Warning Signs to Look for in Your Basement

Warning Sign #1: Moisture

Warning Sign #2: Cracks

Cracks in a basement foundation or crawl space wall are common anywhere, and especially in Kansas City with the extreme weather fluctuations. The freeze/thaw cycle in winter allows for water to seep into the cracks, causing freezing and concrete expansion... resulting in worsening damage to your foundation and enlarged cracks. On the flip side, summer droughts can make crumbling and crackling worse.

Some questions we've been asked regarding foundation cracks include... How long has the water been in here? Do we have mold issues? What are our options for repair? How much will this foundation repair cost? How much foundation damage has been caused? Who do I call to repair the cracks the right way?

Not all repair companies are created equal in their experience, equipment, and customer service. Determining the most effective solution to a foundation or wall crack can be difficult and a solution is not a ‘one size fits all’ mentality. In fact, many factors are considered by the experts at PierMagic® before deciding on a solution. Those factors include the width and thickness of the crack and the surrounding area,foundation movement, and structural damage. There are two solutions that we suggest to our customers: 

EPOXY

Epoxy injection should be used for cracks that need to be structurally repaired and serves more as a barrier that bonds and holds. Epoxies can add a great amount of strength to a foundation as they are known for their static condition. The epoxy injection process begins by cleaning the crack and the surrounding area of all debris. Injection ports are then inserted along the length of the crack. The epoxy is then injected through the ports until the crack is completely sealed.

POLYURETHANE RESIN

Polyurethane resins are known for their flexibility. Depending on the size and mobility of the crack, the poly resin will move with the wall during expansion and contraction of the surrounding soils. This specially formulated polyurethane can even be injected into actively leaking cracks, stopping water within minutes. The advantages include:

• Flexibility 
  
• Sealing qualities of foundation walls 
  
• Eliminating air leaks 
  
• Repairing made from the interior 
  
• Stopping active leaks 
  
• Reducing humidity and water vapor permeation 
  

Warning Sign #3: Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are oftentimes easily forgotten, until they are needed... or until they fail. As we have found, water damage is no joke, considering how even a small amount of water can wreak havoc on a basement.

PierMagic now offers solutions to help prevent sump pump overflow and other types of basement flooding and water damage. Ask us about our Backup Sump Pump, which runs off of a reliable water supply that brings water to your home under pressure every single day.

Avoid the stress of a flood or severe water damage. Check out the features and difference in the Basepump Water Powered Backup Sump Pump compared to others on the market.

• Rain mixed with power outages can result in flooded basements because the sump pumps quit working when they lose power. Why take that chance?
• Most reliable and superior backup sump pump on the market.
• Five (5) Year Limited Warranty is Included!
• Water Alarm Included! A 9 Volt battery-powered water alarm is included, to warn you of rising water. Using its own float sensor, that is mounted inside the sump, when high water lifts the float the alarm sounds off with an 85 dB alarm, likely to be heard almost anywhere in your home. You can rest easy knowing you have an alarm backup as well!
  
• Basepump does not require electricity, batteries, or chargers. 
  
• Fully Automatic operation. You don’t need to be home to operate it.
  
• Uses water pressure from your existing water supply to remove water from the sump.
• Highest pumping rates in the industry.
• Heavy duty construction, made from corrosion resistant polypropylene.
• No moving parts to break and no maintenance required (Test it every 2-3 months).

Although we all know and understand that water in your basement is never good, it's important to continually look for any changes to moisture. Don't wait until the damage is done... try to prevent it by having a proper drainage system in place, proper foundation stability, and a water pump backup. If you have any questions, one of our pros can certainly help answer those. 816-765-4800.