Your basement may seem to be the stuff of horror movies—dark, damp, and uninviting, but this needn’t be the case. After all, this room represents a huge amount of livable space in your home, and if you have a large or growing family, every square foot is precious. Basement waterproofing may sound like an expensive and time-consuming process, but it can be surprisingly quick, easy, and cost-efficient if you have the right team in your corner.
Foundation Recovery Systems is proud to offer some of the best basement waterproofing products and services, at the best prices, in central Missouri and eastern Kansas. From small additions to structural repairs, we can make any basement a clean, dry, and comfortable space. Better still, we can do it quickly, quietly, and without breaking the bank.
Common Basement Woes (and What We Can Do About Them)
Converting your basement into a family room, bedroom or office may seem like an impossible dream, but we can help you take the all-important first steps. By assessing your basement for existing issues, our certified inspectors will be able to tell you what waterproofing measures would best suit your home. Better still, we can repair any damage in your basement and crawl space to give you the perfect canvas to work with.
Here are some of the most common basement issues faced by families in Missouri and Kansas and the solutions we would suggest.
Dampness
Whether you have pools of standing water or an excess of condensation on your walls and floor, dampness can make any room feel uninhabitable. Dampness in your basement can be caused by a number of things, from cracks in your walls to foundational problems. Assuming there are no major structural issues, however, we would suggest the installation of a vapor barrier. This will not only make your basement warmer, but it will keep moisture out. If you don’t like the look of the vapor barrier, simple drywall panels can be installed to cover it and give you a fresh surface for decoration.
Mold
Mold is not only unpleasant, it can be harmful to your health. Black mold, for example, can be incredibly damaging and is prone to spreading once it has taken root. If you have a mold problem, we would recommend treatments to kill and remove the mold and the installation of a low-profile, energy-efficient dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air and prevent a recurrence.
Musty Smell
If your basement has been damp or has had mold in the past, it may have a musty and unpleasant smell. Installing waterproofing measures such as a vapor barrier and a dehumidifier should remove this musty smell and keep it away. After all, no one will want to spend time in a smelly basement, no matter how pretty it looks.
Bowed Walls
Bowed walls are a sign of serious structural instability, and they can be a huge source of dampness in your basement. If you have bowed walls, we recommend you contact an expert to install carbon fiber reinforcements or wall anchors before you proceed with any other waterproofing solutions.
These issues are fairly common in this area, and while they can seem daunting, they are actually fairly easy to fix when you know how. Thankfully for you, we know how and we will make quick work of the toughest dampness and mold problems. We’ll even do it with a smile.
Our Waterproofing Products and Solutions
Waterproofing a basement can actually be quite simple if you have the right products at your disposal. Foundation Recovery Systems is proud to offer only the best waterproofing products and solutions to our customers. We hand-pick every single product and stand by them and their ability to keep water and moisture out of your basement. We also take great care to ensure that our staff is highly trained, skilled, and motivated. Whether you need your sump pump repaired, a vapor barrier laid, or your dehumidifier upgraded, we guarantee you a stellar experience and long-lasting results.
Our most popular waterproofing products currently include:
CrawlSeal™ Vapor Barriers
CrawlSeal™ Vapor Barriers are some of the most durable and effective plastic vapor barriers on the market today. Waterproof, easy to install, and incredibly tough, CrawlSeal™ vapor barriers feature seven layers of plastic and built-in anti-microbial protection. Unlike water-resistant paint or sealants, CrawlSeal™ Vapor Barriers are mechanically attached to your walls to prevent seepage. As such, you can expect to notice a huge difference in your basement very quickly once your vapor barrier has been installed. They will never leak, flake or peel, and they come with a 25-year warranty for wear and tear as well as our satisfaction guarantee. In short, they are the best of the best.
BasementGutter Perimeter Drainage Systems
Our perimeter drainage systems are discreet, effective, and compatible with CrawlSeal™ vapor barriers. Less expensive and easier to install than a yard-based drainage system, the BasementGutter drainage system will be connected to all leaking walls and used to channel the water to your sump pump. This will then whisk the water away from your basement and foundations. This system is less likely to clog than the average underground drainage system, does not sit in the mud under your home, and has a unique FreezeGuard feature to prevent leaks and water backups in winter.
Energy-Efficient and Low-Profile Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are key to providing a comfortable environment in your basement, especially in humid states like Missouri. Foundation Recovery Systems offers a range of dehumidifiers, from small and quiet models that are perfect for confined spaces to energy-efficient options that will lower your bills and carbon footprint. If you aren’t sure what kind of dehumidifier you need for your basement, don’t hesitate to ask our team; we will happily assess your home to give you a good idea of its needs. Whatever you decide, however, we have one word of warning – make sure you choose a dehumidifier based on suitability rather than price or you could end up replacing it very quickly.
In fact, Foundation Recovery Systems is now offering free no-obligation assessment appointments for those who want to convert their basements into a warm and inviting space. You are under no obligation to book with us after your inspection (though we believe you will want to). Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge, it can be reassuring to know roughly what this conversion will entail.
Waterproofing Solutions
FAQ's
Dampness can be caused by a number of issues, but the most common are:
- Structural Damage
Damage to your property foundation or basement walls is one of the most common causes of dampness in a home. Even the smallest cracks in your floor and walls will let water seep through into your property.
- Plumbing Floods
Appliance breakdown and damage to pipes is another common cause of dampness in a home. Once the main leak has been fixed, this dampness can linger in soft furnishings, textiles, and exposed wood, raising humidity and increasing the risk of rot and pest infestation.
- Improper Drainage
Many properties have basement drainage systems or sump pumps to keep the worst of the weather at bay. If these systems are not powerful enough to cope with your home or they break down, dampness and standing water are sure to follow.
Dampness is one of the most insidious issues that a home can face. It has a number of potential side effects and increases the risk of many other issues.
- Dampness Attracts Pests
Dark, damp, and humid environments are perfect breeding grounds for many pests. Damp homes are more likely to see cockroach, spider, and rodent infestations than homes that do not have issues with damp.
- Dampness Forms Mold
Mold thrives in humidity and basements are particularly vulnerable to serious mold formation because they are dark, generally have lots of organic material in them, and are not often surveyed for issues. Depending on the species of mold this could have serious repercussions for your health and property.
- Dampness Damages Your Home
Having dampness in your home can be structurally damaging, especially if you have a lot of wooden supports. Dampness can quickly get into wood and cause it to rot. When wood rots, it loses its structural integrity. If you have dampness in your home for a long time you could find that walls start to bow and floors start to sag.
No, there are some things that you can do to protect your home, such as keeping your drains and gutters in good condition, but waterproofing solutions should be chosen and installed by professionals.
- You Need to Identify All Problems
First and foremost, you need to be sure that waterproofing work is not covering up any issues. A professional will be able to fully assess your home to ensure it is in good shape before waterproofing.
- Waterproofing Takes Specialist Skills
Some waterproofing work may seem straightforward, but it often requires precise measurements and specialist tools to ensure a successful installation. Furthermore, poor installation can actually do more damage!
The Best Waterproofing Services in Missouri
Whether you’re experiencing sump pump problems, you have cracks in your basement walls, or you just want to prepare your basement to become something more, we are here to help. Foundation Recovery Systems has completed over 700,000 repairs and waterproofing procedures since we opened in 1993 – we know what it takes to make a basement shine. More than that, we are ready, willing, and eager to put this experience to use for you.
Our team will create a customized waterproofing and repair plan for you based on the needs and current state of your basement. They will also walk you through each suggestion they have made, explaining why they feel it is best. At the end of your assessment appointment, your inspector will also provide you with a written quotation that lays out the estimated timescales and costs for their suggestions.
It is our goal that you should never have to call us about the same problem twice. If you would like a free inspection, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
