Historical City Groundwater Intrusion
The infiltration of groundwater into a building is a serious problem that can cause extensive damage, especially to historical structures. Water is one of the most common causes of structural failure in old buildings, and the longer it’s allowed to remain in contact with your home’s foundation and walls, the more likely you are to see signs of deterioration.
In the winter of 2012, South Jersey Waterproofing was called to Old City Philadelphia to perform work on a historic home where the groundwater was intruding through the old brick floor and stone foundation, causing serious damage.
What is Groundwater?
Groundwater is, very literally, water that seeps into the ground and fills the spaces in soil and rock. Groundwater is a natural resource that provides drinking water and is used for irrigation, industrial processes, and other uses.
The Dangers of Groundwater Infiltrating Historic Buildings
Groundwater intrusion can have a devastating effect on historical buildings. If a building has a foundation that is not waterproofed, the moisture from groundwater may cause mold to form in the basement or crawlspace. The presence of mold can lead to health problems for people living in the home and damage the structural integrity of wood floors, plaster walls, and stone walls. Waterlogged wood floors may also warp over time if they are not dried properly after being exposed to moisture.
How We Controlled the Intrusion
Our expert team remedied the groundwater intrusion by installing a brand new sump pump and sump pump liner, as well as new foundation wall coating, and slab installation in the basement. All of these solutions work together to create an entire system that prevents future water intrusion in this Philadelphia home. Keeping your basement dry is our business!
Historic homes like this one in Old City are a specialty of the team here at South Jersey Waterproofing. If you are facing water intrusion in your basement, don’t hesitate to call or click here to have us come out and take a look! We are a family-owned and operated business that has serviced the tri-state area for three generations and counting!
