Flooded Stairs
Basements Flooding From Flooded Stairs Near Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and neighboring areas!
Preventing basement stairways and hatchway doors from flooding
If your basement is still flooding through the stairs and hatchway entryway despite waterproofing efforts, the task remains incomplete.
The Construction Process of Hatchway Entrances
Gaining insight into the design of hatchway doors can illuminate the reasons behind their potential leakage.
Hatchway entrances are commonly built independent of the foundation walls. Typically, this entryway is crafted as a concrete enclosure, attached to the foundation walls post-construction. Frequently, pre-cast entryways come equipped with pre-installed stairs.
For homeowners aiming to maintain a dry basement, particularly in a finished space, leaky hatchway doors present a significant nuisance.
Once the hatchway is positioned, metal doors are affixed atop. If required, stairs are installed within, finalizing the construction. Typically, these hatchways are left unsealed against the foundation walls.
Preventing water from flooding into your home through basement doors and stairways!
Our solutions are swiftly installed and come with a written lifetime warranty! Contact us today to schedule your complimentary basement waterproofing quote, with no obligation attached. We proudly serve throughout Idaho and Washington, including Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, and numerous surrounding areas nearby.
(Above) Constructed separately from the rest of the home, a hatchway entrance is susceptible to flooding from various sources.
(Below) The illustrated diagram of a flooding hatchway entrance demonstrates water ingress from around the hatchway doors, through wall cracks, and at the junction of the hatchway door and foundation walls.
Areas in which basement stairways are susceptible to flooding
Three critical points where hatchway entrances commonly leak:
1. Leaks frequently occur beneath metal hatchway doors.
Metal hatchway doors often lack flush alignment with the concrete frame to which they’re affixed. When rain accumulates on these doors, it cascades downward, pooling around the edges of the doors on the concrete surface.
At this juncture, water can take one of two routes: it may either continue its descent to the ground or seep underneath the metal hatchway door, infiltrating the stairs inside the hatchway.
2. The junction where the hatchway meets the foundation is another common point of leakage.
The connection between the concrete shell of the hatchway and the foundation walls is established through bolts drilled into the foundation’s concrete.
Contractors seldom seal this junction, making it a significant vulnerability where water can infiltrate into your basement.
During rainfall, as groundwater accumulates around the foundation, it exerts pressure on this vulnerable area, leading to substantial flooding.
3. Water infiltration through cracks in the concrete is another common point of leakage.
Over time, like any concrete structure, a hatchway entrance will develop cracks. Water can seep through these cracks, eventually making its way to the stairs and flooding into your basement area.
Certain older hatchway doors were constructed using loose panels of wood rather than metal, often without adequate measures to prevent water ingress. Consequently, water can readily flood through the gaps in these doors.
Once water accumulates in a hatchway entrance, the resulting puddles will gradually expand into the basement.
Preventing flooding via hatchway doors
Our TrenchDrain™ Hatchway Door System serves as an effective solution to prevent water infiltration through hatchway doors into your basement space.
Featuring a half-round pipe section with a grated top, the TrenchDrain™ is seamlessly installed to be flush with your concrete floor, ensuring a neat and professional finish.
Designed to integrate with your existing perimeter drain system, the TrenchDrain™ spans the staircase, capturing water runoff and channeling it towards your drain and sump pump system. This versatile system can be installed across the entrance of the hatchway or extended inside the hatchway itself, providing comprehensive protection against flooding.
The TrenchDrain™ system features a grated opening on top, engineered to gather water and redirect it to your perimeter drain.
As an integral component of a perimeter drain system, it offers an effective solution to prevent hatchway flooding, safeguarding your basement and preserving your furniture and belongings.
TrenchDrain™ can also be utilized in various other applications beyond basement waterproofing.
TrenchDrain is fully compatible with homes equipped with a radon mitigation system. Its straightforward ball-and-cup mechanism seals the drain when inactive.
Additionally, we often suggest this system for use along garage doorways and other entry points vulnerable to water intrusion into your home.
Explore further details about our perimeter drain systems.
We specialize in preventing hatchway doors from flooding your basement!
Whether it’s leaky hatchway doors or any other basement flooding issue, the local waterproofing experts at Premier Basement Systems have the solution you need. From addressing leaky hatchways to dealing with flooding floors, iron ochre issues, wall cracks, or unsightly basement windows, we’ve got you covered!
We’re eager to meet with you and demonstrate how we can ensure your basement stays dry all the time. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary basement waterproofing quote!
Each free quote entails no obligation and includes an on-site inspection, personalized consultation, and a free written cost estimate. Additionally, we’ll provide you with a complimentary copy of our full-color waterproofing book!
Serving the Idaho and Washington area, including Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Post Falls, and numerous nearby regions.
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