Ideas for Waterproofing Interior Walls

Posted by amrina alshaikh on May 20th, 2018

Moisture infiltrating the walls of your home can lead to some severe structural damage like wall displacement. More so, it can cause molds and mildew as well as severe cracks in the structure. Moisture most commonly impacts the interior walls of the basement since the groundwater and rainwater seeps through small openings in concrete basement foundations. Besides, water pressure can build up around the corners of the interior walls, which eventually causes cracking and structural damage.

Additionally, several strategies can be used to insulated interior walls, they include:

-   Sealers or Waterproof coating

Sealers or waterproof coating products are specific chemicals that are applied to wood or cement interior walls to prevent water seepage. A sealer fills in the minute gaps and pores in a material, thus, making the material water light and less likely to become swamped with liquid. Sealers can limit this leakage, which is the main cause of deterioration in concrete foundations on account of excess humidity and moisture.

-   Install a Sump Pump

A sump pump is a pipe used to remove water accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, which is usually found in the basement of homes. Installing a sump pump is an interior wall waterproofing idea that is suited for basements. A sump pump uses a centralized pit that pulls water away from interior walls and collects it using natural force.

-   Create a French Drain

A French drain is similar to the sump pump and is a plumbing system that can be used along with a sump pump. Installing a French drain requires a trench filled with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water away from the interior walls readily. The water travels freely through the pipe, which empties at a safe distance from the house, thereby lessening the chances of water seepage to the interior walls of the house.

-   Use a Water Resistant Drywall

A drywall is said to have a sound absorption ability, and hence, coating it with a sealer is not the best waterproofing coating option. If you plan on using a drywall for interior walls in a moisture prone area like a basement, use a green board. A green board is a specialized type of drywall that features green, moisture resistant wrappings.