3 Solutions for Interior Basement Waterproofing
Interior basement waterproofing is critical if you want to stop your basement from flooding. These types of problems occur when there is either a build-up of water leaking into your basement or a blocked pipe that is stopping water from flowing.
If you decide to waterproof your basement, it doesn’t mean that you should just put on the waterproof material or paint once in a while and expect that everything's going to be fine. It's not. If you should decide to undertake this process, you must be aware that it has to be done regularly so as to maintain the basement's waterproof integrity. The idea is to protect your home from moisture intrusion that reduces its life expectancy. Waterproofing your basement is beneficial as it will add to the life, and the value of your property while preventing unnecessary water damage expenditures in the future.
1. French Drains
Problems occurring outside of the house will always have a direct impact on your basement. Leaky pipes and poor drainage means that the basement can easily get flooded. There is nothing worse than a drainage problem that you knew about but never fixed. Now you have a basement full of water and costly water damages to pay for.
Installing a French drain is quite simple. Dig a trench in your yard and around the house. Fill it with gravel and level it and you're done. This type of drain is designed to move water away from the problematic areas around your home. In order to reduce costs, do it yourself. If it's done correctly, a French drain should serve its purpose and direct water away so that the basement is dry at all times.
2. Using Waterproof Paint
Work smarter inside to prevent flooding and wet conditions. Use waterproofing paint and use it in conjunction with a waterproofing primer. Before putting the primer and paint on the walls, fill any gaps or cracks on the wall. This damage can occur due to leaking water from pipes. Those are issues that must be rectified prior to sealing the walls. Once you have smoothed cracks in the wall, apply the primer and allow it to dry before painting it. This is one of many good solutions for waterproofing your basement.
3. Improve the Drainage System
Your basement can flood if you have problems with the drainage system, and/or have pipes that have become blocked. Ensure that all pipes are cleared of blockages. Once that's done, maintain it regularly to ensure that the pipes do not get blocked up again.
Check out the landscape of your garden and make sure that there are no areas where water can accumulate, such as at the base of a slope. If that happens, then the excess water has nowhere to go and it seeps through the walls and into your basement. By improving the drainage system in and around your house, you will have a much better chance of preventing problems in your basement.
