Did you know a flooded basement could cost you up to $10,000 or more in damages? Replacing water-damaged floors, walls, and furnishings could be a homeowner’s nightmare.
Water ingress, flooding, damp, and mold are common issues in residential and commercial basements. Luckily, there’s an efficient and affordable way to protect your home from water damage!
Interior waterproofing is a great way to protect your home from excess water. However, waterproofing your basement may seem like a daunting project to fit into your busy home life.
So how long does interior waterproofing take to install? Keep reading to find out what interior waterproofing actually involves and the duration of the installation.
What Is Interior Waterproofing?
Interior waterproofing makes sure that water leaking into the basement is rerouted out and away from the home. These are interior drainage systems made up of pipes and drains that catch leaks. They can also be installed under the foundation to collect excess groundwater.
A subfloor channel is installed to one or more sump pumps depending on the size of the basement. A waterproof reinforced wall liner adds further protection. A vinyl wall-cove plate creates a separation between the floor and wall join to allow water to flow freely to the ground or into the system.
Benefits of Interior Waterproofing
There are many waterproofing systems available so why choose interior waterproofing? The benefits of interior waterproofing make it the best choice for waterproofing your basement.
Cost-Effective
Interior waterproofing is less expensive than exterior waterproofing. You’ll get the best value for money if you waterproof your basement with the internal system.
Lifetime Warranty
Interior waterproofing comes with a free lifetime warranty for the full life of the structure. Even if you sell your home, the warranty can be transferred to the new owners.
Protect Against All Leaks
No matter where the leak is coming from, your basement will be protected. Interior waterproofing will stop leaks from not only the floor but also the walls and the cove where the walls meet the floor.
How Long Does Interior Waterproofing Take?
A typical interior waterproofing system installation takes 1-3 days. This includes and demonstration of the system and the installation and cleanup.
After excavating and installing the system, the concrete takes 2 days to dry and up to 30 days to fully cure. Wall repairs and wall barrier installation can begin as soon as 1 week after the interior waterproofing system is installed.
Factors Affecting Duration of Internal Waterproofing Installation
The average waterproofing installation takes between 1 day and 1 week to fully install depending on a variety of factors. These factors will be discussed with the waterproofing company upon inspection.
- Size of the basement
- Type of foundation
- Types of building materials
- The extent of existing water damage
- Number and size of floor and wall cracks
- How much of the foundation needs waterproofing
- Depth of the footings
- Level of accessibility to the basement
- Post excavation unforeseen circumstances
Signs Your Home Needs Interior Waterproofing
There are some clear signs to look out for that show your home is already suffering from moisture build-up. Moisture can be caused by water seeping into your home from outside, or possible leaky pipes in the walls or floors. Either way, if you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s time to seek interior waterproofing.
Musty Odors & Mold
Does your basement smell musty? This could indicate there is mold growing somewhere you haven’t noticed.
Lack of air circulation and excess water is heaven for mold so it’s best to check walls, floors, and ceilings. Mold can cause a variety of health issues and damage materials and objects.
Foundation Cracks
Have you noticed any cracks in your basement foundations, walls, or floors? Even the smallest of cracks collect water which can freeze and expand the cracks, causing structural risks to your home. Foundation crack repair is the best solution to avoid further damage.
Discoloration
If you have noticed stains or discoloration of walls or floors in your basement, there could be excess moisture present. Water damage from internal or external sources causes yellow-brown discoloration to walls and ceilings.
Sinking Floors & Bowing Walls
Change in shape or level of the walls and flooring isn’t always noticeable at first. Excess water in foundations can cause erosion which could lead to shifting and structural damage.
What About Exterior Waterproofing?
Exterior waterproofing systems such as tar and seal are much more expensive and they only have a 5-10 year warranty. Sealant paint is a cheaper option but it has no warranty and lasts a very short time. Neither of these methods protects against hydrostatic pressure or rising water table.
How To Keep Water Away
With the Northeast experiencing the largest increase in heavy downpours increasing over the last 3-5 decades, it’s never been more important to ensure water stays away from your property. Here are some waterproof tips you can do to help.
Landscaping
If you know where rainwater flows around your property, some strategic grading or ground leveling can make it flow away from your property. You could also install yard drains or french drains to remove the water off the land.
Fixing & Cleaning Gutters
Clogged gutters are one of the most common reasons for excess water around a property. It’s easy to forget about gutters but they play an important role in keeping your home dry. Extending downspouts and regular gutter cleaning and repairs will keep them in good working order.
Crawlspace Encapsulation
If you have a dirt floor crawlspace under your property, there is no barrier between moisture and your home. Crawlspace encapsulation creates a barrier between the ground and your home via a heavy-duty liner which stops water damage.
Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Whether you have experienced any type of water damage in your basement or not, having an interior waterproofing system installed by professionals is a great way to protect your home.
With only a few days of work in your basement for full installation, it’s a quick and cost-effective way to keep water damage at bay! Get in touch for a free quote on interior waterproofing and other home services today.
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