Basement Waterproofing – Are You Ready For The Rain?

Did you know that your home is surrounded by water? It’s true. When it rains or the snow melts, the soil around your basement retains water and moisture. This moisture retention is not usually a problem until the soil becomes saturated. The excess water will then look for places to go and may end up in your basement. 

The best material to use when building foundations and basements is concrete. Concrete is used for it’s great strength, but it has very poor waterproofing capabilities. Over the years, concrete walls and footings will crack and these little cracks, sometimes no more than hairlines, can allow moisture to seep into your basement. This is when the excess water in the soil around your house can become a problem. 

These basement leaks can create all sorts of problems. Standing water can develop unpleasant odours, particularly after the appearance of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can germinate in the smallest amount of moisture and without proper prevention or removal, can cause breathing problems or aggravate allergies. Basement dampness can damage wood floors and wood paneling and cause carpets to rot. In severe cases, your furniture and basement finishing can be damaged from the water leakage. 

Before you begin waterproofing your basement, you should make sure that you have a proper drainage system. Gutters should be kept clean of leaves and twigs and the base extended to carry water away from the home. The grade of the soil should slope away from the home. If this is not the case, try to adjust the slope of the yard. It this is not possible, you may need to install an in-ground drainage system made of weeping tiles to carry the water away from the basement walls. 

Remember that if there is a current leak or dampness in your basement, you should perform a careful inspection to find the cause of the leakage. Are there cracks in the walls? Are the foundations of the house weak and need to be reinforced? Any repairs will have to be done before the basement is waterproofed. Otherwise, the problem may come back. 

If you have an unfinished basement, now is the best time to waterproof it. Carry out any wall repairs before you install drywall to avoid costly water damage repairs. To ensure that your basement is properly waterproofed, retain the services of a professional waterproofing company to ensure that everything is done to code and to avoid potential future problems. 

Waterproofing a basement is substantial undertaking. In order to apply a coat of waterproofing, your contractor will need to dig about six feet down right next to the basement wall. The waterproofing product must be applied directly to the cement wall. As this require the appropriate equipment and a specific skill set, you should hire a professional to do the job. Not only will he have the experience and expertise necessary, he will also be insured. Your professional will guarantee his work, which considering the extend of the renovation, will give you peace of mind.