Take These Three Approaches to Waterproof Your Basement

A damp or flooded basement can be a nightmare for any homeowner. Apart from the obvious damage caused to the items stored in your basement, water in your basement can lead to other more serious issues like; mould growth (which is a health risk), bad odours, creating a breeding ground for rats and other vermin and compromising the structural integrity of your property.

Thankfully, an effective waterproofing solution like London Damp Solutions can help prevent these problems. But, you will need to determine which waterproofing solution is right for your home as there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to basement waterproofing.

Factors like the underlying cause of the problem, the type of foundation your property has, your budget and the location of your home will come in to play when determining the best approach to take when waterproofing your basement. To help you make an informed decision, below are the three major approaches you can take when basement waterproofing.

Interior Waterproofing (Sealants)

The interior waterproofing approach is quite easy and affordable. It typically involves making sure that any holes or cracks found in your basement (walls, floors, around the windows and doors) are sealed properly. This is because, more often than not, one of the ways water seeps into your basement is through these holes and cracks, so sealing them properly ensures that your basement stays dry.

Special waterproof sealants or coatings can do a good job of filling any cracks and making sure that new moisture can’t travel inside. The coating is usually applied onto the basement floors and walls, creating a barrier that is waterproof. They are also effective for preventing condensation and keeping humidity levels down. Bear in mind that while this approach is an important step in the basement waterproofing process, it doesn’t help with solving the underlying issue that is causing the moisture in the first place.

Exterior Waterproofing

This approach helps prevent water from entering your home to begin with. This way, you don’t have to worry about moisture damaging the foundation or the inside of your basement.

Exterior basement waterproofing is done by carrying out a full excavation around the home to the bottom of the foundation. Following that, the exterior walls are then sealed with a waterproof coating, which will not only waterproof the walls but directs any incoming water down to a drain system. The drain, which is either directed down a slope or to a sump pump, then leads the water away from the foundation. This approach is quite effective for preventing water from entering into the basement either through the walls or the foundation.

Drainage Systems

In a situation where water does enter into your home through a leak, the right approach would be to install a proper drainage system to keep the water under control. A great way to do this is to have a sump pump for collecting the water from inside your basement. The collected water is then pumped out away from your home.

Exterior drainage systems are also recommended as they drain underground water from alongside your property’s foundation and then proceed to pump the water away from the basement.

Conclusion:

Basement waterproofing is something you cannot afford to ignore as a homeowner. It is what ensures that water doesn’t get into your property. There are different methods or approaches you can take to waterproof your basement, and the one you choose heavily depends on your situation (budget, location, type of foundation, and underlying causes). At the end of the day, the best approach is to prevent rather than repair, so waterproof your basement today to prevent problems in the future.