Tag Archive for: foundation sealer

Supplement Your Waterproof Basement Walls with Good Landscaping on New Builds

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If you’re considering building yourself a new home, waterproofing your basement walls may not be at the top of the list of things you’re thinking about. A little mental effort now will be well worth it in the long run, though. We’ve come up with a list of things to consider when you’re working through the homebuilding process.

Landscaping Your Lawn
You might be tempted to think no further than what type of landscaping looks good, but it’s important to build out your landscape with proper drainage in mind. With a little brainstorming, you can have the best of both worlds. A well-landscaped lawn can be pleasing to the eye and functional when it’s done right.

Gutters
Gutters don’t have much to do with waterproofing basement walls, do they? They can help your home much more than you think. Giving your lawn room to absorb water can make a huge difference in keeping your basement water-free. Extending the spouts farther from the house spreads out the water further from the house. Keeping gutters free from leaves is your first line of protection.

Trees and Plants
Keeping your lawn full of trees and shrubs is a great idea, and it can really make your place look beautiful. Just be sure that they’re in the right place where they won’t damage water lines with their roots.

These are just a few ways you can supplement waterproofing basement walls when building a new house. As always, Zablocki Waterproofing is here to help, so give us a call today if you need help thinking through a strategy to ensure basement waterproofing in Milwaukee!

 

Why Do Basement Walls Start to Crack?

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You’re exploring your unfinished basement, searching for that favorite childhood toy, and reliving some of your happiest memories when you see it—that crack that’s in the wall didn’t use to be there. Your immediate response may be to begin a search for foundation contractors who can ensure that your basement won’t take a turn for the worst, but keep in mind that it’s common for basement walls to crack: that’s a fact. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons that a crack in your basement walls can happen.

  • The walls can shrink. It is common for basement walls to expand and contract as they dry, and there are many factors to take into consideration. Humidity and the mixture used for your wall can have a huge effect on the way it expands and contracts.  
  • The ground may be wet. Oversaturation of the soil surrounding your basement walls means that the soil will likely expand, putting pressure on your foundation and causing a crack to occur. Dirt is heavy and wet dirt is heavier; having that weight against the wall can push on it, which means a crack is imminent.
  • The ground might be too dry. Conversely to the ground being too wet, the ground being too dry can mean that the soil is shrinking. This can cause your foundation to shift outwards and, you guessed it, cracks will show up. Roots from trees also spread out in times of drought when they’re seeking water which can push against your foundation.
  • Gas, sewer, and electric lines weaken concrete. The fact that these lines push through your walls means that there’s naturally a weak point in that area. Weak points in your concrete often lead to cracks. These lines are necessary for your home to function properly, but it’s important to keep an eye on them.

Foundation cracks are common; every house will likely experience them at some point or another. It’s an inevitability. Keep track of the cracks in your foundation. If you’re concerned, it’s absolutely vital to call in foundation contractors to make sure that you don’t have a serious problem on your hands. The most important thing to remember is that if you notice that a crack is getting larger, don’t put it off. The problem won’t disappear on its own. Check out a list of the services we can provide.

We know that many people store their memories in boxes in the basement, and we also know how important it is to protect those memories. Contact us at Zablocki Waterproofing and we’ll take a look if you’ve noticed an alarming crack in your foundation. We’ll make sure that you understand the problem and what needs to be done about it, and you can be sure we won’t oversell you. You’ll get exactly what you need and nothing more. We’ve been keeping Milwaukee dry since 1985 and you can be sure that if there’s a crack in your foundation, we’re the foundation contractors you need to call. Get in touch with us today!

What Causes A Cracked Foundation?

There are a number of things that can happen when you’re a home or business owner, but foundation cracks are something no one ever wants to deal with. If you’ve noticed cracks forming in your home or commercial building’s foundation, you may be wondering what could have caused this to happen. Cracked foundations are caused by a variety of forces, including:

Poor Construction

Before your home or commercial building was built, the site was analyzed in order to identify the best materials to work with, and the soil itself was prepped. Substandard materials and improper soil preparation can both cause cracks in your foundation as the structure settles.   

Lack Of Moisture

Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we’re more concerned with instances of too much water, but too little water can also be destructive on your foundation. Drought conditions can cause soil to become extremely dry, which causes it to shrink and pull away from your foundation.

Lack Of Drainage

Water can affect your basement foundation from any side, so it’s important to keep an eye on your gutter and drain tile systems. If your rain gutters release water too close to your home, they could be oversaturating the soil close to your foundation with excess moisture. Wet soil expands and can put pressure on your foundation walls. A clogged drain tile system, too, can cause excessive moisture underneath your foundation. So make sure gutter cleaning is part of your regular home maintenance. 

If cracks are forming in your home or commercial building’s foundation, contact Zablocki Waterproofing, the leading basement waterproofing and foundation repair experts in Milwaukee.

Four Signs That You Need Basement Waterproofing Services

Your basement may be an empty concrete box or a fully finished level complete with a couple of bedrooms and a man cave for Dad. Either way, moisture in your basement is never a good thing, and you should contact a professional foundation restoration and waterproofing crew as soon as you notice any warning signs that moisture is finding its way into your basement. Warning signs are generally obvious, so keep an eye (and nose) out for the following indicators of a leaky foundation:

  1. Musty Odor

Even if there are no physical signs that water is infiltrating your basement, there may be an unpleasant, musty odor. This smell can be caused by years of water seepage and mold growth, so it’s never a good idea to simply ignore it.

  1. Mold

We deal with mold on our perishable foods, we deal with mold in our showers, and some of us deal with mold in our basements. If you’ve spotted mold in your basement, whether it’s black, white, or whatever color, you should immediately contact both mold and basement waterproofing specialists.  

  1. Wall Damage

If your basement walls are cracked or bowed, even if there is no obvious moisture, water is probably seeping into your foundation. Cracks are one of the easier foundation repairs to complete, so don’t procrastinate.

  1. Efflorescence

Have you noticed a white, chalky substance on your basement walls? This is probably efflorescence, a crystalline deposit that builds up on masonry, stucco, and concrete. Efflorescence itself is not dangerous, but the presence of it is a serious sign of infiltrating moisture.

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in your basement, contact Zablocki Waterproofing. We’ve been trusted Milwaukee basement waterproofing and foundation repair experts since 1985.

Welcome to Zablocki’s Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Blog

Welcome to our blog, where you’ll find news, events, facts, trivia, and other writings related to basement waterproofing and foundation restoration. Zablocki Waterproofing has provided Wisconsin residents with efficient, high-quality foundation services since 1985. We have the equipment and expertise to help you get your basement back from intruding moisture and related problems. If you need foundation repair or basement waterproofing services in Milwaukee or the surrounding area, contact the trusted professionals at Zablocki.

All of our customers get free estimates, so there’s no risk in having us come down to your home or commercial property and take a look around. We’ll identify the source of the problem, remove it from the equation, and repair the damages, all without ever upselling a service to you that you don’t need. We pride ourselves in our commitment to transparency; we’ll always recommend the most cost effective course of action in order to restore your property to like new or better than new without destroying your budget. We’ll also clearly and concisely explain to you what’s causing your foundation problem, so we can all confidently and quickly move forward with the necessary repairs.

Your basement doesn’t have to be a soggy, moldy laundry room that you only go down into when you absolutely have to. Zablocki can waterproof your basement’s exterior walls and complete other related improvements to keep moisture out. Take the first step to adding an entire floor of additional living space for your family by having your basement waterproofed by the foundation experts at Zablocki.