Waterproofing Basement Walls and Floors
If Finishing Your Basement Consider Waterproofing
Basement Walls and Floors
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Waterproofing basement walls and
floors is important whether you are planning to finish your basement or just
using it mainly for storage. Basements are notorious for having high
moisture levels, and left unchecked mold and mildew will quickly grow.
High basement moisture levels
include both high moisture vapor levels, and literally standing puddles of
water. A well thought out and implemented waterproofing basement system can
dramatically reduce both forms of basement moisture. |
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Moisture vapor enters the basement
through both the basement walls and floors. Once it hits the cold surfaces of
cold water pipes and water-holding tanks the moisture condenses into water.
Frequently you can observe this fact during summer months by seeing puddle lines
of water on the basement floor.
Water can also enter a basement in
liquid form by finding its way through cracks in the basement walls and floors.
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Waterproofing Basement Walls
Waterproofing basement walls starts
by sealing wall and floor cracks with a concrete patching compound or a
hydraulic cement sealer.
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Once the sealed cracks have dried a
watersealer compound should be applied to the inside cement basement walls.
For more extensive leaks it may be
necessary to dig around the outside basement walls and install a French
perimeter drain system, and apply a water sealer to the outside basement walls.
If water is running off of the roof
and onto the ground near the basement walls, then gutters should be installed
such that the roof water can be directed away from the home’s foundation.
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Waterproofing Basement Floors
If building a new home, install a
layer of plastic over the crushed stone before the concrete floor is poured.
This will help to reduce the amount of moisture pushing up through the concrete
floor.
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Apply a concrete patching compound or
hydraulic cement sealer around the perimeter of the concrete floor, next to the
basement walls, to seal potential leaks. Then apply a basement water sealer to
the basement floor.
Again, if there is significant water
seepage via the basement floor, it may be necessary to dig around the outside
basement walls and install a French perimeter drain system and apply a water
sealer to the outside basement walls. Gutters should also be installed if water
is running off of the roof and onto the ground near the basement walls.
Other Waterproofing Basement Tips
Wrap all cold water pipes with a
plastic foam pipe wrap and seal the cracks and seams with electrical tape. Make
mitered cuts (45o angles) with the foam pipe wrap to ensure tight
connections.
Also wrap the well water storage tank
with a plastic blanket wrap to eliminate sweating. Again, tape all seams.
Install a dehumidifier in the
basement. A dehumidifier can dramatically reduce the moisture vapor levels
within the basement.
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 from
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