The last thing you want in your basement floor is a moisture or water problem. They can range from anything as small as initial wet patches to extreme problems. But proper waterproofing can always help in addressing the issue. If you can find the source of the problem, it will be easy to take preventative and corrective measures.
Sloping Soil
The angle of the soil around the basement can be a reason behind moisture problems. Make sure that the soil slopes away from your house so that rainfall doesn’t collect against the basement walls. As a minimum standard, the soil must slope down 6 inches across 4 feet from the wall. Make sure that it doesn't slope in a way that water runs towards the foundation walls.
If it is required to improve grading, you could use clean fill dirt for building up the soil around your house. Fill and compress the soil to the right slope and finish it off with topsoil. Adding grass can help ensure that the soil remains in its place. You could also use mulch or stone as a replacement.
Chances are that the moisture problem is arising because of certain landscaping treatments that result in holding soil close to your house. If you have installed timber, stone or brick landscape edging around your flower beds, it could prevent water drainage and cause basement flooding.
Install Proper Gutter Systems
Basement leakage is commonly caused due to roof drainage. The roof surface is large and can collect a lot of water. You should have well designed gutters with 1 downspout per 600 sq ft of the roof surface. Make sure that these gutters always remain clean so that they don't fill up and lead to overflowing near the basement.
The downspouts should also have their ends at least 4 feet away from the foundation. If they are not, you will be simply adding all the water into your basement.
You could also install plumbing that carries away all the discharge away into the street or some other area. The pipes should be at an angle towards the point of discharge so that water flows away. However, make sure that your local building codes allow this. Besides, this shouldn’t be done using soft and flexible pipes which are usually used by landscapers. They will usually get crushed and could create a larger problem.
Waterproofing Paints
This is an excellent way to waterproof your basement. There are various types of sealants and paints that can be either sprayed or rolled over the basement floors and walls. This is a better way to waterproof the area as it’s relatively inexpensive. However, it is not a foolproof system. It can help in reducing minor leaks and condensation, but larger water problems need major fixes. You will have to continuously apply new coats of paint as constant presence of moisture can cause flaking.
Exterior Waterproofing
You can consider addressing the water problem in the foundation from the outside. However, this is going to cost you more. The strategy will require digging a trench around the basement. Some waterproofing membrane is used for selling the wall and then a drainage system is created around it. It will help in diverting all the water away.
Cement Basement
If you have cement basement, patching, edging and painting can help secure it. Patching will help in filling up any crack that could allow access to water. If you have an old home, the edges are likely to separate from the walls. So you will need to apply concrete to the edges. Then apply multiple layers of waterproofing paint to keep the moisture out.
These are some of the most effective strategies to help you waterproof your basement floors.
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