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Basic Methods of Foundation Waterproofing
How to Ensure a Dry Basement and Prevent
Expensive Water Damage to your Home
By Mark J. Donovan
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At some point in the life of most homes with a basement, water in the
basement usually occurs. And when it does, there is water damage to the
basement contents and the sudden growth of unhealthy mold and mildew. Wet
basements, however, is not necessarily a foregone conclusion. By taking
proper steps during the construction of the home wet basements can be
avoided. For example, waterproofing your foundation walls should be a
standard task done during the construction of your home. |
Historically exterior foundation walls were sealed using
tar, a rubberized liquid membrane, or some other similar type of foundation
waterproofing product prior to backfilling around the foundation. The home
builder trying to cut corners may however skip this step to save himself
time and money.
If your basement becomes flooded or even leaks after a rain storm, then
chances are that foundation waterproofing was not done or that a perimeter
drain was not installed around the foundation footings.
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If you suspect this is the case
then call in a professional foundation waterproofing expert to evaluate your
home and basement to see what can be done. There are numerous solutions for
waterproofing a foundation and ensuring your basement stays dry.
Basement waterproofing solutions however can range from pricey to very
expensive, depending upon the severity of the situation. In some cases
foundation waterproofing may only involve sealing a few cracks in the
foundation walls or floor with an epoxy crack sealer. However if the basement
water problems are more severe, a foundation waterproofing sealer may need to
be applied to all of the interior basement walls and floor and/or a sump pump
installed.
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For severe basement water problems, the soil around the foundation walls may
need to be temporarily removed and the exterior foundations walls sealed, and a
perimeter drain installed. If a perimeter drain system is required, they can
also be installed in the interior of the basement foundation walls, however a
pump-up ejector tank is also required. Interior perimeter drain systems require
jack hammering up much of the concrete basement floor and installing a network
of drainage pipes that funnel ground water underneath the home into the pump-up
ejector storage tank where the water is then ejected from the home. |
Besides foundation waterproofing to eliminate basement water leaks, it’s
also important that gutters be installed and maintained properly around the
home. In addition, soil around the foundation of the home should be graded
and sloped so that roof run-off water drains away from the home.
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For more help on Finishing
Basements, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Basement Remodeling Bid sheet. The
Basement Remodeling Bid Sheet will help
ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your basement remodeling
project is done
correctly and you get the project finished on time and budget.
How to Finance your Basement Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required. Related
Basement Remodeling Information
Additional Basement Remodeling Resources
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