What is Waterproofing A Basement All About?
October 6, 2008
What are basement waterproofing systems and how do they work?
For answering that question it will help to first take a look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and the way it was supposed to work.
In case you are curious to know how the basement is built, you will see that the idea was first conceived in the design and then the next steps follow. It starts with the digging of a big hole, then the footer or foundations are laid. After the base is done, the walls of the basement are built and then only the rest of the house is constructed.
From this list the most vital point is the top one – the vast crater dug in the earth
The construction of basement walls invariably leaves a void on the exterior which requires backfilling. This void gets filled with loose backfill. No matter how well the backfill is compacted, it is still backfill and water seeks the places of little resistance.
Water will continuously seep into this area. Sometimes, creating a problem is the drainpipe that gets full of silt contained in many systems when waterproofing a basement. The water is naturally bringing all sorts of suspension with it. When these pipes get filled the system overloads and a lot of water pressure gets applied to the outside walls of the basement. So while the walls of the basement may be waterproofed in some way, water, as you probably already know, will usually find a way through the tiniest of gaps.
This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.
A huge problem is that often there isn’t access to these pipes. In an attempt to keep excess moisture out basement waterproofing also can be put onto the outer walls of the basement. This is often referred to as a tanked system.
The drained cavity basement waterproofing system is a better system that works by getting rid of water pressure in the walls. Water is controlled, collected and allowed to flow through hidden drainage channels either to natural drainage or to a sump pump where the water is removed away from the property.
Waterproofing a basement is when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing silt, and can be installed in basements where other methods have failed.
So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:
- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods
You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.
In conclusion, you want a basement waterproofing system that will deliver:
- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods
While you are getting the house made you need to realize that waterproofing is more of an investment in the value of your house rather then an expense.
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