Owning a home with a basement has many perks. Some people utilize their basement as a storage space, as well as an area to set up their washer and dryer. A lot of homeowners opt to finish their home's basement in order to add valuable usable square footage. No matter how you use your home's basement, it is important to take the proper measures to keep the area dry. Waterproofing your basement is an easy way to avoid water damage and expensive repair bills while also protecting your belongings. Common methods for waterproofing a basement include:
Wall Sealants
One of the simplest and most affordable basement waterproofing methods is applying sealants to the wall. High-quality sealants contain compounds that help prevent the accumulation of moisture while preventing leaks. Applying waterproofing sealants is more complicated than painting a wall. Thus, if you are interested in having the walls in your home's basement sealed, it is in your best interest to hire a professional basement waterproofing contractor to do the project. An experienced waterproofing contractor will be able to access your basement and determine which sealant will work best for your space.
Sump Pump
If your basement is prone to excessive moisture or you have experienced flooding in your basement in the past, you may want to seriously consider having a sump pump installed. A submersible sump pump is installed below the floor, so it is inconspicuous and not noticeable. A sump pump is designed to collect excess moisture in the basement and then pump it outside. A quality sump pump can handle a good amount of liquid, so any water that makes its way into your basement will be promptly pumped out and will not accumulate. Having a sump pump in the basement is a good way to help ensure that you never end up with a flooding event in your basement.
Waterproofing the Exterior
Some homes are built in areas with very damp soil, which can lead to a lot of problems with moisture and water collecting in the basement. If you are dealing with extensive moisture problems in your basement, you may need to consider exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing consists of digging around the foundation of the home and applying a waterproof polymer to the exterior walls of the basement. This method can be very efficient, and the polymer can last for decades, but it is very expensive to waterproof the exterior walls of a basement on an existing home.