1. Before
selecting a contractor, try to determine how and where the water is
entering the home:
● Is the water
coming in through a window?
● Is the water
coming in through a crack in the wall?
● Is the water
coming in where the floor and wall meet?
2.
Determining the type of foundation wall construction will aid in
developing a solution:
● Is your
foundation a poured concrete wall, or a block wall?
● Are your
inside walls bare, or are they covered with paneling or wallboard?
3.
Determine if you have an inside system currently installed:
● Do you have
a sump pump, and if so does it work?
● Can you see
pipes entering the sump pit, and are they plastic, terra cotta or some
other material?
● Do the pipes
appear to have dirt or mud in them?
● Having a
system and still getting water in the basement can be a result of a
clogged or damaged pipe.
4. See if
you have a basement entry way with a drain:
● Is the drain
clear?
● Does this
drain tie into your inside system?
5. See if
there is mold on the walls or floor:
● Is there a
dark growth around the area(s) where water is entering the home?
● This
darkness is typically a result of constant water which results in
mold.
● This mold
can be dangerous for your well being.
6. See if
there is a white substance appearing on your walls:
● This is a
sign of water built up in your block and should be handled by a
professional.
● Efflorescence is the chemical reaction of the water in the block and
the materials used to construct the block.
7. There
multiple ways to solve a water problem:
● Some
problems can be remedied by some very economical efforts on the part
of the home owner.
▫ Extending
the downspouts away from the home
▫
Clearing
the gutters to keep the water flowing.
▫ Cleaning
the basement entry way drain
8.
Licensing and Insurance required:
● Basement
waterproofing is covered by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
● You should
ask to see the salesperson’s license, as well as the contractor’s
license.
● You should
ask to see a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate.
9. Getting
more than one price is a matter of personal choice.
● It is always
a good idea to solicit bids from at least three contractor’s.
● The tough
part will be to compare the proposals. Not all proposals will cover
the same things.
● Part of your
decision should be the appearance and knowledge of the salesperson,
and how comfortable are you with them in person.
● Remember,
the lowest price is rarely the cheapest price. You must be sure that
everything is included, or at least that you are aware of items that
you are responsible for, and how much they will cost you.
