Basement Waterproofing

Although 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

How does waterproofing work in the basement and what exactly needs to be done? To answer that question, let's first look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and how it is supposed to work.

In case you are curious to know how the basement is built, you will see that the idea was first conceived in the design and then the next steps follow. It starts with the digging of a big hole, then the footer or foundations are laid. After the base is done, the walls of the basement are built and then only the rest of the house is constructed.

From this list the most vital point is the top one - the vast crater dug in the earth

When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls which needs to be filled. This void gets filled with loose backfill. No matter how well the backfill is compacted, it is still backfill and water seeks the places of little resistance.

Water will constantly ooze 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. If there are crevices in the walls, water will push through even if the basement walls are waterproofed.

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.

Many times there is simply no access to these pipes which is a huge oversight. 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.

Drained cavity basement waterproofing is a better system that works by getting rid of water pressure in 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 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

Choose a reputable basement waterproofer when protecting your home, remember it is economically foolish not to waterproof, because the increased value from waterproofing will definitely exceed the cost of the waterproofing.

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.