How to Waterproof a Basement?
October 19th, 2008 Posted in Kitchen DIYAlthough it seems rather easy to waterproof a basement, there are many things that you must consider first. In fact, many of the things that you’ll read about here are not discussed often. Before you buy you start, consider the following tips
What is basement waterproofing and how does it work? Let’s take a look at the time and tested waterproofing of basement and how it works.
If you can see a home being built the contractor first surveys the lot using the blueprints for the home to be built; then he sights out the lot to find out the best place to start digging and grading the property, then he lays the footer or foundation and begins building the basement walls, lastly the balance of the home follows.
That big hole in the ground, the first on the list above is important to note.
When basement walls are constructed there is an area outside the walls that must be filled. Loose backfill is what is used to fill this void. The problem here is that water looks for the path of least resistance, and you’ve just given it just that with a huge pile of loose backfill, no matter how well it’s been compacted.
Water will continuously seep into this area. The conventional way of waterproofing a basement provides some form of drainage pipe for this water to drain away, but the problem with this is that often these pipes get silted up. As the water comes it brings all sorts of suspension with it and that is to be expected as it is natural. The system can overload if the pipes get over-filled and then the pressure of the built up water would be concentrated on the outer basement walls. Water will work its way through even the smallest gaps, even though basement walls are waterproofed in some way.
This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.
A lot of the time a huge mistake is made by not providing access to these pipes. To keep water out of a basement, waterproofing is also applied to the external walls. Usually this is called a tanked system.
Drained cavity basement waterproofing is a better system that works by getting rid of water pressure in the walls. Water is controlled, collected and allowed to flow through hidden drainage channels either to natural drainage or to a sump pump where the water is removed away from the property.
Waterproofing a basement is reputedly a better system when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing any silt and can be applied to basements where traditional tanking or other methods have failed but with minimal disturbance to the original basement.
So to summarise, good basement waterproofing will:
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods
- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.
In conclusion, you want a basement waterproofing system that will deliver:
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods
- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
While you are getting the house made you need to realize that waterproofing is more of an investment in the value of your house rather then an expense.
As you can see, the problem of basement waterproofing is not uncommon and there are steps that can be taken to make your life a lost easier when dealing with it.