Introduction
Waterproofing your basement is an important part of home improvement. It can protect your belongings from moisture, mold and mildew, and other issues that could lead to damage. There are many methods for waterproofing basements and choosing the right one for your home can be tricky because there are so many options out there. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most popular options for waterproofing your basement: sealers, membranes, and paints
Waterproofing using sealers
Sealers are a popular option for basement waterproofing. They’re easy to apply, easy to maintain, and inexpensive.
- They can be applied over existing concrete floors (or walls, ceilings and/or crawl spaces) using a brush or spray gun.
- When applied with a brush, the sealer dries in about an hour and requires no other treatment after it’s dry (such as sanding).
- When applied with a spray gun, however—particularly when used on porous surfaces like concrete—the dry time is longer: 4-6 hours at room temperature; 8-12 hours at 50°F below zero; 24+ hours at 70°F below zero; 48+ hours at 100°F below zero.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing is the most common way to waterproof a basement. It involves building a wall around the outside of your home that can be sealed with concrete or stucco, depending on your climate and how much money you want to spend.
In order to do this, first you need to find out if there are any areas where water could potentially get through—this will help determine what type of material should be used for your exterior wall. If there are no problems with rain coming in from above or below ground levels, then exterior waterproofing may not be necessary at all; however, if this situation exists then it’s likely best suited for concrete walls instead of bricks because concrete has better staying power than brick does over time (and these days everyone knows about how bad things can get when it comes time for repointing).
Interior Waterproofing
Interior waterproofing is a good choice if you want to keep your basement dry and free from moisture. This method can be applied in basements that are not accessible from the outside, but it’s also great for those who want an easy way to prevent water damage without having to dig up their home.
Interior waterproofing can be done with a variety of different materials, depending on what type of material will work best in your situation. Some options include:
- Paints and stains (e.g., latex paints)
- Cementitious products (e.g., urethane sealants)
French Drains Drainage Matrix
French drains are trenches that collect water that runs off the basement floor. These are installed under the floor and connected to a sump pump, which pumps water out of the area and into the drain. They can be installed by a professional or DIYer, depending on how much experience you have with waterproofing projects.
Interior Pipe Systems
In the interior pipe system, pipes are installed in the walls of your basement and connected to a sump pump. The pipes are connected to a drainage system and can be connected to a French drain as well. The main advantage of this method is that it’s easy to install, but you’ll have to pay more for it because it requires more labor than other methods do.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are used to remove water and sewage from a basement. They’re installed in the lowest part of the basement, and they can be powered by electricity or by a battery. There are two types of sump pumps: manual and automatic.*
- Manual Sump Pumps – Manual sump pumps use paddles on either side of their body to push water out of your home’s drainage system. The paddles resemble oars on an old boat, so they’re sometimes called “oarlocks” because of their shape.
- Automatic Sump Pumps – Automatic sump pumps use internal switches that turn off when there’s no water present in them (because you’ve flushed toilets). This prevents damage from occurring if someone leaves their toilet lid up overnight without flushing first!
Hiring professional waterproofer
Hiring a professional waterproofer is the best way to waterproof your basement. Professionals have the experience, know-how, and equipment needed to do it right, often at a lower cost than DIY methods. But before you shell out money for someone who knows what they’re doing (and how much it will cost), make sure that you understand what’s involved in hiring an experienced professional:
- Professional installers or Basement Waterproofing marietta will be able to evaluate your home’s current foundation conditions and recommend modifications if necessary before beginning any work on your basement flooring or walls. This can help prevent problems down the road such as leaks caused by poor foundations or cracks caused by settling around windowsills where water could seep in through cracks during heavy rainstorms.
Using membranes to prevent water penetration
Membranes are a great way to waterproof your basement without having to spend much money. They’re also a good choice if you want to install them yourself, but they’re not as effective as other methods.
You can use membranes with any of the following methods:
- Spray foam insulation – Spray Foam Insulation is an easy way to waterproof your basement and will prevent water penetration into walls and floors by creating an airtight seal between the material used (spray foam) and its supporting structure (your home). This makes it ideal for areas where there’s already some water damage or mold growth because it eliminates moisture from entering your home through cracks in walls or woodwork before it can cause damage elsewhere within the structure itself; however, this method does require some maintenance work after installation so make sure that all holes left open during installation have been sealed off using caulk or caulking compound before proceeding further with work required.
Waterproofing paints
Waterproofing paints are a cheap and easy way to waterproof your basement. They’re often used for small areas, such as the walls and floors of a bathroom or utility room. You can also use water-resistant paint on concrete walls if you want to seal cracks or pipes that run through the basement walls.
However, there’s one major drawback: these types of paints require a lot of preparation beforehand. And once you’ve painted over those areas with waterproofing paint? Well…you’ll probably want an entire new set just because it was so messy!
You can waterproof your basement on a budget
You can waterproof your basement on a budget.
It is cheaper than hiring a professional, but it will not be as effective. The best option is to hire a contractor who has experience in this area and can ensure that the job is done correctly.
Conclusion
If you want to waterproof your basement and protect it from water damage, there are several different methods that can be used. The best solution is to hire a professional who can install the materials correctly so that they do not leak. Otherwise, choose one of the other options above and start saving money today!
