The best way to waterproof a basement is to hire a professional. Your foundation is what holds your home up, so getting it waterproofed should be done to last.
Proper waterproofing keeps your entire home and all your belongings safe. Wet or damp basements can not only be a mess to deal with, it can cause an odor and make your home harder to sell.
The Best Way to Waterproof a Basement
Water can get in your basement in a few different ways. If there is damage or cracks in your foundation, water can seep in. This can come from your gutters running over and allowing water to pool around the base of your house.
Water can get in from the damp soil around the house at the surface and below the surface, and any water that is allowed to sit and pool, either from storms, watering your lawn, or run-off water from higher up.
Waterproofing the Interior
Start with the interior of your basement. The first step is to make sure all the holes, cracks, and other damage are repaired first. There may be water or moisture damage, large damp patches, or crumbling concrete.
Cracks can be sealed with waterproofing sealants to keep moisture from seeping back inside. Once your basement is coated, it will help keep humidity levels down and prevent condensation.
While it is necessary to work on the interior, the bigger problem is on the outside of the foundation. The sides and even underneath. This is where the water and moisture are coming from.
Waterproofing the Exterior
Where waterproofing the interior of your home is relatively cheap and easy, the exterior will be a much bigger job. In order to find and fix the problem, the ground around your home needs to be dug up and removed.
From there, the crew can locate any damages that need to be repaired and then apply a coating to seal the exterior walls of your home. This sealant is often a polymer base, which should last for the life of the building. This type of waterproofing is often done during construction.
Drainage and Gutters
The drainage of your home and the gutters can both contribute to water seeping into your basement. The best way to waterproof a basement should include all of these areas.
If your gutters are clogged, broken, or installed wrong, they can not function properly. The water meant to run off the roof and away from your home can end up pooling at the base.
The same goes for your drainage system. It is there to keep rainwater and other water away from the foundation of your home. If it is not doing that, you need to have it repaired or replaced.
The ground around your home should slope away from the home and downwards, even just a bit, to keep the water from pooling around the base of your foundation.
Each home is different, which is why you need to contact a professional to look your home over if you have moisture problems in your basement. If water is a problem, you may also need to install a sump pump to help clear the excess water.
The Best Way to Waterproof a Basement
Here at KC Pier, we have our own unique system for waterproofing your basement. Our DynaPier system is located centrally and directly beneath a load of your foundation.
We guarantee our work for life, we even make that guarantee transferable to future owners should you move from your home. Call us today for more information.