Kansas City basement waterproofing is important because even relatively small amounts of water can cause damage. Your home’s resale value could depend on how dry your basement is. Some of the problems you may have to deal with when your basement is wet include:
- Bacteria and mold growth
- Bowing and cracks in the walls
- Challenges to finishing your basement
Going forward with waterproofing is a clear choice, but you are likely to want to know as much as possible before deciding. Read on to learn more about what’s involved with waterproofing your basement.
Is There a More Conservative Approach to Waterproofing a Basement?
It’s very reasonable for homeowners to have concerns about the possible costs. In some cases, epoxy injections or sealants may be options that are on the table.
Epoxy injections are often the fix of choice for basement wall cracks. However, additional repairs might eventually be necessary with this option. The reason why repairs might be necessary is that epoxy can expand and crack.
Sealants are also very effective and are often the waterproofing method of choice. However, it is important for the sealant to only be used on unpainted concrete walls free of the mineral deposits known as efflorescence.
Regardless of which option homeowners go with, they should have repairs done first for the best results. These solutions may be used alone or combined, depending on your maintenance goals.
What Are the Best Kansas City Basement Waterproofing Options for Interior Use?
Kansas City basement waterproofing options that are more economical and less disruptive may include interior drainage. One of the most significant advantages of interior drainage is that many homes require minor modifications to make this solution work.
French drains are among the most popular options for interior drainage, incorporating a trench located along the interior basement wall. In addition to the drain and trench working together, these systems involve sump pumps to get the water out of the basement.
An alternative to an interior trench that may be an option is a hidden drainage channel. These channels work in collaboration with French drains and sump pumps. Whether one of these channels is an option will depend on what circumstances led to the leaks, as well as the basement layout.
What’s the Most Important to Know About Exterior Waterproofing?
Many homeowners ultimately decide that they prefer exterior waterproofing after weighing their options. Membrane and polymer coatings, as well as underground trench drains, are the methods most likely to be used. It is possible to use both methods.
If you have a yard that has a lot of standing water when it rains, exterior waterproofing may be one of the best options. A possible downside for some, however, is that waterproofing the exterior is often one of the more expensive options. Waterproofing the exterior involves excavator work requires safety precautions and has high labor costs.
One of the most important considerations for homeowners considering exterior waterproofing is how well the existing exterior drainage system works. Functional trench drains will help keep water out of your basement. However, if these drains fail, water can easily back up into the basement.
What Should Be Your Next Steps in Your Kansas City Basement Waterproofing?
A foundation specialist is who you will need to talk to to find the best solution. One of the primary goals of waterproofing should be to prevent expensive repairs later on. Regardless of whether you’re thinking of sealants, need drains installed, or require some combination of the two, a foundation contractor can guide you through the process.
Olson Foundation Repair is equipped to handle the whole foundation waterproofing process. If you have any questions or want to get started with Kansas City basement waterproofing, contact us today.