Waterproofing A Basement - What You Need To Know

Wet basements are more than just a headache for millions of homeowners everywhere; they are also a source of major problems from basement mold to foundation cave-ins. This is why waterproofing a basement that leaks are extremely important.

Being able to utilize your basement has never been more popular with homeowners. It's basically "free" square footage that can greatly enhance the value of any home, as well as give your family added rooms to live in.

When it comes to waterproofing a basement, you have a couple of different options:

-You can do it yourself.

-You can hire a professional waterproofing contractor.

Do It Yourself

Going the do-it-yourself route may work with minor basement leaks in the walls. But if you are experiencing a flooded basement whenever it rains or have water coming in through multiple cracks in the walls or foundation, and then doing it yourself will not be a good option.

If you are going to do the job yourself, be sure to prepare the walls first. Brush off loose mortar, dirt and other contaminants.

Next, take a wire brush and get rid of old paint. Then patch cracks with a concrete patch designed for basements.

Finally, get a good quality waterproof coating to apply on the surfaces. You will need to apply a minimum of 2 coats and in some cases 3 coats. Don't just apply one coat. The basement will undoubtedly begin leaking again with a heavy rain.

Hiring A Waterproofing Contractor

If your basement leaks in several places or floods during a rain, you will need to hire a professional contractor to waterproof the basement for you.

The thing to keep in mind here is that not all waterproof companies are the same, and the lowest bid may not always be the best option. I talk about this in detail in another article on the website.

Waterproofing a basement and eliminating the problem isn't as difficult as it may first appear. Once you assess the problem and determine how extensive the leaks are, you can then take the necessary steps to fix it and have a completely dry basement.