Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Services in Port Orchard By Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing
Our team here at Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing often deals with exterior foundation waterproofing projects in the Kitsap County area. Most simply put, foundation waterproofing is done to prevent water from entering a basement from the outside or damaging the very foundation of the property.
The whole foundation waterproofing process revolves around installing a special system designed to prevent water from entering the structure while dealing with hydrostatic pressure. Our team often deals with exterior waterproofing systems, whether by installing new ones or fixing/replacing faulty ones installed by other parties. Either way, we specialize in handling even the most complex exterior foundation waterproofing challenges with state-of-the-art equipment and materials.
Why is Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Necessary
Exterior foundation waterproofing is a service you’ll need in case you notice that you have a leaky basement. This type of waterproofing includes repairing cracks in the basement from the outside of the property by applying adequate types of waterproofing material. This method creates a foundation waterproofing system that prevents excess water from affecting the foundation walls.
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing done by Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing.
The process of exterior foundation waterproofing often includes digging down to the foundation footer in order to install or, in some cases, replace drainage pipes. These pipes make up the so-called French drain system, which is a very efficient property drainage solution. The whole goal of exterior foundation waterproofing services is to install a waterproof membrane to prevent water infiltration in the most crucial parts of the property (basement and foundation).
As you probably already know, foundation walls are in constant contact with soil, as they are located below ground. This puts them at risk of water damage in case the soil is too damp for one reason or another. Mind you, foundation walls are most commonly made from concrete or masonry and they also serve as basement walls if the property has a basement.
In today’s construction, foundation walls are usually built upon the slab or footings and measure around two meters in height. However, we should not forget the old construction methods since some of the older properties may feature walls that extend a meter into the ground even though they don’t create a habitable space. These are still underground structures that can suffer from being surrounded by damp soil.
Exterior waterproofing solutions are necessary to fix basement leaks and prevent foundation damage. Moreover, exterior waterproofing is necessary to close the cracks in the foundation caused by movement. Waterproofing materials usually include a rubberized membrane, hydraulic cement, a reinforcement mesh, an air-gap drainage membrane, drainage tile, and gravel (preferably ¾ inch).
The Benefits of Exterior Foundation Waterproofing
Before we dive into what the exterior waterproofing process looks like, let’s take a brief look at the benefits of having this service done.
#1 Reduces the moisture in a basement
Is there anything worse than that stubborn, musty odor in the basement? Having a basement is a great plus for homeowners as this space can be used in so many different ways. You can turn it into your private game room or a creative workshop. However, none of that could be done if there was a musty odor in the room. That’s why you need professionals to perform exterior foundation waterproofing on the property to eliminate the sources of bad smells in the basement.
#2 Prevents foundation wall deterioration and improves the structural soundness
Perhaps one of the most important benefits of exterior foundation waterproofing is that having this service done will prevent the deterioration of your property’s foundation walls. Exterior waterproofing measures will keep your property foundation safe and sound and thus save you a ton of money on future home repairs.
#3 Increases your property value
Moisture and water issues don’t look good on house inspection reports, which is bad news for you if you plan on selling the property sometime down the road. Having these kinds of problems is guaranteed to reduce the value of the property and, if you were to try to sell it, realtors would most likely tell you to get waterproofers to fix those basement issues. Thus, exterior foundation waterproofing would have to be done, at one point or another.
#4 Strengthens the foundation of your home
Last but not least, exterior foundation waterproofing will significantly strengthen the foundation of your property and thus give you some peace of mind when it comes to the structural safety of your home. After all, we’re talking about the safety of your family and your belongings, which can be exposed to risk in case of serious foundation issues.
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Process
The exterior foundation waterproofing process usually starts with doing an excavation around the perimeter of the property. We’re talking about an excavation of anywhere from 4 to 8 feet deep and around 2 feet wide. However, keep in mind that the dimensions of the excavation usually depend on the elevation of the property and will most likely vary from project to project. Then, the workers usually install speed shoring in order to prevent the soil from falling back into the excavated area for safety purposes.
Depending on the situation underneath all the soil, the workers usually have to remove old weeping tiles and replace them with new tile that features a filter cloth. Then, it’s time to clean and thoroughly inspect the foundation walls to see if there are any cracks or voids that should be taken care of. Any defective or damaged areas need to be repaired with a special kind of cement.
Once the inspection and the foundation fixes are done, the workers then need to apply a rubber membrane, which is one of the most crucial parts of the membrane. Then, a mesh is installed on top of the membrane, followed by the final layer of rubber waterproofing to reinforce the first one. The next step would be to install soil side drainage sheets and window wells, in case the property has any windows below grade.
The last step is to add a layer of clear gravel over the weeping tile in order to maximize drainage. Once the layer of gravel mixes with soil, it will prevent too much water being absorbed through the weeping tile so it doesn’t lead to clogging or slow drainage. Once it’s all done, the area is then refilled with soil and made to look like nothing ever happened.
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Done by Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing
Now that you’re more familiar with the concept of exterior foundation waterproofing services, here’s one of our waterproofing projects done in Port Orchard. The Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing team was called in to assess the risk of a residence on the water being flooded. Our team installed a commercial grade waterproofing retrofit to prevent possible damage. Once we excavated the area, we found that the original drain pipe was installed in the mud and that no geo-textile fabric was used.
This was bad news, especially since no one installed a waterproofing membrane or a drainage mat either. Luckily, our team at Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing is trained to handle situations like these. We excavated the ground along the entire side, pressure washed the foundation and fixed crevices and imperfections to prepare the surface for the installation of a waterproofing membrane. The waterproofing membrane was applied and a drain mat was installed. Drain rock backfilled the excavation and the grade was lowered so as not to interfere with the siding. We also installed a french drain along the uphill side of the property to help the drainage.
In order to match the natural landscaping of the property, we decided to follow the natural course of the water and finished our french drain with landscaping rock. You can also see the images showing the installation of the waterproofing system. We applied an Epro liquid membrane and allowed it to cure.
The membrane was followed by a Miradrain drainage mat, as we only use the highest quality materials in our drainage and waterproofing projects. Our team also installed the perforated pipe below the footer and surrounded it by 1.5-inch drain rock and wrapped it in filter fabric. To complete the project, we graded the surrounding land away from the foundation.
Need Exterior Foundation Waterproofing in Washington?
Looking for professionals to handle exterior foundation waterproofing at your property? Call Kitsap Drainage and Waterproofing today! Call us at (360) 689-7176.