Published by Programme B
Basement is an important part of a standard house. Without it, the house is not well structured and developed. However, we usually use the basement as a storeroom. But the basement is a suitable place that can be converted to a habitable place. Though the basement is situated on the ground floor, it is important to keep it dry all the time. But waterproofing the basement is not an easy task. Pom group waterproofing has made a complete guide about basement waterproofing. You will get a complete idea about how you can keep your basement dry in any weather condition.
Guide to basement waterproofing
Basement waterproofing starts with the problem-finding process. When you spot the weak spot then you can apply several solutions to prevent the problem. This guide will help you to find the problems and then will provide you with the best solution.
Strong Drainage System
To prevent water from leaking you have to ensure a strong drainage system. If your regular drainage system can’t prevent water from moving back, then you have to install a new and effective drainage system. In that case, the French drain method will be a perfect choice. Just make sure all the downspout water exits with a proper pipeline. So that the water can exit properly far from the foundation wall.
Extend Downward
While we build a house with a basement, we leave the soil near the foundation wall. If you are facing a wet basement problem then you could get rid of it by extending the downward. You just have to create a slope that stands between the wall and the soil. Make the slope strong enough so that the drain water can’t go back to the foundation wall.
Build Barriers
If you are building your dream house or a real estate project in an area that is often flooded then you have to create barriers. Otherwise, your basement will be flooded with floodwater. Experts always suggest creating watertight masonry barriers so that they can hold back the water. You can also use earth beams to create a proper barrier to prevent the water. After doing that your basement will be waterproof from the floodwater.
Fix Window Wells
Basically, basements are situated on the ground of a house. So, it is common that water could sneak into it. To prevent that kind of situation we use window wells. Those window wells create a barrier outside of the window so nothing can pass the well and sneak into the basement. These wells are also a great way to waterproof the basement.
Seal the Foundation Wall
You can easily prevent water from sneaking in by applying asphalt-based material sealing. This sealing is a really great water-resistant material. However, You can apply this material by brushing, rolling, or spraying on the outer wall. By applying this elastic type coating to a certain thickness, you will get the best output.
Add Gutters and Downspouts
Fixing gutter downspouts is a traditional way of basement waterproofing. It is also a cheap but effective way of waterproofing. Faulty gutters and downspouts drive water directly to the foundation wall. If you can prevent this session from happening then your basement will stay dry. Basically, gutters and downspouts oftenly encounter leaks and extension loss problems. So, you have to inspect gutters and downspouts for those errors. After inspection, fix all the errors and make your basement dry forever.
Sump Pumps
A sump pump is basically a basin or pit portion for clearing water from the basement. This method is often common among basement waterproofing solutions. However, that is not an expensive solution but it really works well. More importantly, it helps clear floods in the basement. Overall it is a reliable solution for basement waterproofing.
Control Proper Humidity
Humidity in the air is really disturbable for places like the basement. It causes wetness in the air. So your basement will always be a wet place. However, the standard humidity range in the air is 30 to 50 percent. If your basement humidity is more than 50 then you have to use dehumidifiers. This machine is capable of sucking 30 to 60 pints from the water. That’s how it maintains the humidity level. On the other hand, the dry air is warmer that makes the basement comfortable in winter.
Interior Wall Coating
Interior wall coating is the last line of defense against wet basement walls. This method is used for damp basement walls. It uses a ready-mix waterproof coating roll and brush to coat the interior walls. This waterproof coating comes in white and neutral color. So you can adjust the color to your wall painting. This type of coating has the capability of resistance 10 to 15 psi water pressure. So it is safe and effective to use against leaky and damp walls in the basement.
Final Thoughts
Basements increase the value and price of a house. If you could manage good maintenance and interior then you can use your basement as a regular room. However, this guide shows how you can get rid of one of the most annoying problems called wetness in the basement. Hope these waterproofing solutions will help you make your basement dry.