Water Causing Cracks on the Floor in Salem, OR
Challenge
This homeowner was concerned about water intrusion in their basement after noticing some cracks in the concrete floors. When cracks appear in the basement floors, it is likely due to hydrostatic pressure that is created by groundwater pushing up against the slab. This is just the beginning of many issues to come if not properly addressed. Over time, this pressure causes water seepage through the cracks that creates efflorescence, which leaves white, chalky residue on surfaces where the water evaporates. Musty and damp odors can then linger as well as cause health hazards such as mold and mildew. Knowing that this was a serious problem, these homeowners contacted us and scheduled their free visit. We went out, inspected this basement and created the best game plan with the homeowner to finally solve their water issues.
Solution
We began this project by using a jack hammer to dig a trench around the interior of the basement in which we place clean gravel rock and our WaterGuard Drainage system. This perimeter drainage system will collect water from the walls as well as groundwater and safely channel it to the lowest point, where we install our SuperSump Plus system. To address the water in the center of the basement floor, we dig a trench where the cracks in the floor were to install leech lines to relieve the hydrostatic pressure. This is then tied to the perimeter drainage system and it is all concreted over to ensure a discreet look. With this waterproofing system now installed, these homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that their problem now has a reliable solution for years to come.
