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Foundation Waterproofing

Why Does My Basement or Foundation Leak Near Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and neighboring areas!

Permanently Resolve Foundation Flooding: Comprehensive Understanding and Solutions!

Basements and crawl spaces frequently experience flooding in both new and old homes, often recurring rather than a singular event. Once water breaches your foundation, it’s likely to repeat.

Two primary contributors to basement leaks are the clay bowl effect and hydrostatic pressure.

Reach out to us today via phone or email to explore solutions for these issues!

Foundation Waterproofing in Spokane needing waterproofing

Free Estimates for Waterproofing

Contact us today to schedule a complimentary waterproofing quote in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, and surrounding regions. Call or email us now to arrange your appointment!

Damp Foundation in Spokane

Crawl space before repair by Premier Basement Systems in Worley, ID near Hwy 95 and Worley Ave Completed crawl space repair by Premier Basement Systems in Worley, ID near Hwy 95 and Worley Ave
Before
After
Foundation Waterproofing: Clay bowl illustration representing traditional pottery in Kootenai, ID

The "Clay Bowl Effect" And Your Foundation

Picture the construction of your home from the ground up. Contractors commence by excavating a space in the earth to accommodate your basement and foundation. This excavation is slightly larger than your home’s footprint. Within this space, the foundation is erected, and the concrete floor is laid.

Following the foundation’s construction, a portion of the excavated soil is utilized to backfill the perimeter around your foundation.

The loose and aerated soil, termed “backfill,” results from the excavation process. In contrast, the undisturbed soil adjacent to it, known as “virgin soil,” may have undergone settling over centuries or even millennia.

What’s the implication for you? The backfilled soil encircling your foundation will consistently possess greater permeability and water absorption compared to the compacted, dense virgin soil nearby.

This establishes a kind of “clay bowl” effect encircling your residence—an artificial water table. Water tends to accumulate most prominently around your foundation, precisely where it’s least desirable.

Hydrostatic Pressure and Wet Soils

Water exerts significant pressure! When the soil surrounding your home saturates with moisture, it expands, and the weight of the water applies force on your foundation. This phenomenon is termed hydrostatic pressure.

As hydrostatic pressure mounts against your foundation, water will infiltrate through any available avenue.

Water flooding in a basement in Lake Laclede, ID

Water infiltrates your home through various pathways: it can seep through cracks in concrete walls or floors, penetrate openings surrounding pipes, permeate basement windows, or even directly through porous concrete. In the case of block walls, water may permeate the blocks and begin to fill the internal cavities.

Nevertheless, the primary route for water ingress into homes is typically through the foundation wall-floor joint. We often discover that most basement floods originate from leaks in this area.

Waterproofing a Foundation in Idaho and Washington

Drying a damp basement involves halting water infiltration at its entry point.

Given that the majority of basement flooding stems from the wall-floor joint, a prevalent method to mitigate flooding is by installing a perimeter drainage system along the basement floor’s perimeter. This system collects water and channels it towards a sump pump, which subsequently expels it from your residence.

Flood warning alert for a home in Hayden, ID near North Government Way and Prairie Avenue

Ensuring the safety of your home extends beyond merely preventing groundwater intrusion. It’s equally crucial to monitor your home’s plumbing system, including fixtures like the water heater and washing machine.

At Premier Basement Systems, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach to resolving various water issues. Our solutions encompass every aspect of the basement, from foundation walls to basement floors, and even wet crawl spaces.

We provide complimentary basement waterproofing estimates across Idaho and Washington, including areas like Medical Lake, Nine Mile Falls, Greenacres, Newport, Otis Orchards, Priest River, Colbert, and numerous nearby regions. Reach out to us today to begin addressing your waterproofing needs!

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