If you have had a leak in your basement, you know water can ruin your floors and walls, prime your home for mold development, and in extreme cases cause damage to your roof!BDB Foundation Repairhas seen a lot of water damage over the years, and today we want to talk about a common issue seen when we are waterproofing basement walls.
When A Basement Leaks Where the Wall Meets the Floor
Back when your home was first being built, someone poured a concrete footer for your house. A concrete footer “is typically made of concrete with rebar reinforcement that has been poured into an excavated trench. The purpose of footings is to support the foundation and prevent settling. Footings are especially important in areas with troublesome soils.” (concrete network) This concrete footer has a slot called a keyway where the poured foundation wall locks into place. The concrete footer and wall are two different pieces. After settling, they often are left with a small gap between the floor and wall known as a cove joint.
The Answer is More Complicated Than You Think
Why don’t we just seal up the area between the wall and floor? It seems like that would be the best solution. However, if you sealed your cove joint, the water would just find another way in. Second, the water will cause your sealant to break down over time, eventually getting through.
What Can BDB Foundation Repair Do?
Exterior Drain Tile System
Exterior (and interior) Drain Tile Systems are known for saving basements from water! If your home is new, chances are your home has an exterior drain tile system. If your home has a basement or a crawl space, it is now a regulation to have a system to help with any potential flooding issues.
How does an Exterior Drain Tile System Work?
This system installs a pipe around the structure of the building – and the job of the pipe is to direct water away from said structure. PRO TIP: Be careful who you hire. It is important that your professional knows the ins and outs of laying an exterior drain tile system. The key is knowing where to channel the waterBDB. You do not want it somehow seeping back into your home! You want it going to a sewer system, storm drain, etc.
Contact BDB Foundation Repair – The basement waterproofing experts!
Is your basement facing leaks? Our waterproofing specialists at BDB Foundation Repair can evaluate your property and provide a repair proposal. Call us at 402-779-3165 or email for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What causes leaks between the basement wall and floor?
Leaks between the basement wall and floor are often caused by a gap (called a cove joint) that forms when the concrete footer and foundation wall settle. This gap can allow water to seep into your basement.
Q2. Can sealing the cove joint stop basement leaks?
Simply sealing the cove joint is not effective because the water will find other entry points. Over time, the sealant will break down due to continuous exposure to water, leading to further leaks.
Q3. How does an exterior drain tile system prevent basement leaks?
An exterior drain tile system directs water away from the structure by installing a pipe around the building’s foundation. This system helps prevent water from seeping into the basement and flooding it.
Q4. Is an exterior drain tile system required for all homes with basements?
Yes, if your home has a basement or crawl space, it is now required by regulation to have an exterior drain tile system to manage water flow and prevent potential flooding issues.
Q5 Why should I hire professionals for installing an exterior drain tile system?
Installing an exterior drain tile system requires expertise to ensure proper placement and to direct water to the right drainage system (e.g., sewer or storm drain). Poor installation can lead to water seeping back into your home.
I HAVE HAD WATER LEAKING IN MY BASEMENT SINCE i PURCHASED MY HOME. i DIDN’T NOTICE IT AT FIRST AS THERE WAS DRYWALL THAT ABSORBED THE MOISTURE. aFTER A NEIGHBOR ADDED A CEMEMT PATIO, THE LEAKING BECAME FLOODING. i HAVE SLOWLY MADE CHANGES TO THE LANDSCAPE AND IT IS NOT BACK TO A HEAVY LEAK INSTEAD OF SLOW. i WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO INVESTING INTO DRAIN TILES AND A SUMP PUMP. iF YOU COULD PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA PHONE AT 402-390-6089 TO SET UP A WALK THROUGH, i WOULD APPRECIATE IT GREATLY. i DON’T WANT TO DREAD THE RAIN ANYMORE.
Hi Renee! We do want to follow up with you on this. If you can, please fill out the contact form on our website or call us at 402-779-3165.