Basement-Waterproofing101 Waterproofing Information

This is a very common complaint heard by waterproofers and mold workers.

When water enters a building from either a leak or thru a foundation leak the surrounding building materials may become wet. The resulting mildew (mold) smell is the actual growth of microbes. Most often the only recourse is removal of the wet materials. Consulting a waterproofing company that can determine the cause can of such a leak, and hopefully prevent another, but there is little that can be done to repair wet drywall, carpet or carpet padding.

When it comes to the subject of water intrusion in a basement, there is no substitute for a complete inspection and diagnosis of the the problem. Studies suggest that sometimes the most effective solution to help eliminate ground water infiltration into your basement would include an interior French Drain installed around the inside perimeter of your basement and a sump pump to discharge water from under your floor.

Less invasive steps like downspout redirection and grading changes should be considered before this system is installed, and most companies that specialize in keeping basements dry will be able to advise you about them. Sometimes these solutions will work and other times, they may not.
You may want to be prepared, however, to take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate the potential for mildew and associated odors that can go along with a wet basement.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/housing-technology/moisture-management/moisture-in-basements-causes-and-solutions/

It is a very common belief that water should be prevented from entering a house from the outside of the foundation. This belief is valid and entirely true. Unless the home (with a basement) has already been erected and buried.

Replacing the foundation drains outside or trying to seal a subterranean concrete wall will never entirely succeed. We have never heard of a contractor giving lifetime warranties for exterior work while many interior waterproofer give lifetime warranties on their work. This is due to the fact that exterior systems under so many tons of wet dirt sand and clay will all eventually clog and any exterior sheeting will eventually leak due to shear pressure, and there is no way for exterior systems to prevent water from pushing up from under the foundation.