Sump pump being installed in a basement in Deerfield, Illinois

You’ve probably heard the phrase “basement waterproofing”, and you might have an idea as to what basement waterproofing is. That said, many homeowners are unaware of the specifics.

In all likelihood, that’s why you’re here: you’re looking for an answer to the question, “what does basement waterproofing entail?”. Fortunately, we can provide that answer. Without further ado, here’s everything there is to know about basement waterproofing in Deerfield.

Sump Pump Installation

The heart of any basement waterproofing system is the sump pump. The sump pump is installed inside a sump pit, pumping out water once it reaches a certain level. In doing so, it prevents basement flooding, while simultaneously reducing hydrostatic pressure against the outside of the home’s foundation.

Many homeowners opt to install two sump pumps — one that’s powered by electricity, and another that’s powered by battery. This way, if the power were to go out in the home, the battery-powered model will kick in and take over.

Drain Tile Installation

The drain tile system is just as vital as the sump pump. This is a system of drainage pipes that are positioned around the home’s foundation. It’s responsible for catching groundwater and filtering it away from the home’s foundation.

Like sump pumps, drain tile systems prevent flooding and reduce hydrostatic pressure. In some cases, they’re even used in tandem with sump pumps. If you want to create a habitable basement, a drain tile system is strongly recommended.

Foundation Crack Repair

Over time, foundation cracks are a certainty. It doesn’t matter how well your yard is graded, how sophisticated your drainage system is, or how perfectly your foundation was laid; your foundation will incur cracks. As you might expect, these cracks can allow water to flow through them.

Therefore, if you want to waterproof your basement, you’ll want to patch up these cracks on a regular basis. Patching foundation cracks reduces the inward flow of water, improves energy efficiency, and increases structural integrity.

Waterproofing Membrane Installation

If you want to reduce the number of times that you need to carry out foundation crack repairs, you can make use of a waterproofing membrane. These are essentially waterproof covers for basement walls. They stick to them and act as water-tight seals, preventing the inward flow of ground moisture.

Waterproofing membranes won’t completely prevent foundation cracks from occurring. However, they will reduce their severity for the time being. This allows you to wait longer in between foundation crack repairs.

Yard Grading

Some homes are positioned specifically to avoid groundwater. Unfortunately for others, this is not the case.

Yard grading is the process of physically manipulating a yard so that water drains away from the home as opposed to toward it. If your home is positioned at the bottom of a slope, for instance, yard grading will go a long way in reducing the amount of water that collects around its foundation.

Crawl Space Encapsulation

It’s not just your basement that’s subject to groundwater. You crawl space is as well. For this reason, you would be wise to encapsulate it.

By encapsulating your crawl space, you can significantly reduce the amount of water that is able to enter it. This prevents a number of problems, including mold growth, musty smells, and more.

Looking for Basement Waterproofing in Deerfield?

Are you interested in waterproofing your basement? Looking for basement waterproofing in Deerfield? If so, there’s no better company to call than ULB-Dry Waterproofing, the area’s premier basement waterproofing company.

We provide a wide range of waterproofing services — from sump pump installation, to drain tile installation, to yard grading, to foundation crack repair, and more. Regardless of your waterproofing needs, we are here to help.

Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your project!