Basement proofing to all the measures put in all to curtail water from infiltrating a building’s basement or foundation. It entails different approaches and procedures purposefully meant to keep a basement dry. This aids in ensuring that the basement’s structural integrity is not compromised, as the building’s cellar area is proofed and impervious to potential water intrusion. Experts have posited that this is vital as the basement is usually prone and susceptible to destruction by moisture, water and the resulting dampness attributed to the basement’s natural contact with the ground and the soil. Many people do not comprehend how basement waterproofing works, and it might sound like a foreign concept to some. This article shall therefore expound more on this subject by clearly explaining how it is done.
Basement Waterproofing done right
Preliminary Checks
This involves the initial assessment to determine or establish how the water is permeating into the basement. By doing thorough investigation and inspections, it is easy to figure out how this is happening, and it is often through several ways such as cracks and crevices on the walls and poorly done grading on all sides of the foundation. Malfunctioned drainage systems can also be a major cause of these issues including the pressure emanating from the water in the soil commonly known as hydrostatic pressure. Further, assessing the state of the exterior walls and the wetness of the interior areas of the basement aids in conjuring up the best waterproofing approach instead of approaching the situation and the task blindly.
Preparing the Surface
Ample preparation is crucial to ensure that one has a proper and ready surface for waterproofing and more so which the materials employed will adhere quite easily. This is attained through adequate and thorough cleaning to remove all dirt and present debris leaving the surface in pristine condition and free from all types of contaminants. It is also important to remedy all structural issues, which might affect the basement’s integrity by repairing all cracks and crevices including any other types of clearly manifest defects. Epoxy and hydraulic cement are the most common types of corrective solutions to these types of issues. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the surface is ready for the waterproofing materials and for guaranteed and instant adhesiveness.
Exterior Waterproofing
This commences with excavation to reveal the exterior walls, and it enhances the ease of access of the foundation for effective and efficient waterproofing. The waterproof membrane is then carefully applied on the exposed walls to act as a blockade against the water infiltration. Varying materials can be employed as waterproof membranes, and they include and are not limited to rubberized asphalt, asphalt-modified polyurethane and bentonite clay. Finally, after this application, a protective board is installed over the waterproof membrane, and it accords it further protection against any possible damage.
Interior Waterproofing
This is commonly used in instances where external waterproofing cannot suffice. It consists of inner drainage systems such as French drains primarily designed to gather all the water that penetrates through the foundation walls including the water which collects at the floor of the basement. It involves perforated pipes positioned along the internal circumference of the basement. This is complemented by a sump pump installed in a hole at the bottommost part of the basement floor, which pumps away all the water resulting from the French drain into what is deemed a safe drainage outlet.
Sealing Cracks
As mentioned earlier, this is achieved using epoxy injections and hydraulic cement. The injections are made on the cracks under very high pressure thus creating a seal that is waterproof. Hydraulic cement on the other hand is preferred for cracks, which are not structurally related, and it helps to create a perfect seal against water penetration.
Optimizing Exterior Drainage
This is attained through grading which ensures that the ground is properly sloped to drain water away from the foundation walls. This translates to both runoff water and rainwater, which could potentially pile up in the foundation’s exterior creating excessive pressure on the basement walls. Gutters with downspouts also remedy this problem as they channel the water away from the foundation.
Wall Coatings
This is commonly seen in interior walls where they are reinforced using water-resistant paints and coatings as they build a barrier in the internal side of the basement walls, which is impenetrable, by water hence curbing possible intrusion by moisture.
The foregoing pointers clearly indicate how basement waterproofing works hence you stand to be properly guided. All these measures help in creating a formidable and effective basement waterproofing all geared towards maintaining the building’s structural integrity.
