As a homeowner, dealing with a wet basement or a soggy yard after heavy rain can be a frustrating experience—especially when it leads to damaged belongings, mold growth , or a dead, muddy lawn. Fortunately, there’s a tried-and-true solution that can help keep your home and your landscaping dry: the French drain system.
If you’re wondering, “Why is it called a French drain?” the answer may surprise you. While the word “French” might evoke thoughts of eloquence, the truth is quite the opposite. Coined and popularized by Henry Flagg French in his book Farm Drainage (published in 1859), a French drain system features a sloped trench that is filled with gravel or rock and a perforated pipe. This system diverts surface water and groundwater away from a specific area—such as your foundation or an area with heavy landscaping. The water then runs to designated areas like drainage ditches or a low-lying area of your property.
If you’re new to the concept of French drain systems, this guide is here to help. Below, you’ll learn of the different circumstances when you might need one and how ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing can help.
Installing a French drain system can be beneficial if you’re constantly experiencing these problems after heavy rainfall:
Depending upon which of these problems you’re experiencing, there are two different types of French drain systems that can help. Let’s examine both the outdoor and indoor French drain systems.
The gutter system on your home collects rainfall from your roof and diverts that water away from your foundation. Similarly, an outdoor French drain system collects rainfall from the ground level to achieve the same goal. For example, if water pools in low spots throughout your yard, an outdoor French drain system would ensure this water drains and flows away to a designated area. Another example is if water is making its way through your foundation and into your basement. Rather than allowing groundwater to put hydrostatic pressure on your foundation and seep indoors, an outdoor French drain system can help reroute that water away from your foundation.
Outdoor French drain systems might work well to funnel water away from low-lying areas in your yard. But they aren’t a 100% effective or cost-efficient solution to fixing a leaky or moisture-prone basement. It requires a lot of effort to install an outdoor system to alleviate hydrostatic pressure around your foundation. You must remove a significant amount of the soil—as well as any decks, patios, driveways, or landscaping—that surrounds your foundation’s perimeter. This process typically requires heavy machinery and a great deal of labor, which can be extremely costly.
The drain lines of an outdoor system can also clog with silt over time. This reduces their ability to eliminate water pressure against your foundation. When an outdoor system needs to be repaired or unclogged, the whole system must be dug up and replaced. For this reason, outdoor French drain system warranties are typically much shorter than other basement waterproofing solutions.
To ensure a basement stays dry even after heavy rainfall, an interior French drain system should be installed. With an interior waterproofing system, drainage channels are installed along the perimeter of your basement, where your basement floor meets the walls. As rainwater seeps into the soil and the water table rises to meet the foundation, perforations along the length of these drainage channels capture the water. These drainage channels then guide any captured water to a sump pit where a sump pump is installed. As water reaches the sump pit, a float valve is triggered and turns on the sump pump. The sump pump then pushes the water through a discharge pipe where the water will be deposited safely away from your foundation. This type of indoor basement waterproofing solution actively works to push water out of your basement 24/7.
Since 1958, hundreds of thousands of homeowners have depended on ’58 to waterproof their basements. Compared to outdoor French drain systems, our interior basement waterproofing systems are more cost-efficient and effective in the long run. With products like our own specially-engineered Channel ’58 drainage channels and high-power Workhorse sump pump, you can move more water faster out of your house! What’s more, they do not require extensive digging around the exterior of your foundation.
For even more moisture prevention for homes with crawl spaces, our company also offers industry-leading crawl space encapsulation services. During the encapsulation process, our experienced team will seal all crawl space vents, as well as seal the ground, walls, and support columns with a 20-mil thick vapor barrier.
With over 64 years in the waterproofing business, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing knows how to protect your home from moisture problems and groundwater intrusion. Call us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate!
It is impossible to give an accurate cost estimate without seeing your home’s basement or crawlspace. Our professional experts have gone to many different homes—some where the solution was simple and inexpensive, while others required more extensive work. In the industry, basement waterproofing ranges in cost depending on the method that a contractor offers. Oftentimes, the cheaper methods end up costing more in the long run since they are almost always temporary fixes that need constant repair and upkeep. Luckily, it costs you nothing for a ’58 basement waterproofing expert to visit, inspect, and to put together a cost estimate based on a customized basement waterproofing solution.
The key is value. No matter what the cost is to repair your problem, if it doesn’t work properly, it has no real value because the problem still exists. The basement waterproofing solution you get must address the problem source or sources. There are several ways that groundwater can invade your basement. Without a solution that can address these various ways, your problem isn’t fixed. True value lies in the results that your basement waterproofing system gives.
Every interior basement waterproofing system that ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing installs is completed with only quality products and honest methods. Our drainage channels are specially-engineered, providing several advantages that other drainage channel products do not offer when it comes to handling incoming groundwater. Our sump pumps are also designed to provide more power. Additionally, with our battery backup sump pump, you can relax knowing that not even a power outage can stop our ’58 basement waterproofing system from doing its job!
Every home is unique and no two wet basement situations are the same. The price is different for everyone because ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing offers a customizable interior basement waterproofing system designed to fit each unique situation, providing the best outcomes for your basement. The cost for a ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing solution is based on factors such as linear feet and the square footage of the area you need protected, as well as the severity of the problem. There may be financing* options available.
The benefits of finding a specific solution to your waterproofing problems are:
Along with the benefits mentioned above, you’ll have a healthier home with a ’58 basement waterproofing system in place.
This isn’t just about keeping your basement and home safe from structural damage, some of these problems can also directly affect the health of you and your loved ones. When a basement has a water or moisture problem, it can lead to problems that will require further repairs. Some of these complications include…
These problems will not only worsen but also lead to additional problems for you and your house. Mold spores can worsen allergies and even trigger asthma symptoms. Dust mites are another known allergen and they need enough moisture to thrive. Meanwhile, wood rot and termites can devastate the wooden support structures of your home.
From bowing basement walls to water leaking from the corners of your basement, these are the result of hydrostatic pressure against your foundation. This immense pressure is created as groundwater comes to rest against the foundation’s walls and/or floor. Usually, this happens when it rains, which causes the water table to rise until it reaches the foundation. That hydrostatic pressure is what pushes the water through the cold joints of your foundation and into your basement. It is also what can weaken your basement wall and/or floor until it cracks.
By keeping these problems away, you can breathe easier with a safe and dry home.
An interior basement waterproofing system involves the installation of drainage channels along the perimeter of your basement. These drainage channels will be placed beside the footer where they will collect incoming groundwater and direct them to a sump pit. Then a sump pump will push that water out through a discharge pipe, depositing the water far enough away that it shouldn’t return to your foundation. Other products may be used depending on your unique situation. Some other components may include a vapor barrier, rigid sealers, or even a dehumidifier.
In some situations, basement waterproofing may be all you need. But if you have a bowing basement wall or a crack in your basement floor that’s leaking, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the quality services you need to make those wet basement problems go away. We offer our expertise in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawlspace encapsulation, and even mold removal. From our specially-designed Channel ’58 drainage channels to our Workhorse OT+ battery backup sump pump, we only use quality products to ensure lasting outcomes. Whatever water or moisture problems you have going on in your home’s lower level, we’ll have the solution that’ll restore your peace of mind.
When you need an experienced contractor in basement waterproofing, you can always count on ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing! Whether you are a Chattanooga, TN resident or you’re living in Alpharetta, GA, we have local offices situated throughout the Eastern Seaboard to ensure that you have a ’58 team close-by and ready to help. When you call us, we’ll help schedule you for a free inspection and provide you with a no-obligation price quote. Contact your nearest ‘58 location today!
*Check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations location for available financing options.
No home or building can stand against the forces of time and nature forever. For many homes out there, it can be a common occurrence to see a foundation wall begin to lean, bulge, or bow. This can happen to a foundation wall whether it is poured concrete, cinder block, or a brick wall. But many homeowners may see this as a problem with the wall instead of what outside influences may be affecting their foundation walls. Let’s investigate into what can cause your foundation walls to bow, lean, or bulge—and how it can be fixed!
The environment and the elements can have various effects on your foundation. These changes occur in the weather, the seasons, and even the natural features around your home. Here are some of the most common causes that can lead to bowing basement walls, foundation cracks, bulging walls, and other foundation wall problems.
Whether it’s due to the forces of nature or poor workmanship, it’s important to have your compromised foundation wall stabilized and repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring. Unfortunately, these kinds of problems never go away by themselves and only get worse with time. Fortunately, though, there are solutions to have your foundation wall fixed.
The short answer is yes! ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing President, Todd Prosan, states that, “Bowed and bulging walls can be fixed, however time is of the essence. In the worst-case scenario, your leaning, bowing, or bulging wall can collapse, resulting in not just a heavily damaged foundation but a house that is structurally compromised and unsafe.”
How Do You Fix a Bowing Wall?
Here are some of the solutions that can help with repairing your bowing, leaning, or bulging wall.
- Carbon ’58 Wall Straps
- These work for cracked walls or foundation walls with deflections of less than 2 inches.
- Your foundation walls will need to be in relatively good condition. Carbon fiber straps can hold your foundation wall in place and keep it from further movement. But if the concrete is crumbling and falling apart, the carbon fiber straps will not be very effective. It is likely that any sections of deteriorating concrete will actually need to be replaced.
- ’58 Strong I-Beams
- For foundation walls with a deflection of 2 inches but no more than 4 inches, the ’58 Strong I-Beams can reinforce your foundation wall and put a stop to any further movement.
- Helical Tiebacks
- These may be the most expensive option, but sometimes they may be the required one. This is accomplished by having a screw-like steel shaft drilled through your foundation wall. This ultimately helps stabilize your foundation wall and restores its structural strength.
- Helical tiebacks will involve drilling through your foundation wall, which means making a possible way for groundwater intrusion if measures aren’t taken. The contractor doing the repairs will have those drill holes filled and sealed against water. But you will eventually need to have these areas maintained and repaired later to keep them properly sealed.
Our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps are perfect for stopping the movement of bowing or bulging foundation walls.
Don’t Wait to Fix Your Foundation Walls
When trouble comes to your foundation, time is of the essence. Bulging or bowing basement walls will get worse with time, and so will many foundation cracks. Intrusive groundwater and moisture from the outside can infiltrate your basement through these cracks. As moisture builds up, mold and wood rot may start growing on your basement’s ceiling floor joists. Excess moisture can also attract insect pests and rodents. Whether your basement is for storage or serves as a finished space, excess moisture or water means property damage.
Bulging, bowing, or leaning foundation walls can also be stabilized with our ’58 Strong I-Beams.
The condition of your foundation walls has a direct impact on the rest of your home and its structural integrity. From ensuring the safety of yourself and your loved ones to preventing catastrophic damage to your property, you should not hold off on repairing a foundation crack or a bowing wall once you’ve discovered it. The sooner you have it fixed, the better off your home and your wallet will be. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been in the business since 1958. For over 60 years, we’ve been keeping foundations strong for years and years. Our expertise can’t be beat!
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a stable foundation and a safe home. Give us a call today to schedule for a free foundation repair inspection and receive a detailed estimate for your foundation problem! Our experts will be happy to guide you through our foundation repair solutions and we’ll be happy to answer any questions!
When homeowners are looking for wet basement repair contractors, usually they look for a company who will help keep their basement dry. Known as basement waterproofing contractors, these companies can install a waterproofing solution that aids in keeping groundwater out of your basement.
But of all the basement waterproofing contractors in the nation, one stands out amongst the rest: ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We are a basement and crawlspace waterproofing contractor that helps homeowners repair their basements, keeping them safe and dry for years.
With over 63 years of being in business, we know how crucial it is to offer a basement waterproofing system that accounts for all six common ways that water can enter the basement. Here are the six ways that water and moisture can invade your basement…
These wet basement problems are nothing to ignore. Water leaking into the basement is an indication that there’s a lot of hydrostatic pressure. This tremendous amount of pressure is created when too much groundwater is pressing against the foundation walls or floor. This can lead to further foundation damage such as bowing or tilting basement walls along with growing cracks in the concrete. Should that invasive water or moisture linger for too long in your basement, it can lead to more problems in the basement such as mold, wood rot, and uncomfortable humidity in the house. It will take proper basement waterproofing to prevent these kinds of problems from occurring. Otherwise, these wet basement problems will likely result in costly repairs.
If there is a way for water to penetrate your foundation and enter your basement, you can count on ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing to know how to stop it. Our basement waterproofing system was first patented in 1966. Our quality products and honest methods have helped thousands upon thousands of customers like you, keeping countless basements and crawlspaces safe and dry. Since 1958, we’ve been continually perfecting our products and techniques. In this way, we can make sure we always provide a basement waterproofing solution that’s effective and long-lasting.
We begin our waterproofing services by completing a comprehensive investigation of the basement and land surrounding the home. Once we’ve located the source or sources of the groundwater intrusion and surveyed the area, we’ll provide you with a detailed estimate. Then, to waterproof your basement, a five-star ’58 crew will install our ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing Basement Waterproofing System.
Every home and basement is unique, which is why our interior basement waterproofing system is designed to be customizable. In this way, we can properly address each of your basement’s problem sources the right way, creating a solution that truly protects your basement and foundation from intrusive groundwater and moisture. Depending on your wet basement problem, here are some of the components that may be included in your ’58 basement waterproofing system…
Our drainage channels are specially engineered to address the limitations of other drainage channels. Meanwhile, we offer a sump pump that boasts more horsepower than typical models. We also offer options for battery backup sump pumps, to provide that extra layer of protection during bad storms. Not even a power outage can stop a ’58 basement waterproofing system from protecting your basement and home!
We’re so confident in our basement waterproofing system that we gladly back it with an industry-leading warranty. At ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we want you to have the peace of mind that you’re investing in a system that works and is protected.
To learn why we’re one of the most sought-after wet basement repair contractors, contact ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing today. One of our helpful and knowledgeable associates will be glad to assist you. We have local offices available throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you are in Knoxville, TN, Newark, DE, Concord, NC, or Atlanta, GA, you can count on ’58 to be there to protect your home against invasive groundwater and excess moisture. Also, be sure to ask about the financing* options that may be available to you. We can help you determine a solution that works with your budget.
*For specific information regarding financing options, please check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location.
If you are having wet basement problems, you fully understand the trouble it can cause. Once the water has been removed from your basement, the next people to contact should be the basement waterproofing experts at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We have been in business since 1958, and we have spent decades perfecting our methods of basement and crawlspace waterproofing.
To begin our services, we have one of our experts conduct a free inspection of your basement and other areas around your house. This is to determine the source of water intrusion and see how your basement got wet in the first place. Then, we will provide a detailed estimate that is designed to address the problems that may have been detected.
There are many ways that water can enter the lowest level of a home and cause a wet basement. The six most common ways include:
Whenever it rains, water can soak into the soil that’s next to your foundation. As more rainwater seeps down and collects against your foundation, more hydrostatic pressure is created. As that pressure builds, moisture can start seeping into the concrete. Meanwhile groundwater can leak through cold joints and existing foundation cracks. That hydrostatic pressure can also lead to bowing basement walls and even more cracks in your foundation walls and basement floors. Unaddressed, these cracks can allow groundwater to leak into your basement.
A flooded basement would mean costly repairs and a lot of cleanup. But a basement flooding scenario can be prevented!
Waterproofing your basement can help relieve your foundation of that hydrostatic pressure. Without that pressure to push water and moisture into your lower level, you can enjoy a drier and more comfortable home.
It’s important to have more than just any waterproofing system. You will want to make sure that the waterproofing solution you’re getting will address all six ways that water can infiltrate your basement. A wet basement will do more than just increase the humidity of your basement. That excess water and moisture can lead to problems like wood rot on your floor joists, mold growth, and moisture-loving pests like dust mites.
As every home is different, our basement waterproofing solutions may vary depending on your needs. Your basement waterproofing system may include components such as our Channel ’58 drainage channels, vapor barriers, our Workhorse sump pump, and rigid sealers. Your unique situation will determine what ultimately is used as part of the solution. For example, if your home is in Greensboro, NC or maybe Spartanburg, SC, our ’58 experts might recommend a dehumidifier along with our waterproofing system to help account for those humid summers.
With our quality products and honest methods, we will always install a basement waterproofing system that is designed to keep basements dry for years on end.
If you would like more information on how we can help keep wet basement problems from happening, contact the basement waterproofing experts at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. We would love the opportunity to serve you and help determine the best solution for your wet basement problem. Furthermore, when you turn to ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, your basement waterproofing system will be backed by an industry-leading warranty. We offer free in-home basement waterproofing estimates and some availability on the weekends. When you call, be sure to ask about the financing* options we have available to qualified homeowners.
*Check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location for more information on financing** options.
Do you have water leaking through a crack or cracks in your basement or crawlspace floor? There are many possible causes for this kind of leak. Most commonly, after a day of rain, water pressure on the outside of your foundation (either next to it or below it) can build up. This pressure is also called hydrostatic pressure.
But water wants to find the path of least resistance. Unfortunately for that outside water, that path can be into your home through a crack in the floor slab. Many times, this crack is actually a joint of two pieces of concrete that have dried at different rates/times. Cold joints are another name for these cracks or seams. While cold joints are standard in the building process, water could also be entering through a different kind of crack in the concrete.
Whether if the water is coming through a cold joint or an actual crack in the floor, the water pressure could be building on the outside for a variety of reasons. There could be a high water table, a perched water table, or the clay bowl effect from virgin soil excavated for the home’s basement or crawlspace. The last one is also called the clay bowl effect. To prevent groundwater from becoming a problem for your basement or crawlspace, it is crucial to redirect that water away from your home. This will help prevent hydrostatic pressure from affecting your foundation.
Hydrostatic pressure can also cause damage to your foundation floor. For example, it is how a crack may appear in your basement floor, and why it may leak with water whenever it rains.
There could also be grading problems on the surface above: either the yard, or changes to the driveway or patio. Improper grading can allow water to flow towards the home instead of away from the home. There are also other possible causes for water leaking into your basement or crawlspace to consider.
Maintaining your gutters and downspouts is an important part of protecting your home. Regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts can keep rainwater moving properly from your roof to a location away from your foundation. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts can cause water to fall next to the foundation. Consider extending your downspouts as well.
A ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing interior basement or crawlspace waterproofing system can protect your basement or crawlspace from incoming water. Our waterproofing experts will install our specially-engineered Channel ’58 drainage channels beside the footer along the perimeter of your lower level. These drainage channels will lead any collected water to a sump pit. Then our Workhorse sump pump will push the water out and away from your home via a discharge pipe. Other products may be used depending on your unique situation. Components such as vapor barriers, our Footer Shield, and rigid sealers may be installed to help further protect your lower level from invasive water and moisture.
Ultimately, with a customizable ’58 waterproofing solution, you can take control of the groundwater around your foundation and keep hydrostatic pressure from becoming a problem.
However, it can be very difficult to determine the exact cause(s) of water leaking through a crack in the floor. There’s also always a chance of other causes developing in the future. That’s why it’s important to find a waterproofing solution that addresses the six most common ways water can infiltrate a basement or crawlspace. Whether you live in Chattanooga, TN, Philadelphia, PA, or Washington, DC, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing is there to help homeowners throughout the Eastern Seaboard.
For a solution that’s backed by over 63 years of experience, call upon the experts at ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing! We’ll help protect your home from water leaks and from cracks in your basement or crawlspace floor.
We offer the lasting solutions you need to solve your basement or crawlspace groundwater problems. Contact your ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing office today to learn more and get a free estimate.
Your crawl space is meant to act as a buffer zone against moisture from the soil beneath your house, protecting your living spaces. But does that mean it’s normal to have a constantly moist crawl space? Not quite. Having a crawl space that’s perpetually moist can lead to problems in your crawl space. This is especially the case if there’s standing water. Standing water in your crawl space can become a source of persistent moisture, negatively affecting your crawl space and even your home’s living spaces given enough time.
Let’s take a dive into why having standing water in your crawl space can be so harmful to your crawlspace, and how to solve this problem…
If you’re noticing continual moisture or puddles of standing water, there may be one or more reasons behind this alarming development.
The standing water itself is unlikely to be what does damage to your crawl space. Rather it is the moisture that comes from that standing water. As moisture lingers in your crawlspace, it can begin to interact with the different parts of your crawlspace, eventually leading to problems.
As moisture spreads through the wooden structures of your crawl space, that moisture can begin to cause damage in a variety of ways.
While it’s normal for moisture to come and go in your crawl space, it’s better to keep your crawl space as dry as possible. To help ensure that your crawl space remains dry and useable, you’ll need a crawl space waterproofing solution that can keep the water out.
The best way to keep moisture-related problems away is to keep your crawl space dry. Every source of standing water adds to the existing moisture, compounding the problems that you may have to deal with.
First, you’ll need to identify where all the water leaks are occurring, so that you can take the proper measures to counter them. Calling in a crawl space waterproofing expert can be very helpful—they know exactly how to fix a water problem in the crawl space. Here are just some of the things a crawl space waterproofing expert may use to help protect your home against water:
Since 1958, our crawl space waterproofing experts have been helping homes like your own stay dry for decades. From our crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing repair services, we can help return your crawl space back to being safe, dry, and usable! You deserve to be able to use your crawl space, give us a call today for a free crawl space waterproofing inspection and a detailed estimate. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing can make that dry home a reality!
Many brick homes have cracks in the bricks—either in the bricks themselves, or in the mortar joints. A lot of the time these cracks are not a concern. However, sometimes they are an indication of problems with the foundation of your home. This can especially be the case if you’re noticing stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall.
Stair-step shaped cracks in the brick are a possible indication of problems with the foundation. These cracks are typically noticed in the mortar joints of brick walls. The same stair-step cracking pattern can often be found on the interior side of the wall—in the basement or the crawlspace. We also often see a corresponding crack around the corner on the other wall.
Stair-step cracks in brick walls frequently continue down to the bottom of the brick wall and into the block foundation that the brick sits on, and through the block foundation all the way to the footing.
These cracks are an indication that a section of the wall has settled faster/slower than the other sections. Uneven settlement can occur because of poor soil conditions and soil erosion. Typically, this occurs over time as rainwater seeps into the soil around your foundation.
This uneven settlement can generally be fixed, but it is important to get it resolved before additional settling can occur. Other symptoms may be present or may develop if the settling isn’t addressed. Some of these additional symptoms include sloping or dropped floors, bowing walls, or misaligned doorways.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this kind of foundation problem. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing offers a variety of quality solutions including our own ’58 Strong Helical Piers to bring stability back to your sinking foundation. This can prevent further sinking and allow for the repair of foundation cracks, bowing walls, and other related problems. ’58 also offers its own customizable waterproofing system to help relocate water that reaches your foundation, which can help prevent further soil erosion by water.
If you are noticing stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall, don’t give it the time to get worse. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been repairing foundations like yours since 1958. With over 64 years of experience and expertise behind our quality products and honest methods, you can rest assured that we can repair your brick foundation. We have local offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you’re near Chattanooga, TN, Spartanburg, SC, or Washington, DC, you can always rely on ’58 to be there when you need us!
Contact us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! Be sure to also ask about our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
Calling a foundation repair contractor probably isn’t on your list of enjoyable things to do. But letting a foundation problem go unaddressed is highly inadvisable. Even what looks to be a minor problem could be a sign that your foundation has deeper underlying problems. Consider a crack in a foundation wall, for example. If it is small, such as less than a quarter inch, then it is probably nothing serious. A wider crack, on the other hand, is likely going to require the attention of a qualified foundation repair professional. Whatever the cause(s), a foundation repair contractor will be able gauge the severity of the problem and prevent it from becoming a bigger one down the road.
Finding a crack in a foundation wall is just one way of determining that you may need assistance from a foundation repair expert. What else can indicate a foundation issue? Warning signs include:
There could be different reasons as to why your foundation has a crack. It can be due to poor construction. Or if it is just a hairline crack that has been there since you moved in, it could be from the concrete drying after construction.
But it could also have something to do with something outside of your foundation. Usually, this external element is water. When water comes to rest against your foundation, it creates what’s called hydrostatic pressure. This water pressure increases as more water saturates the soil surrounding your foundation. While your foundation may hold for a time, enough repeated events involving this immense pressure can lead to the crack or cracks you see. What’s more, these cracks can eventually begin leaking if it is water that’s causing the damage. Now a foundation crack problem has turned into a wet basement problem as well.
As you can see, it’s important to have the damage professionally assessed and to do it promptly. Waiting on the problem will only lead to more damage and extra repair costs.
Soil erosion around your foundation can also lead to foundation problems. Whether by water or some other cause, as soil is moved or compacted, voids are created which can cause uneven settling of the foundation. Cracks will then begin to appear near the site of uneven settlement.
There are many different types of foundation problems. But with over 64 years of experience, the team at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing knows how to address them all with our foundation repair expertise. We offer a comprehensive array of foundation repair solutions such as our ’58 Strong Helical Piers, and we utilize only the highest quality materials. Should outside water be a part of your foundation problems, we also offer our own ’58 waterproofing system using specially-engineered products including our own Channel ’58 drainage channels. Whatever is ailing your foundation, you can count on ’58 to make the problems go away!
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has local offices all throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you near Spartanburg, SC, Knoxville, TN, or even Washington, DC, there’s a ’58 team of foundation experts ready to help!
If you’re in need of a foundation repair contractor, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the lasting solutions you need. We’re proud to back our work with our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee! Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and to receive a foundation repair estimate today!
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a variety of setbacks in the everyday lives of a lot of people. For many, especially those who enjoy going out to the gym, the increase in indoor living has them feeling unsure or lost at what to do to keep up their routines. Fortunately for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, there is a way for them to keep up with their exercise routines in effective and even entertaining ways. But as you dive into your indoor at-home workouts and activities, be mindful that your indoor air quality will become all the more important as you will be spending more time in that environment.
Some activities have always been thought of as an indoor activity, such as painting, building a computer, or cooking. But what about your weekly visits to the yoga studio? Or your trips to the gym? Here’s some ways that you can bring those out-of-home activities to the safety of your home:
These are just some of the ways that you can bring your exercise activities into your home. What’s more, it’s easier than ever to enjoy an engaging workout experience through instructor-led videos and online exercise classes. There are both free and subscription-based options out there to enhance the quality of your at-home exercise.
A good workout involves a lot of breathing. But when exercising indoors, it becomes important that you take measures to improve the air quality of your home. From air purification systems to humidity control systems, there are several methods of air quality control that you can use to make your indoor space perfect for your workouts and activities. These are especially helpful if it’s too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer to open a window.
While a lot of people may simply use a room fan to keep themselves cool while they workout, it isn’t always enough, especially if you enjoy working up a good sweat.
Sweating can add humidity to the indoor air, which can affect both you and your home depending on the relative humidity of your indoor air environment.
According to Temperature: Multidisciplinary Biomedical Journal, the rate of time to exhaustion increases along with the level of humidity in your environment. Whether it’s from the sweat from your workout, or from the preexisting air environment you live in, that humidity can cut into your workout time and interfere with your exercise plan. At higher humidity levels, you could be working harder to pull off as much of a workout as someone exercising in a drier environment. As the humidity rises, your sweat won’t work as well to cool you off, which can both be uncomfortable as well as potentially dangerous in certain situations.
As explained in MIT School of Engineering’s Ask an Engineer, the speed in which sweat evaporates depends on the relative humidity in the air. The less saturated the air is with moisture, the quicker the sweat evaporates, and you cool off. But when the air is heavy with moisture, that sweat takes longer to evaporate and your body’s heat continues to build. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to heat stroke or heat cramps.
High levels of humidity can also have a variety of effects on your home, but perhaps one of the most unwelcome is mold growth. According to the EPA, your indoor humidity should be kept “ideally between 30 and 50 percent” to maintain a healthy home that also prevents mold growth. When high levels of moisture are allowed to linger, mold will take the opportunity to attempt to grow, which can lead to various problems:
The risk of mold can begin at a humidity level of 65%, but the higher it goes, the greater the chances that mold will begin to grow and spread. Controlling your indoor humidity can go a long way to helping maximize the health benefits of your workouts while keeping you and your home safe.
From resting in bed to attending a yoga class from your living room, the humidity of your indoor air can affect the quality of all your at-home activities. One place that can become a collection point for moisture is your crawlspace or basement, especially if there’s a leak present. That moisture, in turn, can lead to humidity changes as well as mold growth, all of which can affect the rest of your home and your quality of living. With ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing’s own HumidiGuard line, you can keep the air of your basement or crawlspace nice and dry. This can be especially useful in keeping the air at an appropriate level of humidity if your basement is a finished space, and you’re looking to use it as your workout area or an active space. Give us a call today to schedule for a free inspection and receive a detailed estimate—keep humidity out, so that you can enjoy the indoors!
Sources:
Temperature: Multidisciplinary Biomedical Journal:
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