How to Do Wet Basement Waterproofing in Des Plaines, IL 60016
Des Plaines, IL is known these days as the “City of Destiny” and for its proximity to O’Hare International Airport and for its much-debated gambling casino. Back in the 1940s and ‘50s, however, Des Plaines was the “City of Roses” and its proliferation of huge commercial greenhouses made it the world’s largest producer of hothouse roses.
Today, Des Plaines is a thriving city of nearly 60,000 residents, 20th largest in Illinois. Like many of Chicago’s suburbs, it grew from rural beginnings with a real growth spurt following World War II. Annexation of several smaller villages and the development of O’Hare helped bring Des Plaines to the size and population it enjoys today.
Des Plaines homeowners, like homeowners in neighboring towns of Park Ridge and Mount Prospect, are faced with the usual maintenance issues with their homes, including occasionally needing wet basement waterproofing.
Wet Basement Waterproofing in Des Plaines
Wet basements in Des Plaines can be caused by a number of factors, including the age and construction of the home, soil conditions, grading and water management. Waterproofing these wet basements can be done in several ways:
Crack Injection – The most common source of seepage in Des Plaines, where poured concrete foundations are the norm, is through non-structural wall cracks. These cracks can be caused by minor foundation settling or by lateral pressure exerted on foundation walls by over-saturated soil. The best way to repair these cracks is from the interior by injecting them with expanding polyurethane. The polyurethane, which adheres to wet concrete, expands to fill the crack all the way to the outside soil. The material remains flexible when it cures to prevent minor foundation movement from causing the cracks to re-open.
If the crack is inaccessible on the inside it can still be repaired from the exterior. A small hole is dug next to the foundation down to the footings at the site of the crack, which is then filled with sodium bentonite clay. The clay sets up to form a pliable permanent barrier against further seepage through the crack.
Interior Drain Tile – Another common source of seepage is through cracks in the floor or the cove joint, with leaks caused by hydrostatic pressure in the ground below the foundation. The best way to stop this seepage is by installing interior drain tile around the inner perimeter of the foundation footings under the basement floor. Interior drain tile, perforated plastic pipe buried in a bed of washed stone, relieves the hydrostatic pressure by picking up the ground water and carrying it to a sump pump to be ejected from the home.
Exterior Waterproofing Membrane with Drain Tile – Exterior waterproofing membrane is a heavy coat of asphalt-modified polyurethane that is troweled on to the exterior of a foundation to create a permanent impermeable seal against water intrusion. It prevents seepage over the top of the foundation and through deteriorated mortar joints and porous masonry or concrete. It becomes part of a complete exterior waterproofing system when it is supplemented by exterior drain tile and covered with drainage board that protects the membrane and channels water down to the drain tile.
Regardless of the recommended type of repair, a Des Plaines homeowner needs the services of a basement water proofing professional to do the best job of wet basement waterproofing. At U.S. Waterproofing we’ve helped hundreds of Des Plaines homeowners achieve dry basements since our founding in 1957 and we have the skill and experience to help you as well. Why not ask for our free advice?