Are the waterproofing companies providing you complete information?
There are several waterproofing companies in and around Toledo and you know how to select the best among them. With little research in the internet you will know that if the business is registered with authorities like Better Business Bureau or BBB; has positive review about their service; experienced to do the job; has received awards and certificates; if they are licensed and bonded and if they sign written contract before accepting the job. But, are you sure that they are offering you best basement waterproofing solutions?
Exterior waterproofing jobs are nearly eight to ten times costlier than interior waterproofing. The process is labor intensive and calls for hiring heavy equipment. It also takes longer time to complete. On the contrary, interior waterproof is affordable and can cost you around $2,000. This can be taken up only in certain cases. Sometimes, engineers suggest procedures combining both if the need is felt. Interior is known as the negative side as water moves away from inside, that is already present. A French drain (named after the inventor of the process Henry Flagg French) is often done in which a hole or trench is drilled in the concrete foundation. After that a drain is installed it is connected to a sump pump, which moves away the water accumulated at the basement.
Effective drainage is the key to success of all these projects. Water should be kept away as much as possible from the structure. Along with the drainage system an effective vapor barrier has to be installed. Waterproofing companies often use polyethylene sheets inside the walls to protect it from condensation. The walls of the basement stay cold throughout the year and if moisture is present in the place it will migrate through the wall and condense on the barrier leaving the wall unaffected. Drainage systems are costlier than interior repairs.
Many engineers show least amount of interest in plugging the cracks on foundation walls with the help of some temporary sealants. They consider such measures to be temporary. They are not at all safe and may fail easily. But many reputed agencies use cement-based sealants as a part of the best basement waterproofing systems. This sealant crystallizes quite easily with the concrete and stops the water from passing through. Likewise, many prefer to use epoxy injections for minor cracks that is suitable for poured concrete walls. But if the wall expands and contracts due to change in temperature, the layer may crack and fail to stop leakage. Some of the agencies use Sodium Bentonite that would absorb water present in the soil although this process is controversial.
Some of the best basement waterproofing methods includes exterior treatments but the expertise of the waterproofing companies should be of very high standard to successfully install the system. Excavation and installation of a perimeter drain or trench drain is done to provide long-term and permanent solutions. The engineers take extra caution not to damage the structure. Please do some research in the Internet to find out reliable agencies in your locality. You may also ask your neighbors and friends who have got such jobs done in the past for their recommendation.
Professional waterproofing companies ( http://toledobasementrepair.com/waterproofing-solutions ) would never misguide you on best basement waterproofing ( http://toledobasementrepair.com/waterproofing-solutions ) methods.