​Basement waterproofing is vital when renovating or finishing your basement. Almost every basement is prone to water damage, including mold growth. Waterproofing the basement seals and protects it from water damage. This blog post lists 5 techniques for effectively waterproofing your basement.

Water infiltration is the primary reason for waterproofing the basement. This happens when water seeps into the basement via the foundation walls. Waterproofing the basement exterior involves excavating the foundation exterior to apply a waterproof membrane or coating to the walls on the outside. This basement waterproofing technique prevents water damage while preserving the building’s structural integrity. Nevertheless, its installation can be disruptive and expensive since it involves excavation. Also, you may do some repairs and landscaping after waterproofing the basement.

Applying a quality interior sealant is also an effective technique for effective basement waterproofing. It involves applying the sealant to the basement floors and walls on the inner side. Water enters the basement via gaps, cracks, and porous concrete, especially where there’s poor drainage or high groundwater. Eventually, your basement can experience water damage, including mildew growth and low structural integrity. A quality interior sealant creates a waterproof barrier that prevents water from getting through. This barrier prevents water seepage via the concrete. Nevertheless, this method works for minor damage since it doesn’t address the problem from the source.

​Crack injections are a technique for fixing foundation wall cracks from the inside. It doesn’t involve excavating the ground around the building’s foundation. It entails injecting epoxy or liquid polyurethane into the cracks to create and harden a waterproofing barrier. That way, you prevent water from penetrating the foundation walls. People use this method for minor cracks that don’t threaten the building’s structural integrity. An expert can complete this technique quickly without disrupting your routine. Nevertheless, injections or crack fillers don’t address the underlying problem, meaning you may require more waterproofing measures. Also, it is unsuitable for more severe or larger cracks that require extensive repairs.

​Interior waterproofing becomes necessary when wetness arises from condensation. This technique directs water that may enter your basement via the floor or walls into a drainage system. From there, you can pump out the water from the basement using a sump pump. Typically, you can install a drainage pipe beneath the basement floor, sloping downward to the sump pump. You install the sump pump in a pit and at the lowest part of your basement. This pump turns on automatically when the water level reaches a specific point. It pumps water away from and out of the foundation.

The soil around the foundation perimeter can be the reason for water damage to the basement. Therefore, sloping the soil away from the building can prevent rainwater from collecting against your foundation walls. This method is straightforward, involving digging and creating a slope of at least 5% extending downward, away from the walls. Please ensure the slope’s extension is about 10 feet to prevent water from flowing back to the building.
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Basements are vital to modern homes because they provide additional storage and living space. Others are utility areas. Try one of these methods to keep water out of your basement if you notice water seepage. Alternatively, hire experts to inspect and waterproof your basement.

​When you notice a crack on your foundation, the question that will likely strike your mind is, how much can foundation repair cost in Winnipeg? At Foundation Repair Winnipeg, we can help you assess the damage and estimate the cost to repair a cracked foundation. Foundation cracks occur when the foundation settles. This settling can cause other issues but cracks are the most noticeable signs. Fixing foundation cracks early prevents other issues, including water damage.

The cost to repair a cracked foundation ranges between $2,000 and $7,500. The national average is typically $4,500. While this seems a significant investment, it protects a property’s structural integrity. An unstable or sinking foundation can cause severe problems throughout the building. Also, this foundation problem will likely worsen if you do nothing about it.

Although you can fill small foundation cracks with epoxy, severe problems will cost you a few hundred of dollars. Some people attempt to fix foundation cracks without professional assistance while others ignore them. Unfortunately, ignoring foundation cracks or fixing them improperly allows water to enter the crawl space or basement walls. Eventually, water damage occurs, leading to extensive property damage.
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In some cases, the surrounding soil is the problem. Erosion, changing weather conditions, and roots from nearby trees can lead to foundation sinking. Soil pressure changes can make house or foundation walls bow. You will pay more to repair a cracked foundation if the issue is more significant.

Several factors influence the cost of foundation repair. Here’s what we consider when giving you a quote for your cracked foundation repair.

A larger home has a larger foundation. Therefore, you will pay more to repair it when it cracks. Also, the home’s foundation accessibility will influence its repair cost. If the entire building or the problem area is challenging to access, landscaping may require removal or replacement, increasing the cost of your repair project.

​Minor cracks are cheaper and easier to fix than larger ones or a sinking foundation. Nevertheless, you can save money of you catch any foundation problem early. Any structural problem costs more to repair if you allow it to worsen. In some cases, foundation cracks extend to the interior floors and walls, increasing the repair cost.

​Soil expands and contracts over time. Also, drainage and weather conditions can cause soil shifting. These are the primary causes of foundation cracks. If you build your house on an unstable soil, you’ll likely experience foundation cracks. Poorly draining or expansive clay soil experiences severe settlement. Therefore, your foundation crack repair will involve more work if you build your house on unstable soil. Thus, you will pay more for the repair.

Besides filler material, pilings, waterproofing sealant, and polyurethane foam are some of the foundation repair supplies that will cost money. Also, you will incur labor costs and permit acquisition expenses. In some cases, permission from the local authority may be unnecessary. Nevertheless, ask the contractor to avoid controversies once you start fixing the foundation cracks.

Besides the above expenses, you may incur other costs when repairing the foundation. For instance, you may need a soil report that may cost you between $500 and $3,000. Also, you might need the structural engineer repair whose cost ranges from $300 and $1,500. Additionally, unseen obstacles may need removal. Therefore, ensure you have at least $1,000 extra in your project’s budget for such unplanned expenses.
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At Foundation Repair Winnipeg, we’re ready to visit your property, assess your foundation, and give you a free estimate for its repair. Please call us now!