Waterproofing basements is an investment worth making to protect homes and businesses against costly water leakage damage. If walls in a damp but unseen basement appear damp without seepage, condensation could be to blame; running a dehumidifier may help.
Mildew and mold thrive in damp basements, while musty smells indicate potential moisture issues.
Ground sloping
If you want your basement to remain dry and functional, make sure the ground around it slopes away from its foundation. This is necessary as soil nearer your home may be unstable, leading to settlement that undermines its integrity and water accumulation around its base that seeps into basement walls and windows. Poor grading could also contribute to increased flooding problems in your basement.
Water that collects in your basement will seek the least resistant path out, usually through cracks in walls and floors due to hydrostatic pressure build-up. As it seeps in through these cracks, hydrostatic pressure causes walls to decay and seep back out through other ones creating even more cracks – this cycle continues until one section collapses entirely or collapses entirely if wall sections weaken further.
Waterproofing your basement is the best way to stop leakage. A reliable waterproofing contractor will install a water drainage track and sump pump. In addition, they’ll make sure the excess water flows away from the house rather than pooling around it.
To determine whether your soil slopes toward or away from your foundation, place two stakes near it and about 10 feet apart and tie string between them – marking with chalk the bubble of a line level attached between the stakes should show whether your ground sloping toward or away from it; otherwise you’ll need to regrade.
At some point during the construction of your house, your general contractor (GC) might have failed to grade and install an adequate drainage system, leading to leaky basements and foundation damage. Luckily, correcting this issue with professional waterproofing contractors should be straightforward.
Waterproofing your basement from the outside may be costly and time consuming, but it is an investment worth making to protect your home from water damage. Water proofing contractors can inspect the exterior of your home to identify solutions best suited to you and install a French Drain for cost-effective long-term protection against basement drain issues.
Sump pump
Most basements experience moisture entering through cracks and crevices. Window well covers should keep debris and water from reaching basement windows; however, these covers often fail. Moisture that enters through these outlets creates hydrostatic pressure that forces it out through any openings such as cracks. If left alone it could force its way under foundational blocks causing structural damage or even cracking of foundation. A sump pump is one way of mitigating this risk by continuously pushing groundwater away from a basement.
As excess groundwater seeps into a sump pump pit, an automatic float switch activates a pump which drains it through an overflow pipe into storm drains, dry wells, creeks or detention points. Most commonly powered by electricity but may include battery backup in case of power outage.
Installing a battery backup pump is particularly critical if your home has experienced flooding or is located in an area at high flood risk. A backup sump pump helps ensure that your basement remains dry even in the event of primary pump failure.
Cost of waterproofing a basement depends on the method you select; interior methods tend to be less costly than exterior ones, but only address moisture already present in your basement. Interior waterproofing typically involves coating walls and floors with sealants designed to stop water entering the concrete; in older homes this often means painting over multiple layers of paint first – something sealants must adhere to and take into consideration before application. It is wise to remove efflorescence, or chalky white deposits formed when exposed to moisture, before using sealers as these could build up over time and prevent further invasion.
Some homeowners choose to encapsulate the walls of their basement for added protection against water intrusion, which could otherwise cause mold, mildew and fungus growth. Before beginning this more expensive approach, however, make sure any cracks or holes are sealed using hydraulic cement such as DRYLOK Fast Plug which seals them within three to five minutes for quick filling and sealing action.
Interior waterproofing
No matter if it’s damp walls occasionally, rainwater pools in your basement during rainstorms, or flooding occurs altogether – moisture in the form of dampness, water pools, puddles or flooding is a big threat for home and family safety if left unprotected and can lead to peeling paint, mold growth and damaged items stored below ground. Without waterproofing measures in place to safeguard this vital space – however there are options for basement waterproofing available that will ensure it remains dry for storage and living needs.
Interior waterproofing involves sealing cracks, repairing leaks and installing drains to protect the interior space of a property from moisture intrusion. Interior waterproofing techniques often combine with exterior methods. If your basement requires waterproofing services, an experienced contractor will perform an inspection to determine the most effective way to shield its walls against moisture penetration.
Professional waterproofing companies will typically install an interior drainage system (IDS) in your basement that collects groundwater around its foundation and pumps it directly away from your home using a sump pump, making this an efficient method of waterproofing your space. This approach to basement waterproofing has long been one of the most successful strategies used.
Water proofing your basement without excavation is also one of the least invasive solutions, requiring no excavation around its foundation. However, hiring an experienced waterproofing contractor should be prioritized due to excavating can be dangerous work in older homes with weaker foundations.
Interior waterproofing methods also include the installation of vapor barriers and sealants. Vapor barriers are plastic sheets installed by contractors in your basement to encase it and block moisture entry, but this doesn’t address its source; additionally, painted walls might still show moisture leakage through these barriers if used with them, while sealants cannot create an airtight seal on wide cracks in walls.
As such, many waterproofing contractors recommend pairing crack sealant and waterproofing paint together in order to complete a comprehensive basement waterproofing job. Waterproofing contractors can install both systems, along with any necessary interior solutions such as dehumidifiers for optimal protection of your space. Contact your local waterproofing company now for a complimentary inspection and estimate of their services – they are more than willing to assist with all your waterproofing needs!
Exterior waterproofing
Waterproofing basements is one of the most essential home renovation projects that will increase its value and protect your belongings, while also helping prevent foundation damage due to excess moisture around your house. By investing in this project, you’ll avoid costly repairs in the future while protecting your house for years.
Assuring your basement’s waterproofing needs are met correctly is of utmost importance, and always seeking advice from an industry veteran should be your goal. There are a variety of methods to choose from depending on the nature of your problem; such as sloping the ground, installing drainage system or using an interior drainage channel – one of which being an interior drainage channel with pipes and drains that collect and move away water away from your home; these channels can even work alongside sump pumps or wall conduits for maximum efficacy!
For optimal basement waterproofing results, the most efficient approach is to excavate a trench around the foundation of your home and install a drainage system designed to divert groundwater away from its foundation walls and prevent flooding. A professional can quickly install such systems.
Another effective method for waterproofing your basement is installing a gutter system that deflects rainwater away from its foundation, thus preventing groundwater seepage into your basement. A properly-installed system also serves to keep insects and rodents at bay!
Exterior basement waterproofing is a more extensive and time-consuming endeavor than interior waterproofing, involving digging a trench around the foundation of the house and applying polymers or membranes directly onto its walls. Although more costly, this method provides long-term protection from leaks and structural damage.
An in good condition basement will increase your property value and make selling easier if and when the time comes to relocate. Furthermore, it will prevent structural damage caused by excess moisture in the soil – something which could prove costly to fix later.
