Water in Basement: How to Fix a Wet Basement Leaking?

Decades ago, with the introduction of multi-storey commercial buildings, India saw the need for a basement waterproofing system that protected the establishment for years together. Understanding this demand, Dr. Fixit, a pioneer in the waterproofing industry, offered multitudes of modern and innovative resolutions to increase the longevity of properties and keep their structural integrity intact.

As you are aware, maintaining a commercial property is a tough assignment. Due to its sheer size and various serviceability, the property owner must be vigilant to prevent wear and tear, water damage, dampness and leaky basements.

Water damage is serious; it can quickly lead to major structural problems for your office building, warehouse, apartment complex, or other commercial properties like hotels, hospitals, and shopping malls.

One of the principal facets of maintaining a commercial building is to ensure that its foundation is waterproof. Structurally, the worst thing that can happen to a building is a wet basement leaking problem. Without a well-constructed and secure foundation, a building cannot properly sustain the amount of pressure it receives daily and, consequently, will give way.

The vast majority of leaky basements cause damage to the building structure and pose a health and safety hazard. Before the issue manifests into an unwelcome challenge, it is essential to resolve the issue right away!
 

Core benefits of basement waterproofing

The design of commercial basements is imperative as they are often built in phases or over a long duration. They are challenging because of their mixed-use and multiplicity.

While foundation waterproofing can be installed at any stage of a commercial building’s life years, it is recommended to incorporate it at the construction stage.

1. Increases property value and lifespan
2. Cost-effective solution
3. Keeps structural integrity intact
4. Prevents fungal growth
5. Improves basement air quality
6. Prevents moisture retention and dampness of surfaces
    

Causes of wet basement leaking:

As you are aware, wet basement leaking can be attributed to many causes - inferior waterproofing systems during construction, subpar concrete quality, cracks on the walls and foundation, and climatic conditions among others. Such waterproofing failures facilitate seepage from groundwater, broken pipes, rainwater etc.

This, in turn, may adversely affect the structural integrity of the basement, and it cannot be restored by plugging the cracks alone. The issue must be resolved at the source to add life years to your property.
 

Basement waterproofing: When is the right time?

Leading industry experts believe that the strength and life of commercial buildings lay solely on their foundations. To maintain the life and safety of your property, it is ideal to invest in integral basement waterproofing solutions from the commencement of its construction.

However, Dr. Fixit offers a variety of products for repairs and renovations of your buildings. The brand has on-ground experts and technicians who will assess the wet basement leaking, determine the cause of the leaky basement and customize long-term and effective solutions for you.
 

Warning signs of leaky basements:

1. Water seeping from the cracks
2. Concrete walls with a moist base (a ring of dampness)
3. Condensation on concrete surfaces
4. Walls that are discoloured or blistered
5. Humid and damp air
6. Standing water
7. Mould or mildew

While it is essential to invest in basement waterproofing during the construction phase, there are many solutions to rectify water damage. However, it is essential to consult experts in the industry, understand the cause, and preventive measures before you select a waterproofing method to resolve your issue.

If you own a commercial property and are seeking to secure your basement through a waterproofing system, ensure that you opt for a solution that increases the longevity and integrity of your establishment.
 

How to fix a basement leak?

With the advent of new technology, there are myriad non-destructing testing methods to detect the source of basement leakages and accurate remedial treatments.

1. Leakage tracing
   The most vital aspect of the basement survey will be the detection of moisture penetration and its probable sources.
    
2.  Leakage testing
   There are many types of traditional testing to determine wet basement leaking like flood testing, leakage mapping and ASTM method.
    
3. Non-destructive testing methods
   This method of leakage investigation encompasses pinpointing the exact location of leaks, determining the rate of leakage, and constant monitoring for leakage over a duration of time.
    
4. Types of equipment/methods used for non-destructive testing
   This system helps to find leaks via Thermal Imaging, Electronic Vector Mapping, Vac Box testing and Trace Gas Injection & sensing etc. Other methods include Acoustic Leak Detection and Correlator Leak Detection.

What to keep in mind: Sometimes, after thorough leak investigations for your basement, there may be signs of interior water damage but no actual leaks. In such cases, Infrared (IR) Thermography and Electrical Capacitance (EC) testing such as Electronic Field Vector Mapping (EVFM) are most suitable in addition to visual inspection to determine whether water is seeping up from below, coming through the walls, or coming from above.

What to do after the leakage source has been identified?

Once the water intrusion discovery has been made with novel technology and innovative methodology, the next step is to repair the problem that is paving the way for water into your commercial basement at the earliest.

A) Most often than not, it may be due to a below-ground leak issue. In such cases, trenching is the most widely used practice to fix it.

How does it work: A trench is dug around the establishment’s perimeter, and then any cracks or spalling in the concrete can be repaired and the entire surface coated with waterproofing materials developed by Dr. Fixit.

B) If the seepage of water is due to a foundation issue, then you may have to opt for remedial waterproofing methodologies.

How does it work: Before remedial waterproofing a commercial basement, the substrate must be well keyed for good bonding. After surface preparation, ensure that there are no cracks before the application of treatment.
 

Different types of treatments for basement leaks

Positive side Application Treatment

1. Elastomeric Bitumen Emulsion based Polymer Coating
2. Coal Tar Epoxy Coating
3. Elastomeric Polyurethane Coating
4. Bentonite and Blind-side Waterproofing
    

 Negative-side Application Treatment

1. Cementitious Systems
2. Injected Basement Waterproofing
    

Other Basement Waterproofing Systems

1. Interior Footing Drain
2. Baseboard Drainage System
3. Improving the Drainage System
    

What to keep in mind?

The basement waterproofing restoration and treatment must be undertaken by an experienced contractor and not a new construction waterproofing specialist.