What is Waterproofing A Basement All About?
How do waterproofing systems work in the basement and what exactly are they?
To answer that question, let’s first look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and how it is supposed to work.
If you imagine how a basement is first built, when the house it is sited in was first conceived, then basically the following happens. A big hole in the ground is dug, the footer or foundations are laid, the walls of the basement are built and then the rest of the house follows.
That big hole in the ground, the first on the list above is important to note.
When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls which needs to be filled. Loose backfill is used to fill in the gap. No matter how well the backfill is compacted, it is still backfill and water seeks the places of little resistance.
This area is going to have water constantly seeping into it. Sometimes, creating a problem is the drainpipe that gets full of silt contained in many systems when waterproofing a basement. As the water comes it brings all sorts of suspension with it and that is to be expected as it is natural. When these pipes get filled the system overloads and a lot of water pressure gets applied to the outside walls of the basement. If there are crevices in the walls, water will push through even if the basement walls are waterproofed.
This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.
A huge problem is that often there isn’t access to these pipes. Basement waterproofing is also applied to the external walls of the basement to try and keep the water out. Usually this is called a tanked system.
A better basement waterproofing system, such as the drained cavity basement waterproofing system, works by getting rid of the water pressure on the walls. To protect the property water is controlled, collected and then made to pass through hidden drainage channels which are either natural drainage or sump pumps.
Waterproofing a basement is when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing silt, and can be installed in basements where other methods have failed.
So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:
- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods
You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.
In conclusion, you want a basement waterproofing system that will deliver:
- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods
While you are getting the house made you need to realize that waterproofing is more of an investment in the value of your house rather then an expense.
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