Information on Damp Basements / Crawlspaces

Water Proofing Recommendations

Many times proper grading and water control around the house will take care of minor water infiltration into a basement or crawlspace. The following are some step by step recommendations, starting with the first and least expensive. Once the conditions have been changed, routine monitoring of all of the conditions should be followed.

• Fill any pockets or holes along the foundation, create a grade away from the house minimum 1/2" per foot.
• Extend all downspouts and other water discharges a minimum of 10' away from structure.
• Remove any overgrown vegetation, bushes, trees, or root systems.
• Seal the interior of the walls with a masonry sealer, fill any holes with a hydraulic cement.
• Verify all existing drain tiles for sump pumps are clear.

Monitor All Conditions

If the conditions persists:

• Install a drainfield around the affected areas in the basement, below the slab. A draintile embedded in gravel, gives rising ground water a free path to a sump pump, and to be discharged away from the structure a minimum of 10' feet.
• There are soil injections available which come with a lifetime warranty. A polymer is injected into the soil around the foundation perimeter which seals any cracks or holes in the foundation.
• There are some other methods collecting the water at the inside of the wall. However, these methods may allow deterioration and water damage to the foundation wall.

For these, a professional basement water proofing company should be consulted with, only as a last resort.