Water certainly can take a toll on a basement. Water gains access into the basement in two ways, seepage and vapor in the air. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, over sixty percent of basements have moisture issues. A large number of those homes will have mold and fungus problems, due to elevated moisture levels. Homeowners with damp basements need to call in professionals to find the source of the problem.
A water drainage problem in the basement causes walls to deteriorate and the foundation to crack. The basement starts to smell bad, and that is an indication of mold or mildew. If the foundation has buckled or cracked, the homeowner is in trouble. A damaged foundation leads to other problems, like bulging floors and doors that won’t close. The home needs Foundation Repair in Des Moines, IA. BAM Basements has years of experience in waterproofing basements, and foundation repairs. Professionals use several methods to waterproof the basement, including:
1. interior wall and floor sealers
2. interior water drainage
3. exterior drainage combined with waterproofing coatings
All of the gutters and downspouts should be inspected to make sure they are working properly. They could be directing water into the foundation. In addition, the dirt around the foundation needs to be properly graded. It should slope at least six inches for every ten horizontal feet.
Most foundations should have a perimeter drain system, diverting water away from the foundation. Sometimes, the drain gets blocked and water backs up in the dirt. A blocked drain put pressure on the foundation wall, and it will have to be cleaned out.
There are many steps to Foundation Repair in Des Moines, IA. A cracked or buckled foundation needs reinforcement to prevent further damage. The walls should be repaired, from the inside out, with wood and steel braces. The braces should be installed against the wall, and attached to the floor and overhead joists. A newer repair methods involves using epoxy and carbon-fiber mesh to lock the wall in place. The foundation is critical to the structural stability of a home. Make sure and select a contractor with the experience to do the job properly.
