What are the costs associated with basement waterproofing?

Without knowing the potential negative and costly effects of water in your basement, most homeowners might put off solving their basement water issues because they perceive the cost of basement waterproofing as being very high.  A lot of homeowners don't actually realize the importance in protecting their basement against leaking, water damage, property damage and health risks like mold.

Investing in basement waterproofing now can actually save you money in the future.  Costs associated with wet basement problems can include a number of different things including, damage to drywall, furniture replacement, carpet, electrical systems, interior trim, mold removal and more.  On a positive note, basement waterproofing should pay for itself because it almost always increases the value of your home.  A waterproofed home is a lot more likely to sell than a home with water problems.  You should always recoup the cost of basement waterproofing in your home once you sell the home.  A leaky basement can cause mold and mildew to grow, which is very unsafe for you and your family.

So what is the cost of basement waterproofing?  Basement waterproofing can typically cost anywhere between $700 to $10,000 depending on the size of the problem, area of the water problem, type of waterproofing system used and size of the house.    There are several different types of basement waterproofing services.  Here are the three most common basement waterproofing solutions:

No Dig Injection Waterproofing | Exterior Basement Waterproofing

No dig Injection Waterproofing provides a waterproofing company the ability to not dig up landscaping, sidewalks and driveways to waterproof a crack in the foundation wall.  With a material that adheres to the foundation wall from the outside of the home or commercial property, it seals and waterproofs the crack, there is no digging and less mess to clean up.  No dig injection waterproofing also is typically more affordable that an interior drain tile system.  Read more about our no digging injection waterproofing system here.

Interior Drain Tile Waterproofing Systems

Interior drain tile systems are typically the most used and most effective type of basement waterproofing if there is hydro-static pressure and water is coming into your basement from the floor or the seams where the basement floor and basement walls meet.  An interior drain tile system will run the water under your floor through the drain tiles to a sump pump that will take your water outside the home to a proper drainage area.  Read more about interior drain tile waterproofing systems here.

Exterior Drain Tile Waterproofing Systems

An exterior drain tile system is placed outside the home, under the ground and around the foundation walls and will carry the excess water to a drainage area away from the home.  You can read more about exterior drain tile waterproofing systems here.  To get an inspection on what type of waterproofing problem you have and waterproofing solution we can provide, contact us today.

Waterproofing your basement is not going to be a type of home improvement job you should do yourself.  Unless you have the knowledge and equipment to do the waterproofing job, the best option is to hire a professional and experienced basement waterproofing company to manage the project and correct the water problem.  There a many basement waterproofing companies out there.  The key to hiring a honest and experienced basement waterproofing contractor is to have them come out and give you, not only a free estimate but make sure they consult you on what the problem is, why the water problem exists and how they will correct your basement water problem.  A waterproofing “consultant” that will explain the problem and process to you and reasons behind what they are going to do for you to correct the water problem is key in feeling comfortable with the company and feeling knowledgeable and secure about solving your basement water problem. 

Our Michigan Basement Waterproofing Company provides basement waterproofing services in Grand Rapids and Michigan including; Grand Rapids, Walker, Kalamazoo, Holland MI, Lansing, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Zeeland, Hudsonville, Jenison MI, Grandville, Traverse City, Lowell, Ionia, Rockford, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Kentwood, Caledonia, South Haven, Allegan, Battle Creek, Sparta MI, Big Rapids, Portage MI, Coopersville, Ann Arbor, Middleville, Hastings, Cedar Springs, Newaygo MI, St. Johns , Portland, Charlotte MI, Okemos, Haslett, Dewitt, Grand Ledge, Allendale, Holt, Otsego, Saugatuck, South Haven, Wayland, Benton Harbor and Wyoming.  Contact Michigan Basement Waterproofing Inc. for more information and to set up a free waterproofing estimate and consultation, or call us at 1-866-737-0297!

Things you should know about mold and your basement

Everyone knows mold is bad but everyone does not know the health risks of mold in your basement and what the effects can be.  Whether it’s your home, a commercial building or any other property, mold needs to be controlled.  Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.  Don’t let mold harm your loved ones or de-value your home or property.  Here are some things you should know about mold:

• There is no practical way to eliminate 100% of the mold and mold spores in your home or properties basement. The only way to control basement mold growth is to control moisture.

• If mold is a problem in your home or properties basement, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture, typically by basement waterproofing.
  
  

• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

• Reducing the indoor humidity of your home will decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside, using air conditioners and de-humidifiers, increasing ventilation and using a sump pump to pump out excess water from your basement.
  
  

• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours of them getting wet to prevent mold growth.

• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.

• Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, foundation walls, or basement floors) by basement waterproofing.

• In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting, remodel or refinish a basement.  You must be sure the mold problem is taken care of before investing a large amount of money into a basement remodeling project.
  
  

• Molds can be found almost anywhere in your basement.  Mold can be under the carpet, in the drywall, on furniture, etc.  Mold can also grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present.  

Protect your family, your property and your investment by removing mold from your home and taking preventative steps to make sure mold doesn’t have an environment to grow.  Waterproofing your basement is one way to make sure mold has a very unlikely chance to grow.  For more information on mold and to get a free mold evaluation, call us today at 1-866-737-0297 or contact our mold experts here.

How is an interior drain tile waterproofing system installed?

If you’ve noticed water in your basement, it may be a good idea to have an interior drain tile (sometimes called a French drain) installed by a professional basement waterproofing company. Excess water underground will naturally seep through any small cracks, through your basement floor or foundation and into your basement.  A basement waterproofing drain tile system will give that water an alternative place to go, rather than into your basement living space where water damage can occur.  Here is our process for installing an interior drain tile system:

Step 1 – Dig To The Footer
Digging to the footer, through your basement foundation is necessary to create a space for the drain tile to collect water.  When we reach the footer, we dig to 5 or 6 inches down the side of it. This will reduce the water table (the level of collected water underground) below the level of your basement floor.


Step 2 – Lay Your Drain Tile
Drain tile is essentially piping with perforations or holes punched into the top.  The drain tile or “French drain” should be about is typically 4 inches or so in diameter.  This tile is then laid in the trench dug out next to your footer, using corner fittings to navigate around your house. We apply sealant to be sure there are no leaks within each connection.


Step 3 – Installing Your Gravel
Our basement waterproofing experts then surround the drain tile with at least 3 feet of washed gravel, 1 to 1½-inches in size. The loose space between the gravel will give the water an easy downward path to follow, instead of traveling sidewise into your foundation wall.


Step 4 – Installing Your Gravel Cover
After we fill in the rest of your trench with dirt, there are many fluffed and loose dirt particles (called silt) that can easily make their way down your gravel and into your drain tile with the water runoff. If this happens, it will clog your drain tile system and be nearly impossible to fix. The solution is a gravel cover.  Something porous that will allow moisture to seep through, but not the silt. Felt material is what is typically used.  After covering your gravel with felt, we then fill in the rest of your trench with dirt.

Step 5 – Installing your Sump Pump or Water Outlet
The water that drains into your drain tile system will need some place to go. One solution is to continue your drainage pipe away from your house and to a surface location. However, this only works if you live on an incline or a hill, since it relies on gravity to move the water.  The best option and most often used by our basement waterproofing company is to install a sump pump in your basement. A sump pump is a hole in your floor leading several feet below the foundation with a machine to pump the water out.  The interior drain tile system will lead to the sump pump for a water outlet.


Interior drain tile systems are not particularly easy to install and should only be done by a professional  basement waterproofing contractor that has experience in drain tile systems.  There are other options to basement waterproofing that might not include an interior drain tile system.  Contact our basement waterproofing experts of call us today for a free inspection and estimate at 1-866-737-0297.

How do basement waterproofing systems work?

The most important point is the first one in the list above – the foundation, that great big hole in the ground. When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls, which needs to be filled. Typically, this void will get filled with loose backfill. Here in lies the problem, water will look for the path of least resistance, and since you have only a huge pile of loose backfill, it will still be able to run down to the bottom, no matter how well it has been compacted.

To answer that question, let's first look at conventional basement waterproofing and how it is supposed to work.  If you imagine how a basement is first built, when the plans are drawn up, the following happens…  The contractors dig a hole in the ground.  Next, the foundation is laid out.  Next, the walls of the basement are built by typically pouring concrete.  Finally, the rest of the house is built on the foundation.
Since the water now has nowhere else to go, it will continue to seep into this area. The basic basement waterproofing provides some form of drainage pipe for the water to drain away, but the problem with this method is that often these pipes can often get clogged with silt. When these pipes get filled with silt the system can overload and cause a lot of water pressure against the outside walls of the basement. So while the walls of the basement may be waterproofed in some way, water, as you probably already know, can find a way to get through the tiniest of gaps.


This type of problem does not usually go away because the pipes that are supposed to take away the excess water gradually worsen over time. The lack of access to these pipes is a huge oversight. Basement waterproofing can also be applied to the external walls of the basement to try and keep the water out. This is often referred to as a tanked system.


A drain tile basement waterproofing system, works by getting rid of the water pressure on the walls. Water is controlled, collected and allowed to flow through hidden drainage channels either to natural drainage or to a sump pump where the water is pumped away from the property.


Drain tile basement waterproofing systems are said to be a better system because they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing any silt and can be applied to basements where traditional tanking or other methods have failed but with minimal disturbance to the original basement.


So to summarize, when a good basement waterproofing system is installed it will:
- Basement waterproofing your home WILL improve the value.
- The basement waterproofing job will usually be a permanent solution.
- Basement waterproofing will not typically disturb decks, driveways, patios, landscaping, driveways, etc.
- Drain tile basement waterproofing will often be substantially cheaper than other basement waterproofing methods.

Choose a professional and experienced basement waterproofing contractor when protecting your home.  Remember, it is economically foolish not to waterproof, because the increased value from waterproofing will definitely exceed the cost of the basement waterproofing project itself. Look at basement waterproofing not as an expense but as an investment in the value of your home.


Make it easier to start using basement waterproofing systems, quickly & easily. Learn the essential steps and get a problem-free healthy environment.  Contact our basement waterproofing specialiststs today to get a free estimate or call 1-866-737-0297!

Investing in your basement with basement waterproofing

Is your basement un-finished or outdated?  If you're planning on staying in your home for a long time, there's no better way to safely and usefully invest your money like a basement remodeling or finishing.  Remodeling your basement is the best way to increase your existing living space in a poor housing market with an investment that will significantly pay back for itself over a relatively short period of time.  Typically a basement remodeling or basement finishing job will increase the value of your home by approximately 20%.  So if you own a home appraised at $200,000.00, it should raise the value to $240,000.00!


Your home and the things in it are probably the largest investment you're ever going to make, and it only makes good sense to take care of them. One of the ways you can protect your basement and your belongings as well as increase the resale value of your home is by basement finishing or basement remodeling. Even in the face of the suffering home market, home remodeling is stronger than ever.  The National Association of Realtors reporting that national home prices are down, it makes homeowners want to stay in their homes and wait for the real estate market to bounce back. 


While all home improvements will greatly increase the resale of the home, there are some that improve the value of a home by far more than others.  Among the best home improvements when considering both adding value and increasing living space is to perform a basement finishing or basement remodeling project.  The reasons why your basement is so important is; it’s a large living area, you can add a bathroom, bedroom, living room, media room and have more everyday living space.  Basement finishing is also the most cost-effective way to increase living space within the home.  Add a professionally remodeled basement bathroom, and you'll see even greater improvements!

With the right basement remodeling company, basement finishing can increase your living space in less than two weeks, without needing to raise the roof or use invasive measures on the existing portion of the home.  Instead of building an addition, why not use the space in your house that can already be transferred into living space and not added on to the existing home.  By simply finishing a basement, you can often achieve the same results of increasing usable space without having to knock down walls and spend thousands of dollars.


One thing to remember before remodeling or finishing your basement is to have it thoroughly inspected for water.  Have a professional basement waterproofing contractor, come in and give you a free inspection.  Don’t spend thousands of dollars to have it wasted when you have a water problem in your basement.  At Michigan Basement Waterproofing, we have the unique ability to not only do basement waterproofing but we also are a fully licensed home improvement company where we can finish or remodel your basement when the water problem is properly taken care of.  With this ability, we can save you money on a package deal for basement waterproofing and basement remodeling! 


Email us to set up a free consultation and estimate or call us right now at 1-866-737-0297!