Waterproofing a basement

Waterproofing a basement

When looking at options for waterproofing a basement there are only three.  You can waterproof your basement from the outside, from the inside or a combination of both to some degree.

You should start by identifying what type of problem you have.  Most basements have either a problem with surface water getting to the walls or ground water building up from below.  The symptoms of each are quite different.  For the most part surface water problems will lead to wet basement walls and ground water problems lead to wet basement floors.

If you have wet basement walls that are wet more than just at the bottom row or two you likely have a surface water intrusion into the basement wall from the outside.  This causes bubbling paint, white powder on the walls, mortar rot and can lead to weakness and cracking of the foundation. Waterproofing a basement from the outside will restore the exterior seal of the basement / foundation wall preventing water and dampness from getting to it.  Our multi step process starts with excavation of the basement walls to the bottom of the footer exposing the entire foundation.  Next we clean the surfaces for a thorough inspection looking for weak points and cracks. We them repair the basement foundation cracks and weak points before applying a full seal coating to your basement walls.   The “icing on the cake” is the unique dimpled air gap basement waterproofing membrane that is bonded to your foundation walls resulting in a guaranteed dry foundation wall.  New PVC footer drains are installed with gravel and the soil is put back with a nice positive grade away from the foundation walls.

Waterproofing a basement from the outside
Exterior basement waterproofing membrane for permanently dry foundation

 

Note: It is very important that your roof water is directed away from the foundation.  Overflowing gutters and improperly draining downspouts are major contributors to wet basements and wet basement walls.

You may not need exterior basement waterproofing if you have paint on your basement walls that is more than a year old and it still looks like it did when you painted it.  Basements that leak water on to the floor through the seam where the wall meets the floor typically are a result of ground water build up.  These issues may result in wet basement walls at the bottom row or two but the remainder of the wall is all or mostly dry.  Waterproofing a basement from the inside may be a great option if this is your basement.  In fact, if you have water under the basement floor the only way to dry that up is from the inside.  Exterior drains will not get water under the floor since the foundation separates the two areas.

On top of footer gutter
Level water trough installed on top of footer has no slope to drainage point and holds water

Waterproofing a basement from the inside, commonly called interior basement systems, involve drainage installed under the basement floor relieve the “hydro-static pressure” or water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation. There are many companies that offer this type of solution for wet basements but they can vary greatly in design and performance.  Look out for systems that are level.  Level water trough systems that are installed on top of the footer or next to the footer hold water.  Only when water fills the trough can it build up movement as it seeks a level and make its way to the drain point.

Look for a system that is a true interior footer drain.  A true interior footer drain is installed in a trench down next to the footer and it slopes down hill towards the drainage point, usually a sump pump system.  There should be about 1/2″ fall for every 10 feet of drain pipe to promote a good flowing drain and many municipalities actually require this method.

 

 

 

If your basement has mostly ground water issue and some areas of the basement walls are wet, a combination of interior and exterior basement waterproofing may be a good solution.  In some cases there is a wet spot on a basement wall that is not reasonably accessible from the outside.  An interior waterproofing system for the wall may be a good alternative in this case.  Interior basement waterproofing panels are non permeable, meaning non porous.  So they will not grow mold or mildew in them and they are a vapor barrier as well.  This stops any wicking or transmission of exterior dampness into your basement space and it is a permanent, maintenance free solution.

Waterproofing a basement from the inside with waterproof wall panels

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System brightens up your space and is maintenance free!

 

No two basements are identical and there is no one size fits all solutions for wet basements.  Be on the look out for basement waterproofing companies that have a “system” that they are promoting.  Typically they are patented or the sales person says they are the only ones who install a particular product or technique.  This is a marketing ploy to attempt to stand out in the crowd. The best companies will have capability to customize any solution to fit your needs and solve your wet basement problems whether waterproofing a basement from the inside or the outside.

Call Pioneer today for a free consultation with no sales pressure and no gimmicks. get-arrow

Award winning service since 1979.  No other basement waterproofing company has a better reputation than Pioneer when it comes to waterproofing a basement

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