Basement Waterproofing Bicheno / Tasmania / Australia

Most cellars or basements suffer from some degree of damp, and there is much debate about the best solution to prevent or treat this issue. Not to mention, the risk of flood. Therefore, it is worth putting the time and money into bringing in basement waterproofing services.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH OWNING A BASEMENT

The basement of a property may rarely be visited, but once moisture enters the structure of the building, it can have profound consequences. Hired basement waterproofing services will be instrumental in preventing and remedying these.

For example, wood-boring insects love the damp, soft environment that moisture causes and the humidity that is often a side effect of a wet basement. Mould and mildew spores also thrive in moisture, and this can cause health issues for anyone in the basement. They can even penetrate the upper levels of the building, exacerbating respiratory problems that may exist with the inhabitants. Bringing in basement waterproofing services will ensure a prolonged defensive measure against these issues.

WHAT CAUSES DAMP IN A BASEMENT?

There is a multitude of reasons behind damp, which professional basement waterproofing services providers will be able to tackle. A very common cause is structural damage to the foundation walls. Basement waterproofing services will be able to detect and locate where the water enters the interior of the basement, then to check for cracks in the exterior wall.

Damp can also enter from weaknesses in the cove joint, or the point where the walls join in a corner. It is commonly caused by hydrostatic pressure which occurs after a substantial period of rain or snow which raises the water table.

Sometimes water can enter the basement over the foundation wall, if water comes from an adjoining property which slopes down towards the building, or if the wall has been built upon the exterior and allowed water access over the foundation wall.  Water can seep in through the mortar and enter the basement that way.

There can also be pipe penetrations in the walls which produce vulnerable areas for water to seep in. But whatever the problem, the basement waterproofing services hired in will be able to identify it and, if they can’t fix it themselves, will recommend service partners that can.

WHEN ARE BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES REQUIRED?

If any of those problems are noticed, it’s likely that basement waterproofing services provider is needed:

• Condensation
• Damp air and unpleasant smells of damp
• Mold or mildew residue on basement walls or surfaces
• Any evidence of water on the basement floor or walls
• Blistering or staining of paint or wall covering
• Cracks in walls
• Buckling walls (caused by hydrostatic pressure)
• White powdery residue found on the basement walls near the floor

These are dangerous conditions and must be addressed. For best results, hire in professional basement waterproofing services provider. Moisture attacks masonry walls, which can erode the wall. Once the basement waterproofing services provider completed the basement waterproofing project, it’s essential to keep the basement as warm and dry as possible to avoid humidity.

CAN THIS PROBLEM BE SOLVED WITH BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES?

With the use of the appropriate basement waterproofing measures, a damp, unpleasant basement can be transformed into a dry, warm space.

TYPES OF BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES AVAILABLE

Basement waterproofing services can be carried out in three main ways. The treatments are applied to the internal walls, especially in an existing structure, as treating an exterior wall are often a too complicated task. That’s why it’s best to hire the professional basement waterproofing services provider to do the intricate work.

Basement cavity wall membrane or cavity waterproofing system

This system is widespread and useful among basement waterproofing services. It involves a waterproof layer being attached to walls, diverting any build-up of water out of and away from the basement.

Professional basement waterproofing services will use effective and durable materials, but the effect can be achieved only by correctly applying a plastic lining to the wall. However, moisture can seep in and still cause damage in this case.

Alternatively, basement waterproofing services may spray a waterproof substance onto the wall, which has proven to be more effective than the plastic lining. The basement waterproofing services will then apply a drainage board to the coated wall and add a plaster cover. This method can be useful, however, in basements where condensation and light dampness are the main problems.

Sump and pump water removal

This type of basement waterproofing services technic involves the installation of a pump (or the sump). That removes excess water collected in a sump basin in the basement. Pumps can also be used with the cavity wall membrane basement waterproofing system.

In this case, the collected water is drained away to a safe, external place. The water is allowed into the property but then poured away. This type of basement waterproofing service technic is particularly useful if the area around the basement is prone to flooding. It works on the premise that some water may be expected to enter the basement at some point, so it’s better to deal with it and drain it away rather than assume basement waterproofing services are applied to the whole basement.

Additionally, this is regarded as a safe basement waterproofing service, mainly if a backup pump is installed in case of failure, and a warning system put in place in case of any damage or outage on the system. Cement covers the pump mechanism for added security against further water entry.

Cement tanking

A waterproof liquid coating (sometimes called tanking slurry) is all that’s entailed in this brand of basement waterproofing services. It is applied to the wall. It coats the walls and floor in the basement and ensures the walls and floor are waterproof and stops any water from entering the basement. That is a theory about basement waterproofing service technic, but it needs an expert to apply it correctly, as it can easily be misapplied and redundant. It is another reason to hire the professional basement waterproofing service provider.

The method chosen should reflect the age, position, and use of the basement. The makeup of the structure should also be considered, for example, if the building made of concrete or masonry and waterproofing system was once already used in the past.

It’s advisable to consult a basement waterproofing services expert to survey the basement before choosing the most appropriate option for the situation.  

Professional basement waterproofing services providers should assess the position of the basement on the water table and the soil types present in the surrounding land. It’s essential to carry out this phase of the survey, as it can in the long term save time and money. Both factors have a severe impact on the type of basement waterproofing that will improve effectiveness in the future.

Samples should also be taken from the walls of the basement to check for contamination.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES

It’s not only important to choose the type of basement waterproofing that is most appropriate for the building. Other factors also must be considered. There may be internal wiring or other amenities which need to be moved or raised to keep them from water damage if it arises in the future, and it is advisable to remove them from the site of the waterproofing completely. Other factors in deciding which method to choose, including how much time and financing available, how much noise and disruption can be tolerated, and what finish planned for the treated walls.

PROBLEMS AFTER BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT

It is hard to work against nature, and water may still seep into a basement. Therefore, it’s important to look for defects in the waterproofing and act as soon as possible.

With cement tanking and cavity wall waterproofing look out for:

• Cracks appearing in the basement waterproofing materials
• Flaws in the materials used to undertake the basement waterproofing
• Condensation on walls or floor

With a cavity basement drainage system, problems that can arise are:

• Obstructions in cavities
• Drain Blockages
• Pump failure, including electricity failing

If a problem occurs, it’s best to go back to the company that installed the waterproofing in the basement and if that’s not possible try to find another one.

BENEFITS OF USING BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SERVICES

• Additional comfortable working or living space
• Increased space in the property
• Added value to the property
• Reduction of health risks
• Savings on energy costs