Basement Waterproofing

Has your basement been filled with unnecessary moisture, or even worse, telltale signs of water intrusion? Homeowners don’t relish the discovery that their basement has fallen victim to faulty drainage. However, wet basements don’t have to be a major issue if they are attended to early on.

Discover what Los Angeles homeowners need to know about basement waterproofing to lessen the cost and impact of a faulty drainage system.

Related: Common Drainage Issues

If you have a wet basement, you’re not alone. However, that doesn’t mean the problem can be ignored. Wet basements can account for a significant amount of insurance claims and wreak havoc on both the property and its residents. Los Angeles property owners know that despite most days being sunny and warm, extreme weather can sneak up on homeowners.

Avoid having your basement water damage escalate by identifying and addressing your basement drainage issues before the rainy season strikes your LA property.Why is there water in your basement? Water intrusion is often the result of a faulty drainage system. If your yard drainage system is damaged or if you don’t have one, water might not be properly draining off of the property.

This can cause it to instead flow into crawl spaces and enter into the basement. In other cases, cracks in the walls are the lead culprit behind water intrusion. While cracks can sometimes be benign, they can also be indications of serious foundation issues. It’s important to have a professional contractor inspect cracks to determine the most effective repair method so that potentially serious issues can be addressed rather than concealed. Meanwhile, joint flooding can indicate a build-up of hydrostatic pressure. This is another issue that a professional contractor can address for LA property owners.

Related: Best Time For Yard Drainage

Wet Basement Warning Signs

Basement water damage can be made obvious by the presence of water. However, there are also less obvious indicators that your basement drainage requires attention. Check crawl space walls for both moisture and a build-up of a salt deposit. Unusual, musky smells are also a sign that water damage may have led to harmful growths. The presence of rotting or warped walls or floors, as well as pest infestation, are also indicators of water intrusion. Homeowners can also search both the interior and exterior of the home for cracks and faulty areas where water could be entering the structure.

The best way to reduce the damage caused by faulty drainage systems is to be vigilant with home maintenance. Regularly check your crawl space walls for signs of water damage and don’t allow an unusual smell to go undetected. Booking a professional inspection as soon as you spot an indication of basement water damage ensures that the problem can be caught as early as possible. This can prevent the damage from spreading, which can increase health risks and dramatically elevate costs if the water interferes with the structural stability of the building.

Basement Water Damage

Wet basements can cause a variety of potentially serious problems for homeowners. Moisture can lead to the formation of bacteria, mold, fungi, and other harmful substances. This can cause respiratory difficulties and have adverse effects on the health of building residents. In some cases, harmful growths from excess moisture can lead to serious health conditions. Bacteria thrive on damp and organic matter, which makes wet floorboards and walls the perfect breeding ground for harmful infections.

In addition to harmful substances, wet basements are also the ideal breeding ground for pests. Unwanted intrusions such as dust mites and mosquitoes are attracted to damp, moist environments and can cause discomfort for Los Angeles property owners. Basement drainage issues can also escalate into expensive home repair and replacement work. Water can spread throughout the structure and warp and rot wooden support. This can cause floorboards to warp, structural stability to weaken, and walls to collapse. These serious issues can require expensive repair work and leave residents at risk of their LA buildings being unstable.

Related: Hillside Drainage Installation

Fortunately, there are a variety of waterproofing and foundation repairs that homeowners can turn to for quick and reliable solutions that solve problems and prevent issues from escalating and continuing in the future. Sometimes, the main issue is a faulty backyard drainage system. A combination of soil grading and yard drainage installation can redirect water away from the home.

French drains are a popular and trusted solution that many Los Angeles homeowners rely on to keep water out of their basements. French drains are installed in the ground to address moderate yard drainage issues and are known for protecting basements from water intrusion.

There are also options for waterproofing your basement. This solution prevents water and moisture from entering into crawl spaces by efficiently sealing them. Another option that LA homeowners turn to, especially if they have basements or are located on hillside properties, is a sump pump. Sump pumps rapidly pump water away from the property and can handle large quantities at a time. This makes them reliable options during heavy storms. Interior drainage tile installation is another solution for redirecting excess rainwater.

A professional contractor will be able to determine the best course of action by evaluating the cause of the problem and discussing if exterior or interior drainage system installations are the best course of action.

Related: Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

Don’t Wait! Address Issues Today

Though wet basements might seem like a headache, it’s important to address them as soon as possible. LA homeowners should rely on a trusted contractor to address their drainage issues completely so that they won’t have to deal with the hassle of drainage system issues escalating into serious problems. Consider drainage system installations a necessary investment for protecting residents and the building structure. What better thing to invest in than the health of your building and the safety of its residents?

Why Us?

At California foundation works, we address drainage problems right the first time so that repeat issues don’t occur in the future. Our team of trained contractors is here to tackle your LA property problems with efficient, fast, and reliable services. We offer competitive prices to help homeowners achieve repairs, retrofits, and renovations without breaking the bank.

Are you considering home repair work in the greater Los Angeles area? Call today to discuss your options! We’re happy to review your questions and concerns.

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