Basement Waterproofing in Nashville, TN
Are you tired of battling the elements, trying to keep your basement dry and your home protected? If you answered yes, we have the answer to your water woes! Welcome to Barrier Waterproofing Systems, where we bring you cutting-edge basement waterproofing solutions throughout Nashville and Cookeville, TN, and the neighboring communities.
Our expert team of skilled professionals has the tools, the know-how, and the dedication to tackle water intrusion head-on, safeguarding your basement from unwelcome moisture and potential damage. After you give us a call, our team will arrive at your home and perform a professional evaluation of your home’s basement or crawl space foundation. Then, we’ll get to work finding the perfect system that meets your goals. Don’t wait for Mother Nature to rain on your parade yet again — call us today or book service online, and we’ll turn your basement into an impenetrable fortress against flooding! Read more about our work below.
Waterproofing Basement Walls, Floors, and More!
Our goal at Barrier Waterproofing Systems is to create informed customers. We aim to teach you about the various systems and options available, as well as review the advantages and disadvantages of each. We can help you choose a waterproofing solution that best fits your needs. We’re proud to offer premium services with a lifetime guarantee for any and all moisture intrusion issues. No matter what water issue your basement or crawl space is having, we can work with you to resolve it and provide you with a dry basement and peace of mind once and for all.
We’re Middle Tennessee’s top waterproofing company, serving homeowners in and around Nashville and Cookeville, TN. We primarily work within these locations in TN:
- Franklin
- Smyrna
- Watertown
- La Vergne,
- Mt. Juliet
- Carthage
- Madison
- Gallatin
- Hendersonville
- Lebanon
- Hartsville
- Brentwood
- Woodbury
- Cookeville
- And beyond!
Contact BARRIER Today
How & Why Water Leaks Through Basement Walls & Floors
The fight against intruding water can often seem like a losing battle, and your basement can end up wet and soggy for many reasons (although some are more common than others). Here are some of the most common causes of a wet basement:
Inadequate Drainage, Improper Drainage System Installation, or Non-Existent Drainage System
All interior or exterior drainage systems must be properly functioning to prevent moisture from seeping into your basement. A professionally installed drainage system will ensure that water can move away from the house efficiently; however, it must be installed with care and precision to perform this important task.
Inadequate Grading
Poor Sloping
Inadequate soil grading can also cause moisture problems. If the soil around your foundation walls isn't sloped away from your house, water will pool against the wall and cause basement flooding. Improperly compacted fill dirt can also cause water to flow toward your home's foundation.
Defective Gutters or Downspout Systems
Defective gutters or clogged downspout systems can also result in a wet basement. If your gutters are too small, your downspout may be too close to your home’s foundation, causing water to seep into the basement. You should have at least one downspout per 50 feet to enable adequate drainage.
Excessive Condensation
Condensation occurs when cool basement walls or ceilings meet warm, moist air. A common issue in most basements is condensation problems, which will make the space uncomfortably clammy and cause fungus/mold to form as a result of moisture damage or high humidity. This type of basement moisture can also promote pest infestations, as termites are drawn to moist wood, so it should be addressed ASAP.
Signs You Need Basement Waterproofing
Have you noticed increased basement moisture? Are your basement walls damp to the touch? Can you hear a mysterious dripping? There are many warning signs that you require professional basement waterproofing services — if you know where to look, that is. Watch out for these issues that indicate you need help from the BWS team:
Wet Basement Floors
Standing water on your basement floors is not only a health and safety hazard but a direct sign of a water intrusion problem. Even small amounts of water are capable of causing structural damage and foundation decay. This also creates negative health effects and safety concerns. Basement waterproofing, crawl space waterproofing, or encapsulation in dirt floor basements will help mitigate this problem.
Concrete Cracking
If there are large or jagged cracks in your basement floor, the problem may be occurring within your home’s foundation. As water travels under your concrete floor, it will create voids or channels, as it does with a river bed. The concrete will crack above the voids and extend towards the foundation walls where the water had initially entered the foundation. If these foundation cracks extend into the walls or the ceiling (porch area above the basement), your home has serious structural damage and needs help ASAP. Call us now, and we’ll be there to help seal cracks and shore up your foundation right away!
Wet Basement Walls
If you see darker sections of concrete or concrete blocks, usually at the bottom of the foundation walls, they are most likely wet. Something is obviously wrong with the existing waterproofing system. If you notice white, chalky stains on the concrete walls inside a basement during dry periods, this is a sure sign of water intrusion. The white chalkiness is known as efflorescence, and it is made up of the lime and calcium leaching out of the concrete when it gets wet. The lime and calcium dissolve in the water as the water moves to equally wet the block, migrating to the basement wall’s inside surface to evaporate. Then, they are left behind on the block wall surface as the water evaporates inside your leaky basement. Since the rapidly vanishing lime and calcium actually serve as the “glue” that holds the concrete together, the concrete gets weak, discolors, and deteriorates as a result, leading to structural damage.
Block Rot
We coined the phrase “block rot” years ago and have even created a blog post describing it. As hydrostatic pressure and other moisture problems continue to affect your foundation year after year, they take the lime and calcium (the glue) out of your basement wall areas. From the inside of your basement, your blocks will look black. When we dig to this level from the exterior walls, the blocks are usually disintegrated and are ready to collapse, if not already collapsed. Rule of thumb: If your interior walls are black on the inside, they may have already disintegrated on the outside. We have techniques to waterproof your basement walls and concrete floors from the outside and preserve any remaining concrete blocks, safeguarding your home’s structural integrity.
Dry Rot
High humidity and leaks around supply lines can create the perfect environment for wood rot and fungal growth in your finished basement. A musty smell may indicate wood rot or fungal growth in your basement. The odor will increase in strength and intensity as it spreads throughout the house.
Fungal/Mold Growth
Another common sign of excess moisture in your basement is black or green mold, discoloration, or musty odors. If you see clusters of fungal growth, you will need a professional to help identify the severity of your mold infestation. We provide both interior basement waterproofing and exterior solutions for water seepage in basements and crawl spaces. We also handle mold remediation, eliminating mold and musty odors from your space for good.
Our Basement Waterproofing Solutions
Other foundation repair and waterproofing contractors will claim their basement and crawl space waterproofing products are the best, but we walk the walk to prove that ours are superior. Our company guarantees our systems for a lifetime and offers effective, affordable solutions manufactured exclusively for our customers. Just ask any of the thousands of satisfied homeowners we’ve worked with in Nashville, Cookeville, and elsewhere in the Middle Tennessee area!
Here are some of the ways we can help protect YOUR home from the dangers of water damage:
Interior Waterproofing
Interior waterproofing can be an effective water management system for many Nashville and Cookeville, TN, basements. The cost of interior waterproofing solutions is often less than exterior basement waterproofing. These solutions may involve a sump pump installation to direct water out of the space or installing a vapor barrier and waterproof coating to eliminate wet conditions on your basement floor. However, using interior methods for waterproofing a basement or crawl space doesn’t always eliminate every aspect of the damaging effects of water on your home’s structure, especially when serious problems are at play (such as excess hydrostatic pressure in flood-prone areas). With this in mind, we view interior waterproofing as an extra layer of protection from elevated humidity levels rather than a comprehensive way to prevent water damage.
Exterior Waterproofing
Our exterior basement waterproofing products provide a permanent solution to water problems in your basement. This is the best method for fully waterproofing your basement, which is why it’s what our structural engineers chiefly recommend to prevent water damage from affecting your home. Although our exterior waterproofing often involves excavation, which can be more complex, these solutions eliminate leaky basements and are backed by our Lifetime Guarantee. To top it off, all our solutions for basement and foundation problems are also maintenance-free!
Trench & French Drains
French and trench drains manage the proper collection and drainage of water away from your home. Essentially, these water management systems deter water from reaching the foundation of your home, reducing the chance of moisture problems within your basement or crawl space.
Sump Pump
Systems
A sump pump is a mechanical device designed to extract accumulated water. Unwanted water is collected in a sump crock (sump basin) surrounded with clean gravel. The sump pump will discharge the water to the outside of the home when the level rises high enough to activate the sump pump float switch.
Because sump pumps remove excess water rather than preventing it from entering your basement at all, we recommend installing one as a backup solution just in case you battle a high water table like we do in the Middle Tennessee area.
We specifically recommend this solution if you live in:
- Downtown Nashville
- Edge Hill
- Music Row
- The Gulch
- Wedgewood
- 12 South
- Belmont
- Lipscomb
- Green Hills
- Oak Hill
- Edgehill
- Belle Meade
- West End
- West Meade
- East Nashville
- Lockeland Springs
- Dickerson Pike
- Germantown
- Charlotte Pike
- Sylvan Park
- The Nations
- Crieve Hall
- Belle Meade
- Bordeaux
- Bellevue
Basement Dehumidifier
While not a standalone method of waterproofing your basement, a basement dehumidifier can still help fight high humidity levels in your home and improve indoor air quality. However, a dehumidification system cannot remove humid air effectively unless it is installed in a properly sealed environment. Our dehumidifiers are usually paired with other Nashville basement waterproofing solutions to help you save money and maintain a comfortable humidity level. A dehumidifier can also be an effective standalone solution for slightly moist environments, such as poor garage door seals or uninsulated window areas.
FAQs About Basement Waterproofing
Waterproofing your basement protects your home, increases its value, and improves overall living conditions. Here are some of the key advantages of basement waterproofing:
- Prevents water damage.
- Protects your home and family against mold and mildew.
- Keeps belongings and valuables safe.
- Eliminates potential entry points for insects, rodents, and other pests.
- Enhances your living space by keeping it safer and drier.
- Makes your home more energy-efficient.
- Increases your property value and makes your home more attractive to buyers.
- Provides long-term cost savings by eliminating the need for expensive foundational repairs.
- They should be bonded, licensed, and insured.
- They should have many years of experience in the waterproofing industry.
- They should specialize in basement waterproofing, not merely provide it as an additional service.
- They should offer a warranty or guarantee on their services, such as our Lifetime Guarantee.
- They should have a well-trained staff and readily available equipment for each crew.
- They should be able to point you to reviews and testimonials from previous customers.
- They should be friendly, helpful, honest, and transparent about basement waterproofing costs and procedures.
- They should discuss any previous industry awards or BBB ratings with you.
- They should be able to readily discuss continual training that the crews and staff receive.
The cost of basement waterproofing depends on the square footage of the space, the methods used, and the complexity of the job, among other factors. If you’re local to Nashville, Cookeville, Franklin, Smyrna, Watertown, La Vergne, Mt. Juliet, Carthage, Madison, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Hartsville, Brentwood, Woodbury, or Crossville, TN, contact us today for a free waterproofing or foundation repair consultation!
The answer to this question varies based on the type of waterproofing performed. For instance, waterproofing paint and silicate-based concrete sealers can be useful to seal small cracks while waterproofing a basement. Still, these materials will eventually wear out as they continue to be exposed to water damage. Meanwhile, our exterior waterproofing offerings are designed to last for the entire lifetime of your home. Feel free to speak with our team anytime to learn more about what to expect for your specific service.
It may seem easy to waterproof a basement by yourself as soon as you spot the warning signs of water damage, but the truth is that it simply isn’t. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there that tempt you and get you into trouble. Some of our best customers are those who have attempted DIY basement waterproofing but, unfortunately, failed miserably. They end up paying twice as much for the project but, more importantly, lose valuable family time. Basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and other similar tasks are complex operations that should not be attempted as a do-it-yourself project. Instead, call a professional waterproofing company to guarantee the job is done safely & correctly.
Transferable Warranties
Free Inspections
Lifetime Guarantee
Stay Safe & Dry With Expert Basement Waterproofing Services!
When it comes to protecting your home and ensuring the safety of your loved ones, basement waterproofing is the ultimate solution you’ve been searching for. And with Barrier Waterproofing Systems on your side, you can rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back. Embrace the power of basement waterproofing, and let us pave the way to a brighter, drier future. Give our team a call today or schedule service online now, and we’ll be there soon!
