Other ways to reduce the hydrostatic pressure include:
- Regrading the ground to make sure that it is not sloping downward to the basement
- Keeping the position of gutters and downspouts away from the basement foundation
- Sealing off cracks on basement walls and floors as early as possible
- Letting professionals repair damaged foundations
- Using a basement waterproofing system
How to reduce hydrostatic pressure in basements?
To reduce the damage, you should do some solutions to relieve hydrostatic pressure. An effective interior drainage system reduces hydrostatic pressure. The system removes the water accumulated at basement footings and foundations. It has four main parts, namely:
How do you fix a leaking basement?
Relief of the hydrostatic pressure, will go a long way toward preventing leaks in your basement. Installing Outside Drain Tile – This requires hiring an excavation contractor to dig a trench around your home, down to footer level, usually 6 feet to 9 feet deep. Outside walls are generally pressure washed and cleaned.
How do you waterproof a basement floor?
The most common solution is an interior waterproofing system, which adds a drain tile (a hidden drainage system that channels water away from the foundation). We frequently use this system with excellent results.
What causes high water pressure in basements?
According to Olshan, hydrostatic pressure happens when a constant force pushes water to the basement foundation. Basements are prone to high water pressure because these areas are partially or fully below the water table.
How do you fix a hydrostatic pressure slab?
0:541:50USS - Hydrostatic Pressure And Your Home's Foundation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWater is captured before it can enter the home and divert it away from the homes foundation. ForMoreWater is captured before it can enter the home and divert it away from the homes foundation. For more information about interior or exterior waterproofing. Call United structural systems at 605.
How do you fix hydrostatic pressure in foundation?
Because concrete is porous, even the most well-constructed foundation can't provide a perfect barrier to hydrostatic pressure. It needs help. The most common solution is an interior waterproofing system, which adds a drain tile (a hidden drainage system that channels water away from the foundation).
How do you seal hydrostatic pressure?
The hydrostatic pressure is directly linked to the pressure of the water against your concrete basement walls, floors, and foundations. In order to both protect your home from water, as well as to relieve some of this hydrostatic pressure, you need to apply a concrete sealer to your vulnerable concrete.
Can a French drain fix hydrostatic pressure?
The most common solution for hydrostatic pressure is a drainage system or a French drain.
How much does it cost to fix hydrostatic pressure?
Fixing this is between $350 and $500 per crack. Hydrostatic pressure is a different story. This is pressure that builds up underground when the water has nowhere to go. It forces itself up and through your foundation, often causing cracks.
Does insurance cover hydrostatic pressure?
Most carriers do not include coverage for flood or seepage as part of your homeowners policy. Further, most carriers include hydrostatic pressure as part of their definition of flood and/or groundwater. Many insurers restrict coverage for sewer backup and require that you endorse your policy for an additional premium.
How do I stop water from coming into my basement floor?
Here are eight strategies to keep water out of your basement.Add Gutter Extensions. ... Plug Gaps. ... Restore the Crown. ... Reshape the Landscape. ... Repair Footing Drains. ... Install a Curtain Drain. ... Pump the Water. ... Waterproof the Walls.
What causes hydrostatic pressure in basements?
“Hydrostatic Pressure” refers to a water pressure and is a major cause of basement water problems. Water weighs slightly more than 60lbs. per cubic foot. If the soil around your basement is saturated with water, there could be tens of thousands of pounds of hydrostatic pressure against your foundation.
Why is water coming up from basement floor?
Reasons for Water Seeping Through the Floor. There are several common reasons for water seeping up through your basement floor, including backed up or collapsed drains, leaking pipes or appliances, a cracked foundation, clogged gutters, and poor drainage.
Do sump pumps reduce hydrostatic pressure?
Sump pits are normally excavated in the most central location possible in the basement floor. This provides the best equalization of hydrostatic pressure on the underside of the slab.
Which is better sump pump or French drain?
Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can't compete with!
Will a French drain keep my basement dry?
A French drain, often called “drain tile,” installed inside or outside the foundation, will keep most basements dry and never requires maintenance or replacement.
How to relieve hydrostatic pressure
Because concrete is porous, even the most well-constructed foundation can’t provide a perfect barrier to hydrostatic pressure. It needs help. The most common solution is an interior waterproofing system, which adds a drain tile (a hidden drainage system that channels water away from the foundation).
Getting the right answers about basement water problems
Understanding your situation—and the recommendations provided by basement and foundation contractors —is the first step in finding a solution. Beware of waterproof paint products that claim to seal out moisture. These coatings wear out over time, and they completely fail to address the real problem, which is hydrostatic pressure in the soil.
Exterior waterproofing solutions
A well-designed drainage and landscape plan can go a long way toward preventing basement leakage. Many problems can stem from the fact that water is constantly draining toward the foundation rather than away from it.
Interior waterproofing solutions
Even on a property that’s well-drained and graded, there’s still the issue of subsurface water—underground moisture that has soaked into the soil rather than draining away. This water fluctuates seasonally with changes in rainfall, and during wetter months, the resulting hydrostatic pressure can push through basement floor slabs.
The Source of Hydrostatic Issues
If you go down to your basement and notice that your walls are wet, the whole room has a musty smell, or if there are signs of leakage, the water table has probably become elevated. What does this mean? The water table is the upper level of an underground surface where the soil is always saturated.
Is Hydrostatic Pressure Impacting Your Home?
To determine whether this force is threatening to damage your basement walls, you can run a simple test. Just cover your basement walls with a plastic sheet. Secure it with tape and leave it there. If you notice that water drops have begun to form on the sheet, your basement has a moisture problem.
Reducing Hydrostatic Pressure
No one wants to have moisture in their basement. Not only does this space become useless, but moisture can cause mold growth. Airborne mold spores can contaminate the air in your entire home and compromise the health of you and your loved ones.
Relieving Hydrostatic Pressure
So, how can you keep hydrostatic pressure around your foundation under control? As mentioned, after it rains or when snow melts, water over-saturates the ground, and hydrostatic pressure increases. Therefore, to keep this force under control, you need to remove the excess water.
Foundation Drainage System
The most common solution for keeping hydrostatic pressure under control is the foundation drainage system. It is most easily installed while the basement is still not complete and consists of four components – the drainage pipe, gravel or drainage stone, the concrete that covers the gravel, and the discharge system (sump pit and sump pump).
Factors That Affect the Effectiveness of the Foundation Drain
To increase the effectiveness of foundation drains, specialists use drainage boards in areas prone to heavy rains. These boards are installed on the concrete foundation walls and their purpose is to drain off water as quickly as possible.
Types of Foundation Drains
This type of foundation drain consists of a perforated pipe that is placed beside the foundation wall and slopes away from the structure. When the pipe is in place, the trench is backfilled with porous materials so that the groundwater can easily make its way to the drain pipe.
Problems with the Foundation Drain
While the foundation drain prevents water accumulation near the foundation and reduces soil erosion, it has some major flaws. This system is a pricey investment that requires professional and skilled specialists.
Interior Basement Drains
Instead of excavating half of your yard to install an exterior drainage system, you can easily install an interior drainage system. It costs half as much, and the whole installation can be completed in about two days. These drains run along all leaking walls, collect excess water and direct it to a sump pump.
What is the water table in a basement?
When water leakage gets deep in a basement, there is a good likelihood that there is a high water table, either temporarily or permanently. The water table is the level at which standing water is constant underground.
Why do builders install drain tile?
Builders generally install drain tile, footer drains or even french drains to help prevent the water table from rising higher than footer level underneath the foundation and for relief of hydrostatic pressure. If the water table can be controlled, there is a good chance you can prevent water from leaking into the basement.
What happens when ground water is blocked?
Ground water picks up soil, sediment, sand and mud as it travels down through the soil. Over time, accumulations of sediment can block the drain pipes. Once the drainage pipes are blocked, the water table can rise and create hydrostatic pressure underneath the basement floor and along the walls.
What Can Cause Hydrostatic Pressure Issues?
Most often, hydrostatic pressure increases during rainy periods. When the rain falls, it saturates the soil, making it expand. The hydrostatic pressure rises causing water intrusion. The same thing can happen when there are floods or large amounts of snow begin to melt in spring. Excess troweling can also cause hydrostatic problems.
Solving Problems with Hydrostatic Pressure
Luckily, there are several ways you can relieve hydrostatic pressure in your basement and keep your Cleveland, OH, home safe.
Is Hydrostatic Pressure Going to Damage Your Foundation?
As a homeowner, you surely wish to know whether your basement is in danger of becoming impacted by high hydrostatic pressure. Luckily, there are simple ways you can detect increased pressure. You could place a plastic sheet over your walls, securing it with duct tape. Leave the sheet for a while and see whether water droplets form on it.
Contact Your Local Basement Waterproofing Experts
If you wish to waterproof your basement, contact experts at Ohio Basement Systems and schedule a free estimate .
