A flooded basement not only causes major headaches for homeowners, but it can also create a health hazard and a breeding ground for mold if not removed promptly. Read in today’s blog about some methods for keeping water out of your basement, so this issue isn’t a problem in the future.
Methods of Waterproofing Your Basement
Several methods of waterproofing your basement are available to ensure you don’t have water leakage issues or flooding down the road. Here are five methods you can employ.
- Exterior grading – There should be proper ground sloping around your home, and in particular, your basement, that slopes away from the house. This way, water is directed away from your foundation instead of pooling and collecting against it. Paved surfaces that include driveways, patios, and sidewalks adjacent to your home are area problems as well. Look for any uneven ground like bumps or ridges that don’t allow for water to drain properly. After a rainstorm or running a hose over the landscape, check to ensure your grading system is working properly and water flows away from the house.
- Gutters – For a drainage system to work correctly, a home must have gutters free of debris. If the gutters are clogged, water is forced directly off a roof and onto your foundation. The excavation ring (ground that surrounds your foundation) has packed dirt that’s looser than all the other areas on your property, which allows the soil to become saturated easier. When you minimize the amount of water collected in this area and install a drainage system (if you don’t have one already), you can prevent pooling.
- Shrub overgrowth – Shrubs are a great addition to your landscape; however, if allowed to overgrow against your foundation, it can cause basement leakage. Since water tends to follow the roots of your shrubs, water could flow towards your home if they’re too close to the foundation. To ensure this doesn’t happen, remove a shrub or plant overgrowth too close to your foundation.
- Interior waterproofing – For basements that incur small and intermittent leaks, consider interior waterproofing, which can be an effective method used to keep water out. It’s easy and pretty quick; just use sealant or waterproofing solutions on your basement walls. Depending on your wall material, there are three types of waterproofing to consider: silicate-based concrete sealer, concrete waterproof coating, and waterproofing paint. You can find these at your local hardware store.
- Repairing cracks – Water leakage can be due to cracks in your foundation, so it’s important to check for cracks in your basement walls occasionally. If there are cracks, a call to a structural engineer or foundation specialist is called for, so they can perform an inspection. If the cracks are mild, you can fix them yourself by using a vinyl concrete patch that you can mix to a thin paste consistency. However, use latex instead of water to the patch gets added elasticity and adhesion. Mix small batches at a time since the products dry quickly. After spraying your foundation crack with water, attach the patching material. Finally, use a trowel to smooth out and level the patch to your foundation’s walls.
Need Help? Contact Black Diamond Restoration
If you find yourself with leaking or basement flooding, call in the experts at Black Diamond Restoration. Located in Murray, UT, we proudly serve Salt Lake City and surrounding areas and are licensed and certified to meet the needs of our customers. Contact us to learn more.
