If all you see is a little dampness on your block walls or in your new concrete, most probably not. We’ve been in the basement waterproofing business since 1977 and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen these conditions which are not a danger to your home or a sign that your waterproofing system isn’t working. Basement waterproofing systems are designed to take care of water seepage which is a very different issue. Nobody in the waterproofing industry will tell you they can get rid of dampness … and if anyone does, you may want to consider using another company.
The first thing a homeowner should do after their new concrete has fully cured is to seal or paint it. This will help stop moisture from wicking to the surface. It’s all in our literature that we leave with you after the job.
If the dampness continues to concern you, one solution is to install our Diamond Brite Vapor Guard. It works extremely well with our drain tile system for that extra peace of mind.
As long as you are not getting water seepage, your system is working properly. We recently helped one customer who called to say they were getting seepage after we had installed a system. We sent someone out to look at the problem and found the oddest thing; there was a garden hose sticking through the block foundation! I do not believe I’ve ever seen that before! We took care of that problem and now the entire basement is as dry as we expect it to be.
~Mike