Having a pool in your basement might sound like a Hollywood fantasy. But when it’s caused by floodwaters, it’s a suburban nightmare.
A conservative estimate for water damage remediation would be $1000. But costs can quickly escalate to $8000 if the situation is serious.
Clearly, the best thing to do is prevent basement leaks from ever happening in the first place. If you waterproof your basement, you’re making an investment in your home. Not only will you protect your contents, but you’ll also save the structure of your house from the severe damage that water ingress can cause.
The key is not fighting the water, but making sure it has somewhere to go. Are you intrigued? Let’s learn more about how to waterproof your basement in a way that gives protection for decades to come.
Why Basements Get Wet
First, you need to know your enemy. If you live in a flood risk zone, there’s a higher chance that your basement will flood. This will occur when there is excess groundwater.
Your basement is probably at least partially underground. If you live in an area where the water table is high, it’s easy for excess groundwater to penetrate your basement’s defenses. If you live near creeks, streams, or rivers, they can also rise and flood your basement.
Even something as simple as your house sitting at a low point on your lot may mean that water from your yard naturally flows into your basement.
Don’t wait until you’ve got pools of water in your basement to take action. A dank, musty smell is an early warning that you need to take action.
For most people, elevating the house is not going to be an option. And it’s unlikely that you can totally remove the risk of excess groundwater accumulating around your house. The solution is interior waterproofing.
Why Exterior Waterproofing is Not the Answer
Exterior waterproofing might seem like the obvious solution. After all, isn’t it better that the water never reaches the house in the first place? Exterior waterproofing removes some of the dirt from alongside the basement and creates a physical barrier.
This can be effective, but most solutions only last for five to ten years. Water is extremely persistent and in time it’ll find a way of breaching these defenses.
They also require constant maintenance. Most systems use French drains. They need to be regularly checked and cleaned. Clogs will render them ineffective and you’ll be back to square one.
Exterior waterproofing is also an expensive, labor-intensive, and time-consuming option. It may have been the best choice in the past but technology has moved on. Now interior waterproofing is the way to go.
Understanding Interior Waterproofing
Interior waterproofing works on a novel concept. Don’t fight the water – redirect it.
When it rains or there’s a flood, water will always find its way to the walls of your basement and along the concrete slab. You can’t fight gravity and the amazing ability of water to get everywhere. Instead, you need to waterproof your basement using a system that channels the water away.
The armored basement waterproofing system defends all access points:
- Floor
- Walls
- Foundation joints
The team installs a subfloor channel that directs the water toward sump pumps. If your basement is large or you’re in a flood zone, it may be wise to install two sump pumps to take the strain during heavy rain.
The walls are then protected using a wall liner. These protect all the vulnerable areas of the walls up to grade level, keeping the interior of your basement safe and dry. Finally, a vinyl wall-cove plate protects the area where the wall meets the floor, directing water away from the interior of the basement.
The waterproofing system is then hidden and can be tiled over. The sump pump/s works automatically in the background, ushering the water away. The end result is a basement with strong defenses against water that’s ready to finish and decorate as you choose.
Further Defenses
The windows and stairwells in your basement are also weak spots where water can gain access. The solution is to install window drains and stairwell drains. Water is neatly deflected away from the basement, allowing it to be pumped away safely.
Tailored to Your Home
All homes are slightly different. You may have already experienced issues with damp and flooding and be looking for a permanent solution.
Or you may just have a crawlspace that needs encapsulating. This can keep it dry and stop water damage and mold.
Basement waterproofing should always begin with a thorough inspection of your home. This may reveal foundation cracks that need to be repaired to prevent water ingress. Once that’s completed, the company can advise you on the best solution to prevent basement leaks.
Do Waterproofing Paints and Sealers Work?
If you’ve got a minor issue right now with damp or water ingress, it’s tempting to look for a DIY solution. There are lots of waterproofing paints and sealers on the market and some claim to offer warranties that last for years. But these are only ever temporary solutions at best.
All of these products are limited in the amount of pressure from excess groundwater that they can hold at bay. If the pressure builds, they’ll fail and your basement will get flooded. The warranties only usually cover the cost of the paint and even then you have to prove that it was applied correctly.
To truly stop water damage and make your basement a usable part of your home, you need to invest in interior waterproofing. It’s the only way to deal with the problem of excess groundwater rather than trying to keep it out.
Banish Basement Leaks with Armored Basement Waterproofing
Basement leaks do not have to be a part of your life.
At Armored Basement Waterproofing, we use the latest basement waterproofing technology. We skillfully direct water away from where it can cause harm. You’ll be able to enjoy your basement year-round as a fresh, clean, and dry part of your home.
Ready to arrange a free inspection? Call us today at 443-949-3180 or reach out online today!
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