Waterproofing Your Basement
November 8th, 2008 Posted in Bathroom 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.
The important point to note is the first one in the list above - that big hole in the ground.
When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls which needs to be filled. Loose backfill is used to fill in the gap. Well compacted or not, introducing a huge pile of loose backfill is going to cause problems. Water will always flow in the path of least resistance.
Water will continuously seep into this area. Sometimes, creating a problem is the drainpipe that gets full of silt contained in many systems when waterproofing a basement. It’s natural enough, the water is bringing all sorts of suspension with it. When these pipes get filled the system overloads and a lot of water pressure gets applied to the outside walls of the basement. So while the walls of the basement may be waterproofed in some way, water, as you probably already know, will usually find a way through the tiniest of gaps.
This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.
A huge problem is that often there isn’t access to these pipes. In an attempt to keep excess moisture out basement waterproofing also can be put onto the outer walls of the basement. This is often referred to as a tanked system.
A better basement waterproofing system, such as the drained cavity basement waterproofing, works by getting rid of the water pressure on 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:
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- more affordable than other methods
- stop water through the floor and walls
- a permanent or long term fix
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.
So, there you have it. Now that you’ve been given at ways to improve your basement waterproofing, the next step is up to you. Take this information and make use of it. It’s easier to do nothing, but in the end you will thank yourself for having taken action.