Spring is a wet time of year. The snow pack of the winter season, overcome by more direct sunlight gives ways to puddles in the sidewalk, which grows into miniature lakes in the yard. Local storm drains take the brunt of the runoff, but regardless of location, water runs downhill until it finds the lowest point. Don’t let that lowest point be your basement!
Water in your basement can cause all types of problems from mold and mildew to unpleasant smells. Both of which lead to pests. To keep away from having these problems your best bet is to make sure that your basement is waterproof. Although it’s not difficult to waterproof the walls of your basement, it does take a bit of knowledge to understand where to start and where to go.
The first step is to take a survey of your basement walls. Hopefully you have a fully exposed basement wall and hopefully it is made out of modern concrete. A modern concrete wall with no cracks has the best protection against leaks. Cobble foundation walls and older concrete walls are susceptible to cracks and breaks. Even the smallest crack will allow water through.
Walk the basement wall and locate any cracks you can find. Repair those cracks with concrete filler according to the directions on the package. Let the filler dry. It is not enough to just fill in the cracks in your basement wall however. After the filler is dried you then need to apply a coat of sealer all the way around your basement. The sealer is a waterproof brush or spray applied substance that will create a waterproof barrier. This will keep water from permeating your basement wall and getting into your basement.
Many plumbing contractors in Delaware County can suggest a method for waterproofing your basement, but only William Henderson Plumbing has 35 years of experience helping Pennsylvania homeowners in Delaware County and the Mainline. We are ready to inspect and suggest a fix for any leaking basement problems you may have.