What is Waterproofing A Basement All About?

What are basement waterproofing systems and how do they work? For answering that question it will help to first take a look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and the way it was supposed to work.

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. This void gets filled with loose backfill. 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.

This area is going to have water constantly seeping into it. 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.

The problem of this type is not easily rectified. The reason is that the pipes which are supposed to take away the excess water are gradually getting deteriorated and worsen over time.

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. Usually this is called a tanked system.

A better basement waterproofing system, such as the drained cavity basement waterproofing system, works by getting rid of the water pressure on the walls. To move water away from your property; it first must be collected and sent through drainage channels to a sump pump or a natural drainage field.

Waterproofing a basement is when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing silt, and can be installed in basements where other methods have failed.

So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:

- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods

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:

- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods,

Waterproofing your home is an investment in its value.