Have you found out the best basement waterproofing method?

Posted by Larry Taggart on November 11th, 2017

There is no single best basement waterproofing method and it has to be chosen on the basis of specific cases. Professional waterproofing contractors will first see your basement and would suggest the best solution for wet basement. If followed properly the effort will alleviate the problem once for all.

Let us see the most common solutions here. First one will be epoxy crack injection that is done to plug the cracks on foundation walls. Next would be polyurethane injection that repairs basement wall cracks and stops water from seeping in. If the cracks are deeper and cannot be repaired by these interior waterproofing methods then exterior excavation will be needed in which the cracks will be repaired from outside.

Sometimes, waterproofing contractors install interior perimeter drain for stopping water seepage from concrete block or cinder block-based walls. The water collected beneath the basement is then drained out. There is another technique known as window well drain installation that prevents water from entering your basement from areas around the basement windows. Finally installing a sump pump for providing a drainage point beneath the basement floor for the collected water is a permanent solution.

But some contractors may use inefficient systems and you should be aware of such means. Many of them are easily available in the market but come with technical deficiencies. These methods either are not successful or not long lasting or cause significant damage to the foundation walls. For example, applying tar or coatings to the interior surface of the foundation wall to seal the cracks is not a good idea. This does not stop water from seeping into the basement causing harm to the structure. Many contractors would suggest applying a layer of hydraulic cement to stop basement leaks. This also will not stop the problem in the long run. Some will do a quick job without repairing the entire crack making it useless in few years time. If a rubber membrane is used over a crack in poured concrete foundation, water inside will drain to the gravel layer causing serious damage to the basement floor. Exterior excavation methods should also be done properly. We have seen many contractors use wooden board or a styrofoam sheet for outdoor wall surface sealing along with application of tar which is not a permanent solution.

Parging of the interior surface of a cinder block or concrete block foundation wall crack cannot stop seepage of water. You must remember that do-it-yourself repair kit does not always work for repairing basement cracks. Some good waterproofing contractors however can use it effectively adopting proper techniques. They have qualified workmen for such repair jobs. They will never use ineffective methods like internally tuck pointing horizontal mortar joint cracks for cinder block foundation walls. In cases of structural reinforcement best basement waterproofing has to be used. If you wish to get the best results, contact the agency immediately after spotting dampness in your basement floor or walls or crawling space. If you neglect this for a longer time the damage becomes severe in nature and you may have to spend a lot money to fix the problem.

Let the waterproofing contractors assess the nature of water seepage and decide on the best basement waterproofing options.