Foundation Retrofit is a term that is often used in basement waterproofing projects. It is also commonly used in general terms to describe any waterproofing project that involves the restoration or repair of a foundation, and often refers to a waterproofing membrane that is applied to a foundation. However, when most people hear “foundation”, they automatically think of a foundation stone or slab laid during the construction of a house. This misconception can be just about any part of a foundation, although the most common parts of a foundation are walls and the main basement floor.
Waterproofing your basement is an important step in protecting your home. Wet basements expand because soil expands, while concrete contracts. Groundwater expands due to groundwater pressure, subsurface pressure, and a number of other factors, so it is no wonder that basements can become flooded easily. Water damage in your basement may also be caused by overflowing sewer pipes, storm drainage systems, or inadequate excavation around the house. If you find yourself suffering from any of these issues, a foundation repair or water control plan should be initiated immediately.
Unfortunately, many older homes have cracked foundations, and if this is the case in your home, it’s probably too late to do anything about it. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t panic at all if you find out that your foundation has suffered water damage. First of all, you should contact a professional foundation repair contractor right away. Don’t assume that your home has suffered water damage without actually seeing it. If your basement contains pipes that are leaking, you need to take action as soon as possible, because repairing leaks can cause more extensive water damage.
Even if you don’t suffer from leaking pipes or other foundation problems, however, it’s still a good idea to consider foundation retrofitting for the protection of your basement. Waterproofing a basement is not a cheap proposition, and installing new waterproofing materials can be expensive. The basement waterproofing benefits of a foundation retrofit program, however, far outweigh the initial installation costs, as the long-term savings will more than make up for the initial cost.
Waterproofing your basement won’t just stop the water from pouring into your home, either. Over time, water can cause valuable materials in your home to deteriorate. For example, your foundation can crack with age, and this can weaken your entire home. Your foundation can also crumble, causing the floor beneath it to sag, which can then cause your ceilings to buckle and collapse. A properly installed basement waterproofing system can prevent all of these problems, as well as many others.
Foundation dampness can also lead to mold growth in your home. When basement moisture is present, it can create the perfect conditions for mold to grow. Not only does this pose a health risk to you and your family, but it can also lead to severe structural damage to your home. In fact, some cases have caused homes to need to be evacuated while repairs were being made because of the extreme conditions that the water was producing in the basement. A properly installed basement waterproofing system will prevent all of this, as it will seal off the basement from outside water, preventing mold and mildew from growing.
Foundation retrofitting isn’t just about saving money, though. By waterproofing your basement, you can also protect the structural integrity of your home. Since the foundation of your house holds together the rest of the building, a complete foundation retrofit can actually save you money over time, since you’ll avoid costly repair jobs down the road.
Although there are many benefits to foundation retrofitting, there is one important factor that you should be aware of: basement waterproofing should be a DIY project. Although many professional companies offer basement waterproofing services, it’s not a job that you should tackle on your own. Not only is it more expensive to hire someone to do the work for you, but you don’t want to damage your home by attempting to do the job yourself. In the long run, it’s just more cost effective to hire a professional company for all of your basement waterproofing needs.