Repair today to schedule an inspection of your foundation by one of our experienced waterproofing contractors.