Basement Waterproofing FAQ

Basements can experience leaking for various reasons. If you have other issues at your property that allow water to sit near the foundation of your building, it will likely show as puddles in your basement. If you’re dealing with a leaky sub-level, it could be due to the following reasons:

• Water is making its way through cracks in your basement walls or foundation.
• Soil grade that is improperly slopped towards your property rather than away.
• Clogs in your building’s drainage systems, such as gutters and downspouts.

The short answer to this question is: yes. We can’t think of any instances where a property owner preferred water in their basement. Failing to call on professionals for foundation waterproofing after noticing a leak commonly results in further, more severe issues. From flooding to weakened structural integrity and even mold infestation – basement waterproofing is deemed necessary in our book. Call us today to have any leak in your basement diagnosed by a seasoned professional.

There is a long list of pretty obvious signs your basement could benefit from structural or foundational waterproofing. If you notice the following in your basement, you’ll want to call on our professional team for waterproofing services:

• Damp spots on the floors and walls
• A musty odor
• Mold or mildew
• Cracks in the walls or floors
• Warped wall paneling or wood
• Dry rot
• Peeling or bubbling paint and wallpaper
• Noticeable rust stains or debris
• Chalky white substance on the walls

Basement waterproofing can higher your resale value rate, yes. This is because this service safeguards your basement from falling victim to potential structural damage as well as health-threatening mold overgrowth. While basement waterproofing may just seem like a large expense, we like to remind our customers that this should instead be looked at as an investment in your property. You care for your space while occupying it and then when it’s time to sell, potential buyers can invest in the same piece of mind. No one wants to buy a property with leaks and mold in the basement, so ensuring yours is properly waterproofed will give certainly increase value.

At Reliable Basement Services, we realize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to basement waterproofing. Our team will look at your waterproofing issues and determine what combination of solutions may need to be introduced to rectify the problem. A fully-waterproofed basement can oftentimes be achieved through a variety of interior, as well as exterior fixes, including:

• Professionally sealing any holes or cracks in the interior ceiling, walls, and floors.
• Applying watertight sealing materials and techniques to sub-level windows.
• Excavating soil that surrounds your building’s foundation to ensure the grade is sloped in a way that allows water to run away from the property.
• Effectively removing water that has pooled near the foundation of your property.
• Applying a high-grade waterproofing sealant to the exterior walls to help keep water out of your home.

Though basement waterproofing may seem like a DIY job, it’s best to rely on seasoned professionals. Most waterproofing materials and paints you can find at your local hardwood store produce limited results and aren’t worth your time or money. You can get out and give your gutters and downspouts a good cleaning and see if that helps, but leaks from cracks and other impurities in your property’s foundation will need to be addressed by the pros. Our contractors are licensed, bonded, and insured to give you the best waterproofing results on the first try and for an affordable price.

While we will try to address waterproofing issues no matter the time of year, some services are better suited for warmer weather. If you need to have a discharge line or trench installed, we may have to wait until the ground is thawed to complete any large-scale excavations.

The Reliable Basement Services team helps Chicagoland property owners overcome waterproofing problems by combining high-quality materials and contractors who have honed their craft. We’re out in the field everyday completing basement waterproofing jobs and have built the skill and knowledge necessary to confront any issue not matter the scope. We offer free inspections and quotes so you can get the services you need without breaking the bank. Better yet, we’ll help you determine which one is right for your unique situation. Our lineup of basement waterproofing solutions includes the following:

• Wall bracing
• Sump pumps
• Interior drain tile
• Exterior drain tile
• Foundation underpinning
• Battery backup
• Egress window installation
• Window wells and drains
• Exterior waterproofing membrane

Wall bracing is a waterproofing method our team uses to keep your property’s foundation wall from moving any further out of place than it may have already. Wall bracing is also used as a way to eliminate any structural failure that could result in collapse. Lateral and longitude stability is the major function of wall bracing techniques.

Drain tile is a perforated system used to drain water from around and beneath your basement or crawl space. Also known as a French drain, this waterproofing technique is well known for its ability to keep water from pooling in low-lying areas.

Foundation underpinning is a process our team uses to strengthen and repair an existing foundation and provide the deepest and strongest support available. This process may be necessary if you have a sinking foundation, the structure or soil has changed, natural disasters have caused your foundation to move, and various other reasons. Our team will help you determine if underpinning solutions are the best option for you and your building.

As professionals who have taken on job after job that could have been avoided with a sump pump battery backup, we say: Yes. It’s an absolute necessity. By having a battery backup, you set your property up with the extra protection it needs against basement flooding and seepage. Even when your power goes out, you can have extra peace of mind knowing your system can face water infiltration with ease. Having sump pump backup power is especially useful in the spring when Chicago’s severe storms are more likely to cause a power outage, shutting down your main sump pump. When this happens, your battery backup sump pump will automatically turn on and protect your home until your power comes back on.

Egress, which literally means “to emerge or “a path out” are sub-level windows specifically designed to create a safe escape in the case of an emergency. We include this type of installation in our basement waterproofing services because along with increasing your home’s safety and value, it also increases airflow and natural light. An egress window installation can make even the darkest and stuffiest of basements into a welcoming environment that combats mold, humidity, and stale air.

It’s common for excess water to accumulate in window wells, and if enough water gathers inside the well, a surplus of water can make its way through your window or window frame. We see this happen a lot and it’s frequently the culprit of unexpected basement flooding. Well overfill can also have the capacity to break your window! Though your home or business was probably built with window well drains, debris, branches, and leaves can still clog the drain and wreak havoc without proper cleaning and maintenance. That’s where we come in. At Reliable Basement Services, we offer many different window-well solutions to safeguard your building.