Basement Waterproofing In Denver
Protecting Denver Homes from Water Damage for Over 20 Years
Is your home protected from water damage? The answer might surprise you, with one in 60 insured homes making claims for water or freezing damage in the last year.
Basement water damage threatens the foundations of your home, resulting in structural damage costing tens of thousands of dollars to repair. In Denver, Colorado, homeowners like you face unique challenges due to the area’s unique soil composition and climate.
Our soil is filled with expansive clay earth, including bentonite, which is highly reactive to changes in moisture. Any rainfall, snow, or heavy humidity can saturate the soil, causing it to swell and contract. In Denver, 98% of homes will experience this phenomenon, complete with water damage over their lifespans.
At Van Matre Construction, we use our expertise in Denver basement waterproofing to protect your basement from flooding and foundation damage. Contact us for a free inspection to learn whether your home is at risk.
Signs Your Denver Basement Needs Waterproofing
Your basement and home could be at risk without you even knowing it. Water damage is one of the fastest-growing types of insurance claims nationwide, with an estimated $16 billion in claims processed annually.
Professional basement waterproofing in Denver is your best shot at protecting your family’s greatest asset from catastrophic damage. Thankfully, the signs are there, and catching the early signs of problems could turn a potential disaster into minor repairs.
The eagle-eyed team at Van Matre Construction supports Denver families in preventing water damage before it takes hold. But what should you look for before calling us to check out the problem and stop major structural damage in its tracks?
Visible Water Intrusion
Families that don’t use their basements regularly often miss the earliest signs of water damage and don’t notice until it’s too late.
Visible water intrusion is the biggest red flag, and you need to call a professional to rectify the problem. Pools of standing water on the floor aren’t normal. But many homeowners don’t realize that standing water indicates a tremendous amount of pressure strangling the foundations of your home. Any standing water means trickles are being forced through due to weaknesses in the building.
If you spot any signs of standing water, consider this an emergency. Every day counts, so don’t delay and act immediately.
Other more subtle signs that you need urgent basement waterproofing in Denver include:
- Hairline Crack Leaks – Hairline cracks result from pressure and provide ideal entry points into your home. Check for moisture around these cracks and watch for water, especially during the annual spring runoff.
- Seepage – Is your basement feeling moist? Are your walls stained? These aren’t normal parts of a basement. They are warning signs of impending leaks. All those stains and water marks are established infiltration paths into the interior of your basement.
Ignoring any of these signs means playing with fire because they accelerate the damage to your drywall and any belongings you have stored in your basement. Professional Denver basement waterproofing guarantees that your home stays dry for the foreseeable future.
Hidden Moisture Problems
Not every spot is as easy to spot as standard water. An estimated 47% of U.S. residential homes have mold or moisture problems.
Moisture lurks behind the walls and under your flooring. Let it go, and you have dangerous mold growth to contend with, which could cause breathing problems, especially for those with existing allergies.
Luckily, there are several signs that you might have mold in your home caused by basement waterproofing problems. Here’s what to look for:
- Musty Smells – Persistent musty smells and damp signal mold and mildew growth, even when you can’t see any evidence of water.
- Dampness – Head to the basement, and you might find cold and clammy walls. They may even be damp to the touch. It’s not a normal basement feeling. It’s an effect that happens when your home is absorbing groundwater.
- Salt Deposits – Also known as efflorescence, salt deposits appear as white stains resembling powder on your walls and floors. It arises from evaporating water that leaves mineral deposits behind.
- Mold Growth – Sometimes, you might spot the presence of mold directly. It can appear as black, green, or white patches, especially in corners and around baseboards.
Mold is a risk to human health that goes beyond worries over water in your basement. Despite mold itself being a problem, waterproofing your basement will eliminate both issues in one swoop.
Structural Issues
Waterproofing issues that persist do more than make your basement an unpleasant place to be. Let them evolve, and they’ll start causing structural issues requiring costly interventions from experts.
The earlier you catch these problems, the more damage you prevent. Here are the biggest structural issues to look for and their signs:
- Floor/Wall Cracks – Hairline cracks are a standard part of wear and tear in homes up and down the country. Wider gaps and horizontal cracks differ, indicating that significant pressure is pressing on your walls from expanding soil.
- Bowing Walls – Walls that are beginning to curve inward or display signs of warping are the result of foundation stress. It’s a phenomenon caused by saturated soil outside your basement’s walls building up, known as hydrostatic pressure.
- Settling Foundations – Watch your home’s floors for any unexpected unevenness. Look at your doors and windows for sticking. These are the signs of water damage and soil movement.
Why is My Denver Basement Leaking?
Basement leaks are an unfortunate fact of living in this part of the world. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 60% of homes experience wet basements to some degree.
Why your home’s basement might be leaking is a question with many answers. That’s why concrete waterproofing contractors in Denver should be your first port of call when you notice the warning signs.
Based on our experience, here’s why your basement could have a leak.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is one of the leading causes of leaks in the lowest level of your home. It’s caused by the pressure of standing water in the soil around your home. With Denver’s unique soil composition, it’s not uncommon for the soil to be saturated throughout much of the year.
When the ground surrounding your foundation becomes saturated and more water accumulates, it presses against your basement. Over time, the pressure forces water into cracks and joints until it enters your basement and home’s foundations.
That’s why it’s not just about turning your basement into a waterproof bunker but giving standing water somewhere else to go via drainage solutions.
Poor Drainage
Poorly constructed and maintained basements are certainly a contributing factor to water damage, but you might be looking in the wrong place.
Build the best basement in the world, and you’ll always have problems if you have no means of shifting water away from your home. Ultimately, water and the pressure it creates will always win in the end.
Many homes are plagued with the problem of inadequate grading, where soil slopes toward your home rather than away from it. Another issue could be a clogged gutter or a downspout that isn’t directing water away from the foundation walls.
Addressing exterior drainage is the first step to proper waterproofing from Denver concrete waterproofing contractors because, without that, you’re undermining the rest of your investment in waterproofing.
Foundation Cracks
Existing cracks in your foundation are an open invitation for water to gush into the most vulnerable part of your home.
Denver’s freeze-thaw cycles and regular heavy rainfall make foundation cracks a natural part of being a homeowner in the Centennial State. But foundation cracks might also arise from natural shifts in the soil, temperature fluctuations, and water pressure.
These small fissures allow moisture inside, gradually widening cracks over time. Without concrete waterproofing contractors in Colorado, you’re risking your entire home’s ability to stay standing.
Leaky Pipes
Sometimes, the call is coming from inside the house. Most basement moisture problems originate from the outside, but not always.
Your pipes could be the cause. Whether your pipes are aging, broken, or there’s simply a big temperature difference creating condensation, the result is moisture seeping down into your basement.
It’s an issue that can plague households even when they have excellent basement waterproofing.
Denver’s Unique Soil Conditions
Denver’s geographic position makes this a unique part of the country to own a home in. Unfortunately, basements everywhere are threatened generation after generation because of the expansive clay soil native to the area.
Clay-rich soil will absorb water and expand during wet periods before contracting during dry spells. This constant contraction-expansion cycle is just like the impact ice has on the roads. To make things worse, it’s also prone to shifting, causing cracks, wall bowing, and settling.
We understand the unique challenges of Denver basement waterproofing, which is why every project of this nature must start with analyzing and understanding the soil dynamics where you are.
Expert Basement Waterproofing Solutions in Denver
Protecting your home from water damage means end-to-end waterproofing solutions. Search for “exterior basement waterproofing near me” and you’ll find that Van Matre Construction is one of the leading providers of these services.
We understand that there’s no single fix for every home. That’s why we offer an arsenal of Denver waterproofing solutions. Here’s just some of the services we provide.
Exterior Waterproofing
Searching for “exterior foundation waterproofing near me”? The team at Van Matre Confusion has delivered exterior waterproofing to thousands of Denver homes to tackle the problem at the source.
We use drain boards, rubberized asphalt membranes, and PVC/corrugated piping to stop water before it reaches your basement and reduce the hydrostatic pressure against your walls.
To do this, we excavate the soil around your foundation and place a flexible membrane directly on the exterior walls to provide an extra barrier against water, while upgrading your drainage systems to redirect water away.
Interior Waterproofing
Inside your home, we help you manage minor leaks and moisture issues, while also providing basement leak repair in Denver to protect you on both sides of your basement walls. Our team can utilize a range of materials and devices to provide an extra layer of defense for your home, including:
- Urethane/epoxy sealants
- High-capacity sump pumps
- Interior perimeter drains
Whether it’s chronic damp or a small leak, these interior waterproofing solutions keep your basement dry whatever the season.
Concrete Foundation Repair
When your foundations are already damaged, you need an expert who can repair the damage before you can start thinking about interior and exterior waterproofing.
Our concrete waterproofing contractors can repair and reinforce existing cracks to prevent further damage. We can also apply protective coatings to block further intrusions and strengthen your concrete foundations.
Crack Injection
Basement and foundation waterproofing in Denver often requires specialized solutions. Crack injection uses a flexible polyurethane to seal active leaks, followed by rigid epoxy to repair the damage to your basement and foundations.
This quick, non-invasive process seals cracks permanently and reinforces the integrity of your foundations to give you peace of mind for years to come.
Sump Pump Installation
Sump pumps provide 24/7 protection against water that might enter your basement. It’s the ultimate defense against standing water, with primary and secondary electric-powered pumps removing water as it collects while continuing to operate even during power outages.
When rapid snowmelt and heavy rains strike your neighborhood, sump pumps make managing high water tables a breeze.
Interior vs. Exterior Basement Waterproofing: Which is Right for You?
Interior and exterior waterproofing solutions have their place. Sometimes, your home may need a combination of both. At Van Matre, we’ll examine your basement to determine which solution, or combination of solutions, offers the best possible results.
Here’s when each solution works best:
Interior Waterproofing
- Finished Basements – Interior waterproofing options are minimally invasive, causing the least amount of disruption to your living space because there’s no major excavations or construction required.
- Fast Results – Leaking and damp basements requiring immediate results are best suited to interior waterproofing. These solutions remove and divert water quickly, allowing immediate action when large-scale excavations are impractical or unwanted.
- Dense Neighborhoods – Some neighborhoods aren’t suited to exterior excavation because of property constraints. If you’ve got a large patio or a tight lot line, interior waterproofing solves problems when digging isn’t practical.
Exterior Waterproofing
- Unfinished Basements – Unfinished basements are open and untouched, making exterior work a much more straightforward prospect before entering a significant remodeling phase.
- Chronic Drainage Issues – Properties with naturally high water tables or poor grading benefit the most from exterior waterproofing, since it’s typically the only way to prevent continuous leaks and pressure.
- Structural Issues – Homes that have already been compromised often need a radical and intrusive exterior waterproofing treatment to repair the damage. The same goes for homes needing a permanent, proactive solution.
Why Choose Van Matre Construction?
When it comes to defending your family’s most prized possession, this isn’t the time to call on just anyone. You need a Denver waterproofing company that you know will do the job and leave your home with lasting water protection inside and outside.
With over 20 years of concrete foundation waterproofing expertise, few Denver professionals can compete. Our knowledge of everything from the climate to the movements of the soil gives us unique insights into the state-of-the-art treatments tailored for challenging environments like those posed by Colorado.
That’s just part of the Van Matre difference. When you work with us, we also guarantee:
- Unmatched expertise in concrete foundation waterproofing.
- Lasting protection using advanced basement waterproofing solutions.
- Commitment to quality craftsmanship and securing your home’s future.
- Exceptional customer service every step of the way.
- Customized solutions, not one-size-fits-all.
- Transparent pricing from day one with no hidden fees.
- Strong warranties, because we stand behind the quality of our work.
On top of all this, we’re not a national chain. We’re proud of our Denver roots and our commitment to continuing to serve the people of Denver exclusively. Our contractors aren’t parachuted in from elsewhere. We’re from the area, meaning we know everything from building codes and climate patterns to soil challenges.
Put it all together, and you have the Denver waterproofing brand that protects your home like nobody else.
Schedule Your Free Home Inspection Today!
Van Matre is the expert when it comes to basement waterproofing in Denver and the surrounding area. We offer a free, no-obligation inspection and an expert assessment of your basement to determine what’s needed to protect your home from water intrusion.
If you’re worried about your basement or water is already gushing inside, the time to call is now. Let’s devise a bespoke solution to provide results that will last for years to come. Contact us for your free expert-led inspection now!
