How To Waterproof A Basement

One of the primary problems in turning a basement into a usable space is leaks. Whether you want to create a stylish rec room or just use it for your washer and dryer, no one wants a dank, damp basement. There are a few things you can do to keep the water out and prevent flooding, giving you a chance to actually use all that extra space. Basement waterproofing is not as complicated as you might think.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Walk Around The House

The first step is to walk around the outside of your house and make a few changes. The goal is to keep water away from your foundation to begin with. Check to see if the ground slopes towards or away from your foundation. If it is sloping towards, this will funnel rain water directly towards your basement. You can solve this problem quite easily, by building up a small mound of earth that changes the shape to sloping away from your house. While you are walking around the house, take a look at the rain gutters too. Make sure they are clean and working properly, and that they deliver the water runoff at least five feet away from your house.

Step 2: Check For Cracks and Holes

Next you will want to go downstairs and check for any cracks or holes in your basement wall. These are some of the more obvious entry points for moisture to get into your home, and the first stop in your basement waterproofing. If the crack is less than 1/8th of an inch, you can leave it alone for now and repair it with a standard waterproofing mix. For larger cracks you will want to use an epoxy cement mixture, or you can make your own using one part cement and two parts fine sand with a small amount of water. Use a trowel and a putty knife to fill in the cracks and seal the area.

Step 3: Repair Cracks

To repair larger holes, you will have to do a little chiseling. Chisel out a dovetail shaped space around the hole in order to give the epoxy a greater surface area to bind to. Be sure you have cleared all debris from the area before adding the compound.

Step 4: Apply Basement Waterproofing Mix

After you have completed patching your basement, you can use a basement waterproofing mix found at any hardware store. Most of these compounds work the same way, but be sure to follow the individual instructions on the packet. If you have a painted basement, the first thing you must do is remove any paint from the walls. This can be accomplished quickly with sanding or sand blasting. Next, spray a fine mist of water over the walls with a garden hose attachment in order to help the compound bond.

Step 5: Add Basement Waterproofing Compound

Now that the walls are prepared, you can add your basement waterproofing compound. Start near the floor, where problems are usually most prevalent, and work your way up the wall, using a stiff brush. Be sure to move slowly and thoroughly in order to give the mix a chance to absorb into the pores of the wall, and use a circular motion to ensure every spot is covered. Pay special attention to any of the small cracks that you noticed earlier. Allow the mix to dry.

Step 6: Add Another Coat

Once the mixture has dried on the walls, you will need to soak it down again with a garden hose and allow it to sit overnight. Once it dries, add another coat to the walls, following all the same procedures that were used the first time. Two coats should be enough to fully waterproof your walls.

Step 7: Installing a Perimeter Drain

If you still experience problems with drainage in your basement, you may want to consider installing a either a sump pump or a French drain, also known as a perimeter drain. A sump pump is installed in a drain under your floor and is used to pump water away from the house whenever it starts to gather on the basement floor.
This is particularly useful for houses that experience flooding during heavy rains. A French drain pump, on the other hand, is a slightly more extensive system. The drain is placed both along the perimeter of the basement and towards the center in order to catch any moisture that may have entered the room. Like the sump, water is then transported to a safe distance away from the house where it will not be able to reenter the basement.

Basement waterproofing is the best way to get the use of your space back. The procedure is actually not too complicated and can be completed by most any careful worker. If you follow these steps and are still experiencing significant leaking in your basement, you may wish to speak to a professional about the potential pressure of groundwater in your particular circumstances.

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