I Have a Wet Basement or Crawl Space in Northern Virginia, What Now?

What Does a Wet Basement or Wet Crawl Space Mean for Your Home?

Have you experienced a wet basement or crawl space in your home and worried about the damage that is being done? Basements and crawl spaces can become wet due to a number of reasons such as:

• Surface water coming down foundation walls
• Groundwater in saturated soils being pushed into the basement or crawl space
• Storm sewer water backing up into the foundation
• Sanitary sewer water from a clog in the home’s sewer line or municipal sewer line

Whatever causes your basement or crawl space to become wet, the results are the same. Wet basements and crawl spaces support the growth of mold and the decay of building materials and provide ideal conditions for insects and pests to enter.

Any water problem in a basement or crawl space usually takes a long time to dry out because it gets no sunlight and there is little ventilation and is usually humid. These are ideal conditions for mold growth. Mold can cause a variety of health issues for those breathing in these mold spores. Symptoms of mold exposure can include:

• Nasal irritation
• Eye irritation
• Wheezing
• Skin irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic lung disease

Check your basement for bowing walls, leaning walls, water stains on floors and walls, and water leaking through cracks at the wall base. At the first sign of a wet basement or crawl space, call the experts at Basement Masters Waterproofing.

Along with the negative effect that a wet basement or crawl space has on your health, it can also be damaging to the structure of your home. It can ruin electrical units such as your air conditioning or heating unit. Wood that is exposed to moisture can start to rot and eventually the foundation of the home becomes weakened and unsafe. Cracks will form leading to more areas where moisture can enter your basement or crawl space.

Another issue that comes along with a wet basement is insect infestation. If your basement has cracks and gaps in the foundation, insects will find their way in since they are attracted to dark and damp areas. Don’t let a wet basement or crawl space become a bigger issue. Contact Basement Masters Waterproofing today.

Solutions for Wet Basements and Crawl Spaces in Virginia

Basement Masters Waterproofing has the solutions you need in your Virginia home for basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation. For basement waterproofing, we offer interior drainage as well as exterior drainage systems.

Interior drainage systems include the installation of a drain tile system in the interior of the basement. This is a perforated drain pipe installed inside the perimeter of the footing. Along with the installation of the drain tile system, we install and repair sump pumps in your Virginia home. Sump pumps drain excess water that has accumulated around the foundation. Our sump pumps system along with our drain tile system will be extremely effective in keeping your basement dry.

Exterior drainage systems are the best way to waterproof your basement. Even though it is more invasive, it is the most effective way to waterproof your basement. A trench is dug along the exterior walls and perforated tile is laid on the bottom of the trench. Basement Masters Waterproofing will clean up the area and make sure you are satisfied with it before we leave.

If you notice any of these signs, Basement Masters Waterproofing has a solution. Crawl space vapor barriers are used to prevent moisture from entering your crawl space in your Virginia home. Vapor barriers are made of puncture-resistant, high tensile material that will stop the moisture from entering your crawl space. The moisture in this area becomes problematic due to the fact that it is the perfect environment for mold growth. By encapsulating your crawl space with a vapor barrier, you are creating a healthier home along with reducing energy costs and protecting against moisture, mold, radon, and unwanted pests. A protected crawl space will also provide a clean storage area.