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Basement Waterproofing Materials and Uses

Basement waterproofing materials can vary significantly in their forms and their uses. Some will be available to the public and some may only be available to the trade. Let's assess the situation and see how we can apply it to your home.

The area in which you live is going to affect the amount of water around you. So take that into consideration as this will also influence the type of materials you can use.

When most people look for basement waterproofing products they usually think of simple sealants. They did waterproofing at the basement already; however, some areas are moist so they need restoration. RadonSeal being one of the top-end sealants treats poured concrete, mortar in block walls or stone foundations and concrete or cinder blocks.

If the whole basement including the walls and floor are not treated completely with sealant the water is likely to come back in. As it comes with a limited 20-year guarantee, this product is a practical option. Sealant is a potential problem to be aware of, (not just this one, but all sealants)as water weeping can be avoided from the inside part of the basement. Putting this another way, there can be a large quantity of fluid pushing against and through the materials from which the cellar walls are constructed.

Other avenues will need to be explored if you have cracks in the wall. Plaster coating can be used to the existing plaster if that is what the walls are made from. Throw away loose material and refill

One other option which is available is to use a stitching material. These consist of metal staples which are literally stapled across the cracks, thus preventing or limiting further movement. Any type of cement that is not prone to shrinkage can then be used to fill up any cracks.

A form of concrete that is sprayed on called Gunite can be used for serious cracks in the walls or floors of the basement. You'll need special spraying equipment to do this which you can hire. The spray that results fills cracks, giving a smooth finish, provided the correct mixture is obtained. However it does stick to most surfaces so it's a good option.

Ultimately, it must be remembered that basement waterproofing materials are not the final, only or the best solutions. In addition, you should be making sure there is as little water as possible getting into the ground water.

Also think about:

 

- maintaining rain gutters that are in excellent shape.

 

 

- the soil is graded so that it slopes away from the foundation of the house

 

 

- grass can be seeded around the foundations once the flower beds, bushes and trees have been removed

 

 

- patching cracks in the driveway.

 

 

- put in some curtain drains to move water from the surface away from the base of the home

 

 

- installing dry wells for rainwater downspouts at least 10 ft. from the house.

 

 

- installment of sump pumps.

 

 

- water can be routed to a floor drain through the use of interior gutters in the basement walls