Waterproofing isn’t just for the rainy months. With a little effort and some clever solutions, you can convert your basement from a deep, dank pit into a wonderful, liveable space, expanding your home.
What is Basement Waterproofing?
As the name might suggest, basement waterproofing is the art of preventing water entering a structure from the ravages of water, but it also helps create a healthy, dry living environment throughout the home.
Types of Basement Waterproofing
There are two main ‘families’ of basement waterproofing work: interior and exterior.
Interior waterproofing might involve anything from installing interior drain tiles, sump pumps and other drainage systems to simply painting the walls. The aim is to control the water which finds its way in, either as liquid or in the form of vapor.
Exterior work includes things like exterior drainage systems, regrading and other work. These all do slightly different things but share the aim of stopping water intrusion from happening in the first place.
Common Causes of Basement Water Problems </h2>
Water can find its way through your basement’s defenses in all kinds of ways. The most common threats include:
Hydrostatic pressure:
The soil around your home contains a certain level of water at all times. The pressure that this puts on your walls and floors is called ‘hydrostatic pressure’. If this changes, say after particularly heavy rain, it can force its way through tiny cracks. In extreme circumstances, it can be strong enough to move blocks.
Poor Drainage
Rainfall usually runs off your home and is directed away through a network of gutters, downpipes and drains and compacted earth around the foundation walls (called ‘grading’). If something interferes with this process, such as a clog, this can lead to pools forming and water pushing through your walls.
Foundation Cracks
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that cracks let water through. Not all cracks are causes for concern but they do represent an easier path for water to follow.
High Water Tables
The level at which the soil around your home becomes waterlogged and can’t absorb any more is known as the water table. In many areas this is pretty deep down, but in some locations it may be at basement level. This could mean that water is constantly pushing at the slab and walls of your basement.
Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing
If you’re wondering whether you should consider investing in bringing in some waterproofing specialists, water problems tend to leave some tell-tale signs. If you notice any of the following, it might well be worth making that call:
Visual Signs
- Water stains on walls and floors
- Puddles or standing water on floors
Structural Concerns
- Cracks on floors and walls. Particularly if they seem to be growing, wet or are more than 1/8th wide.
- Efflorescence (a white, chalky residue) on walls.
Health and Comfort Issues
- Musty odors
- High humidity
- Mold and Mildew growth
Methods of Basement Waterproofing
As mentioned above, there are both internal and external work which can contribute to keeping your basement dry year-round.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing work aims to stop water from reaching your basement walls in the first place. These might include installing French drains to aid with drainage, excavating around your foundations to install waterproof coatings or membranes or even regrading the property.
As you can imagine, these are pretty disruptive techniques as they involve some heavy excavation work. That being said, the results speak for themselves.
Interior Waterproofing
When it comes to managing the water that does find a way in, interior work is the go-to. They can also be incredibly useful in dealing with water rising up through your basement slab. These works could include installing sump pumps, applying sealants and channelling water to the sump pump via interior drain tiles.
As this work all takes place within your basement, it’s generally a lot less invasive than exterior work. It’s much easier to install too, especially in an existing building.
Combination Systems
The most comprehensive solutions will combine elements of both interior and exterior work. These combination systems might be overkill for many homeowners, but they offer the maximum level of protection.
Tools and Systems
The most common tools and systems employed in waterproofing your basement include:
Sump pumps:
These consist of a float switch, a motor and an impellor. They’re placed below the surface of your basement floor in a pit called the ‘sump’. When this sump fills with enough water, the float switch is activated, turning on the motor and spinning the impellor. This creates an area of negative pressure, pulling the water up through the discharge line, connected to your drainage.
French drains:
A French drain consists of a perforated drainpipe, laid horizontally and embedded in gravel. These provide an easy route for water to follow, ensuring that you have some control over where it flows. The perforations allow water in, where it gets trapped.
Vapor Barriers and Sealants:
Vapor barriers and sealants work by physically stopping water from seeping through your walls. They range from sheets of plastic through to chemical applications which react with the concrete of your basement walls.
Dehumidifiers:
Basements are often poorly ventilated and this can lead to them becoming quite humid. All air contains a certain level of water vapor and when this can’t escape through ventilation, the level can quickly rise. Dehumidifiers pull this out of the air, avoiding issues like condensation forming.
DIY vs Professional Waterproofing
For smaller scale issues like hairline cracks or minor leaks, there’s no reason not to give it a go yourself. Most hardware stores will carry crack-repair kits and waterproof paints. Unfortunately, these DIY methods tend to address the symptoms rather than the causes of your waterproofing woes. This means they’re often temporary fixes at best.
Calling in the pros however means you can rest assured of getting a comprehensive and long-lasting solution. When dealing with professionals, they’ll not only bring their years of experience but their specialized tools and techniques too. Dealing with the problem at the root can help avoid recurring problems and head-off more serious damage down the line.
Benefits of Waterproofing Your Basement
From reducing mold and improving air quality to boosting your house prices, investing in waterproofing comes with numerous bonuses.
- Healthier environments. Mold and mildew can cause all kinds of health problems. Waterproofing takes away their environment, helping keep your home’s air clean.
- Protecting your investment. Your home is probably the most expensive thing you own. Avoiding serious structural problems caused by water ingress protects that investment.
- Increased usable space. A dry, finished basement could be anything you can think of. A home cinema, workshop, gym or even an extra, lettable apartment.
- Boosting home value. Not only does a dry basement protect your investment, it could increase it. Buyers are often willing to pay a lot more for a fully waterproofed home than a similar one which requires work.
Common Misconceptions About Waterproofing
Myth: Waterproof paint solves everything
No. It doesn’t. It’s literally a surface level solution. While waterproof paint certainly has a role to play, if you’re facing ingress issues, it’s rarely going to solve them alone.
Myth: Interior Waterproofing is All You Need
Interior waterproofing is often very effective indeed, but a truly comprehensive solution requires work both inside and outside the home.
Myth: Waterproofing is Too expensive
We’re not going to pretend that a comprehensive solution is going to come cheap, but it pales into insignificance vs the cost of repairing extensive water damage.
