What’s so hard about waterproofing your basement?
Actually, it’s not.
The science of keeping your basement dry is the simplest use of common sense, informed knowledge and the resources that are readily available. You may find the idea of a dry and comfortable basement hard to believe, but it can be possible with waterproofing systems and designs.
As we know, a wet basement can end up being downright costly. Because it not only robs the family’s usable living space, the dampness also play host to a variety of fungi or molds that can be quite harmful to people. According to a basement waterproofing company in NJ, the dilemma can be corrected with ease and at a cheap cost yet as far as groundwater in basements is concerned. The only guaranteed remedy is to place drainage tile around the exterior of the wall structure and sump pumps within.
Source: Angie’s List
Getting Involved
Water causes leaks. Without uncovering the problem with the water source, sealing basement walls is a struggle. The soil surrounding the basement plays a big role because they absorb water and with enough pressure, they can seep forcefully through the basement walls.
Wall Planning and Patching
Securing crack and any gaps on the basement wall is done prior to coating or covering it with waterproofing agent or compound. Also, clearing the wall is also vital including removal of dirt, molds, blistered paint, and other deposits. Once the walls are cleaned, a mixture of masonry preparation like the mortar is applied to cracks and gaps on the wall. This is needed to fill all spaces on the wall for better sealing with a waterproofing coating soon after.
Source: RCC Waterproofing
Waterproofing
Basically, before coating the masonry surface with any sealing agent, a few weeks have to pass by to determine that after the waiting period, a sealant is to be applied or not. If within that time, the walls remain dry then it’s safe to bet that you don’t need to further seal your walls against water but if the wall feels damp without any visible water leaks then coating the wall with the sealing compound is ideal.
Some waterproofing products out there such as DryLok, Hydro-Set, RadonSeal are widely used, and these specialty coatings need adequate ventilation, so opening windows and using fans are needed. Applying a sealant on the masonry surface gives more take up and expansion for full waterproofing coverage.
Like any living space in the house, the basement deserves an upgrade as well or coverage against water and neglecting a wet basement seems impractical especially when you can do something about it.
It is always recommended that you take care of your basement’s waterproofing before there’s any leak. However, if you find your basement is already damp and wet, make sure you contact a reputed basement waterproofing company for professional service.
Source: YouTube
