Basement Waterproofing System

Full height basements are common in areas of the US where the foundation of a home needs to placed below the frost level. Unfortunately, basements are susceptible to water infiltration. You can reclaim the usable space in your basement by investing in a basement waterproofing system. The type of system you choose to employ will depend on your foundation construction, basement conditions and budget.

What Causes Water Infiltration

Prior to the construction of your home, a big hole was dug in your yard. Next, the footing and the walls of your home were constructed. Loose dirt was then poured to fill the footing and the floor was then laid between the walls. A drain pipe is installed next. Finally, loose soil is filled over the pipe and around the exterior of the foundation walls. In short, your house is set in a bowl of hard earth, surrounded by highly absorbent loose soil and relying on a small pipe for proper drainage. Eventually, the drainpipe clogs up and runoff water begins to force its way into your basement through the cracks and crevices of your basement walls and floor. Or worse, the drainpipe is improperly installed, being to low to drain to a storm sewer or to an open area down and away from your home, and no sump pump has been installed to correct for this problem.

Fixing The Leak

One basement water proofing system can actually be found on your roof: gutter systems collects water running off the roof and divert it away from your home. Landscape grading is another means of helping to drain away excess water. Neither grading or gutters can prevent water accumulating around your basement walls.

If water seepage into your basement is minimal you may be able to use interior water proofing systems. Interior waterproofing coatings use liquid rubber or latex compounds that penetrate brick and concrete to provide an effective seal against water. You can apply these compounds yourself.

It may take two or three coats to properly seal a wall.

For serious water problems it may be necessary to excavate around your basement walls and install a new drainage system or install a sump-pump system. Both of these options are relatively expensive and require careful planning and selection of a qualified basement waterproofing professional.

Another basement waterproofing alternative is installing a baseboard drainage system. This method can only be used on monolith or floating floors. It entails drilling holes into the floor or walls to allow excess water to come to the surface. This water is directed into a special baseboard and then drained away to a sump pump. Some baseboard systems can be self-installed.