Publication date: 11/23/2010
Clogged bleeder lines may be cause of basement water seepage
Dear Glenn: Several years back we had rain for almost three weeks straight and my basement floor got wet from water seeping through the cement. This ruined my carpet and I threw it out.
I am currently remodeling my basement and am looking for some product to put down on the floor that will cut down on the humidity and hopefully prevent most water vapor from entering through the floor. I don't get a lot of water but it does occasionally get damp.
I have researched a lot of products and they all claim to penetrate into the cement and create a water-tight, vapor-tight barrier.
Do you know if this is true? I am planning on putting carpet down to add some visual warmth, comfort and sound prevention. I will not be putting any padding under the carpet.
Can I use something like Drylock or will Quikrete Masonry Waterproofer work? They both claim to withstand more than 10 pounds per square inch. I know they are designed for walls but if I cover them with carpet the surface shouldn't be damaged.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Dear John: Water seepage through the floor is a problem. If you have a sump pump, it sounds like your bleeder lines are clogged. Call Pete Wood at Rooter MD, (877) 646-5445, www.rootermd.com, and talk to him about Vactron.
Once you get your floor dry and start remodeling, I would suggest a special pad to place under the carpet.
Contact Fairway Tile & Carpet, (866) 211-5558, www.fairwaycarpet.com, and have them talk to you about the benefits of Enviro Cushion. Enviro Cushion has been engineered to be installed below or at grade and is a "green" padding so dense that it has a 4.5 R factor and is 100 percent waterproof. It is a great product to install under carpet in a basement.
Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.
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