Waterproofing contractors glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a waterproofing provider in Rock County, Wisconsin.

What are helical piers?: Helical piers are large screw-shaped steel shafts twisted deep into undisturbed soil to support, lift, or stabilize a foundation suffering from settlement or structural movement.
What are push piers?: Push piers are steel structural posts hydraulically driven through bearing soil to bedrock or competent load-bearing strata to support and stabilize settled or failing foundations.
What is a backwater valve?: A one-way check valve installed in a sewer line that allows wastewater to exit a home but prevents municipal sewage from flowing backward into basement drains during heavy rainfall or sewer line saturation.
What is a battery backup sump pump?: A battery-powered secondary sump pump that automatically activates when the primary pump loses power or cannot keep up with incoming water during heavy rainfall or flooding.
What is a cementitious waterproof coating?: A cement-based coating brushed or sprayed onto masonry surfaces to block minor moisture penetration, commonly used on foundation walls and concrete structures.
What is a clay tile drain?: A clay tile drain is a segmented ceramic drainage pipe installed around building foundations in older homes to redirect groundwater away from the basement or crawl space.
What is a cove joint?: The cove joint is the interior corner where a basement floor slab meets the foundation wall, typically the first point where water intrusion occurs during hydrostatic pressure events.
What is a dimple board?: A dimple board is a corrugated plastic sheet installed against exterior foundation walls to manage water drainage and reduce hydrostatic pressure on below-grade concrete.
What is a French drain?: A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe installed at or below the foundation level to intercept and redirect groundwater away from a building.
What is a sump pit?: A basin installed below the basement floor level that collects groundwater from perimeter drain tile and channels it to a sump pump for discharge.
What is a sump pump?: A sump pump is an electric device installed in a basin below a foundation that collects and expels groundwater and seepage away from the home.
What is a vapor barrier?: A plastic sheeting layer installed under concrete floors or against walls to block water vapor from migrating upward into living spaces and causing dampness or mold growth.
What is a wall anchor system?: A wall anchor system is a steel plate-and-rod assembly installed both inside and outside a basement wall, with anchors driven deep into the yard soil to resist outward pressure and gradually straighten the wall over time.
What is a window well cover?: A clear or translucent cover installed over a basement window well that prevents water, leaves, and debris from entering while allowing occupants to exit in an emergency.
What is an egress window well?: An egress window well is an excavated and walled opening installed around a basement window to provide a safe emergency exit route and admit light, designed with drainage systems to keep water out.
What is bentonite waterproofing?: Bentonite waterproofing is a clay-based system applied to foundation walls that swells when wet, creating a self-sealing barrier against groundwater infiltration.
What is carbon fiber wall reinforcement?: Carbon fiber reinforcing straps adhered to concrete or masonry foundation walls with epoxy to arrest and stabilize minor structural movement, bowing, or cracking without excavation.
What is efflorescence?: Efflorescence is the white, powdery mineral coating that appears on concrete, brick, or block surfaces when water carrying dissolved salts evaporates and leaves the minerals behind.
What is epoxy crack injection?: Epoxy crack injection is a structural repair process where liquid epoxy resin is injected into concrete cracks under pressure to seal and re-bond the surrounding concrete into a solid mass.
What is exterior drain tile?: Perimeter drainage pipe installed against the outside of the foundation footing during original excavation to collect and divert groundwater away from the basement.
What is foundation crack injection?: Foundation crack injection is a method of sealing cracks in basement or foundation walls from inside the structure by injecting liquid sealant or polyurethane foam into the fissure to block water entry.
What is hydrostatic pressure?: Hydrostatic pressure is the continuous downward and lateral force exerted by saturated soil and groundwater against below-grade foundation components.
What is interior drain tile?: Perforated pipe installed along the interior footing under the basement slab that collects groundwater and directs it to a sump pit to prevent basement flooding and water intrusion.
What is polyurethane foam injection?: Polyurethane foam injection is an expanding liquid sealant applied into active cracks and leaks that hardens into a flexible, waterproof barrier and accommodates minor wall movement.