Hummingbird Group
Waterproofing your basement is not easy work. Quick fixes like clearing the gutters alone or coating the wall inside the basement will not fix a humidity issue. To do it properly, you should do a combination of single projects that will make the difference in your house. There are yard, exterior, and interior methods to stop the water from damaging your home.
Yard
Grade the soil away from the home
Here, you’re going to create a slope that extends downward and away from the foundation wall. To prevent the water from coming back to the house, make sure that the slope has 10 feet of extension, and remember to keep the soil away from the siding.
Create a drainage system
Developing a robust drainage system of catch basins that receive downspout water will carry the water far away from the house along buried sewer pipes. The ideal situation is all the downspout water should drain to the property line or as close as possible.
French drains
Build or fix the french drains. It is important to identify the areas in the yard where the water moves back toward the house or colletes, and install the french drain there.
Barriers
In areas that are below grades like windows or doors, creating barriers is a great option to act as dams to hold backwater.
Exterior
Add or fix well window covers
Window well covers are designed to prevent soil collapse, avoid debris in your window, and they can also help with moisture infiltration. Using the window covers to enclose the window wells will prevent water and snow from reaching the window.
Waterproof the seal on the foundation wall
Here you can waterproof or damp-proof the foundation wall. Regardless of the methods you choose, the most important one is to apply the specific material multiple times to achieve the right thickness.
Gutters and downspouts
Here they are again, it’s essential to have them if you want to keep your house and your foundation safe from the water and help you save a lot of money in foundation repair. However, you have to keep them in good condition — fix sagging gutters so that they have a proper slope, fix loose downspouts and add extensions, seal gutters to prevent leaks, and clear out clogged gutters and downspouts.
Interior
The best scenario is to ensure that all the outside methods work, and you will be fine. However, basements are a complicated area and need special attention. If you want to make sure there are no flaws in the waterproofing process, you should do the interior as well.
Sump pump
If you have problems with groundwater intrusion, this is for you. A sump pump can also clear flooding within the basement. If you know that, and already have one, keep it well maintained to avoid problems.
Interior foundation coatings
The waterproofing coatings are a ready-mix product that comes in a roll or brush to put on the concrete block, poured concrete, or other types of masonry foundation walls. Usually, it is a quick application, it takes around 3 hours to dry, and it is a product that comes in white or neutral colors, but you can add the color of your preference. This will be the last step of your waterproofing project.
Dehumidifiers
A desirable range for humidity in the basement is 30-50%, so if your basement is over 50%, it is time to install a dehumidifier. This will keep the humidity in the right range and will maintain a proper climate.
This is our last article about waterproofing basements. Now, you have all the knowledge to do the work in your house or hire a professional to do the job.
Combining the waterproofing methods in the yard, exterior, and interior are the best solutions to avoid future problems with infiltration, mold, and mildew.
Recent Comments