Schaumburg is a village with over 77,000 residents located to the NorthWest of Chicago. They are known for being a place where people come to relax and enjoy themselves, with attractions, such as the massive Woodfield Mall, and the Legoland Discovery Center.
Homeowners in Schaumburg also enjoy the close proximity to those attractions, but there is something they don’t enjoy. They don’t appreciate having water in their basements, but it happens all too often.
When those problems occur, you can count on The Real Seal to be there with a solution. We have been helping our neighbors in Schaumburg and throughout the area with the best basement waterproofing and foundation repair services.
Common Signs Of Water Damage In Basement
Mold
Mold thrives in a wet basement and even if there is no standing water, the high humidity can foster mold growth. If you see mold in the basement, the issue is already advanced. Due to the stack effect, you also likely have mold spores throughout the home.
Standing Water
An issue with standing water may be common for many homeowners in Schaumburg, but it should never be considered to be normal. If you have standing water, it is a sign of a bigger issue. This is often due to hydrostatic pressure forcing water through foundation cracks.
Efflorescence
Water can enter the basement through cracks or areas of honeycombing. When it does, the water may evaporate into the air but it will often leave behind salt deposits. This visible sign of water intrusion should be taken seriously.
Wood Rot
A particular type of fungus that thrives in moist conditions is what causes wood rot, often known as dry rot. The fungus pulls the moisture from the wood, leaving it brittle and weak. Removing the moisture by waterproofing the basement is the prime way to stop dry rot. Any damaged wood will have to be removed and replaced.
Flaking Or Peeling Paint
The paint most people use for basement walls is porous, and the walls are also porous. Moisture from the air in a typical basement will soak into the paint and eventually the walls. This causes the paint to slowly detach from the wall and begin peeling or flaking.
Wet Spots
You may see wet spots on the walls and floor of the basement, which indicates there is a bigger problem. It could be due to water seepage from hydrostatic pressure and the soil around the foundation. It could also be condensation, as the air in the basement is only able to hold onto a limited amount of water.
Leaking Cracks
The foundation walls and floors are under tremendous pressure when waterlogged soil is pushing against them. This hydrostatic pressure can eventually cause cracks to form in the concrete or the masonry and then water is forced through the cracks.
Increased Humidity
As water builds up in the soil around the basement, some of that water is going to find its way inside. As the water is evaporated into the stagnant air in the basement, it causes the humidity to rise. Due to the stack effect, the humid basement air begins to affect the air in the living space upstairs
Pests
It is not uncommon to have a problem with pests in a basement that is not waterproofed. Various pests, including fruit flies, roaches, earwigs, and termites are commonly seen. Perhaps a bigger issue is that these pests won't stay in the basement. You will begin seeing them in the rest of the home.
Musty Smells
When you have a musty smell in the basement, you actually have a moldy smell. The stagnant air in the basement is often moist, allowing mold to grow. As the mold grows and breaks down, it can lead to that 'old house' musty smell that is often a problem.
What Does It Mean To Waterproof Your Basement?
Most basements are dark, damp areas of the home that don’t serve a useful purpose. The same can’t be said for basements that have been waterproofed. Those basements have been repaired and sealed so they are dry and comfortable.
The waterproofing service may look different from one basement to another but they all have the same goal. That goal is the removal of excess water and treating the basement so the water doesn’t become a problem again.
Different Types Of Basement Waterproofing Solutions
It would be impossible to discuss every single waterproofing solution, as they are often a combination of different techniques. They can often be put into a general category, including the following 3 categories of basement waterproofing.
Interior Waterproofing
This is likely the type of waterproofing we are most familiar with. It often involves putting a protective coating on the interior basement walls to keep water from penetrating those walls or getting into other areas of the home. We use interior waterproofing as part of our greater basement waterproofing strategy.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing can be very effective and is a long-lasting solution. The biggest problem is that it is only done when the home is under construction and before the foundation is backfilled. The exterior waterproofing process involves applying a waterproof barrier to the wall to keep water from soaking in.
Water Drainage
We often use water drainage as part of our basement waterproofing strategy. A tile drainage system is set up, either under the basement floor or around the foundation to channel water away from the area. It often drains into a sump pit and then is pumped out of the pit with a sump pump.
How Long Does Basement Waterproofing Last?
When we have any work done to our home, we want it to last. The length of time a repair will last is usually backed up by a warranty. Although the timetable for any job will differ, we do guarantee crack repair for life. Our drain tile systems are guaranteed for 30 years in most cases. If it is a case of over-the-top seepage, you can expect the repair to last a long time but we do not offer a warranty for that work
We Offer Basement Waterproofing Services Near You In Schaumburg, IL
We often live by our motto, ‘Not everything is better when wet.’ If your basement is wet, you understand the truthfulness of this statement. Many of our neighbors in Schaumburg and the surrounding area have taken advantage of our basement waterproofing services.
For over a decade, we have dedicated ourselves to providing the foundation repair and waterproofing that homeowners need.
Our Basement Waterproofing Services
Since each different basement waterproofing project is unique, there are a variety of services that may be offered. The following list represents some of the top services we offer.
Foundation Crack Repair
Cracks are common in foundations. They may occur when the concrete cures or due to hydrostatic pressure. We can fix foundation cracks by using tie rods to hold the crack together or by injecting the crack with epoxy. We do not use polyurethane injections as they are less effective in the long term.
Drain Tile System
A drain tile system can be installed under the basement floor or outside near the foundation, in either case, it is a perforated pipe that gathers rising water and channels it to a sump pit. The water can then be pumped up and out of the pit with a sump pump. A battery backup kicks in when the power goes out.
Sump Pump
A sump pump can either be a submersible or a pedestal unit. In either case, it monitors the level of water in the sump pit and pumps the water out before it spills out into the basement. The sump pump must be matched to the amount of water that flows into the sump pit.
Window Well
Windows are important, as they allow natural light to enter the basement. They also can be a problem that allows water to seep into the basement. This commonly happens due to improper installation, old windows, and debris gathering in the window well.
Discharge Lines And Gutter Extensions
Gutters gather water from the roof and bring it to the ground in a more convenient location rather than have it pour over the edge of the roof. Unless gutter extensions and discharge lines are installed, the water will simply drain into the ground near the foundation wall.
Egress/Basement Windows
Any opening in the foundation provides an opportunity for water seepage. It can also increase the possibility of cracks occurring from the corner of the opening. In either case, The Real Seal can fix either issue during the basement waterproofing process.
Vapor Barrier
Part of the basement waterproofing process may include the installation of a vapor barrier. It is a thick layer of polyurethane sheet that keeps water from getting from the concrete wall to any wall finish. Any water that seeps in is directed down the wall and into a drain tile. If the basement is finished, any drywall or paneling must be removed prior to installing the vapor barrier.
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