Wet Basement Waterproofing Methods in Libertyville IL 60048
Libertyville IL enjoyed a brief time in the national spotlight during the 1950’s when two-time Presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson became widely known as the “Man from Libertyville.” Stevenson’s farm, once part of the Hawthorn-Mellody Farms built by the founder of Commonwealth Edison, is located in what was the south end of Libertyville but is now part of Mettawa.
Earlier in the town’s history, residents adopted the name Independence Grove in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This name lasted only a year, however, since the establishment of a new Post Office turned up another Independence Grove in Illinois. The name lives on in the large Lake County Forest Preserve on the east side of town.
Libertyville’s residential growth reflected its semi-rural nature before it was claimed by suburban sprawl. The current population of approximately 20,000 has been stable for more than 10 years and the town grew in mostly equal increments during the last century. Housing growth has kept a similar pace and was largely bypassed by the postwar building boom that defined most American suburbs. Libertyville’s biggest growth spurt was in the 1970’s when one-third of the town’s current 7400 homes were built.
Whether in newer homes or older ones, Libertyville homeowners today are facing normal maintenance and repair issues and many are in need of wet basement waterproofing.
Wet Basement Waterproofing Methods in Libertyville
Just like in nearby Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, each home in Libertyville that needs wet basement waterproofing is evaluated on an individual basis but there are several wet basement waterproofing methods that do the job in just about every case.
Interior Drain Tile – One common source of a wet basement is when hydrostatic pressure under the foundation forces water through cracks in the floor or the cove joint. Installing interior drain tile, which is perforated pipe buried in a bed of washed stone under the basement floor, alleviates this pressure and carries ground water to a sump pump for disposal. When properly installed, interior drain tile requires no maintenance.
Libertyville has strict requirements for sump pumps. They must discharge into a dedicated storm sewer connection on the property or, by permit only, into the storm sewer on the street. Also, a dedicated electrical outlet is required for sump pumps.
Crack Repair – The most common type of foundation in Libertyville is one constructed of poured concrete; the most common source of seepage in a concrete foundation is a non-structural crack in the wall. These cracks can be permanently repaired by injecting with expanding polyurethane from inside the basement. The polyurethane seals the crack all the way to the soil outside and remains flexible when cured to prevent the crack from re-opening when minor foundation movement occurs.
If the crack cannot be accessed from the inside it can be repaired on the exterior with sodium bentonite clay. A small hole is dug down the footings at the site of the crack and filled with the clay, which forms a pliable, permanent barrier against water.
Exterior Waterproofing – Poured concrete foundations can admit water through porous patches or over top of the foundation wall; masonry foundations through bad mortar joints or porous masonry units like brick or concrete block. This seepage can be stopped or prevented by installing an exterior waterproofing membrane, a thick coating of asphalt-modified polyurethane that is applied to the foundation walls with a trowel to form an impenetrable water barrier.
When ground water is extremely high, the membrane can be augmented with exterior drain tile and heavy-duty drainage board that protects the membrane and channels water down to the drain tile.
No matter which is the appropriate method, a Libertyville homeowner who needs wet basement waterproofing will require the assistance and advice of a basement waterproofing contractor that knows Libertyville and its homes. At U.S. Waterproofing we have been doing wet basement waterproofing all over Chicagoland since 1957 and have already helped a number of your neighbors in Libertyville keep their basements dry. Why not ask for our free advice?
