Sahara Waterproofing is a full service basement waterproofing company specializing in Basement Waterproofing, Sump Pumps, French Drains, Basement Walls & Floors, Driveways, Sidewalks, Patios, Stucco and more. We are committed to getting the job done the first time. Our professionalism and courteous conduct are demonstrated by the care given to you and your home. From the moment that we enter your home until the time we leave, you will receive worry-free, quality products and services. We pride ourselves on honest quality work; that is why more than half of our business is from customer referrals. PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS TO BASEMENT PROBLEMS Frequent flooding, severe cracks that seem to be getting worse, bulging walls, and heaving floors are not do-it-yourself projects-they call for the services of Sahara Waterproofing. Sahara Waterproofing offers long-term warranties for the work they do-that is important protection for you, even if it is initially more expensive. Professional waterproofing systems differ, but most include one or a combination of the three approaches AN INTERIOR DRAIN FIELD requires breaking through the basement floor, digging down to the footings, and installing a second drain field. INTERIOR DRAIN FIELDS An interior drain field works in much the same way as the channeling system except that it runs under the floor. The installer excavates around the basement slab's perimeter, drills weep holes at the base of the walls, then lays perforated drainpipe in a bed of gravel. The result is a drain field like the one outside the footing. The pipe channels water to either a storm sewer or a sump pump. Although more costly than a channeling system, an interior drain field can handle far more water, an important consideration if your basement suffers from a high water table, a clogged exterior drain field, or heavy seepage. SUMP PUMPS If a spring or high water table is forcing water up from below the slab, Sahara Waterproofing may recommend installing a sump pump. A sump is a pit that collects underground or runoff water. As the pit fills, a float activates the motor of a pump in the pit. A one-way check valve ensures that water from outside won't back up into the sump. A SUMP PUMP turns on automatically as its pit begins to fill with water. It should be equipped with a warning device that signals when the pump isn't working. EXTERIOR DAMP-PROOFING Excavating to the footing, coating the foundation or adding a vapor-retarding membrane, and installing a new footing drain is the most costly alternative, but it may be necessary if damage is extensive and the wall also needs to be rebuilt. EXTERIOR DAMP-PROOFING is a last resort. Treatment may be roll-on or sprayed in compounds, sheet membrane, or other measures DIAGNOSING BASEMENT PROBLEMS Most problems unique to basements are caused by water. The first step in drying out a wet basement is to determine where the water is coming from. Is condensation the culprit? Is water seeping in from outside, or trickling through a crack in a wall or the floor? Is a high water table trying to push your basement out of the ground? As you investigate each of these problems, as described below, bear in mind that the problem could be the result of a combination of ills. CONDENSATION Condensation results from excess humidity, often from an internal source such as a washing machine, unvented dryer, or basement shower. It forms where warm moist air comes in contact with a significantly cooler surface such as an exterior wall or a cold water pipe. SEEPAGE If moisture is collecting on the floor or on one wall near the floor, it's probably seeping in from outside or up from under the floor. Seepage usually occurs because water is forcing through an expansion joint or through pores and hairline cracks in the foundation. LEAKS Often you can see water trickling down a basement wall or oozing up through a crack in the floor. Most basement leaks result from poor drainage, especially roof runoff, or a grading problem, aggravated by cracks that result from the normal settling of the structure. Walls that are extensively cracked need professional attention. Call Sahara Waterproofing today. UNDERGROUND WATER One of the most troublesome causes of a chronically damp basement is a spring or high water table that pushes water up through the floor under high pressure. This often shows up as a thin, almost imperceptible film. An underground water problem requires professional help. Call Sahara Waterproofing today. WATER ENTERING YOUR HOME Water enters the home via the basement wall/floor joint, through cracks in the foundation walls and/or holes created by faulty or decaying masonry/brick. A perimeter trench drain such as a French drain collects the water before it enters into the basement. Wall vapor barriers/retarders and drip moldings are used and incorporated into the sub-slab perimeter drain to collect water coming from wall cracks and other foundation wall defects, such as pipe protrusions. The drain directs the water to a sump pump. The sump pump directs the water out of the house. Interior basement waterproofing systems should be prepared to work in the case of a power outage, the failure of a sump pump, and in the face of overwhelming torrential rain. A proper sump pump, backup sump and/or battery backup sump pump should be installed in a large sump pit with an airtight lid for safety and to keep humidity from seeping through to the basement environment, where it can promote mold growth. This airtight practice will also reduce the possibility of dangerous radon gases for entering the living space. Solutions: French Drains An interior drain field works in much the same way as the channeling system except that it runs under the floor. The installer excavates around the basement slab's perimeter, drills weep holes at the base of the walls, then lays perforated drainpipe in a bed of gravel. The result is a drain field like the one outside the footing. The pipe channels water to either a storm sewer or a sump pump. Although more costly than a channeling system, an interior drain field can handle far more water, an important consideration if your basement suffers from a high water table, a clogged exterior drain field, or heavy seepage. Basement waterproofing refers to techniques used to prevent water from entering the Basement of a house or other building. Effective below ground waterproofing will include both drainage and sealers. Waterproofing is needed anytime a structure is built at ground level or below ground. Waterproofing and drainage considerations are especially needed in cases where Ground water is likely to build up in the soil and raise the Water table. This higher water table causes Hydrostatic pressure to be exerted underneath basement floors and against basement walls. Hydrostatic pressure forces water in through cracks in foundation walls, through openings caused by expansion and contraction of the footing-foundation wall joint and up through floor cracks. Hydrostatic pressure can cause major structural damage to foundation walls and is likely to contribute to mold, decay and other moisture related problems. Call Sahara waterproofing today for your waterproofing needs. Sahara waterproofing does not use high pitched salesman, or sub contractors. call Sahara waterproofing today for your free estimate. 1-855-Pa-No-Water