JacobPM gets to the bottom of your biggest, toughest questions about mold, mildew, water, basements, foundations and your health connected to them.
Pioneer Basement wants to help you gain a healthy basement and remodel what you see to what you want to see in your basement.
Water and a History of Stone Foundation Moisture Problems.
Posted September 17th, 2008 at 10:54 AM by JacobPM
http://www.pioneerbasement.com/forum...read.php?t=739
This conversation brings up a common problem all over the states in New England. Stone foundations are very beautiful, providing stability and character to the properties that we fall in love with. However, with the majority of them being anywhere from 50-200 years old, now is the time to start addressing some of the foundation maintenance needs of your home.
Water is a common issue in most stone foundations because of the consistency and make up of the mortar that was uses before 1950 in the United States. Problems tend to emanate from the separations between stones. Being that the foundation is below ground and is in constant contact with moisture and ground water, these open separations between stones is an easy and welcomed path for this pressured water to follow.
A simple solution that kept labor costs down was to chisel a thin trench around the perimeter of the basement next to the foundation. The water would then collect from the walls (and sometimes meet clay tile laid in flow direction) where it would then flow in the direction of a sump basin or sump location. Water would then collect and or be directed to follow the septic line out of the house and to the town lines or to an open space or leach field somewhere on the property.
Recent population booms have limited and, in some cities and towns, illegalized tying into septic lines with “non septic base water.” This was any water that wasn’t used for lavatory flushing. Toilet water is separated in most houses from the water we drink and wash our hands with. Both of these flows then exit the house in different manors. With the rise in population the city septic lines were becoming overwhelmed and were underdeveloped to handle the amount of flow that was beginning to be required of them in the 1950s and 60s.
So looking at many of the stone foundations we encounter now we notice these two key points of issue. Current technology allows and supports the ability to enable a homeowner to have a closed drain system that also doesn’t eject water into a septic line.
There are some simple steps to take in order to address the foundation to not only help continue it’s longevity but to foster a healthy environment for the home that starts in the basement.
Firstly: have an inspection done of your foundation. A mason or a foundation repair company can do this and is typically free. Act on their suggestions. Putting money into your foundation can minimize risk and other unsightly problems on your first, second or even third floors. Wall cracks, ceiling cracks, sticking doors and windows are all signs of settling and or possible foundation damage that needs to be addressed.
Secondly: control the moisture content in the basement. Close up any open septic line access ports and install a dehumidifier. After you have those basics taken care of invite a Basement Waterproofing Specialist over to inspect your basement. Their suggestions and proposals can change depending on your need; future plans with the basement, and extent of the basement’s contribution of moisture into your space. All basements can and will eventually leak. Stone foundations leak more often because of how they’re built. So in your inspection ask questions and find out more information about how a vapor barrier can help to secure wall protection and secure your space from moisture intrusion. Most, if not all, basement waterproofing companies will concrete back up your floor after installing a new drainage system. You’ll have a clean, neat, and most importantly closed floor that will not aid to the ease of water flooding your basement.
After correcting these two main issues your dehumidifier will start running less, your AC cost for the home will decrease and you’ll notice a cleaner, dry smell of the air quality in your home. History houses in New England are a beautiful memory of this countries history and heritage, but there is no reason to allow your basement to force your house to smell 200 years old.
This conversation brings up a common problem all over the states in New England. Stone foundations are very beautiful, providing stability and character to the properties that we fall in love with. However, with the majority of them being anywhere from 50-200 years old, now is the time to start addressing some of the foundation maintenance needs of your home.
Water is a common issue in most stone foundations because of the consistency and make up of the mortar that was uses before 1950 in the United States. Problems tend to emanate from the separations between stones. Being that the foundation is below ground and is in constant contact with moisture and ground water, these open separations between stones is an easy and welcomed path for this pressured water to follow.
A simple solution that kept labor costs down was to chisel a thin trench around the perimeter of the basement next to the foundation. The water would then collect from the walls (and sometimes meet clay tile laid in flow direction) where it would then flow in the direction of a sump basin or sump location. Water would then collect and or be directed to follow the septic line out of the house and to the town lines or to an open space or leach field somewhere on the property.
Recent population booms have limited and, in some cities and towns, illegalized tying into septic lines with “non septic base water.” This was any water that wasn’t used for lavatory flushing. Toilet water is separated in most houses from the water we drink and wash our hands with. Both of these flows then exit the house in different manors. With the rise in population the city septic lines were becoming overwhelmed and were underdeveloped to handle the amount of flow that was beginning to be required of them in the 1950s and 60s.
So looking at many of the stone foundations we encounter now we notice these two key points of issue. Current technology allows and supports the ability to enable a homeowner to have a closed drain system that also doesn’t eject water into a septic line.
There are some simple steps to take in order to address the foundation to not only help continue it’s longevity but to foster a healthy environment for the home that starts in the basement.
Firstly: have an inspection done of your foundation. A mason or a foundation repair company can do this and is typically free. Act on their suggestions. Putting money into your foundation can minimize risk and other unsightly problems on your first, second or even third floors. Wall cracks, ceiling cracks, sticking doors and windows are all signs of settling and or possible foundation damage that needs to be addressed.
Secondly: control the moisture content in the basement. Close up any open septic line access ports and install a dehumidifier. After you have those basics taken care of invite a Basement Waterproofing Specialist over to inspect your basement. Their suggestions and proposals can change depending on your need; future plans with the basement, and extent of the basement’s contribution of moisture into your space. All basements can and will eventually leak. Stone foundations leak more often because of how they’re built. So in your inspection ask questions and find out more information about how a vapor barrier can help to secure wall protection and secure your space from moisture intrusion. Most, if not all, basement waterproofing companies will concrete back up your floor after installing a new drainage system. You’ll have a clean, neat, and most importantly closed floor that will not aid to the ease of water flooding your basement.
After correcting these two main issues your dehumidifier will start running less, your AC cost for the home will decrease and you’ll notice a cleaner, dry smell of the air quality in your home. History houses in New England are a beautiful memory of this countries history and heritage, but there is no reason to allow your basement to force your house to smell 200 years old.
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