Waterproofing companies glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a waterproofing company provider in Trumbull county, Ohio.

What is a bowing wall?: A bowing wall is a foundation wall that curves or bends inward due to pressure from surrounding soil and groundwater pushing against it.
What is a carbon fiber wall strap?: High-tensile carbon fiber strips epoxied to the interior surface of basement walls to resist bowing and stabilize foundation movement.
What is a cove joint?: The cove joint is the seam where the basement floor slab meets the foundation wall footing, a structural joint where water commonly enters basements.
What is a dehumidifier for crawl spaces and basements?: A dehumidifier is an appliance that extracts moisture from the air in enclosed lower spaces like crawl spaces and basements, typically targeting relative humidity levels between 40% and 60% to prevent structural and health problems.
What is a downspout extension?: A downspout extension is a pipe or conduit attached to the base of a gutter downspout that diverts rainwater away from the foundation perimeter.
What is a footing drain?: A footing drain is a perforated pipe installed at the base of a building's foundation footing to collect and channel groundwater away from the structure.
What is a French drain?: A French drain is a perforated-pipe system installed in a gravel-filled trench that collects and diverts groundwater away from basements, crawl spaces, and low-lying property areas.
What is a hairline crack?: A hairline crack is a very narrow shrinkage crack in concrete, typically caused by the material losing moisture as it cures, rather than structural failure.
What is a horizontal wall crack?: A horizontal wall crack is a fracture running parallel to the ground in a basement foundation wall, typically caused by soil pressure pushing laterally against the wall from outside.
What is a perimeter drain?: A perimeter drain is a drainage system installed along the foundation's outer or inner edge to intercept and channel groundwater away from the basement.
What is a stair-step crack?: A diagonal crack that steps through mortar joints in block or brick masonry, typically signaling foundation movement or water pressure.
What is a sump pump?: A sump pump is a motorized device installed in a basement pit (sump basin) that automatically removes groundwater and surface water away from a home's foundation to prevent water intrusion and flooding.
What is a vapor barrier?: A vapor barrier is a sheet of plastic laid across crawl space floors and walls to block moisture vapor from the soil entering the structure.
What is a window well?: A window well is an excavated pit or basin dug around a basement window to collect and manage water runoff before it enters the basement.
What is an exterior membrane?: An exterior membrane is a rubberized or sheet coating applied to the outside of a below-grade foundation wall to block water and moisture from entering a building.
What is crawl space encapsulation?: Crawl space encapsulation is a moisture control system that seals the crawl space with a vapor barrier liner, closes vents, and often includes a dehumidifier to prevent water intrusion and reduce indoor humidity.
What is dampproofing vs waterproofing?: Dampproofing is a thin asphalt or chemical barrier that resists soil moisture and capillary water, while waterproofing is a thicker, more robust system designed to stop pressurized water infiltration from flooding or hydrostatic pressure.
What is efflorescence?: Efflorescence is a white, powdery mineral residue left on masonry surfaces when water carrying dissolved salts evaporates, indicating moisture movement through the structure.
What is epoxy crack injection?: Epoxy crack injection is the process of forcing low-viscosity epoxy resin into concrete cracks under pressure to restore structural integrity and prevent water penetration.
What is grading with positive slope?: Grading with positive slope is the practice of sloping the ground so it descends away from a house foundation, allowing water to drain away rather than pool against the structure.
What is hydraulic cement?: Hydraulic cement is a fast-hardening compound that sets and expands as water hydrates it, used to plug active leaks and seal cracks in concrete structures.
What is hydrostatic pressure?: The force exerted by water in saturated soil against below-grade walls and floors, which pushes water through foundation cracks, joints, and porous materials into the basement.
What is interior drain tile?: A perforated pipe installed along the inside of a foundation footing that collects groundwater and directs it to a sump pump for removal from the basement.
What is polyurethane crack injection?: Polyurethane crack injection is a sealing method that forces liquid polyurethane foam into cracks, where it expands and hardens to form a flexible, water-resistant barrier.