First of all, let me thank you for looking into my business for your home repair needs. You have chosen a company that puts your needs first. I feel it is my duty to give you a few of the basics of basement waterproofing, because in my 20 years of working Downriver, I have found that most homeowners have more questions when I get on the job than they had at the initial estimate.

One of the most important things you need to know in discussing basement waterproofing is this: the biggest problem in the Downriver area is clay. City code only requires a builder to put six inches of gravel over the drain tile, and then they finish backfilling the walls with the original soil (clay). The problem is the clay pressure, which can cause two different problems:

1. Because of the lack of stone fill, drain tile can become filled with dirt that filters through the limited stone covering it, clogging the tile and not allowing the water to reach the storm drain or sump pump.
2. Clay pressure can cause cracks in the walls that, when unchecked, will cause the walls to shift and become bowed.  Or worse, the walls can actually move inward.

Cracks can also occur even if your drain tile is not clogged, simply because of the weight of the clay or the winter freeze. When clay freezes, it expands. Then, as soon as the frost leaves the ground, it retracts, often leaving a small gap between the soil and the basement wall. In the months following this thaw, the rain and snowmelt can cause problems in this gap area. Most houses in Downriver were built in the 1950s or 1960s, so the problem has been aggravated over 40 or 50 years, and this is why so many people are having problems now.

Let me give you a little lesson about drain tile:

• Every house has a drainage pipe (drain tile) that is located around the perimeter of the house, outside the footing. This means it is located below the floorline of your basement. Its purpose is to catch all of the excess water outside and get it into the storm system (or sump pump).  It is necessary to have these tiles functional because water left sitting around your house will cause the walls (block or concrete) to deteriorate, creating movement (cracks) which could eventually lead to collapse. 
• Every wall of your basement has one spot (normally in the middle of the wall) where this drain tile runs through your footing and under your basement floor.  All four walls are drained into a four-way connection that goes directly to your storm system (or sump pump) and out.

Why do I explain this to you?  I have found that most people are not aware of how drain tile works, and I believe that instructing the consumer is part of the service I provide.  After years of calls from homeowners who just want "the facts" and the truth about waterproofing, I feel obligated to provide the information to all of my customers and potential customers.  I want you to make an educated decision when it comes to your basement waterproofing needs. 

What makes a quality waterproofing job?

The good companies, those that earn their customers' respect and trust, have several common attributes, including:

1. They waterproof from the outside.
2. They take at least ½ of the clay away from your walls (thus relieving the pressure on those walls).
3. They check and (if necessary) change your drain tile, to ensure that water gets to the storm system. 

If a company performs these activities when waterproofing your basement, you will never have a problem again.

What is my biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is in informing the residents of Downriver that inside waterproofing, though it has its time and place, is by no means the solution for the average house in our area.  There are companies that do inside work.  They may have a great telecommunications system and a large team of salesmen, but they don't understand (or aren't willing to address) the real problem.  After reading the information mentioned previously in this letter, you actually know more about waterproofing than many of those salesmen who try to convince you to let their crews waterproof your house from the inside.  Unfortunately, those people know only their company's system, and they are not educated on the best methods for basement waterproofing.

As I mentioned, inside waterproofing does have its place.  However, the only time I recommend inside waterproofing is when there is an obstacle in the way, such as a very nice (and expensive) deck, or a brand new patch of concrete that the homeowner does not want to cut.  That is the only reason I would suggest inside waterproofing, but in my experience, the long term effects of water running through your walls will create a bigger problem in the long run.

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I hope that the information I have presented in this letter helps you in making your decision.  Whatever your needs are, an educated consumer is a happy one. 

Basements are meant to be dry.  Unfortunately, until building codes in our area are changed, forcing builders to do the job correctly from the beginning, we are in this together.  One last piece of advice I will offer to you:  if you know anyone having a home built, tell them to pay the extra money to have more stone put around their house and have the clay taken away.  Until this is practiced, this problem will persist. 

I realize that it can be hard to make the decision to put your hard-earned money underground.  But, by giving you this information and creating an educated consumer, I believe that that I am helping you get the most for your money.  I personally promise to treat your home as if it were as dear to me as my own, and I look forward to giving you the dry basement you deserve.

For more information, or for a free, no-obligation estimate, call us at 734-282-4183.