The Basement Waterproofers Story Lines
The following are myths that the waterproofing contractors are telling their potential customers. I have received this information directly from home owners. Some of these have been confirmed with a direct phone conversation with the manager of a large waterproofing company in Cincinnati. WATERPROOFING CONTRACTORS ARE TYPICALLY GIVING ESTIMATES OVER $15,000 AND USE THE FEAR FACTOR TO GET THE WORK. THE ACTUAL COST OF THE REPAIR MAY BE LESS THAN $500.
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MYTH 1) Cracks in the basement slab indicates the slab is heaving upward caused by water under the slab. They don't check the slab with a hand level.
FACT 1) Concrete always cracks. Concrete slabs can heave with water under the slab, but this is unusual. Slab can also settle, but should be confirmed at least with a 4' hand level not over the crack.

MYTH 2) Interior and exterior drain system relieves pressure against the foundation wall and suggest their system will stop foundation movement.
FACT 2) This does not eliminate soil pressure against the wall, but may reduce it. A foundation drain system will not stop foundation movement.

MYTH 3) If storm water is coming into the basement over the top of the foundation wall, they provide a bid to install an interior under-slab drain line and/or an exterior underground drain line.
FACT 3) This will not stop this seepage. Water seepage at the top of the foundation wall is not controlled with this method. The source of the water entry has to be determined to suggest a repair.

MYTH 4) Hollow sounds under the basement slab indicated the soil under the slab is being washed out with water from under the slab.
FACT 4) Several causes for a hollow sound can occur, even slab curl along the foundation wall. Slab curl is a normal occurrence for concrete slabs. The installation of the interior and exterior drain system most likely will not rectify a problem if a problem does exist.

MYTH 5) The apparent crack between the slab and foundation walls indicate their is water under the slab.
FACT 5) This crack is merely a construction joint between the slab and wall and always occurs.

MYTH 6) Any foundation crack or exterior wall crack may suggest the whole house is about to collapse and you must have their system now.
FACT 6) If the foundation was near collapse, this should be readily visible and the cracks or movement would be excessive. The exterior or interior drain systems will not stop foundation collapse.

MYTH 7) Any leak through a concrete foundation wall requires their exterior underground and interior under-slab drainage system.
FACT 7) Concrete foundation walls typically do not leak through the wall, except in very unusual circumstances. Leaks in concrete foundation walls may be a very economical repair, but the source of the water should be determined to suggest the repair method.

Find the best way to repair your foundation problem by engaging an experienced engineer for an unbiased opinion. Call Mike Montgomery 1-800-285-3001 (scheduling) for review that will diagnose the true problem, recommend a solution and SET YOUR MIND AT EASE.

Never Forget:
Engineers diagnose the problem and design solutions.
Contractors do the work.
Sales people sell services.