Waterproofing Basement Walls
Basements are the most common part of the house that is prone to water damage. Basements, being underground, are very moist and humid to begin with and can become quiet flooded with a heavy rain. Water for the most part seeps in through the basement/ foundation walls. For this reason it is recommended that you waterproof these areas. When waterproofing your basement it is important to note that the various products in the market are designed to stop water from seeping through the walls. Some of the newer types of products contain a chemical similar to the consistency of rubber which allows these products to remain flexible after they dry. These types of products come highly recommended because they are able to withstand the movement that occurs when your house naturally settles.
Waterproofing your basement walls is very important but still is still only one step you should take in waterproofing your home.
Here are several ideas to waterproof your basement:
French Drains This is a drainage system that is installed inside below your basement floor when it is wet. The French drains purpose it to collect the underground water and any seepage that may come from the wet walls. You can then put a plastic drain tile pipe that is perforated and installed and then surrounded by a type of gravel. Usually these will be connected to a sump pump.Hollow Baseboard Molding/Cove Systems Where the floor connects with the wall a baseboard channel is stuck by gluing an epoxy that is waterproof. The molding will collect wet wall seepage and any water that may leak below the area. Again this type will be connected to a sump pump.
Sump pumps These are either plastic or fiberglass and it is a tank that is installed under the wet floor of the basement. Their purpose is to bring out the underground water into the sump well and then to take it out. They are also used to drain floors or to connect with several underground drainage pipes.
Wall Sealers There are many types of sealers and you can either spray them on or use a brush or roller. There is also a panel type for those that get wetter than others.
How to Do It Many people prefer to use basement sealants themselves and they do this easily by following the instructions on the back of the can but if you are someone that would rather hire a contractor to take care of this job a great place to go is Painter's Source. This is a great place to find qualified and certified people to take care of this issue. You can also find people to paint the basement when you have fixed the water leaks.