A Guide To Basement Waterproofing Systems

It is amazing how common it is for moisture to invade a person's home. Many people think that, as long as they live somewhere that isn't prone to torrential downpours or high humidity levels, they don't have to worry about basement waterproofing systems or doing any kind of waterproofing at all. Does it surprise you to learn that many basement floods and water damage comes from moisture generated from within the home? It's true! What's more, the moisture levels in basements are naturally higher than the rest of the house because there are fewer ways to relieve moisture in the basement as there are in the rest of the house.

If you are interested in basement waterproofing systems, here is some information that can help you figure out the methods that are right for you.

1. External Basement Waterproofing Systems. One of the most common external waterproofing systems is called "tanking." This is when a membrane or other type of bonding substance (the most effective products are polymer based) are applied to your basement's outside walls. It is best to do this while your home is being built, obviously, as after it is built the basement is typically underground.

2. Another external type of basement waterproofing system is an outside drainage system. This involves constructing the basement so that the floors slope toward the sump pump and installing a honeycomb membrane made of thin plastic on the floors and on the walls. This will ensure that any water that enters your basement will be quickly removed.

3. Some people employ a "French Drain" or "Exterior Fountain Drain." These are primarily installed on homes that are built in areas of the country that are prone to heavy rainfall and inclement weather. This drain is a drainage mechanism that is constructed on your foundation's outside wall and moves the water through a drainage system in the ground and away from the walls of your basement.

4. Interior basement waterproofing systems aren't technically waterproofing but they will help your basement keep moisture from creeping in and turning your otherwise completely functional basement into a breeding ground for mold and mildew. With interior systems, a coating is spread over the walls and floors of the basement. This coating will act as a sort of "sealant' to the room, making it much harder for moisture and water to seep through the walls and floors of your basement. It will also keep mold and mildew from forming.

Of course, if you want to be very prepared, you will want to take advantage of both interior and exterior basement waterproofing systems. This means not only will you need to be very specific with the needs of your home as it is being built, but you will need to apply the interior coating before you decide on decoration or furnishings for your basement. With homes being so expensive, you want to make sure you do everything in your power to keep your home as structurally sound as possible. Using basement waterproofing systems is one of the best ways to keep your home structurally sound.