The number #1 question asked by all customers: Why is my basement leaking? It never leaked before!

 

Why Basement’s Leak & Why They Need Waterproofing

Most builders, architects, and engineers have been neglectful in their designs as to what is absolutely necessary to assure a dry basement. As you may have noticed, your basement walls (interior or exterior) have never been waterproofed with a rubber membrane. And, your basement floor has never been properly protected below the slab. Imagine for a moment, if we were to examine the excavation work preformed by your builder:

He dug a hole in the ground and put your home in it – with no protection. Ground Water enters your basement at the footer joint because of tremendous pressure exerted by the water in the earth around subterranean walls. This stress eventually forces the water to find the path of least resistance. According to the Home Inspection Census more than 98% of all basements will eventually leak do to builder neglect.

Select Basement Waterproofing – Our Process With Your Basement

Step #1: Basement Drainage

Waterproof Stg1 Basement WaterproofingRelieving Hydrostatic Pressure: The best warranty to relieve hydrostatic pressure is from the inside of the basement. To install a pressure relief system (a French Drain) you must open the floor around the perimeter of the basement floor. Our Grate Drain Waterproofing System is perfect for this. We protect from water coming from the footer direction AND from under the basement floor.

Breaking news: Did you know? 95% of our competitors systems promote vapor transmissions that release increase levels of radon gas and mycotoxins – and they don’t care. Radon gas is the 2nd leading cause to lung cancer. We’re the only basement-waterproofing company in the tri-state area that installs a truly closed and sealed waterproofing system that keeps this from happening. We’re focused on keeping your home safe and healthy for years to come!

Step #2: Installing Sump Pumps

SP Product shot 1201x802 c248ac3 300x200 Basement WaterproofingInstalling Sump pumps and Battery Back up Systems are useless if a Grate Drain Waterproofing system is not installed properly. The reason to have a sump pump is to collect the water flow that is produce from the (French drain) basement drainage system. The average sump system at 1/3 hp will manage 2400 gallons per hour, which is more than sufficient in most cases. General Rule: The number of sumps, and sump pumps, need is calculated by the number of linear feet of drainage system that needs to be installed. more on our Sump Pumps & Battery Backups

One sump system for every 120 linear feet! However, if you experience a power outage the sump pump is useless; installing a battery backup is always proactive, and well worth the cost in safeguarding your personal items, in addition to: protecting you finished basement or home theater investment! Priceless…

Step #3: Repair Foundation & Structural issues

WaterProof Stg3 Basement WaterproofingFixing Structural Wall Cracks while installing your basement French drain will save you hundreds of dollars over doing them separately.

Usually bows, cracks, bulges, and buckling in basement foundation walls happen most frequently in more established structures. However, newer constructed buildings are not immune to quickly developing settling concerns. As soil settles outside foundation walls at differing rates, it expands and contracts with seasonal freezing and thawing processes because of hydrostatic pressure in the water table.

More on Foundation Wall Crack Repair

Step #4: Waterproof and Mold Coatings

Waterproof BaseMtWall Basement WaterproofingAlways apply an “EPA” Mold Coating to foundation walls, not Dry-Loc!

Our goal is to control moisture and humidity in your basement. Basement waterproofing will improve the conditions in the basement and limit the ability for mold to grow. Crawl Spaces and Basements are both ideal places for mold to get out of control. Select Basement can help you address these trouble spots and keep the mold from reaching hazardous levels.

Basement Mold, what is it all about? Read Mold Facts
Need help with mold in your basement? Select does Mold Remediation!

Are you familiar with that basement smell? Airborne mycotoxins can definitely destroy one’s health and home. Sometimes, people are unaware that they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick. A myriad of serious symptoms and illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs have been linked to basement molds/mycotoxins.

Step #5: Thermal Armor Vapor Barrier – Wall Protection

Waterproof Stg5 Basement WaterproofingInstalling a Thermal Armor Vapor barrier will save on energy bills as well as, eliminate problems with moisture and water coming through the basement or crawl space walls.

Reflective Insulation has become a standard component of a total basement insulation system, and it’s a tax-deductible.

The Thermal Armor matrix design provides two vital components:

1.) As a non-delaminate insulator – you never have to worry about deter ration from thermal by-pass, and it has an R/Factor of 14.1. The problem with Standard fiber class other than breathing in the air-borne filaments is de-lamination, due to thermal moisture migrating through your basement walls.
2) Thermal Armor also offers an engineered path into the drainage system to manage wall condensation. Most home owners are unaware the thermal temperature 4 feet below the soils surface is 55 degrees 365 days of year – which is the major contributor to excessive moisture, that causes rot and decay. Our customers call the Thermal Armor Vapor Barrier a miracle design that is simply priceless… when it combating rising energy expenses.

Step #6: HydroTex additional Basement Waterproofing

WaterProof Stg6 Basement WaterproofingBreak-through Technology: “HydroTex Floor & Wall Membrane Coating”. 100% Basement Waterproofing for Floors and Walls!

Anyone thinking of finishing a basement will require 100% moisture and water protection. Look no further than our HydroTex Wall and Floor Membrane. Unlike conventional sealants and epoxies – HydroTex will never chip, peel, crack, blister or breakdown.

HydroTex is patented polyurethane formula blended at 180 degrees, and sprayed on like paint – and hardens in five seconds. It will permanently seal all floor cracks forever in addition to eliminating moist basement floors. Our HydroTex membrane has revolutionized the waterproofing industry here in New Jersey, and has a 50 yr warranty. So if you are thinking about building a Home Theater that may cost upward of $200,000, or just thinking of finishing your basement for additional living space – HydroTex is a must for any check-list.

Stage #7: Basement Humidity Control: Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifier 7 1200x675 128554e 300x169 Basement WaterproofingSay goodbye to that Basement Smell: A dehumidifier on steroids that you never have to empty! WOW! We carry the AquaStop line of dehumidifiers for basements and crawl spaces. They also tie directly into our Grate Drain Waterproofing System.

In most cases you would need five dehumidifiers to maintain 2000 sq. ft. of basement environment at 42% R/H. Imagine doing that with one unit at 5 times less the cost of electricity. Excessive relative humidity in the basement will rot your home – like termites destroys wood. Humidity and Moisture are also the major culprits for basement molds, dust mites, termites, spiders and other insects is moisture.

If it never rained for another 100 years – you would still have a relative humidity problem due to thermal by-pass (or moisture that comes right through the foundation walls). Here is some basement science for you: The thermal temperature 4 feet below the surface is 55 degrees 365 day of the year. That cold temperature migrates through the basement walls mixing with your basement air, which is usually 14 degrees warmer. Anytime you mix warm air with cooler air you get higher moisture content, better known as Excessive Relative Humidity. The water you don’t see is the everyday problem.

If your basement smells musty chances are the relative humidity in the basement is higher than 49% somewhere.