What to Expect from Basement Waterproofing

After all the rain we’ve had in the Carolinas this spring, many folks are realizing the need to waterproof their basements. If you saw any water streaming down your basement walls, condensation on the walls, puddles on the floor, or just felt like your basement felt damp after rains, then there are some real problems that you need to have fixed immediately before mold, wood damage and more problems settle in.

Use a pro

For a project as big as basement waterproofing, we recommend always using a professional. While DIY waterproofing tips do exist, the end-product is rarely as thorough, reliable and long-lasting as a professional job. Also, the homeowner would need to have a thorough understanding of what’s causing the problem (is it groundwater swelling? Poor gutter drainage?), and would also need to own and know how to use a lot of equipment (think epoxy coatings, concrete sealers, and sump pump installation, among other requirements). As with many home projects, trusting a professional waterproofing service will ensure the true source of the problem is addressed and won’t come back.

The first visit

When you call a company like Thompson Brothers Exterminating and Waterproofing about your basement or crawl space, the first thing we’ll do is schedule a time to come out and look at the space. It’s impossible for us to give you an adequate cost estimate or project scope until we can observe and inspect the area to learn what is causing the problem in the first place.

What to expect during the waterproofing process

Depending on what is causing the water problem in your basement, the steps will most likely proceed as follows. You can read it here, or watch this video.

First, construction professionals will break out the concrete surrounding the edge of the basement. This creates a shallow ditch around the interior walls. They will then hand-dig through the ditch to create a deeper crevice. Into this crevice, they will install corrugated pipe.

The pipe will then be covered completed in loose gravel, and new concrete will be poured over the ditch to bring it back up to ground level, smooth with the rest of your basement. We will then install a sump pump, which turns on automatically when water levels rise to actively pump water through the new pipes and safely away from your basement.

Other processes that may be part of the waterproofing solution include installing a dehumidifier, sealing walls in plastic sheeting, building a retaining wall, and/or replacing wooden beams.

Call for advice

At Thompson Brothers, we’re here to answer questions and concerns you have about waterproofing your basement or crawl space. We have decades of experience waterproofing basements in North Carolina and South Carolina, and we’re happy to share our experiences with you. We can waterproof basements and crawl spaces in current homes or new construction. Call us today to schedule your appointment for us to offer a personalized, tailored solution for your home