Basement and founda on moisture can lead to the development of harmful mold and cause structural issues Standing water and high humidity levels in your basement can be harmful to your family s health and threaten the structural integrity of your home. Waterproofing your founda on should be a high priority for every homeowner. If you are considering waterproofing your home, it is important to inves gate and determine what system will be most effec ve. In this guide, we will help you determine the most important differences between exterior and interior waterproofing systems, so you can make an informed decision regarding your home s basement and founda on water concerns. How Our Exterior Water Proofing System Works: Founda on waterproofing is a significant investment; therefore, it is important to choose the system that will protect and add value to your home. Nevertheless, there are as many systems and methods as there are companies who install them. Our innova ve exterior water proofing system is guaranteed to redirect water away from your home s founda on and crawlspace.
Here s how it works: Step 1: In order to install our system, we first excavate a space three feet wide around the base of your home. Step 2: We install a waterproofing membrane directly to the exterior of your founda on. Step 3: We a ach rigid insula on board to your founda on walls. Step 4: U lizing our patented and effec ve method, we install a drainaige system that directs water away from your home. Step 5: We backfill the trench with gravel. According to North Carolina Building Code, gravel and granular material are the best and only method for backfill that prevents water issues. *See diagram on last page Excerpt from North Carolina Building Code regarding founda on and Backfill: The provisions of Table 2109.5.6.1 are only applicable where the following condi ons are met: 1. The founda on wall does not exceed 8 feet (2438 mm) in height between lateral supports, 2. The terrain surrounding founda- on walls is graded to drain surface water away from founda on walls, 3. Backfill is drained to remove ground water away from founda on walls, 4. Lateral support is provided at the top of founda on walls prior to backfilling, 5. The length of founda on walls between perpendicular masonry walls or pilasters is a maximum of three mes the basement wall height, 6. The backfill is granular and soil condi ons in the area are nonexpansive, and 7. Masonry is laid in running bond using Type M or S mortar.
Though price is the most common cri que of exterior waterproofing, we have designed a system comparable to the installa on cost of interior systems. Direc ng groundwater and rain runoff away from your home, is the only way to effec vely prevent basement and founda on water issues. How Interior Water Proofing Systems Work: Interior waterproofing systems address water issues from within your basement. Generally, they u lize French drains to move the water to a sump pump, where it is then exited from your home s basement or founda on. Contractors install drainage pipes under your home and near trouble spots in your founda on walls. Though interior systems are typically less expensive than tradi onal exterior systems*, there are several important factors to consider: Interior systems allow water to penetrate your home s founda on. The sump pump must remain opera onal at all mes. If a pipe or drain fails, you may not realize it un l there is significant water damage. Interior systems do not address humidity issues. Any moisture remaining can lead to the development of mold Interior systems allow the water to pass through your founda on walls and into the block cores. These systems use weep holes that are drilled near the base of the wall to drain the water into a plas c gu er system that sits on top of the foo ng inside the founda on wall. The weep holes cannot drain 100% of the water, because the mortar droppings inside the block cores are not pitched toward the holes. As a result, moisture collects inside the weep holes and remains inside the block wall un l it becomes stagnant, growing mold, and corroding the base of the founda on wall. *Park s System is comparable in cost and o en less expensive than interior systems.
It does not ma er how much water is present. Any moisture can be devasta ng to your home or building How to Choose Between the Two Systems: Choosing between exterior and interior waterproofing systems comes down to several important considera ons: 1) What is your budget? If you are willing to purchase an interior system, it is important to talk with and exterior waterproofing expert as well. Our system, for example, is comparable to the cost of most interior systems. 2) What is your goal? Is your goal cosme c improvement, or effec ve waterproofing? If your goal is to prevent water from invading your basement and corroding your founda on walls, you will need to choose a system that will channel drainage and groundwater away from your home. 3) How long will you live in your home? Basement and founda on issues are o en, Out of sight, out of mind. Nevertheless, if you plan to own your home for several years, it is important to address water issues as soon as possible.
4) Does your family have health concerns? Mold and mildew are dangerous for all members of your family, especially allergy sufferers. Correc ng the source of the moisture is the only way to prevent mold development. 5) How important is it to you for the system to work correctly the first me? You may no ce we le out the ques on, How bad is the water issue? It does not ma er how much water is present. Any moisture can be devasta ng to your home or business. Furthermore, you may not be able to see the moisture collec ng inside your founda on walls. How to Know When the Time is Right: If you re a homeowner, the right me to waterproof your home is now. If there is any moisture present in your basement or crawlspace, the sooner you address it, the less expensive repairs and waterproofing will be. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to incur mold, corrosion, and other water related issues. We are here to help. We have been installing exterior waterproofing systems for decades. For more informa on, and a free es mate, contact us today. Parks Free-Flowing Waterproofing System For a free es mate, contact Owner Inventor Jody Parks: 336.927.3504 parkswaterproofing.com