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Basement Waterproofing – A Must when Finishing a Basement
By Mark J.
Donovan
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When planning to finish
your basement it is very important to consider basement waterproofing prior to
any construction. If waterproofing is not done your finished basement may become
at risk for mold and water damage.
Installing gutters on the
outside of the house, and an outside ground topology that slopes away from the
foundation will help, but it is probably not enough. The reason for this is that
it is the level of the hydrostatic pressure that really determines how
susceptible your basement is for water leaks and dampness.
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| Hydrostatic pressure
increases proportionally with the amount of rainfall. The higher the hydrostatic
pressure, the more water in the ground. This pressure effectively pushes water
down and around the foundation. The water then seeps into the foundation walls
causing dampness in the basement. If the walls actually have cracks, the water
can literally seep through causing puddles inside the basement. The water can
also seep in between the foundation walls and footing if the hydrostatic
pressure is high enough. |
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The best way to waterproof
your basement is by relieving this hydrostatic pressure. The most dramatic way
is to dig down and around the foundation and put in sand, gravel and pipes that
will quickly drain the water away from the house, thus alleviating the pressure.
There are other methods
that are less severe and costly, such as waterproof basement sealers that can be
painted on the inside foundation walls and floor, or the installation of sump
pumps and dehumidifiers, but these solutions do not really relieve the
hydrostatic pressure.
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Instead they just work to
offset the moisture that penetrates the foundation walls and floor due to the
hydrostatic pressure.
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project is done
correctly and you get the project finished on time and budget.
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