Basement waterproofing is a must for every home. It helps safeguard the basement against any leaks, rising groundwater, or floods to avoid water damage as well as costly damages. No matter whether the basement is a cozy place for gatherings, an entertainment room, a comfortable home office, or an additional storage unit, it is considered an important part of the house.
It will become problematic if it is filled with water. Waterproofing your basement will give you peace of mind as all your belongings are safe. With multiple waterproofing strategies, you can achieve the protection your basement needs in case of leaks or foundation cracks. Therefore, realizing how to waterproof the basement is essential. Hence, consider the following tip related to basement waterproofing.
1. Remove Water Before Waterproofing
Before seeking any waterproofing services, make sure to remove all standing water in the basement. This is necessary because working in a wet basement is a risky process, presenting the risk of electrocution or electric shock. incase you observe any flooding inside the basement then turn the power off and use a cord extension from your home’s upper house to eliminate the water with the help of a utility pump.
2. Seal Interior Walls
After completing a condensation test and realizing that the outside moisturizing is resulting in a damp house, especially interior walls, then you must consider the option to seal the walls. By sealing the basement’s walls from the inside with a quality sealer like a quality waterproof paint you can avoid water damage. However, make sure to remove any exciting paint before you consider applying a basement sealer. It is necessary to make the sealer adhere properly.
3. Outdoor Drainage
In case the yard has a french tarin or buried drain system then make sure to inspect them and remove any blockage which may pose any problem. Clearing the blockages will help the yard drain water from the house premises effectively and properly. In case the yard does not have any drainage system then consider the option of installation of french drains to keep the water away.
4. Install a Leak Detector
Installing a water leak detector is useful as it will alert you about the leakage in the basement especially when you are away from the house. This way you can easily keep an eye on the house and have peace of mind that everything is working just fine. A water leak detector uses a wireless transmitter to detect leaks in the house and in case of urgency even shut the home’s water supply. Moreover, you can also consider installing a programmable leak detector, which can measure continuously flowing water and turn it off at a certain interval.
5. Fill Cracks
When inspecting the basement of the house, you might observe some cracks commonly in the walls. The walls of the basement usually crack as a result of the way homebuilders pour concrete which produces a weak foundation spot. This foundation spot can develop cracks when the foundation starts settling. You can fill cracks with hydraulic cement, which expands and sets quickly.