ABOUT US

DRYCRETE Waterproofing is a full-service basement waterproofing contractor and a concrete crack repair specialist. We offer guaranteed solutions for leaky basements in homes and businesses in Massachusetts.

CONTACT INFORMATION

552 Main Street, Unit 4
Waltham, MA 02452
Toll Free: 877-379-2738
Tel: 781-899-9080
Fax: 781-899-9081
info@drycretewaterproofing.com

LICENSED CONTRACTOR

MASS REG # 153300

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Basement Waterproofing in Boston

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Wet Basement

The fact that a basement, by nature, is built into the ground means that it is susceptible to water damage. Water in soil can put pressure onto the basement's walls, and water follows the path of least resistance so in time a once dry basement can have very wet problems.There are a few ways of telling if there is damp in your basement, apart from the very obvious one - when you need your waders you know you have let things get out of hand! Water stains along the floor or walls could just mean that the laundry tub has a leak, but it can also be something more sinister - water could be seeping in through the walls or floor.Usually you can smell damp; it is a musty odor and excess moisture in your basement will almost certainly begin to smell. You might also see mold, which can be black, green or yellow; or efflorescence, which is a white or grayish colored ash on the walls, that may or may not sparkle. This is caused by salt deposits left behind by evaporating water. Salt can also cause spalling; if the water gets inside the surface of the brick, concrete or stone the salt deposits will make the surface peel and flake away.

There are a number of reasons why a basement can become wet. Ground water caused by extra heavy rainfall or constant seepage can be the problem, but it could be due to more easily fixed reasons. Not enough, or blocked gutters can be the culprit - water has to go somewhere and it will find its own way if there isn't an appropriate course available. Downspouts that have become disconnected or do not direct water away from the house may also be what are responsible for the trouble. If the garden has not been designed with water drainage in mind it could cause water to flow towards the house and soak into the foundations and basement. Sprinklers are another potential garden offender; if they are aimed towards the house rather than away from it, too much water will collect round the base of the house and eventually cause damage.

Condensation from pipes in high humidity areas will drip, especially from air conditioning units that don't have a release valve, and water can actually leak inside walls: if the interior wall leads straight from the attic to the basement, water from the roof has a direct run straight down. Sometimes solutions are easy and practical: such as fixing the gutters and moving the sprinklers, whereas others are not quite as easy but still possible for you to do yourself. Of course, this will depend on your ability, such as your aptitude at installing flashing on the roof and under window sills. Other jobs definitely need the help of the professionals; you may need to have new drains installed, or have the walls insulated. Trying to waterproof the walls by painting a sealer on them won't work in the long term; water will eventually manage to seep through. If you have a serious problem with a wet basement it is certainly worth getting an engineer's report and having the problem resolved; it won't go away by itself and the damage will just become more costly to repair.