Basement Floor Waterproofing Methods

October 6th, 2008 Posted in Kitchen Flooring

Many basement flooding and seeping problems could have been avoided by waterproofing the basement floor when constructed. Basements are often thought of as just places for storage that have concrete floors and walls where you can store old toys, tools and other stuff. The possibility of family rooms having extra space are realized.

After many years drains can become plugged with mud and causes water problems to occur.

If water from the roof is not directed far enough away from the foundation, then the soil becomes too saturated. As the home stabilizes, wall fissures appeared, exterior paintings decayed and the drains filled with sand or silt. Leakage in the basement can be caused by all of these problems. It is possible that flowing water on the ground enters the foundation through cracks or other openings; even solid masonry is not free from moisture as saturated soil enters through the walls as well as other openings. This is due to the natural pressure the soil exerts against the foundation. A high water level can create a great amount of pressure. If water is pressurized, concrete cannot withstand it, concrete will surely break because the water will seek all cracks or crevices in the walls and floors. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.

Pressure relief systems are a good way to prevent hydrostatic water from entering your home. Whenever there happens to be a power outage due to a rainstorm, it is very likely that the primary pumps will not work, and that may cause somewhat of an inconvenience. As pressure increases the floor or wall will be penetrated by moisture. (often called bleeding). Corners and joints that connect the floor and the wall are the most likely candidates for seepage.

If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. Water vapor will go right through concrete since it is porous. Because of moisture it feels even more cold, and rots carpet and other floor coverings. Even the mold starts to grow and basement smells musty.

Using high quality sealants easily found in the marketplace is a good remedy. It is often possible to paint them with either the roller or spray method.

A normal basement floor waterproofing job may entail:

- First the floor of the area being worked on must be prepared to make it smooth and remove any excess material
- making sure the basement floor is as dry as possible, hiring large fans or heaters if necessary.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- filling any particularly noticeable cracks or joints.
- Priming the floor when the product calls for the use of a primer.
Spread two or three coats which is just right top-coating of the final product.

If you waterproof your basement floor with a good product the results should last for a number of years. Permaflex is one type of sealant that will give a complete and permanent waterproofing for a basement floor. This indoor waterproofing system claims to permanently seal you lower level floor at considerably less cost than other systems.