Another area of concern with exterior french drains is where the water should be drained. This can be a significant problem if the house is anywhere from 5’ to 8’ below grade and is running a pipe around the perimeter. This pipe needs to be pitched and dropped off to a point where the water may drain away. Some methods currently being used to accomplish this are dry wells, draining to a storm drain system or draining to an exterior or interior sump pump. These methods have the potential to be extremely unreliable.

The main reason that we do not recommend exterior french drains as a primary means of basement waterproofing is that they will clog. Catch basins and pits can fill up with water – supersaturating and causing back flow around the pipes – resulting in a bigger mess than you had before.

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1. Floor / wall joint
2. Floor crack
3. Wall crack
4. Bulkhead
5. Window
6. Over the sill plate and down the wall

In this post I am going to go over the first way water enters a basement –
the floor / wall joint.

Floor/Wall Joint

The floor/wall joint intersection is the most common entry source of water infiltrating the basement. This is where the foundation wall meets the floor. The water comes in from the outside over the footing under the foundation wall and up through the intersection where the foundation wall and floor converge. This type of wall seepage is seen most commonly when it rains. The reason for this is due to the over-dig mechanic previously described. If you have 3” to 4” or more of water in your basement, the source of the water is probably from the floor/wall joint. Water may seep in from other locations, but the most heavy water intrusion will be from the floor/wall joint.

Due to the nature of concrete, when one concrete structure is poured and another concrete structure is poured next to it (or on it), a seam is created between the two concrete
structures. For example, the footing is poured – the foundation wall is poured – and finally, the floor is poured. Each concrete structure (the footing, the wall and the floor) is poured separately. There is now a seam between each of these three structures. This allows the potential for water (under pressure) to come into the basement area. The points of entry are over the foundation footing, between the foundation wall, underneath the foundation and up through the seams between the foundation footing and the floor. This floor/wall joint seepage is very common and is a predominant reason for basement flooding.

James Pratt, Founder and President of Basement Technologies compares old-style deep french drain systems with newer high-tech patented basement waterproofing systems.

In 1997, BBT decided to go international after Pratt created literature that would educate companies all over the world on the intricacies of running a successful waterproofing company. Pratt’s detailed manuals cover every aspect of his business — from the installations, marketing and sales all the way down to the book- keeping. This comprehensive literature, offered in conjunction with the unique patented products designed by Pratt, has made BT an international powerhouse in the basement waterproofing industry. Dealers come to Boston for two-week training sessions upon initiation and are given access to BBT’s patented basement waterproofing and dehumidifying products.

“The concept of having a turn-key business start-up package, with all of the methodology and functionality, made complete sense to me because when you start in any business, there’s a learning curve. That learning curve can be devastating,” Pratt explains. “Offering  support during that learning curve … is very important. Otherwise, there’s a high crash-and-burn factor.”

Click Here to read the entire article.

We’ve got another basement waterproofing video for you to watch today! James Pratt, Owner and President of Basement Technologies discusses radon systems in conjunction with french drain systems around the perimeter of a waterproofing system.

Leave us a comment and tell us what you thought.

Sodium Bentonite is a substance that was manufactured primarily for the iron and steel industry. Sodium Bentonite was manufactured in sheets and put over the iron and steel to stop rainwater from rusting the material. When the rain hit the Sodium Bentonite sheets, the sheets would form themselves around the iron or steel and “wrap” it to prevent the rusting. The sheets would soak up the water, thus stopping the water penetration. In the 1970’s, knowing the sheets were used in this way, a basement waterproofing company sought to powderize the Sodium Bentonite and inject it around the perimeter of the exterior of the house. The thought process was that the powder would seal the foundation wall and footing joint. Several companies jumped on this band wagon and began using the Sodium Bentonite across the country.

This method rarely worked. Water would seep underneath the foundation footing to the floor wall joint by the tubes inserted in the lawn to install the Sodium Bentonite. The method for installation of the powdered Bentonite was to put tubes in the lawn and inject the powder to intersect with the footing.

A series of lawsuits ensued and most of the companies that used the injected Sodium Bentonite methods were put out of business due to the numerous complaints.

It was common for these companies to state (in fine print) on the proposals that they would return – at an additional cost – and install a drainage system to stop the flooding, if the Sodium Bentonite did not work. However, be aware that there are still companies today that claim Sodium Bentonite works. This approach sounds attractive to the homeowner because there is no disruption inside the home, but usually Sodium Bentonite is not a cure for a flooded basement. Most reliable basement waterproofing companies do not offer Sodium Bentonite as a solution. The Sodium Bentonite sheets – placed on the foundation over the footing – may be suitable as a damp proofing method. But remember – water can still infiltrate underneath the footing and the virgin soil – so the flooding problem may continue. Be aware that in post-construction basement waterproofing, digging out around the perimeter and installing sheets of Sodium Bentonite is an ineffective and inadequate waterproofing solution.

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Let us Solve Your Basement Waterproofing Problems:
How to Get Rid of Basement Mold
How Water Enters a Basement

James Pratt, Basement Technologies, President and Founder discusses the recent rainy weather on Fox 25 of Boston.

Let us Solve Your Basement Waterproofing Problems:
Water in Basement
Wet Basement Waterproofing

James Pratt, Basement Technologies’ President and Founder discusses the dangers of basement mold and what needs to be done to get rid of it.

If you are having issues with basement mold and mildew contact us today at 1-800-BUSY-DOG for more information or a free estimate!

Let us Solve Your Basement Waterproofing Problems:
Water in Basement
Basement Mold

James Pratt, Basement Technologies’ President and Founder addresses the controversial topic of whether or not basement waterproofing systems need to be pitched when installed.

Let us Solve Your Basement Waterproofing Problems:
Sump Pumps Systems
Waterproofing Systems

In this video, Joe Lemay of Basement Technologies gives you advice and information on what to look for when selecting a sump pump system for your house.

Let us Solve Your Basement Waterproofing Problems:
Basement Sump Pumps
Basement Waterproofing