It can seem daunting to let anyone in your home to do construction, even if you know the work needs to be done. The mere mention of trucks and drills is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. But if you can prepare yourself ahead of time for what’s to come, it can make the process easier for both you and the people you’ve hired to do the work. By relieving any apprehension and going in to the renovation with a clear mind, you can focus on the long-term results as opposed to the short-term inconveniences.
As someone who has been waterproofing homes for years, Vincent Boccia, of Boccia Inc., a longstanding waterproofing and masonry company in New York, guides you through what to expect when you are having your basement waterproofed.
How long will it take? Installation of a common sub-floor drainage system will take two to four days to complete.
How many people will it take? Depending on the work you are having done and the size of the basement, you should expect between two to five people arriving at your home to begin the work.
How much equipment will there be? Typically, the only equipment used is a truck and a decompressor in addition to smaller tools that will generally not be in your way.
What will be done to my home? Work being done inside of the home will require the floor to be removed so that the drainage system can be put in the place. Upon completion, the floor will be put back in place. For the first day or two during the initial digging and placement, expect a dusty environment. The following days require just the restoration of your basement.
If the waterproofing requires work to be done on the outside of the home, there is the possibility that landscaping will have to be dug up to allow for access to the concrete foundation. Your waterproofing specialist should go over what to expect beforehand, like how far down they plan on digging and the area that will be dug up, so that there will be no surprises once they start actually tearing up the grass.
Will I have to move out? In most cases no, there is no need to leave your home during the waterproofing process. The only exception might be if the water damage has led to mold contamination.
Will it be inspected? Yes, any quality waterproofing specialist will insist on inspecting their own work to make sure that everything is placed properly and that all of the systems are working to their desired effect. Any problems found should be scheduled to be corrected. Your waterproofing will not require further inspection by an outside source.
Will it have to be maintained or redone? The best part about waterproofing your basement is that there is no maintenance on your part. You will not have to worry about reinstalling a sub-floor drainage system, or the reinvasion of your home again, once it is laid.
