Why is basement repair so significant in Minneapolis, MN? Minneapolis is wet.
On average, Minneapolis gets 32 inches of rain and 53 inches of snow each year. These statistics translate into a lot of wet ground surrounding the foundation of your home or office building.
The most important part of any building is the foundation because it bears the weight of the entire structure and the people that move around in it. The foundation floors and walls are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the building.
The foundation can be forgotten and overlooked because it is not a part of your home that you see each day. Even the walls of your basement often are hidden by the boxes or furniture stored down there.
Keeping the floor and walls of your basement dry by keeping the water outside where it belongs is the only way to avoid the water damage that can wreak havoc on your home, belongings, and health.
Protecting your foundation from water damage can be done by setting up a few drainage systems and making sure you keep your foundation monitored and repaired as needed.
Minneapolis has a high rain and snow average, so it is crucial that your home or business foundation be able to handle the moisture that is going to collect around the base.
When water seeps into your foundation walls, cracks your walls or floor, or floods into your basement, significant problems arise, including:
It is essential to make sure that your foundation and basement are protected from the water that is sure to surround it.
Several options are available to repair your basement properly:
1. Stabilization of walls that are out of plumb
2. Placement of drain tiles
3. Repair of cracks in foundation walls and floor
4. Mold remediation
Making sure that basement repair is done correctly the first time is critical. It is vital that the foundation to your home or office be in optimal shape at all times to protect the safety and integrity of the building.
Many people in our region find themselves searching the web for drain tile as they look for a long-term solution to preventing water damage to their foundation. Below, we will discuss different types of drainage systems, including drain tile. Though some options may be alluring to DIY-types, getting the entire job done correctly by a professional is the most time and cost-effective choice for repairing your home’s foundation.
For effective foundation repair in Minneapolis, MN, you must be meticulous and proactive in your work. Fixing the cracks, bolstering the sagging foundation walls, thoroughly drying out the area, and completing mold remediation are crucial.
Getting the job done well the first time should ensure that you don’t have to go through the process repeatedly. Drains and drain tiles help solve the problem, so it doesn’t happen again.
Basement Repair Services’ article on the benefits of drain tile will help you understand the nuts and bolts of this process.
Fixing the water damage is great. But stopping further water damage from ever happening again is even better. Drains and drain tiles can work to divert the water away from your foundation walls or act as a barrier between the water and your foundation.
Below are some examples of different types of drains that can be used to protect the foundation of your home.
Exterior drain tile is placed around the perimeter of the foundation of your home and is used to collect water in the ground and drains it before it has a chance to touch your foundation walls and find its way into your basement.
The drain tile stops the water from connecting with your wall and then drains it into a flexible pipe with holes in it that sits just beneath the tile. The pipe catches the extra water and directs it to a collection pit where it is then pumped back up to the surface and led away from your home.
Installation is easiest if done during the construction of your home, although the system can also be installed in a house that has already been built.
If using this method, be sure to choose an experienced company with qualified technicians. The drain pipe can get clogged with dirt if the installers do not use the right amount of gravel around it as a filter to keep the soil out. When installed correctly, only the water makes it into the drain pipe.
The drain tile system, if done correctly, can be a very effective way of keeping water away from your foundation walls and floor.
When older homes begin to have problems with water getting into the basement, interior French drains are a great option to help correct the problem. Because of the high precipitation amounts in Minneapolis, MN, it’s a good idea to install one in new construction and existing buildings.
An interior French drain also uses a perforated pipe that removes excess water to a collection area to be pumped to the surface and away from your home. But instead of being outside of the foundation, it is inside and situated just below the level of the floor.
This type of drain sits in a trench that can be left open or covered with a grate. If the basement is finished rather than unfinished, walls can be built around the channel where the drainage pipe sits. This will allow the drain to do its job without being part of the new living area.
One limitation of the interior French drain is that it is only able to remove water that is beneath the foundation’s floor. It doesn’t help with water that comes into contact with the foundation walls.
Basement floor drains function best when installed during the construction of your home. During this phase, the basement floor is built so that the floor slopes toward the drain.
Floor drains also lead the water to a collection pit so the water can be pumped back to the surface and away from the home and foundation.
If you purchase a home with floor drains in place, make sure they are not connected to your central sewer system. This practice is old and rarely seen now, but you can imagine what happens if the drains back up into your basement from your sewer system. Enough said.
Floor drains are excellent for collecting excess water from multiple problem areas. Any water that hits the floor will drain out of your basement passively. Similar to interior French drains, floor drains will not protect your foundation walls from water damage.
Although it is better to install the floor drain during construction, it can be added into existing buildings. The cost starts around $5000.
It’s likely you’ve noticed that all of these options require the water collected by the drains to be pumped back to the surface. This is where the sump pump comes in. No foundation or basement drainage system is worth the time and cost of installation without one.
There are two types of sump pumps: pedestal and submersible.
The pedestal pump connects to a pole that sits above the water collection pit and has a float that triggers it to start pumping the water out of the hole.
The submersible pump is placed inside the collection pit and begins to pump the water out when it reaches a few inches in depth.
It is important to remember that both pumps require electricity to do their job, so you must make sure that there are no issues with electrical cord placement when setting up your foundation drainage system. Proper inspection and maintenance are necessary to prevent the risk of electrocution from a damaged cord lying in the water.
Foundation repair in Minneapolis, MN is a booming business for a good reason. Excess water can cause significant damage to your foundation, your home, and even your health.
When looking for a basement repair specialist, choose a company with experience, excellent customer care, and ongoing training for its technicians.
Read the testimonials, talk to your neighbors, ask questions and make sure you find a professional, qualified foundation repair specialist rather than a company looking to take advantage of a booming market.
Foundation repair, especially in such a wet climate, is not something you want to put off. The longer you wait, the higher the likelihood of having problems that are going to get harder and harder to fix. From cracks in the foundation and structural damage to mold that can become a severe health hazard to you and your family, foundation repair in Minneapolis, MN is something you want to address right away.
If you are starting to notice wet spots, smells or even mold, call Basement Repair Specialists and let us evaluate your foundation for free. We will make a solid plan to get your home on solid ground.
For more information about your basement repair needs, visit our Basement Repair Blog.
