Introduction
As a homeowner, it’s already frustrating to keep an eye out for so many different housing factors throughout the day. However, some neglected areas, like the crawl space, yearn for your attention. Believe it or not, the area needs proper crawl space cleanout, repair, and restoration in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, and other areas in Washington.
If your property has a crawl space, continue reading to figure out some common crawl space waterproofing mistakes and how you can take the necessary steps to avoid them.
Mistakes to Avoid When Waterproofing a Basement
We’ve listed the ten most common mistakes people make during waterproofing, not in a particular order of severity but in commonality.
1. A non-functional or shallow sump pump system.
Not installing a sump pump basin or fitting a shallow one is the most common mistake most property owners make during a waterproofing project. The sump pump basin ensures the pump has a clean space free of mud and debris to remove water.
Also, most DIYers and crawl space contractors in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, University Place, and nearby areas in Washington make the mistake of installing a sump pump but not burying the basin deep enough.
If you live in a flat or lowland area, it’s best to avoid these mistakes, or else you could risk your basin turning into a swimming pool due to overrunning of water. A well-fitted sump pump system is crucial for rigorous crawl space basin cleanout in Lacey, WA.
2. Not using a drainage system.
If you don’t have a well-functioning drainage system, then be prepared for hundreds of possible damage to your basement floor. Installing a drainage system is crucial for basement waterproofing and avoiding crawl space repair and restoration in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, University Place, and Lacey, WA. It helps divert water away from the basement and dries it out.
3. Not installing a check valve or dranjer drain.
Forgetting to install a check valve can cause all the water in the drain pipe above the sump pump to flow right back into the basin, which could ultimately damage the pump. While a dranjer drain is a unique product that keeps your basin from turning into a swimming pool. Without it, the water won’t have access to the sump pump for discharge.
4. Choosing the incorrect waterproofing system.
The next everyday blunder most crawl space contractors make is picking the incorrect waterproofing system. Basements come in different shapes, styles, and sizes. Property owners should choose one that fits their unique needs and purposes. Some basement waterproofing systems are better for butcher blocks or bricks, while others sit well with concrete walls. Research thoroughly and choose the perfect system for your crawl space cleanout in Federal Way, WA.
Water can seep through the basement walls pretty easily, so it’s a great idea to waterproof them. If you don’t, the water will somehow find its way to the basement floor and cause damage and inconvenience.
5. Fixing a crawl space door without a threshold.
This common blunder can’t be stressed enough, but installing a crawl space door without a proper threshold, even the best encapsulation, cannot stop water from entering the crawl spaces.
6. Burying water pipe incorrectly without protection
You should definitely avoid this mistake when waterproofing your crawl space in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, and Lakewood, WA. There could be two outcomes depending on the situation,
- The drain pipe is too shallow: It can lead to issues like flooding, moisture problems, water not effectively being channeled away from the crawl space, and pipe damage or even freezing in colder climates.
- The drain pipe is too deep: A situation like this could definitely lead to drainage issues like moisture buildup and potential damage to the foundation or crawl space in University Place, WA. It can also block the pipe from removing excess water.
Also, ensure you have a filter designed to keep clay, silt, sand, and other clogging materials out of the waterproofing pipe.
7. Using DIY or incorrect basement sealants
DIY sealants or a basement moisture barrier don’t work as well as professional basement sealing services. They only provide short-term relief and could end up causing serious implications like flooded basements and a collapsed drainage system.
Finally, only basement waterproofing professionals can properly fix a wet basement problem. Consistently fixing incorrect basement sealants can cause mold and mildew to form in your basement.
8. Improperly installing a vapor barrier
Another big mistake most people make is using an old, nasty, loose-laid vapor barrier and not installing it properly. A worn-out barrier does a shabby job of maintaining moisture control and proves to be a persistent headache in events of massive rainfall.
9. Ignoring basement ventilation
The basement should have proper ventilation to avoid moisture buildup to form on surfaces. You can also use a basement dehumidifier to reduce the humidity, which can help prevent mold and mildew in your home’s foundation.
10. Not installing a water alarm.
Lastly, most homeowners and contractors make the mistake of not fixing a water alarm near the sump pump, door, dehumidifier, and other moisture-prone areas. During most crawl space restoration, cleanout, and repair processes in Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, University Place, and surrounding areas in Washington, experts recommend installing a water alarm to notify you of dire problems like crawl space flooding, leaking, or congestion.
DIY Crawl Space Repair vs. Professional Repair
When your crawl space starts causing problems, you have no choice but to make repairs. While it’s only natural and tempting to attempt a DIY waterproofing project, it’s strongly discouraged because of health risks like,
- Allergic reactions
- Lung ailments
- Sore throat
- Irritated skin
- Stuffy nose
- Injuries and accidents
When DIYing, you’re also at the risk of causing structural damage to your home and decreasing its value.
You should always hire a crawl space repair, restoration, and cleanout specialist in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, University Place, Lacey, and nearby areas in Washington that come loaded with equipment, experience, tools, and training.
Hiring credible experts like Long Pest Control Management offers a cost-effective solution to all your crawl space waterproofing problems. Here’s why we’re better than DIY, and you won’t regret giving us a chance:
- Long Pest Control believes in accurate assessment and diagnosis to get to the root of the problem.
- We provide a long-term fix.
- We’re a trusted crawl space repair, restoration, and cleanout company in Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, and nearby areas in Washington.
- We provide tailored solutions that are both cost and time-efficient.
- We come armed with the proper tools, materials, and techniques.
Long Pest Control specializes in crawlspace cleanouts and repairs. We offer a full remodel and encapsulation process at affordable rates.
Our skilled team removes all existing vapor barriers, damaged insulation, or other materials and debris from the space, repairs any holes or openings, installs new 6mm black plastic, and deodorizes the space. Before leaving, they set traps for rodents and return after a week to remove them and complete a final inspection.
Long Pest Control not only surpasses DIY fix-ups but outperforms all other companies in the industry!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve discovered the ten most major crawl space waterproofing problems, it’s time to contact a professional crawl space cleanout, repair, and restoration problems in Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, University Place, Lacey, and nearby areas of the Washington region.
Long Pest Control Inc. is a full-service licensed, bonded, insured pest control company in Washington. Serving in the greater southern Puget Sound areas, primarily in the counties of Mason, Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and North Thurston, we aim to provide the safest, most efficient, and ecological pest control services while maintaining the highest standard of safety for our precious customers and employees through the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
At Long Pest Control, we take you and your needs seriously! Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.
