Install DryLiner Before Finishing Your Basement
Many homeowners will agree finishing your basement is one of the best way to expand your family’s usable space in your home at the lowest price per square foot. Most people are looking for that extra living room, Man Cave, home theater or even a bedroom. It is much more cost effective to finish what you already have rather than going through the hassle of an addition or second floor. What you don’t want is to invest all that time and hard earned money into a project just to have it ruined by not planning for the “What-Ifs” before finishing your basement. What if the water heater leaks? What if the sump pump stops working in a storm? What if a problem develops in the wall after we finish it and can’t see the issue until it is too late?
There is a solution
Planning ahead is always key in a successful project. Thinking about the “What Ifs” will help make sure you do a project one time. At U.S Waterproofing, we will typically recommend installing an interior drain tile system to protect your finished basement by collecting water from under the floor in conjunction with our exclusive cove molding to direct water from cracks and over the top of the wall issues. But, stopping there opens you to one more possibility in the future. Sometimes, walls can develop new problems and when the water from outside is under pressure, it will actually squirt out the wall, past our cove molding. This is where it is important to complete the drain tile project by installing our DryLiner Wall Encapsulation.
Types of Foundations
There are three types of foundations typically found around the Chicagoland area: Poured concrete, Cement Block and Stone/Brick.
- Poured cement walls can develop leaks from tie-rods, honeycombing or cracks. The forces of water don’t stop and will always be working on breaking down the concrete. Expanding soil outside can result in new foundation cracks. Tie-rods are metal bars that connect the wood forms used to build the poured concrete foundation. Over time, these rods can rust out, allowing water to enter. When enough water is present underground the buildup and pressure can cause the water to squirt out of the wall
- Cement block, or Cinder block walls are stacked like brick. The blocks are hollow and any water from the outside enters the cavity through the broken down joints, often filling up the walls with water. If you see paint peeling or bubbling along the mortar joints this is most likely the cause. When we install a drain tile system, holes are drilled to allow this water to drain out. Water is still traveling through the blocks and a little moisture can be present behind finished walls
- Stone foundations are made of fieldstone or limestone, stacked with mortar between them to hold it all together. These are notorious for seepage as the harsh winters of the Midwest freeze and thaw the ground. This action weakens the mortar from the outside and eventually allows water to seep through. Sealing these foundations from the outside is very expensive and sometimes not practical if the neighboring building is too close
- Brick foundations are typically constructed in a similar fashion as a stone foundation, only brick masonry units are used in place or stone
DryLiner Wall Encapsulation System
Our DryLiner Wall Encapsulation System prevents these types of foundations from causing additional damage after finishing the basement. DryLiner is installed by securing it to the top of the foundation, draping it over the wall and tucking it behind the cove molding. A continuous path has now been created for water to reach the drain tile system. Now the new framing, insulation and drywall are protected from the harmful effects of water and ambient moisture.
If you would like one of our professional advisors to evaluate your home and discuss the benefits of installing the DryLiner Encapsulation system before finishing your basement, call us at 1 – 800-US-WATER or make an appointment online now!