process-of-waterproofing-your-basement

A Quick Insight Into The Process Of Waterproofing Your Basement

So, you've bought a house with a basement - great! Basements can be great places to store things or create a rec room for working out or just having fun.

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One downside to basements is that they're prone to flooding, which creates mold and mildew on any items stored down there. In addition, 20% of all insurance claims are related to water damage, so it's important to make sure your basement is properly waterproofed.

Dig Around The Outside Of The Basement

The first step to protecting your basement from water damage is digging around the outside of it down to the bottom of the foundation. After you've done this, install appropriate drainage material at or under the area where you need protection.

Examine The Walls For Cracks

Once the excavation is finished, scrub it and make sure there are no cracks water might trickle into. If you find them, cover them with hydraulic cement. It expands as it hardens and fills in the empty spaces. This reduces the possibility of leakage.

Plug The Outside Walls With Sealant Made Of Cement

You'll want to seal the outside walls. Sealant made out of cement is easy to apply and can be used on brickwork and concrete surfaces. Any hairline cracks that weren't filled in previously will be sealed in this step.

Put in A Water-Resistant Seal

Use a trowel or sprayer to apply a waterproof membrane. This protects the support wall from outside water. Membranes made out of elastomers work great for this.

Install a Drainage Mat

Next, you'll need to put in a sewage mat that has dimples in it. There needs to be space between it and the wall so the drain can receive moisture. It shouldn't be cut as deep as the foundation.

Put in a French Drain Or Install Weeping Tile

Finally, dig a trench and fill it to ground level with pieces of brick and rock. This called a French drain. You can use a 4-inch pipe, but it must be at the bottom of the infrastructure below the basement floor. It's a good idea to install clean-outs in case maintenance needs to be done.

What Not To Do

When making a basement waterproof, do not do the following:

Avoid using tar. Tar becomes brittle and cracks eventually.

Don't make the walls waterproof with plastic. The material eventually peels, and moisture can get in.

Don't fill gaps with limestone. Limestone makes it difficult for the drains to work and could stop up drainage structures. Fill gaps with gravel instead.

If you have the time and skill, you can waterproof your basement yourself and save some money. If you don't know how or don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, it's best to call a professional waterproofing company. If you call a waterproofing company like www.HelitechOnline.com today, you can be sure your basement will be waterproofed correctly. Once it's completed, you won't have to worry about mold, mildew, pests or basement leaks.

It's very important to waterproof your basement, especially if you live in a state that gets a lot of rain or snow. In addition to the benefits mentioned previously, waterproofing your basement can reduce the cost of insurance claims, create a healthier home environment, and lower heating and cooling costs.

About the Author Laura Bennett

Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.

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