ESSENTIAL BASEMENT WATERPROOFING TERMS

If you are hiring for basement waterproofing or sump pump installation in Baltimore, you’ll need to know some basic terminology. There are different terms for what causes damage to your home’s structure, and there are various terms for the type of action a professional will take. Use these terms for the clearest communication with your basement contractor.Groundwater can be drawn into your basement walls and floor through capillary action, and the water percolates through and stays. The debris and silt can turn acidic, causing structural damage to your foundation and making it susceptible to hydrostatic pressure. When it rains or snow melts, the rise in the water table causes an increased hydrostatic pressure on your basement’s structure, causing leakage or flooding through a wall or floor crack. There are many different solutions a professional might employ, including a sump pump, which is installed to pump excess water away from the basement. A dry lock is a vapor barrier installed in crawl spaces, basements, and attics. An exterior footing drain is a tube or box put in around the perimeter to collect and direct ground water away from the house. A dry well is a hole in the ground filled with gravel to collect and allow water to percolate away.