3 Effective Wet Basement Waterproofing Solutions in Plainfield IL 60586
Plainfield IL is the oldest and 5th largest suburb in Will County with a population of approximately 40,000.
One of the highlights of Plainfield’s history is a relatively recent one, however, beginning when the Joliet, Plainfield & Aurora Railroad established an electric rail line connecting those communities in the late 19th century. To promote travel on the line, the railroad opened “Electric Park” in Plainfield in 1904.
Designed as an amusement and vacation spot, Electric Park was located along the DuPage River waterfront and featured, along with a 5,000-seat auditorium, gardens, athletic fields, bandstands, dance pavilions and other attractions. Guests stayed in cabins that offered not only electric service but running water and gas as well. Electric Park became so popular that some vacationers spent entire summers there.
Of course, the growing popularity of the automobile killed the local railroad in 1923; Electric Park lasted a few more years but closed in 1932, with auditorium continuing in use for some years. The 1990 tornado wiped out the last remnants of the park.
Today, Plainfield is a community of homes and, even though the majority of houses there have been constructed in the past 30 years, Plainfield homeowners still encounter routine maintenance and repair issues, including the need for wet basement waterproofing.
3 Effective Wet Basement Waterproofing Solutions in Plainfield
Just as is done with homes in nearby Orland Park and Naperville, homes in Plainfield are always evaluated on a case-by-case basis for water problems but there are 3 commonly used wet basement waterproofing techniques that solve almost every problem.
1. Wall Crack Repair – In the poured concrete basements commonly found in Plainfield, the most likely source of seepage is a non-structural crack in the wall. These cracks are best repaired by injecting them with expanding polyurethane, which seals the crack all the way to the outside soil. The polyurethane remains flexible when it cures so that the crack will not re-open due to minor foundation movement.
If the basement is finished or the crack is otherwise inaccessible, it can be repaired on the exterior with sodium bentonite clay. A small hole is excavated next to the foundation and filled with the granular clay, which absorbs water and forms a pliable, permanent barrier against water intrusion.
2. Interior Drain Tile – Another common source of water in the basement is through cracks in the floor or the cove joint between wall and floor, caused by hydrostatic pressure under the foundation. Installing interior drain tile, a system of perforated pipe embedded in washed gravel under the basement floor, will alleviate the pressure and transport the water to a sump pump for discharge from the home. When properly installed, interior drain tile requires no maintenance.
3. Exterior Waterproofing Techniques – Masonry foundations may experience seepage through the walls due to bad mortar joints or porous masonry units like brick or concrete block. Poured concrete walls can seep through patches of porous concrete or over the top of the wall. In either case, seepage can be stopped permanently by installing an exterior waterproofing membrane, a thick coating of asphalt-modified polyurethane that is applied with a trowel to form a permanent water barrier.
If the ground water is extremely high, the membrane can be augmented with exterior drain tile and heavy-duty drainage board that protects the membrane and channels water down to the drain tile.
No matter which technique is recommended the Plainfield homeowner that needs wet basement waterproofing will require the advice and assistance of an experienced basement waterproofing contractor. At U.S. Waterproofing, we have provided basement waterproofing and foundation repair services to more than 300,000 satisfied customers since 1957 in Chicago and its surrounding area, including Plainfield. Why not ask for our free advice when you have water in your basement?
