I'm Not Getting THAT Much Water in my Basement

Basements are built in phases and have several joints throughout the foundation as a result.  Though the exterior perimeter is backfilled with soil following construction, a basement essentially rests in a hole in the ground.  This "clay bowl" becomes saturated with water when it rains.  When drainage fails and water cannot drain away from the foundation fast enough, hydrostatic pressure builds against the porous concrete structure until there is enough pressure for the water to push its way through joints and cracks.  This is what causes a basement to leak.

Many homeowners understand this concept.  What some may not realize is that by the time they're actually seeing water, their basement water problem is only going to get worse if it's not fixed.  The water problem isn’t going to go away by itself.  So, they call a professional waterproofing contractor for a bid on basement waterproofing.

What they find is that exterior excavation can be very expensive, an exterior system is impossible to service, and is just like the drainage system that failed them in the first place.  Interior footing drains, too, clog over time and will cause repeat problems.  Homeowners learn that in order to drain water from the basement walls effectively and prevent groundwater from leaking on top of the basement floor, they will need a perimeter drainage system and sump pump.

The sump pump is the heart of any waterproofing system.  Sump pumps, like any electro-mechanical device, can and will fail at any time without notice.  This typically happens because the pump stops operating, the pump is overwhelmed with a great amount of water, or the pump loses power.  This is exactly why battery backup pumps exist—to keep a basement dry all the time.

When a homeowner says, "I'm not getting that much water in my basement to warrant a battery backup," what they really mean is "I'm not getting that much water right now."  This may be true, but a battery backup isn't intended to be utilized under normal circumstances.

A battery backup system, whether for sump pumps or other devices, is a preemptive measure.  Its one and only purpose is to ensure the device continues to function despite mechanical or power failure.

So, anybody investing in a battery backup system is not investing for today.  They're investing for tomorrow, because tomorrow—and the amount of water leaking into their basement—is beyond their control.

At Woods Basement Systems, Inc., we understand the value you have invested in your home, and we are dedicated to helping homeowners understand the importance of riding a basement of water and moisture.  Our waterproofing experts will design a customized solution for your basement so you can enjoy peace of mind for years to come!