Prevent Costly Damage with Basement Waterproofing

Water seepage is a common problem in most basements, and there is nothing more dangerous or damaging to your foundation than leaks. Especially if you live in wet areas with moist soil, your cellar could be at risk unless you take the proper preventative measures. Although basement waterproofing is essential, there is never just one way to do anything. The dilemma may be a common one, but there are always several options available.

Wet Basements
Cellars often leak due to water built-up on the outside of your foundation walls. Water collects in small pockets in the soil next to the foundation and begins to form hydrostatic pressure. Overtime this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the wall (often called "bleeding"). Usually you'll find seepage in corners or in joints where the wall meets the floor. Though the process is typically slow going and probably won't have immediate consequences, you'll want to remedy the problem as soon as possible. If ignored, it won't only ruin the look of your cellar; it'll cause bigger setbacks down the road (bowed walls and cracked foundations).

Exterior Measures
Since there is only one way for water to get into your home, your first plan of action will be to examine the outside of your house to see if water is being properly diverted. Passive basement waterproofing systems are the primary preventative measure.
Sloping and Grading: Look at where the soil meets your walls. Is the ground sloping away from the foundation? This is the biggest reason why water penetrates the home: it has nowhere to go but in. If this is the case, you'll want to hire a professional grader to help slope the ground downhill and away from the house.
Gutters: Are your gutters clean? If they're clogged, the water will simply spill over the edge, down your walls, and into the foundation.
Downspouts Extensions: Even if water is being properly diverted, is it being carried far enough away? If your drainage systems allow water to seep back towards the home, then invest in some downspout extensions to ensure its permanent evacuation.

The Inside Scoop
Of course, this where the water ends up. So once you've located the sources of the leak, in order inhibit moisture spreading into other areas of the interior, here are a couple mitigation methods for those do-it-yourselfers.
Sealant: Buy a product that seals your entire interior. You patch up the joints and seams, prime the area, and then literally paint on a couple coats of sealer. It creates an impermeable, almost rubberized surface and repairs any leaks or cracks.
Baseboard Guards: These metal baseboards run along the seam where the wall meets the floor, are permanently sealed in place, and collect any escaping moisture. This collected water is then guided to a drain or sump pump. It's a very effective system, but requires some prep work. For poured concrete, you'll need to seal the corner joint above the baseboard. And for concrete block, holes may need to be drilled into the core of the bottom row in order to alleviate the hydrostatic pressure and let the water run free.

Drainage Systems
Basement waterproofing requires a lot of separate equipment: gutters, grading, sealing, etc. But don't forget the primary sources of water diversion. Regularly check your interior drains to assure they're not clogged. Also, it's a great idea to invest in a sump pump that will literally push the water away from the home (this should also be regularly checked and monitored for maintenance). And if the problem gets worse, you may want to invest in some tile systems (digging up the basement floor, installing a drainage system in the foundation, and then replacing the flooring). However, for this particularly extensive chore, you'll definitely want to hire a professional contractor trained in basement waterproofing systems.

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