One of the biggest headaches for homeowners is water damage. Whether it’s from a leaky roof, a burst pipe, or something else entirely, water damage can be expensive, time-consuming, and just all-around frustrating. One area to watch out for is your basement. Basements are notorious for being damp and prone to issues like mold and mildew. But there’s a solution to that problem: sub-slab waterproofing by Standard Water Control Systems.
WHAT IS SUB-SLAB WATERPROOFING?
First things first: What is sub-slab waterproofing? It’s basically a system where a drainage field and perforated pipe are installed underneath your basement floor. This can be done during construction or renovation. The system directs water that might seep into your basement down to the perforated pipe, which then channels it to a sump pump or a storm drain. Essentially, it’s a way to intercept water before it can cause any damage to your home.
One of the biggest benefits of sub-slab waterproofing is it helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew thrive in moist environments, so by keeping your basement dry, you’re also keeping those nasty little spores at bay. But that’s not the only benefit. This system can also help prevent foundation damage, since water can cause soil to shift and put pressure on your foundation walls.
SIGNS YOU NEED BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
So, how do you know if Standard Water’s sub-slab waterproofing is right for your home? One way is to look for signs of water damage. If you have water stains on your basement walls or floor, that’s a pretty good indication water is seeping in. You may also notice a musty smell or see mold or mildew growing. If you’re in the planning stages of a basement renovation, it’s definitely something to consider. And if you live in an area with a high water table or frequent flooding, it’s a no-brainer.
Prices vary depending on the size of your basement and the complexity of the project. However, if you’ve ever dealt with the headache and expense of water damage, you know the score. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing your basement is safe and dry.
HOW STANDARD WATER INSTALLS YOUR WATERPROOFING SYSTEM
Standard Water Control installs a below-slab, rigid PVC drain tile system (recommended by the UofM) that includes our service-marked Sump Basin with Diamond Plate airtight cover, protecting small children and pets. Add to that our patented Diamond Drainage Board, which allows for unrestricted water flow from the wall across the footing and into the drainage field. Importantly, Diamond Drainage Board allows our crews to patch the concrete to the same thickness as the original slab.
A DIRTY, DUSTY JOB
No two ways about it, this is a dirty, dusty job and Standard Water takes steps to minimize the impact on both you and your home. Doorways and vents are sealed with plastic, air scrubbers with hepa filters are used to help keep dust down. Your belongings are cared for as well; we put plywood on your grass, use rubber buckets to move debris from your house and cover anything left in the basement with plastic.
Our crew jackhammers the concrete around the perimeter of the basement, digs a trench that slopes down to the sump basin and pours washed rock into the bottom of the trench to keep the drain tile off the dirt, thereby preventing any dirt or mud infiltration. The crew then installs the drain tile and covers it with more washed rock to act as a drainage and filter medium. When installed properly, like this, you never have to worry about our drain tile plugging up.
WHY RIGID PVC DRAIN TILE?
This is important, our systems use rigid PVC drain tile so we can install it at a continuous downward slope to the sump and have the water pumped away from your home. 3 inch Rigid PVC drainage conduit, with an opening of 7.06 square inches, has a flow rate of about 44 gallons per minute. It follows a smooth downward slope to the sump basin and drains completely.
DIAMOND DRAINAGE BOARD
Our patented Diamond Drainage Board is installed to facilitate the free flow of water from the wall, over the footing and into the drainage field. A plastic moisture barrier is laid in to prevent moisture from wicking up through the concrete and to keep the concrete out of the drainage field. Now when water enters the block it is directed to the drainage field where it is carried through the drain tile into the sump basin where it is pumped out and away from the house.
SUPERIOR SUMP SYSTEM
We install an industrial grade sump pump for years of worry free service. We also install two of our service marked Seamless Discharge pipes guaranteed to never leak or break. The second discharge pipe is there to provide for additional pumping capacity in case you ever want to install a back up system.
Inside our Service Marked Superior Sump System you’ll find our exclusive SP 33, 1 third horsepower submersible pump capable of pumping 2,770 gallons of water per hour at a 10 foot lift. The pump includes the SWC 2 Deluxe Dual Controller, and a check valve, which only allows water to flow out of the system. The SWC 2 has two float sensors that back each other up as well as a computer that will alert you to an issue with the pump to help ensure your peace of mind.
Sump pumps can either be powered by electricity or by a battery, so they will continue to work even if there is a power outage. It’s important to have a sump pump that is powerful enough to handle the amount of water that could enter your basement during a heavy rainstorm. No matter how good your waterproofing system is, It’s useless without a high quality sump pump. The pump is the heart of your system, and if it doesn’t work, your basement will flood.
OPTIONAL BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM
Our custom branded Battery Backup System is the perfect addition for anyone looking for additional peace of mind. The system includes a pump that can keep up with our main pump, a maintenance free battery, and a Backup Control Unit. The System will automatically switch to the backup pump if the power goes out.
The backup pump moves 2,400 gallons of water per hour at a 10 foot lift. The battery can run 7 hours straight or intermittently for days and will remain viable for 5 to 7 years. The Backup Control Unit monitors both pumps and will send an alert if there is an issue with either pump.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it: everything you need to know about sub-slab waterproofing. While it might not be the most exciting home improvement project, it’s definitely an important one if you want to keep your basement dry and mold-free. And with the potential for costly water damage, it’s definitely worth considering. If you’re not sure if this process is right for your home, talk to a contractor who specializes in sub-slab waterproofing, like Standard Water. We can give you a better idea of what’s involved and how much it will cost. Good luck, and here’s to a dry basement!