Home Basement Waterproofing

Think about all the things you have in your basement. Waterproofing would help to protect your belongings from damage.

There are a lot of different factors that go into selecting the appropriate basement waterproofing technique for your home. One of the biggest factors you will need to consider is the amount of moisture you experience in your basement. There are some basements where condensation and excess moisture are really out of control.

Selecting

Your first step in evaluating basement waterproofing options is to take a close look at the type of problems you have going on in your basement. When building a new home the selection process will be easier as you are not trying to fix a problem but rather prevent one from happening. When building a new home make sure that your contractor creates the proper slope so that water will drain away from your basement. If you live in a part of the country that sees a lot of moisture it might be wise to install several preventative measures such as a drain, pump, and waterproofing tar on your exterior walls.

There are many basement waterproofing options available for those whose homes have already been built as well. Usually these items are more difficult to install then when the house was first built, but they are by no means impossible. Make sure that you have downspouts that move water at least five feet from your home. There are also waterproofing paints that can be applied to your interior walls to help to prevent moisture from seeping in.

Types of Basement Moisture Problems

When your home already has a moisture problem you will need to discover the source of the problem and repair it before applying any type of basement waterproofing product. One way to test for moisture problems is to tape a piece of aluminum foil to one of the walls of your basement and leave it there for a few days. If there is moisture on the side of foil that has been facing the wall it indicates that you most likely have a leak. If there is water on the side of foil facing the room then you probably have a problem with condensation.

The simplest problem to fix in your basement is condensation. You will need to weatherproof all of the exposed pipes in your basement and install a dehumidifier. Make sure that you purchase a dehumidifier which is appropriate to the size of the space.

Leaks and cracks will need to be repaired using a basement waterproofing sealant. They are available in many different types, and the right one for you will depend on the size of the crack.

Two very popular methods of basement waterproofing include a liquid membrane which is applied to the interior of the space or a sheeting membrane attached to the exterior of the space. Cement is another popular basement waterproofing option, however it is very vulnerable to shifting once it is installed.

Sodium Bentonite clay is a common method of waterproofing a basement. When applied properly this material creates a watertight seal that prevents any moisture from entering your basement. In another type of waterproofing system concrete and asphalt are combined , however this is much more complicated and expensive. Whichever sealant you select will need to be placed into the crack and allowed to dry for the appropriate amount of time. Once it is dry you should have no more problems. There are pros and cons to any method of waterproofing your basement and you will need to look at your unique circumstances to determine which method is right for you.