Waterproofing Ideas That Keep Your Basement Dry

There are a few ways to waterproof your basement. If you plan to finish your basement, call in a waterproofing contractor to check your basement and recommend the best method for keeping your basement dry.

Some methods are costly while others are more affordable, so you and the waterproofing contractor have to consider your basement, the reason your basement gets wet, and how you plan to use the basement in the future when determining the best way to waterproof your basement. Here are some ideas.

Seal Cracks In The Walls

If your foundation walls have cracks, rain can seep through them every time it rains. Your contractor can seal these cracks with epoxy injections. The epoxy is injected into the crack where it expands to fill the crack to block water from leaking through. First, the contractor makes sure the cracks aren't signs of structural damage. If they are, then your home might need structural repairs too.

Apply A Waterproof Coating

Another interior waterproofing method is to apply a waterproof coating to the walls. This coating goes on the concrete just like paint with a paintbrush or roller. The coating must be applied to bare, clean concrete. If your basement walls are painted, the paint has to be removed first. After a couple of applications, the coating creates a watertight seal that keeps rain from seeping through the concrete.

Improve Drainage

Another possibility for keeping your basement dry is to improve the drainage around your home. This might involve installing an interior or exterior French drain system or putting in new gutters. Rain should always drain away from the foundation of your house, and basement windows should be sealed so no rain can leak through. Proper drainage keeps rain from getting in your basement, so it's an essential part of keeping your basement dry.

Install A Sump Pump

Sump pumps are often the answer for waterproofing a basement. Water that enters your basement is routed to a well with a pump in it. When the water level rises, the pump is triggered to turn on, and it pumps water out of your basement. The only drawback with a sump pump is that it won't work if the power goes out, so you need a battery backup so the pump works during storm blackouts.

If you're finishing your basement and plan to install carpet, walls, and furnishings, then you'll want a waterproofing method that has a low risk of failure. You might even combine more than one form of basement waterproofing so you don't have to worry about your basement every time it rains.

Click here to learn more about waterproofing your basement.