It is past winter and spring has set in. You open the door to your basement and then you realize that you have a flooded basement with water dripping everywhere. Well, it is that time that you go in for basement waterproofing. A damp basement is not a good thing at all. Mildew, fungus and molds are harmful for children and pets. Basement waterproofing will ensure that your basement stays moisture and fairly bug free.
You might not be considering basement waterproofing at all because you are planning to go in for basement remodeling. However, even if want to do basement remodeling and give your basement a new and exciting look, basement waterproofing is something that you should certainly invest in beforehand. Imagine how prone your basement may be to getting ruined without basement waterproofing. Do you really want your time and money which had gone into remodeling your basement to be wasted? Or do you wish to have a flooded basement which is over run by moulds and water spots?
If the above information managed to garner your attention then, you should certainly think of devoting your time and money towards basement waterproofing. If you are worried about not knowing exactly how to waterproof a basement, then relax and read away. You have come to the right place to understand how to waterproof a basement. Waterproofing your basement is certainly not rocket science but yes it will involve some amount of technical understanding and practical skills and perhaps some amount of professional skills for some people.
Firstly, you should familiarize yourself to the types of basement waterproofing methods that are available. The first system under basement waterproofing is the tanking slurry system. This basement waterproofing method is the most common under all systems. It is basically a treatment for the walls. The tanking slurry which is generally quartz-cement- acrylic mixture is mixed along with water. The resulting compound is applied to the wall and forms a barrier that does not let any water seep through. This method is used when the basement is first constructed. So if you are planning to buy a house, confirm with the builder waterproofing has been done
The second method under basement waterproofing is the cavity drainage system. It is one of the most popular methods of waterproofing. A plastic honeycomb membrane is fitted with the walls and floor of the basement and a sump pump is also included. The basement has to made in such a way that the water flows from the basement floor to the sump pump. The sump pump removes the water. However, this basement waterproofing method is advisable only for areas that do not experience much rainfall. Further, this basement waterproofing method is void when there is no electricity. Also, the plastic honeycomb membrane may itself see a growth of mildew, spores and fungus.
Another basement waterproofing method that is said to be good in areas with heavy rains is the exterior foundation drain system. As the name suggests, a drain is fitted outside the basement and it diverts the water from inside to the outside through a network of pipes. These pipes have to be installed in the foundation of the house and not in the walls of the basement. The heavy rain does not even get an option to ruin the basement.
There is also the Sani-tred System that is applicable to basement waterproofing. Sani tred is a company that provides waterproofing products. Basically, this involves the use of not one but three chemicals on the inside walls of a basement. The first chemical is Permaflex that is used as primer for the flooring and walls. The second chemical is a compound that seals the cracks, joints and possible places of water leaks. Finally, permaflex is applied again and the basement is said to be water free.
However, sometimes waterproofing need not be so complicated. The ground may be sloping towards your basement and thus water may be penetrating inside. All you need to do is perhaps change the direction of the slope.
It is possible that your basement is leaking only because the foundation of the house requires repair. So check for any minor cracks or signs of disrepair. Further you may not need professional help and may be able to repair this yourself. Sometimes, the simplest solutions may be the most viable.
Now that your basement has undergone waterproofing, you must be thinking for ideas on how to finish a basement. Basement finishing is not a tough task, you just need to be creative and customize the basement according to your and your family’s needs. The question as to how to finish a basement will not bother you much if realize what it is that you are looking for. You could turn your basement into themed game room for the children. It could be a small workshop or a gym to release your stress at the end of the day or it could simply be an extra bedroom. Whatever your basement finishing ideas may be, just take out a pen, plan your budget and give your idea shape.