By James Caulking and hydraulic cement are easy DIY solutions to stop leakage from the inside of your basement walls, but these measures only serve as temporary measures – not permanent solutions to address underlying issues.
Installing an external or internal drainage system to keep moisture out can help address wet basement issues and in the following article, I’ll tell you how to take care of it yourself or call the professionals in.
Drainage
Drainage is the cornerstone of any waterproofing system. The aim is to prevent an accumulation of water in your basement, as damp conditions can breed mold and mildew which is harmful to health, create wood rot that weakens structural components in your home, as well as be unusable and uncomfortable for residents. While there are various means available to you in waterproofing your basement, installing a drainage system may be the most efficient and long-term solution.
Your best defense against basement floor drain backups is to regularly clear them. You can do this using either a plunger or pouring boiling water down the drain; either method should clear out your trap and stop unpleasant odors from coming through your drains. In addition, it is wise to empty your septic tank every three to five years for best results.
If your basement floor drain is consistently backing up, this could be a telltale sign of other issues which need to be resolved. There may be structural damage or improper foundation drainage systems at play here; for best results it would be wise to hire an expert inspector and repairer who can inspect and address these issues quickly and efficiently.
Sealing
No matter if it comes from cracks in the foundation or leaky windows, moisture in your basement must be addressed quickly to protect its contents and the health of both home and contents. Moisture encourages mold and mildew growth which in turn leads to wood rot or structural damage – so waterproofing the basement may be your solution.
Waterproofing methods that can be reversed, like applying concrete sealer or silicate sealer on painted walls, can effectively control basement moisture without needing major foundation repairs or excavations. Hiring one of many professional basement waterproofing companies is typically recommended. They’re often less costly than alternative solutions like weeping tile installation or French drains done by yourself.
However, interior techniques don’t address the source of moisture – the failure of gutters and downspouts to redirect rainwater away from the house and prevent overflow. Blocked or overflowing gutters or downspouts may direct excess rainwater straight against foundation walls with devastating results.
Cracked walls that allow moisture in can be the result of improper foundation settlement or construction, soil compaction or movement due to ground settlement, or simply ground movement itself. Addressing these issues as well as making sure the basement is ventilated and dehumidified properly can help mitigate moisture problems before they appear.
Insulation
Insulating interior walls is the next step in waterproofing basement walls, and while there are numerous methods available, you should make sure the underlying concrete is dry before beginning this step.
Moisture can seep into insulation, wood studs, drywall and other materials causing significant damage; an effective test to identify moisture can use plastic sheeting taped over an impermeable duct tape border and left for 48 hours in place on an impermeable wall with any condensation occurring; any signs indicate moisture issues which should be resolved prior to installing insulation materials.
Moisture issues typically result from groundwater overflow or seepage through cracks in a foundation’s structure, although leaky windows or an improper sump pump could also contribute. Before insulating walls with insulation material as seen here, it’s vitally important to address all external sources of moisture such as redirecting downspouts, building yard drainage systems and French drains around your house, as well as grading away soil from foundation.
Before insulation, apply a waterproofing coating to bare basement walls with masonry waterproofing products available from hardware stores. Most can be easily applied by brush, roller or spray. Before sealing with sealer it is essential to remove all paint or other finishes as well as patch any cracks with hydraulic cement before using sealers; efflorescence, which forms due to constant moisture exposure must also be eliminated by either scraping off or dissolving with muriatic acid.
Hydraulic cement can also help seal any tie rod holes in the basement walls, as when houses are constructed small steel rods may be used to help support concrete while it settles – these should then be removed later, however leaving them in place can allow water into your cellar through holes left by them and hydro sealant is an effective way to seal these. In addition, polystyrene boards offer both thermal insulation and vapor barriers.
Drying
Beginning the waterproofing process requires getting your basement dry first. Doing this will protect both you and your belongings from mold and mildew growth that could pose health risks, as well as other forms of moisture intrusion from surface water or groundwater sources, humidity conditions or activities like using an unvented dryer for laundry.
No matter its source, moisture must be eliminated as soon as possible in order to avoid permanent damage and make cleaning the area easier. A wet-dry vacuum or shop van capable of handling large volumes of water may be useful tools in doing this task. Once this task is accomplished, any structural damages caused by moisture can be repaired and waterproofing your basement begun.
Most often, basement water comes from drainage issues or soil conditions (https://extension.umn.edu/moisture-and-mold) which can be solved by either repairing existing drains or adding new ones, or by installing a waterproofing system; though this latter solution requires professional assistance.
Waterproofing methods such as painting on a liquid barrier or plastic sheeting are only temporary solutions; they don’t stop or redirect water away from your home. In order to fully waterproof a home, it is necessary to install an effective drainage system which will move it away from it.
Prevention is the key to protecting basement moisture and protecting your possessions. This can be accomplished by eliminating foundation plantings or garden beds requiring frequent watering, as well as by making sure gutters and downspouts work as intended to divert rainwater away from the house. Grading the yard so it slopes away at least 2 percent from your house is also recommended.