A-Z Guide To Basement Waterproofing Terms
In the basement waterproofing business, there are many construction terms that are only applicable to professional waterproofing contractors. When you’re ready to start your basement waterproofing job with Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, here is a handy list of terms and meanings to help you hold your own with the pro’s!
Absorption – Often used to describe areas in the foundation that have become saturated; water vapor that has been sucked into an area and stored.
Backfill – Use to fill areas in basements, trenches, or inside a foundation.
Bleeder – A common device used in basement waterproofing to help relieve wet or leaky basements; usually made from PVC and is shaped as a drain to reach from your basement to your ground or specific drains.
Tom’s Basement Waterproofing Has 40 Years of Experience
Carbon Fiber – Strips that are adhered to a basement foundation or wall that will stop and cracks or breaks in your foundation from continuously growing.
Cove – Space that is formed between the walls and floors that often leave an opening for water to enter into a basement.
Drain Tiles – A hard substance formed into a tube that is laid out in a basement to stop water from intruding any further into a home.
Dampproofing – Often performed during initial construction on a house or structure, and will eliminate moisture from occurring in a basement.
Effloresence – A while powdery mineral that shows up on walls of basements.
Epoxy – Substance injected into a wall if the foundation is prone to moving or sliding; will encourage the settling of a house.
French Drain – A subfloor drain that will move water from basements through a pressurized process.
Hydrostatic Pressure – Water that is pressing against the foundation of a building, and common when there are multiple areas of water at different levels of foundation or ground variation.
Lateral Pressure – Soil pressure that is pushed upon walls of a foundation; when too strong it can create cracks in a basement.
Polyurethane – Similar to epoxy, but used for different waterproofing methods; substance injected into a wall to prevent leaks from continuing or occurring.
Radon Gas – A radioactive and odorless gas that can seep through basement floors; it can become dangerous as it rises to higher levels of air.
Sealant – Substance placed onto the exterior of a basement foundation; a strong substance that can hold a foundation together in all weather elements.
Stone Backfill – Aggregates that create a backfill or trench, allowing basements to release water; often used in conjunction with drain tiles.
Thermal Movement – When a foundation shifts based on temperature changes.
Wall Deflection – The ratio and distance between a wall’s horizontal and vertical proportions.
Call The Experts At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing Now To Save Yourself The Headaches And Hassles Of Keeping Your Basement Dry (586) 776-7270
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Invest your money wisely and get a dry, strong basement. Your foundation depends on it. Your home depends on it. We have everything you need for interior and exterior basement waterproofing.
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Since 1975, Tom’s Basement Waterproofing has been installing ALL types of waterproofing systems. We now have over 18,000 satisfied customers. Let us help you make the best decision to meet your interior basement waterproofing needs.
Basement leakage can result in serious weakness in the foundation, causing the foundation to settle and cause further damage. Water leakage and soil condition can also cause buckled walls, and a deterioration of the basement structure itself (Destroying your investment).

Our Services
All basement waterproofing systems are NOT the same. That's why you need an experienced basement waterproofing company and foundation repair team when disaster strikes your home or business. Do you really want to take a chance with the biggest investment of your life?
- • Guaranteed Basement Waterproofing
- • Interior Basement Waterproofing
- • Exterior Basement Waterproofing
- • Fixing Cracked And Bowed Walls
- • Permanently Fix Sinking Foundations
- • Quick And Cost-Saving Crack Injections
- • Experienced Wall Straightening
- • Interior Foundation Waterproofing
- • Trusted Storm Damage Repairs
- • Permanent Foundation Repair
- • Install Backup Sump Pumps
- • Experienced Basement Crack Repair
- • Wet And Leaking Basements
- • Quality Water Damage Repairs
- • Brick And Cement Repairs
- • Durable De-Humidification Systems
- • Guaranteed Home Waterproofing
- • Basement Waterproofing Solutions
