People frequently inquire about the waterproofing material utilized. The reality is that there are multiple! A system of waterproofing materials is used to waterproof your basement, protecting it from the need for additional basement leak repairs in the future. The waterproofing method has been developed up until the next significant advance in waterproofing technology has been identified. The waterproofing materials employed are the result of decades of study, engineering, and practical usage on foundation walls. In order to give you a better understanding of what each waterproofing material is and how much of a role it plays in the waterproofing system, we will go over every waterproofing material that the Leaky Basement crew employs for every basement leak repair project.

Hydraulic Cement

For the purpose of sealing leaks and cracks in masonry and concrete construction, hydraulic cement is utilized. In order to stop water from leaking into your home through foundation cracks, hydraulic cement is used to seal them. It is a kind of cement that hardens after being mixed with water and builds up very quickly, making it ideal for caulking concrete gaps. Hydraulic cement is widely used in the construction industry to seal buildings below grade and in circumstances where the foundation walls may be damaged or submerged in water. Hydraulic cement quickly dries and hardens to the surface it is applied on after being mixed with water. It can really set completely in a matter of minutes, as opposed to the lengthy drying durations of ordinary store-bought cement.

Waterproofing Rubber Membrane

After the hydraulic cement has hardened, we apply a rubberized membrane throughout the foundation walls as our primary waterproofing method. Rubberized membrane is utilised to protect your entire foundation wall from water, while hydraulic cement is used to keep water out of fractures. It takes two layers of treatment, and doing so will stop water from seeping into your basement walls, where it could freeze and lead to the formation of new basement cracks. Leaky Basement employs HydroGuard Rubberized Membrane, one of the best waterproofing products available for commercial use, which enables us to provide a lifetime warranty with every exterior waterproofing job.

Polyester Mesh for Reinforcement

A reinforcement mesh is added between the two layers of rubberized membrane that we previously stated in order to strengthen them even further. The spun-bonded, unsaturated polyester material used to make the mesh is resistant to tearing under the strain of shifting soil and ground conditions. Many waterproofing companies only use one layer of rubberized membrane instead of using the waterproofing reinforcing mesh. An effective basement leak repair combines two layers of Hydro Guard rubberized with reinforcing mesh in between them to stop your foundation walls from leaking once more.

Dimpled Waterproofing Membrane

The majority of the water that is collected around your basement is sent down to the bottom of the foundation using a dimpled air gap membrane. After passing through the backfill and the drainage gravel, which we shall discuss more in the blog, surface water seeps into the drain pipe at the bottom, not far from the footing. Since the backfill is on the outside of the membrane, no soil, backfill material, or water can pass through it. It is mechanically fastened to your foundation walls with the help of membrane caps and concrete bolts. If water does, in the improbable case that it does, enter the drainage space, it will move into the drainage system at the footing and will eventually fall to the bottom on its own.

Weeping Tiles

Rows of PVC plastic perforated pipes, commonly known as drainage tiles or drainage pipes, are used to either direct water away from a building’s foundation or toward a centralised source so that it can spread away from the home. The drainage tiles’ perforations are essential because they disperse tiny amounts of water at a time as they move through the pipe, keeping it from filling completely or developing excessive pressure. These perforated pipes are occasionally covered with a fabric sock to prevent extra dirt from building up inside the drainage systems. You can read our comprehensive blog post about drainage tiles for more information.

3/4 Gravel

After the drainage tiles are put in place, a 3/4-inch coating of gravel is spread over them to aid water drainage into the drainage pipes below. This is just plain, 3/4 to an inch-sized crushed stone. Smaller gravel pieces, such as those that are 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch in size, are bad for drainage since they will keep water from accessing the drain pipes and collecting on top of the gravel. Because 3/4 gravel has better drainage capabilities than dirt, it is occasionally utilised on top of foundation walls.

This blog post merely skims the surface of these waterproofing materials; thus, if you’re interested in learning more, visit our exterior waterproofing website for details on the waterproofing procedure and, in addition, our waterproofing products page to learn more about each material individually. Contact us if you have any questions concerning waterproofing in general or if you notice a leak in your basement. We provide free waterproofing estimates and consultations, as well as inspections.