Water seepage in basement and crawl spaces usually occurs over long periods of time, and can be caused by numerous factors. Oftentimes, water damage may begin as early as the construction process but may be worsened by compounding issues.

  • Concrete mixture: Concrete is one of the most commonly used materials in home construction. When pockets of air are not removed, or the mixture is not allowed to cure properly the concrete can crack, which allows water to gradually force its way through the wall.
  • Foundation Footings: Footings are horizontal pads that define the perimeter of foundation walls. When footings are too narrow or are not laid deep enough, they are susceptible to movement caused by soil erosion.
  • Gutters/Downspouts: Gutters and downspouts are used to catch rain water as it falls, and discharges it away from houses and buildings or into undergroundstorm drains. When gutters are clogged or downspouts are broken rainwater is absorbed by the soil near the foundation, increasing hydrostatic pressure.
  • Subsidence: Subsidence is the downward shifting of soil under or near a structure's foundation caused by water saturation, the removal of groundwater or as an aftereffect of mining.

The three measures developed to prevent this problem differ greatly in ideology and design. The three methods are:

  • interior wall and floor sealers
  • interior water drainage
  • exterior drainage combined with waterproofing coatings​


Signs that water is seeping into a basement or crawlspace often take years to develop and may not be easily visible. Over time, multiple signs of damage will become evident and could lead to structural failure.

  • Cracked walls: Cracks may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or stair-stepped. Severe pressure or structural damage is evident by widening cracks.
  • Buckling walls: Usually caused by hydrostatic pressure. Walls appear to be bowed inward.
  • Efflorescence: White, powdery residue found on basement walls near the floor.
  • Mold: Fungi that usually grows in damp, dark areas and can cause respiratory problems after prolonged exposure.

Shown above are illustrations of the idea behind waterproofing 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.

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.

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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.

Location: East Rutherford, NJ 07073             e-mail: globalwaterproofingllc@gmail.com              phone: 201-364-3770                 fax: 201-355-2275 

Global Mechan​ical Waterproofing LLC

Call 201-364-3770 for a free consultation!