When you realize your basement is being damaged by water, the process begins as any other home renovation would: with an estimate. Well, to back up a bit, it begins with your call to inquire about the services, and then the estimate gets the job underway. As opposed to an elective renovation like having your home painted, waterproofing can be the result of a more urgent need, and your basement contractor is sensitive to this. You want to get this job going quickly, you could have water causing severe damage and even posing a threat to you and your family. As Quality Dry Basements owner Charles Pellaton knows, it is important to get an estimator to your home as soon after you make that initial call as possible.
The process begins with you recognizing that you may need waterproofing. This could be as simple as your basement blatantly flooding. If you step into four inches of water when you go to do laundry one day, you probably have a problem. But remember, it isn’t always that simple. You can look for the other signs, like dampness around the perimeter of the floor, on the bottom of the walls. Or, you could look for condensation on the floor and on the walls in the summer. Mold and mildew are good signs, as well. If you see any or all of these signs, it’s time to call a basement contractor. You can ask some questions right there on the phone, which can possibly help you determine how urgent your need is. From there, you can schedule your estimate, which the contractors will arrange based on your need.
The contracting company will send out trained inspectors to your home, and they will request that, if possible for you, all the decisionmakers are present. This is because the inspectors will use the estimate to not only inspect the home and problem area, but to educate you so you understand the job that needs to be done. The experts will teach you what the problem is, what caused it, and the different options you have to fix the problem.
The inspectors look for signs of damage in the basement to trace back to the root of the issue and the exact cause. They look for cracks, efflorescence (the white powder left by continuously drying moisture spots in concrete), mold, and a sort of bowing out or in on the walls or floor. They then measure the basement and diagram it, creating a field report. A field report carefully documents each and every little detail about the site, the damage, and the work that needs to be done. Also added to this field report will be the results of the then outside inspection, which can also lead to findings that need attention. It is important that the inspectors examine and understand the drainage system to properly gauge the problem and the task at hand.
Once the evaluation is complete, the inspector(s) can sit down with you, the homeowner(s) and review all the inspection findings. They will consult with you on the problems and then map out the different solutions, pricing each one so that the final decision is yours.
As far as the options for problem solving go, there will be a base to this job that is necessary. If there is already water damage, that damage has to be repaired. If there is mold, that mold has to be removed. These are safety measures. The Hydra Stone waterproofing system must be completed, as it is the process of prevention. Your basement contractor will make the basement into a structure that allows water to flow in and out of the hollow stones in the floor, so it never makes it into the basement. There may be further options that your estimator will consult you about, and that is where your cost might have some flexibility. The waterproofing procedure as a whole is a cost that is a worthy investment, as any repairs that result from greater damage will be exponentially more expensive. Waterproofing saves you time and money in the long run.
