There are many types of materials you can use in waterproofing the basement. The area you live in affects the amount of moisture you will be expecting. Some waterproofing materials are better suited in some particular areas. One of the most important things to remember when waterproofing the basement is to have the land properly graded for water to channel away from the house. About ten feet from the house, the land must be graded so that the ground level reduces by one inch per foot. That must be enough to invite water to drain away from the house.
You need to decide of the type of basement waterproofing system to be use when it comes to basement waterproofing materials. French drains or land drains can be used to drive water away from the house. It includes a system made of gravel, ditches, and pipe that invite groundwater to the pipe and away from the basement of the house. However, this type of drainage system can be clogged by dirt and routes.
Drainage systems, including a main floor drain in the basement, are effective in routing water out of the basement. These systems should be put in place when the basement is first built. Piping can be placed along the walls and under the basement flooring before pouring the concrete floor. This system can use a sump pump for continuous removal of water from the basement. Water is then routed away from the house to areas where water is not going to cause problems.
Sump pumps can be electrically ran and be battery backed up in case of failure. Routine maintenance must be done on sump pumps yearly. It is done more often if the area is prone to water problems. Maintenance of the drainage system pipes is important for it not to clog. Gutters and downspouts should be checked always to be free of damages.
Painted on sealants is a way of waterproofing a basement and avoiding future basement water leaks. Sealing the concrete works best in areas that don’t get much moisture. It is painted on to the interior of the basement. Water can get the way up to that point but it will not seep the way to the basement. Having the concrete deals with much hydrostatic pressure continuously without any system to assist with the waterproofing.
Special channels can be installed along the interior walls of the basement. Small series of holes found along the base of the wall, close to the floor, invites the water into the channel. The inside part of these small piping, water is carried away using a sump pump system; these can be hidden behind walls in finished basements.
