|
News & Info
|
 |
 |
Seller Signup...
Quality Service, Seller or Tradesperson? Sign Up Now!
|
|
Home & Garden Articles
Interior Waterproofing - Is it Fact Or Fiction?
Mon 29 Sep 2008 - 14:29
Interior Waterproofing - Is it Fact Or Fiction?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Tully]Jeff Tully
Waterproofing is defined as - adjective that keeps out water completely; esp., treated with rubber, plastic, etc. so that water will not penetrate1 covered or treated with a material (as a solution of rubber) to prevent permeation by water Let's look at the definition, first it says "keeps out water", that makes sense. So, by definition "interior waterproofing" is an oxymoron, they should call it interior water diverting. By definition you cannot waterproof from the interior of your home. You have to stop the water from penetrating before it is considered waterproofing. When a contractor comes in your home and says that they are a waterproofing company and they want to only put an interior drain and sump pump, ask them to leave. If your roof was leaking and the roofer said he was going to solve the problem by diverting the water from inside your attic, you would send him packing. So, do the same with the bottom of your home as you would with the top of the house.
When water is entering your home you need to evaluate why it is entering. How is the water entering? Why is water there in the first place? The answers to these questions are fairly simple when you stop and think about it. Water enters a basement or foundation element if you have a void, hole or rupture. We all know that water will follow the path of least resistance, voids, holes and ruptures are such a path. The spaces must be closed or covered and then the water should be diverted away from the outside of the home to prevent future hydrostatic pressure from causing stress on the structure.
Closing or covering cracks can be done by several ways, including push piers, helical piers, plate anchors, helical tiebacks, membranes, epoxies or a combination of these. The hole or rupture needs to be closed and sealed, the exterior drain tile needs to be updated if necessary then the source of the water issue needs to be dealt with. This can be done with grading, swales and drains that will keep additional water from collecting around the foundation.
If you speak with a quality foundation engineer he will tell you the same things mentioned above and recommend quality foundation repair experts. Hiring an engineer and foundation repair expert is the best advice that can be given to anyone who has water infiltration issues in their homes. There are plenty of "waterproofing contractors" out there that advertise their "solutions" very heavily. They make their case for interior drains, sump pumps and interior wall systems that will direct water toward an interior pit and then pump it outside the home. This solves nothing, the solution is to close the points of entry and then fix the source of the problems.
There are many well documented cases of so called "waterproofing contractors" with dozens upon dozens of registered Better Business Bureau complaints against them. (see http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/189/RipOff0189594.htm#239279 ) They also have complaints filed with different States Attorney Generals, yet they still are in business and continue doing work in cities throughout the US. An informed customer is a wise customer; visit informational sites like the ones listed above and keep yourself from being ripped off.
Remember there is a difference between waterproofing and "interior waterproofing". Know the difference and have your problem solved correctly. What if your watch was "waterproofed" from the inside?
About the Author:
Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here.
This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Tully http://EzineArticles.com/?Interior-Waterproofing---Is-it-Fact-Or-Fiction?&id=1516817
Looking for information on Building, Find a supplier at HomeWise.ie
back to Building articles
back to all home & garden articles
|
|