When people think of waterproofing their home, they usually think of one thing: keeping their basement or crawl space dry. Water can do more damage to a home than just seeping into the basement, though. And that is why exterior waterproofing is often the most effective way of preventing water problems with your home.
The Goal of Exterior Waterproofing
The focus of exterior waterproofing and drainage systems is simple: Keep water away from your home and foundation. Keeping it out of your basement, of course, goes along with that.
However, the advantages of exterior waterproofing go beyond that.
The Benefits of Exterior Waterproofing
1. It Keeps Water Out of Your Basement or Crawl Space
If properly constructed, exterior drainage systems can usually keep water out of your basement. Other means might be needed if the problem is a high water table. In most cases, though, exterior drainage systems like French drains can fulfill the most basic goal that most people have when seeking out waterproofing.
With this comes a host of other advantages:
- Preventing mold and mildew
- Stopping damage to drywall and insulation
- Allow for the finishing of a basement without the likelihood of water issues
- Eliminate clean-up time from flooding
2. Reduce Hydrostatic Pressure
Water that pools along your foundation walls does more than just threaten to gain access to your home. It also increases the pressure being applied on your foundation or basement walls.
If this pressure gets significant enough, it can do real structural damage to the wall. The walls can start to crack and bow inward. When this happens the wall will need to be stabilized or, in some extreme cases, even replaced.
By directing water away from your foundation, exterior drainage systems can reduce the amount of hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls.
3. Decrease Water Infiltration Damage
While interior waterproofing deals with directing water once it has infiltrated the foundation walls, by then it has likely already started to do some damage.
If the goal is to stop water damage completely, the goal must be to keep the water from infiltrating the walls in the first place. Exterior waterproofing is the way to do it.
Pierman Offers Expert Exterior Waterproofing Options
Our French drain installation service can direct water away from problem spots around your foundation, keeping it from infiltrating your crawl space or basement. If you live within our Oklahoma service area, which includes such cities as Oklahoma City, Ada, Durant, Ardmore and Muskogee, contact us today for a free exterior waterproofing estimate.
