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Every homeowner wants their basement dry and mold-free all year round. Most of the time however, this is easier said than done because there are no quick fix solutions to this problem. You need to get to the root cause of it, and in this case, find out what is causing the moisture. Only then can you decide the best waterproofing technique that can be applied.
It's
better if you do your homework first and look around for the best basement
waterproofing services in Connecticut
or in your local area. Your basement contractors should know about the
basic building code and structural code modifications and its process in
Connecticut before you proceed with this home improvement project.
A
reliable local basement contractor will tell you that every visible crack needs
to be patched and thoroughly cured prior to wall application in order to
properly seal your basement. If done incorrectly, it will still leak out no
matter how much coating was applied. After this you can now proceed with
waterproofing your basement.
Exterior Waterproofing
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Now, if you have a big budget to spare, you might as well go for the best way to waterproofing your basement. This will involve excavating around your house right down to the bottom of your foundation walls. Only when it is complete can waterproof coating be applied. After it has completely dried up, you will now add some drainage panels to the top. This are used in order to provide a path so the water will flow away from your house. It's impossible to do this on a shoestring budget because you will need several thousand dollars and even a basement contractor to make sure it's done right.
Plastic Sheets and Panels
You
will use these in relation to the interior drainage systems in your basement.
Remember, they do not keep water from seeping through your walls, but they
prevent water from destroying your things inside the basement. What happens is
when water runs through your walls, it goes down the panels and into the
drainage system on your floor. Afterwards the water is pumped out via a sump
pump.
Waterproofing Paint
This
is an acrylic formula that's usually found with your regular paint. You are still
going to use a roller, brush or sprayer but you need a thicker application for
this. Know that a gallon of this paint can only cover an estimated 75 square
feet. This type of paint can be used on painted surfaces and you can paint over
it as long as it has already been cured. Approximate curing time is about one
week. There are a lot of contractors in Connecticut who offer great paint jobs, such as ED Painting. Go check them out.
Silicate Based Concrete Sealer
A
trusted basement contractor may
recommend these densifiers for walls that have neither been sealed nor painted
on. This sealer will quickly soak in and will have a chemical reaction with the
brick or concrete, forming a hard and waterproof surface. You will like this
because it won't peel or flake of and you can also paint over it in the future.
You can apply this using a roller, sprayer, or brush, doing two coats to make
sure the cracks are properly sealed.
Concrete Waterproofing Coating
Basement
waterproofing services will tell you that this is one of the best methods
because this thick coating which is cement like can permanently adhere to
concrete walls. You need a heavy brush when doing this and only use this on
surfaces that has not been painted yet. You'll need to add water to this in order to create the mixture. For the brushes and other concrete tools,you may want to rent them instead of making a purchase. Go check CT Rental Center.
On
Hiring a Reputable Basement Contractor
Now,
before you get all excited and start hiring a basement contractor to get the
work started, make sure you’re hiring one who will give you your money’s worth.
Do not sacrifice quality for a cheaper price because you might be spending more
for poor workmanship in the end. Here are some tips to follow to make sure you
got the right person for the job.
Ask for Recommendations
You
can start with your neighbors, family and close friends then look it up in the
National Association of the Remodelling Industry in your area for the list of
members. You may also ask some advice from a building inspector who knows which
contractors always follow the code requirements.
Conduct Phone Interviews
Once
you have several contractors on your list, start calling them up one by one and
see if they are prepared to answer your questions. See if they take on projects
like yours, know their willingness to provide financial references from their
banks or suppliers, and even give you a list of their previous clients. Their
willingness to answer these questions will tell you how reliable they will be
once they take on the project.
Schedule a Meeting
Pick
out three contractors and arrange to meet personally so you can discuss
estimates, material and labor cost, etc. The contractor must be able to answer
all your queries and put your mind at ease in the end. You need to be able to
communicate well and be sure you're both on the same page because this person
will be in your home most of the time.
Always
check with the state's consumer protection agency as well as the Better
Business Bureau to make sure they don't have long standing disputes with other
subcontractors or clients.
