Here Are Some Basement Waterproofing Tips You Should Know
Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of any house is the basement. And while this is certainly no fault of the homeowner (to some degree), it is nonetheless important to know the utility and importance of waterproofing your basement.
After all, if you neglect to do this, this area can be an inured host to unwanted mold and mildew after flooding.
To assist you with this problem, we’ve put together a list of how to waterproof your basement to prepare for this potential possibility—flooding—in the future.
Make sure your gutters are up to par
One of the most common reasons for basement leaks is due to roof drainage. This might seem counterintuitive to think about, since the roof is on the precise opposite of the foundation, but is still one of the most important aspects of having a dry basement.
More specifically, gutters are technically responsible for water damage and also direct water flow away from your roof. So while it is crucial to invest in an optimal, efficacious gutter, you should also make sure to clean any debris or dirt in it, too.
Apply foundation coatings
This especially applies to any damp walls or leaks. To that end, make sure to apply waterproof coatings in these areas. Most coatings can be brushed, rolled or poured onto concrete areas. You can also apply them on the inside of a concrete block or other foundation walls, too.
Overall, this is a relatively quick and easy process, and can widely depend on the size of the project in question. Please note the drying schedule can vary, but it should take about three hours in most cases—depending on how much coating was applied.
Consider using dehumidifiers
Even if there is no leakage or water damage in your basement, placing a dehumidifier could still be beneficial due to the possibility of high humidity levels. So if you are noticing that your basement’s humidity levels are exceeding 50 percent, then a well-placed dehumidifier can help get rid of this excess moisture.
If you want this to be used on a daily basis, know that most dehumidifiers can sap out about 30 to 60 pints of water from the environment. So make sure to adjust accordingly based on your basement’s humidity levels.
Use window covers
With window wells, usually, these are molded plastic or galvanized steel pieces that are attached to your home’s exterior. Typically, they’re fitted with window well covers to prevent snow buildup, water, debris and more.
If you decide to install these yourself, make sure you are taking the correct necessary steps beforehand. In other words, they need to be attached and sealed directly into the siding. Make sure to use high-quality caulking to the siding, that way you can prevent water from seeping in.
Grade and move soil away from the basement foundation
Depending on the soil level and the way it is sloping around your basement, you may have to angle it in such a way that it is deterred from adding more problems to this area.
Take a shovel or rake to dig and create at least five percent of slope that winds away from your basement walls. In addition, ensure that it extends about 10 feet away from your basement so you can deter the chances of water draining back into your home.
For our interior and exterior foundation page, make sure to check out our website—where we provide in-depth information on how to go about this in a DIY manner for your reference. In addition, we also offer products to assist with your basement or foundation waterproofing project, too, at Rexoseal.