FAQ

There are some obvious signs that you have a leak in your basement, such as water pooling on the floor, coming up through cracks in the floor or running down the walls. However, there are many signs of water leaks that aren’t as noticeable. Keep an eye out for any of the following in your basement, as they are all signs that you have moisture seeping into your space:

• Strong musty smell or odor
• Bubbling wallpaper or peeling paint
• Dry rot
• Damp spots on the walls and floors
• Cracks in the walls or floors
• A white residue build-up on the walls
• Rust accumulation on appliances and metal furniture
• Cracked Chimney
• Cracked outside façade bricks or sagging siding

Basement leaks be caused by any number of factors. Any problem in or around your home that allows water to sit near the foundation can cause a leak in your basement. If you’ve noticed water in your home’s basement, start by checking the following items to identify the cause:

• Gutters, downspouts, and other drainage systems: Make sure there are no clogs and that all these systems are working effectively to divert water away from the foundation.
• Soil grade: The soil around your foundation should be sloped to encourage water to move away from exterior walls. If the grade is sloped toward the house, this could be causing your leak.
• Cracks in the basement: Water finds the path of least resistance, so if there are cracks present in your basement, that’s likely what’s causing the leakage of water. This is also a sign that your foundation may need to be repaired.

You may be wondering if basement waterproofing is worth the cost, but a leaky basement could mean even bigger problems in the future. Even if your basement has never flooded, there’s always a risk, why not do everything you can to prevent this issue? You’re also putting your belongings at risk by not waterproofing your basement. Any item in this space could potentially be ruined by water when your basement leaks.

Basement waterproofing isn’t just one quick fix. It is a variety of components that all work together to prevent water seepage into the home. A fully waterproofed basement is achieved only through both interior and exterior components. Starting on the inside, any cracks or holes in the floor, walls, or ceiling need to be filled and sealed with the proper watertight materials. The same goes for any basement windows. Moving to the exterior, the process involves excavating soil that surrounds your foundation to achieve the optimal grade. You want the ground to be sloped so that water runs away from the house and not toward it, effectively moving water from near the foundation. This requires the knowledge and planning skills of an experienced professional, as well as advanced equipment. Lastly, once the soil has been accurately graded, it’s advised that a sealant, often a polymer-based material, is applied to the exterior walls to help keep water out.

Buyers will not want to purchase a home that has a leaky basement, nor will they want to pay a regular market price for one. Showing that you have taken the steps to waterproof your basement will ensure potential buyers that the home is protected, and they won’t have to worry about any leaks in the future. Houses for sale in the Syracuse and Albany, NY region that are listed with signs of water damage are not likely to sell without first fixing the issue, so why not get ahead this issue and waterproof your basement before putting your house on the market.

While waterproofing paint can provide temporary relief from a leaking basement, the truth is no paint can compete with the hydrostatic pressure created by groundwater forever. Eventually, with enough pressure build-up, the water will find its way through the foundation and through the paint. This means you’ll either need another coat of paint (only after painstakingly stripping off the old one) or you’ll have to resort to an alternative method, which you could’ve done in the first place. Applying waterproofing paint is also a tedious job. The concrete has to be dried out, as the paint won’t stick if there is moisture present at application. Next, you’ll have to be extremely meticulous during the application, ensuring there’s paint in every pore, nook, and cranny to create a sealed barrier. Even tiny spots you may have missed can be enough to allow water to flow through. We suggest to save you time, money and a headache by giving us a call to help.

Basement sump pumps prevent flooding 24/7 by continually monitoring the water level and responding accordingly. If you have a lined pit, your sump pump will draw water from the soil surrounding your home through a drain. A gravel sump pump, in comparison, absorbs water from surrounding terrain. Sump pumps are either submerged inside the pit or perched on a small pedestal to stay dry. Both types of pump and placements of pump work the same way. Each pump has a “float” or “switching device,” which monitors the level of water inside the sump pit. This switch is triggered when the water level in the pit begins to increase. The pump is then activated. It draws water out of the pit through a drainage pipe to the exterior of your home. This detection and drainage process continue until the water decreases to a safe level, and the sump pump shuts off.  

If your Central NY area home is prone to flooding or your current sump pump is old, it is time to install a sump pump. Don’t let heavy rainstorms jeopardize your basement or even worse the foundation of your home. It is best to install a sump pump during the dry season when the groundwater is at its lowest level of the year. In the Syracuse and Albany, NY surrounding areas it is best to install a sump pump between August and April. 

In one word: No.  An extension cord should never be used with your sump pump. There should be a dedicated outlet located above the sump pump, which can be directly plugged into for your safety. It is also important to remember to unplug your sump pump whenever you are near it or performing maintenance on it.  

Unfortunately, sump pumps don’t last forever. The average sump pump can last 10 years with proper care and maintenance. If you are experiencing difficulties with your sump pump, the team at Aardvark Basement Proz can send someone out to check it out.

You can maintain your sump pump every few months by cleaning its inlet screen. Dumping a bucket of water into the pit up to the float switch can help you ensure your pump is still working correctly. Once a year, it is a good idea to replace your pump, clean out the sump, and inspect the pit. Better yet, give us a call at Aardvark Basement Proz.

Crawl space dehumidifiers are devices that are used to remove moisture from the air in your crawl space. These devices work by drawing in moist air and passing it over a cooling coil. This process condenses the water vapor in the air and collects it in a tray or reservoir. The dry, cooled air is then returned to your crawl space. Crawl space dehumidifiers can be used to help control humidity levels in your home and prevent mold and mildew growth. The team at Aardvark Basement Proz can help you install a new crawl space dehumidifier in your basement.

There are many ways moisture can enter your crawl space, setting the stage for trouble in the future. Crawl space waterproofing and crawl space vapor barrier installation provide comprehensive protection from all sources of moisture. Possible sources of moisture in your crawl space include:

• High relative humidity, which often occurs when warm outside air is drawn into your cooler crawl space vents.
• Leaking drainage pipes that may pass near or through your crawl space.
• Poor soil drainage solutions around your home, which can cause cracks and leaks in your crawl space walls over time.
• Incomplete coverage of a dirt floor with a crawl space vapor barrier or a dehumidifier that has deteriorated over time.
• A poorly-designed sprinkler system, which may expose crawl space vents or walls to excessive water during cycles and lead to leaks or other moisture problems.

Early detection of moisture problems in your crawl space will reduce the impact of water damage on your health and your home. To prevent moisture problems, Aardvark Basement Proz will provide crawl space encapsulation services such as crawl space vapor barrier installation. Knowing the most common signs that you need to schedule crawl space waterproofing will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Be sure to look out for the following: 

A musty odor: If you notice an unpleasant or musty odor in your home even after cleaning, it could be coming from your crawl space. Musty or damp odors indicate the long-term presence of moisture and poor crawl space ventilation in this area and the need for waterproofing or crawl space repair.

Dark streaks: Those dark streaks on the walls of your crawl space are due to water leaking in through the bricks, mortar, or cement that form this space. Over time, even small leaks can weaken the structure of your crawl space and your home.