Did you know that less than 15% of new homes in the Nashville area have their basement foundation waterproofed during construction? Without adequate waterproofing and without proper drainage, your basement can end up flooding every time it rains, costing you time, money, and trouble.
Don’t be one of the 85% of uninformed homeowners that make this mistake! Stop foundation leaks, flooding, water intrusion, and mold at the source and save thousands of dollars by waterproofing your home’s foundation during the initial construction project.
As Nashville and Cookeville’s top team for basement waterproofing and foundation repair, Barrier Waterproofing Systems knows a thing or two about how to handle your new construction project. Keep reading to learn more about our new construction waterproofing process, or contact our foundation waterproofing company now to eliminate water problems once and for all!
If you need new construction waterproofing anywhere near Nashville or Cookeville, TN, the skilled contractors at Barrier Waterproofing Systems have your back. We can help protect your home if you live in any of these TN locations:
Your basement can be prone to flooding due to a variety of factors. Some common reasons for basement and foundation moisture issues include:
Moisture in the soil surrounding a basement exerts hydrostatic pressure against the foundation wall(s). If each foundation wall is not adequately waterproofed, this pressure can force water to seep through cracks, joints, and pores in your poured concrete.
Inadequate or improper drainage systems around the foundation can lead to water pooling around walls. Poor soil grade, clogged gutters, and downspouts that discharge water too close to the foundation can contribute to this issue.
A high water table occurs when the level of groundwater rises close to the surface of the ground. During heavy rain or periods of melting snow, the water table can rise even further, increasing the risk of water infiltration into the basement.
Over time, concrete foundation walls can develop cracks due to soil settling, freeze-thaw cycles, and other factors. These cracks provide pathways for water to enter the basement… and before you know it, you have a wet basement floor on your hands.
Water can be drawn upward through porous materials by capillary action. This phenomenon can cause moisture to move from the soil into the concrete basement walls and floors.
In humid environments, warm indoor air meeting cold basement surfaces can lead to condensation. This can cause moisture to accumulate on the surface of each basement wall, leading to a damp environment (even if you utilize a sump pump).
Poor ventilation can result in trapped moisture within the basement, increasing the likelihood of dampness and mildew growth. This also impacts air quality and can pose a health hazard.
To prevent basement moisture issues, it’s important to implement proper waterproofing strategies while builders are still working on the home. In addition, homeowners should ensure good drainage around the foundation, maintain proper ventilation, and promptly address any cracks or leaks. Regular maintenance, periodic inspections, and other techniques such as crawl space encapsulation can help identify and mitigate potential sources of basement wetness.
Both during and after the construction phase is finished, many people choose to “waterproof” their basements or crawl spaces using damp-proofing systems. However, damp-proofing will not fully waterproof your basement or foundation and cannot protect your home long-term. Here’s why so many customers who spend money on damp-proofing end up wishing they had chosen our waterproofing solutions instead!
The cost of damp-proofing is less than waterproofing and hence is used more often. However, damp proofing is a very poor long-term method for protecting your home and rarely lasts more than a couple years. This is because damp-proofing relies on a tar-based product that is applied to a building’s foundation walls and footing to deter water vapor from passing through the walls and into interior spaces.
Damp-proofing has little resistance to hydrostatic pressure (or standing water). Damp-proofing materials will harden and crack in less than two years due to acids in our acid rain and lack of UV radiation, which is necessary to keep tar pliable. When your home settles the tar will crack, exposing your concrete walls to water. In addition, damp-proofing cannot fully prevent mold, leading to respiratory hazards within your house
The cost of waterproofing is initially higher than that of damp proofing. However, as your home ages, the added cost of waterproofing is well worth the small price difference and pays for itself in a few years when you no longer have to spend a fortune on basement and crawl space repair!
Waterproofing is a modified polymer product applied to a building’s foundation walls and footing to prevent water from passing through the walls and into interior spaces. Waterproofing has excellent resistance to hydrostatic pressure and will stay pliable underground without UV radiation. The polymers in the waterproofing membrane keep acids in the acid rain from decaying the membrane. The waterproofing membrane will expand with your home as it settles.
What goes into our basement and foundation waterproofing systems? We’re glad you asked! Before we install your moisture protection solution, we assess the job site, including usable space, concrete slab size, and foundation wall health. Then, we create a custom plan just for you. We combine a state-of-the-art vapor barrier membrane with a drainage system designed specifically for your house. Here are the three main parts of our exterior waterproofing method:
The Barrier Membrane is a cost effective, polymer-modified water vapor barrier coating with excellent elastomeric properties. Engineered to meet or exceed the performance properties of the best polymeric waterproofing coatings, it has a thixotropic consistency and may be used on vertical as well as horizontal surfaces.
Insulating Drainage & Protection Boards (IDPBs) are commonly used in construction to provide both thermal insulation and drainage protection for below-grade structures like basements and foundation walls. They are an integral part of waterproofing systems that help prevent water infiltration and manage moisture in buildings.
The purpose of strip drains and footer drains are to create a permanent flow path around the footing of your home. These drains allow water to freely move around the perimeter concrete walls, keeping excess moisture from accumulating and standing against your foundation. The drains are run to a point lower than the footer to allow gravity to naturally carry water around your foundation and flow to an area away from your home's foundation, basement, or crawl space. We may utilize a French drain or another type of drainage system depending on usable space as well as your basement or crawl space needs. Our strip drain and footer drain systems consist of PVC drainage pipe and extruded HDPE with geo-synthetic filter fabric to strain out the fine particles that commonly block drains. To insure against future blocking, we will install one clean-out for every 75 linear feet of perforated pipe. We then cover the drain system with gravel and a filter fabric to give you the greatest possible water protection available today.
If proper installation procedures are followed, a barrier membrane is an excellent solution for new construction basement waterproofing. Here are some reasons that this waterproofing material is superior:
Barrier Waterproofing Systems offers a wide range of warranties that will surely satisfy the homeowner and possible future homeowners. Our warranties are transferable to new homeowners if the need to move should ever arise. This is yet another advantage of a value-added Barrier Waterproofing System!
Not every Nashville or Cookeville home has a basement or foundation that is at risk of water damage. However, many poured concrete foundations here in Tennessee are vulnerable to problems related to moisture. We can assess the ground soil around the structure while construction is ongoing to determine if you will need foundation or basement protection, and we can advise you on the best possible steps to take to prevent cracks and moisture intrusion.
Waterproofing your basement foundation during construction is essential to prevent future water damage and moisture-related problems. It helps maintain a dry, comfortable, and structurally sound basement, reducing the risk of mold growth, deterioration, and costly repairs down the line.
The choice of waterproofing method depends on factors like your area’s climate, soil conditions, and budget. Common options include exterior waterproofing membranes, Insulating Drainage & Protection Boards, and drainage equipment. Consulting with our professionals can help determine the best waterproofing process for your needs.
The cost of new construction waterproofing in Nashville and Cookeville, TN, can vary significantly based on factors such as the size of the foundation or basement, your chosen waterproofing methods, parts and labor costs, and the complexity of the job. Request a free quote from our qualified waterproofing contractors today!
Yes, the foundation waterproofing process can be done after building a house, but it’s generally more cost-effective and less disruptive to incorporate waterproofing measures during the construction phase. Retrofitting waterproofing systems can be more complex and often require excavation around the concrete foundation, which can be expensive and disruptive to the building structure, ground soil, and surrounding landscape. Having the exterior waterproofing process completed before you finish building the new house will give you peace of mind and help protect your foundation against moisture, cracks, and mold from the very beginning.
By protecting your foundation wall(s) now with our powerful membrane and drainage system, you’re investing in the long-term health of your biggest investment! Book new construction waterproofing in Nashville, Cookeville, Franklin, Smyrna, Watertown, La Vergne, Mt. Juliet, Carthage, Madison, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Hartsville, Brentwood, or Woodbury, TN, with Barrier Waterproofing Systems today, and say goodbye to your wet basement, poor indoor air quality, and expensive repairs. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
