COVE JOINT LEAKS

Water can get into your house in various ways and cause destruction to your property and possessions. You should pay close attention to the signs that indicate your basement could be leaking, so as to get it fixed as soon as possible. A cove joint is an example of a very common entry point of water.

It is the cove joint that connects your basement floor to the foundation walls. Concrete is in many instances poured in different sections and so a gap is left between the floor and the bottom of the wall where water can trace its path in the basement.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?

If you carefully look at the space where the floor of your foundation meets the basement, you can easily spot the signs of a leaking cove joint.  Water may ooze out through the joint meaning it enters your basement at that point. When you detect that there are signs of water leaking through the cover joint, seek a professional in basement waterproofing to deal with the problem before it gets worse. Aquatech Waterproofing can help you stop the leakage and protect your home.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

The main cause of cove joint leaks is hydrostatic pressure. This is a force that pushes groundwater along the walls of your foundation. Water will always trace the path that is least resistant, so when it gets to your foundation and floors, it will find a way in. The cove joint will serve as an entry point for water as this is easier than flowing through concrete. This is why huge amounts of water come through when there is a heavy downpour. Inadequate drainage is usually the main reason why people experience this problem of cove joint leaks.

WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

A cove joint leak can be solved by providing an appropriate drain tile system that will inhibit hydrostatic pressure from building up. DIY solutions are available, including the usage of a sealant to block any water that is leaking through. Such solutions are only temporary, as water can always find another path. On top of that, sealants will weaken overtime and wear out. To adequately prevent this problem, it is wise to find a permanent solution. Interior and exterior drainage systems could work. The interior drains, with the help of a sump pump direct water away from the basement. A delta membrane can be used to channel water into the drains from the cove joints thus relieving pressure, at the same time giving an appealingly pleasing finish. To boost the setup, you can still use a sump pump. Exterior drainage systems will direct water away from your building to a safe place outside. It can be very effective for reducing pressure and preventing water from coming into contact with your floors and drains. This needs a lot of excavation and is therefore more costly, but the vital solution is exterior waterproofing. Aquatech Waterproofing offer both interior and exterior basement waterproofing solutions to make sure that your home is safeguarded from the damage caused by leaks and moisture penetration.