FAQ

Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Questions

Here are answers to many common questions that may be able to help you with your Virginia basement finishing problem.. If you have any additional questions, please contact us.

Services

1. Are your estimates really free?
   Yes, we believe in promoting goodwill. Also, of course, a certain percentage of the people we see need our services. If you would like to receive a free estimate for basement waterproofing, foundation repair or another service, contact Seal-Tite today.
2. How do you make money if sometimes you can show the homeowner how to solve the problem him or herself?
   We make money whether we do the work or not because in the instances where we solve the problem without having to charge, the individual usually recommends us to several friends who need our help.

Water/Moisture Problems

1. Does insurance cover the damage to our basement?
   No, in almost every case your policy will not cover the damage or the cost of repairs. It never hurts to check your policy though.
2. We have lived in our house for many years and have just recently started seeing water show up in our basement. What causes this to happen after so many years?
   The short answer is that the original measures taken to prevent a wet basement have failed. One common problem is that the drain tile becomes clogged with debris or roots. Another issue can be the failure of the original waterproofing on the foundation walls.
3. I have water coming from the walls and running down to the floor. What causes this and how is it corrected?
   This is an indication that there is some kind of breach in the wall. The most common forms are wall cracks, honeycombs, and tie hole leaks. These problems are usually corrected by interior injection techniques or by digging up the wall on the outside and patching the breach.
4. I don’t have water coming in my basement but have a white, powdery, mold like substance on my walls. What causes this and how do I get rid of it?
   This white substance is called efflorescence. Efflorescence isn’t mold but is a byproduct of moisture that comes through walls and leaches out their components. We have not seen literature directly linking efflorescence to health problems; however, left unchecked, the moisture leaching through the walls can cause problems. Moisture coming through walls can lead to mold and can cause deterioration of the foundation.
5. How much does it cost to stop water from entering my basement/crawlspace?
   Our 35 plus years of experience has allowed us to develop many methods to stop water. The method and the cost depend on the problem. The range varies greatly and can be as little as several hundred dollars and as much as several thousand dollars.
   Another factor is the personal preference of the individual. In some cases there is more than one way to solve the problem, for example, inside versus outside solutions. For various reasons, the homeowner may choose one method over another. Occasionally, there may be a way that the homeowner can solve the problem by him or herself.
6. Will replacing gutters and/or regrading my yard stop the water from coming into my basement/crawlspace?
   In all instances we recommend making sure downspouts and gutters are in good condition. Unfortunately, just using these measures does not normally alleviate the problem of water coming into the basement/crawlspace. The reason is that the sources of water infiltration sometimes come from both surface water and ground water.
7. I found products at my local hardware store that are supposed to stop the water from coming into my basement/crawlspace. Do these products really work?
   At best, these are damp proofing solutions. In some instances they can even be harmful to walls. Cinder block walls are especially at risk when the product’s application traps moisture within the walls and eventually leads to their deterioration.

Cracks

1. The brick walls on the outside of my house have cracks on each side of a corner, should I be concerned?
   Although there are natural cracks that occur in walls over time, if the cracks are pronounced, continue to grow, or show a stair stepping pattern, it may be a good idea to have them checked out. It may be that the house has slightly settled and may just need some grout repaired. In some instances however, if the house continues to settle, severe structural problems may occur.
2. Are there other signs that may indicate structural problems?
   If your foundation walls show evidence on the inside of bowing or cracking you should have them evaluated. Also, less noticeable problems such as doors or windows not closing properly or cracks in the drywall showing up may be an indication of structural problems. Other signs on the outside of the house such as the chimney leaning away from the house, sagging porches, or additions should also be checked out.

Humidity/Odor

1. My basement has a musty/moldy odor; do I need a waterproofing system?
   Sometimes when water is not present, a simple ventilation system may be all that is needed.
2. I have a dehumidifier and although it seems to be working, I still notice odors in my basement. How do I get rid of the odors?
   We have a ventilation system that eliminates the humidity better and more efficiently than dehumidifiers while effectively getting rid of the odors.

New Construction

1. We are in the process of building a house. How do we make sure that we avoid the normal problems people have with leaky basements?
   Our 35 plus years of experience have taught us the best products and methods to keep water out of basements. Call us and we will give you advice on how to insure a dry basement.
2. With all the new technologies, can we assume that newly constructed houses will not have the same problems as older homes?
   No, unfortunately the methods most contractors use are the same methods that were used 50 years ago to waterproof houses. You can see for yourself as new homes being built are waterproofed with the same, old black tar that deteriorates over time.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Seal-Tite today.