This past winter was harsh on homes, creating wet basements and water damage caused by frozen pipes. Homeowners were left with damp and leaky basements with a costly remediation bill. As the age old saying goes, prevention is better than the cure, which means you should start planning on how to keep your home dry and damage free before the heavy rain, and snow arrive. eieihome outlines some options homeowners have when considering their waterproofing.
Tanking
Tanking is a process that can help seal your basement against moisture getting in from the outside. This process takes place on the outside of your basement walls, which means you’ll have to remove any soil against the basement walls. Once the soil has been moved, a cement coating is applied to the basement exterior wall. There are several substances that can be used, but working with a masonry expert will help ensure that the right product is found, applied correctly and your basement is resealed once more.
Exterior Foundation Drain
This system works on the outside of your foundation, where the problem usually originates. A drainage system is built along the edge of your foundation that is responsible for siphoning water away from your basement. This helps prevent moisture from penetrating the concrete, and can often eliminate the need for more expensive solutions.
Sump Pump System
A sump pump system is an important consideration for homes with basements, particularly those where the water table is high, or where water is penetrating the concrete. The sump pump will discharge the water outside the house when the water level in the sump rises. However, the setback here is that your sump pump will not operate during a power outage, so connecting it to a power generator may be required.
Interior Waterproofing
Many people choose to use an interior waterproofing substance applied to the walls of their basements. This solution works best if combined with one of the above mentioned systems. Waterproofing the interior walls of a damp basement will keep the interior dry, but it does nothing to stop moisture from penetrating the cement, which can lead to structural problems down the road.
Your best option is to work with a waterproofing expert who can look at your challenges and create a full solution for you. This will help ensure that your basement stays dry and that the integrity of your home is protected, too.
