Waterproofing Your Basement - Simple Steps You Can Take

If you are planning to turn your basement into a family room or finish it for other uses, being sure it stays dry is critical. For most every homeowner, waterproofing your basement is going to be the most important part of that process.

I've seen many people spend money on drywall, carpeting, and insulation and totally ignore the area of waterproofing. They spent $500 - $2,000 or more, only to see it get ruined with a heavy rain that caused the basement to leak water everywhere.

Why Do Basements Leak?

There's several reasons for any basement to develop water leaks over the years.

• Shifting And Settling Of The Home - All homes will settle over the years, but for many this can create cracks in floors and walls in your basement.
  
  
• Water Pressure - Another cause of basement leaks is water pressure.
  
  
• Poor Home Construction - This happens a lot with home builders who take shortcuts.
  
  
• Poor Grading - Is the dirt around your house slopping away from your foundation?
  
  
• Rain Gutters - Leaking and deteriorating gutters and downspouts can also create water problems. Or maybe the downspouts are not extending 10-15 feet away from your home to drain properly.

What Are Your Options For Having A Dry Basement?

When it comes to waterproofing basement walls you have a few options you can use. Use this as a starting point. There are many other things you can do. 

1. Waterproofing Paint - A paint such as Drylock Extreme Latex Base Masonry Waterproofing costs about $25 a gallon and does a good job of preventing water damage to walls. Be sure to use 2-3 coats at a minimum. In this case, the more the better.
   
   
2. Sump Pump and Drainage - Another option is installing a sump pump is you don't already have one and adding a drain kit around the base of your interior walls.
   
   
3. Install a Basement Waterproofing System - This is expensive as an option, but if you want guaranteed protection from basement water damage, a complete system from a company like B-Dry is your best option.

By spending some time, and money, on waterproofing your basement before remodeling it, you will prevent massive problems from occuring in the future. Problems that could easily ruin everything in your finished basement.