To protect your home from water, basement waterproofing is the best form of defense. When water has the ability to build around the base of a home, it can cause the foundation to crack and creating leaks in the basement and the need for foundation repair. If these problems are left untouched, they will get worst, increasing the basement waterproofing cost. So it is important to fix them when they start.
Exterior basement waterproofing has been considered the most efficient way to keep water out. This type of waterproofing is typically done by the builder of the house. They are the ones capable of making sure that every inch of the foundation is covered before any cement and other building material is poured in.
From the beginning, the foundation is covered by a tar sealant or a sheet material to cover the whole perimeter, adding defense. This is to keep the water off of the bricks and foundation itself. If these method happen to fail, it can be very costly to fix, so they have to do it right the first time.
Methods Of Exterior Basement Waterproofing
The main purpose of exterior basement waterproofing is to prevent water from getting in and help keep the basement waterproof. There are a couple different methods that used to effectively waterproof the basement from the outside. These methods include:
- Exterior Drainage Systems – This method is typically based on the use of perforated PVC pipes. These pipes will collect water that accumulates around the house and drain it out to a different location. These areas are lower than the base of the home and needs to have a pitch lower enough to drain water. If the pitch is not correct, it could cause the water to build up.
- Vinyl Sheets – Since tar sealants are not very strong and begin to crack over time, many builders have turned to the use of vinyl sheets. However, this does not mean that it is more effective. Vinyl sheets never last very long and tend to slip off of the foundation. Once water builds up behind the sheet, water can enter the home.
- Tar/Polymer Products – This types of waterproofing is sprayed directly on to the walls. If these products are correctly applied, they can keep water out for quite a while. Combined with a drainage system, it will be even more effective. The only problem that this material experiences is temperature change. When the temperature shifts, it may begin to crack.
Make sure to be aware of the solution that was used on your home. If those waterproofing methods fail, it may be very costly to repair them. With the proper waterproofing methods, your basement will stay dry and safe for years to come.