You expect your house to stay dry in all conditions, including your basement. Basement waterproofing will keep your basement dry in all conditions. A dry basement can help your home’s function by providing more living space and keeping the structure of your home stable.

There are many ways to keep your basement dry. Through a combination of interior and exterior methods and understanding how basements get wet, you can keep your basement dry.  

The Importance of a Dry Basement

Having a dry basement will increase your living space capabilities. A basement can double the square footage of the house and create another living space. Having a basement that’s at risk for getting wet can get wet carpet and ruined drywall.

Even if you don’t want to turn your basement into a living space, you want to have a dry basement. Moisture can eat away building materials and weaken your home foundation. Moisture can also create molds that can contribute to health problems. 

Basics of a Dry Basement

Before developing a plan for basement waterproofing, you want to know how it works. Keeping a basement dry involves many different connecting aspects of homecare, both inside and outside of your home. When planning for a dry basement you want to consider your home in three parts; outermost, middle, and inner, and how those parts work together.

The outermost aspect is the space outside of your home but isn’t connected to your house. This includes landscaping and material in your outside space. When properly used, this will keep water from getting to your house in the first place.

The middle aspect is the exterior of your house. It includes the foundation wall, gutters, and siding. In this part of your housing, you want to keep the gutter draining system working and the water from entering your home.

The inner aspect of the house is everything inside of your house, in this case, your basement. It includes the interior side of the foundation wall, the floor, and a sump pump if you have one. This part of your home should stay dry and be resistant to water damage as much as possible.    

Causes of a Wet Basement

A basement can get wet for several reasons and the best plans for waterproofing your basement should account for them. Everything from poorly graded soil that doesn’t stop water from entering your home to structural cracks can impact how your basement can get wet.

Improperly designed draining systems can cause water to get in your basement and create water damage. This can come from gutters and downspouts and window wells. Both of these systems should keep water away from your basement and the rest of your house.

Structural cracks in the foundation can create an environment where a basement can get wet. Cracks can form from moisture development and other structural problems. Either way, water can get into your basement and create more damage.

Different methods of preventing a wet basement should work together to keep your basement dry. That way, in case one method doesn’t work, another method will keep your basement dry. Being familiar with all of the different ways that you can prevent a wet basement, you can keep your home safe and dry.  

Interior Methods

Interior methods to keep a basement dry can be seen as the last resort. That’s not to say it isn’t important, but this is the final step before water can enter your home. While you may hope that these methods never have to be used, the reality is that you should have them for the best protection.

Interior foundation coverings are easy to apply to the inside of your foundation walls. These waterproof coatings can manage up to 15 psi water pressure to keep moisture out of your home. You can put on more than one coat for more resistance.

Sump pumps can also be used to keep water out of your basement by preventing groundwater intrusion. Having a well-maintained sump pump can help prevent water from building up in your home if your basement is prone to flooding. 

Exterior Methods

The first step to basement waterproofing is to ensure that the exterior of your home is prepared to prevent the water from entering the basement in the first place. Creating barriers to prevent water from getting close to the house will go a long way to keeping your basement dry.

This draining system can range from catch basins and gutters. Water comes from different places and you want to prepare for all of them. Installing rain gutters will keep your entire home, including basements, dry.

Rain gutters keep water, especially rainwater, away from your home. It will move the water away from the roof so it doesn’t build up and create leaks and cause water damage. Aluminum gutters and other materials will last a long time to keep your basement dry.

Gutter installation companies will work with you to help you find the right gutter system for your home. With proper maintenance and care, your gutters will last for years and be a key part of waterproofing your basement. 

Conclusion

Whether you want to extend your living space to your basement or simply keep your home’s foundation steady, having a dry basement is important. It will extend the life of your home and prevent long-term damage from developing. When your basement is dry, the rest of your home will stay healthy. 

Having a waterproof basement is done through different aspects of home care. Everything inside and outside of your home will impact how dry your basement stays. You want to use every tool that you have to keep your home and basement dry for years. Our team of professionals is ready to help you find ways to keep water away from your home. Call us today and we will help you develop the right strategies to waterproof your basement. We can help you with the cost and find the best solution for you.