Waterproofing Basements—Comprehensive Care Techniques You Must Know

Your home represents who you are. Every choice of decor, furniture arrangement, and overall upkeep reveals your identity and aesthetic preferences. But what if mold and mildew growth suddenly affect your beautiful home?

Unchecked waterlogging in the basement can lead to wood rot, foundation issues, and mold growth. Luckily, there are ways to save your home from expensive damage and protect the air quality. One of the ways is hiring a waterproofing contractor. Local and trusted contractors like Spartan Ram Jack Kansas City are valued for their effective basement waterproofing solutions. Their proactive approach is just what you need to protect your home and ensure a healthy living environment for your family.

What Causes Basement Waterlogging

Multiple factors come into play that lead to basement waterlogging, which is the key cause of foundation problems; they include:

Clogged or neglected downspouts and gutters
Cracks in the foundation walls or floors
Insufficient waterproofing or sealing
Malfunctioning sump pumps
Sewer line blockages
Faulty plumbing fixtures or aging pipes
Insufficient grading or slope directing
Inadequately sealed windows
Dysfunctional HVAC systems
Extreme weather conditions like flash floods, heavy rains, or rapid snowmelt

How To Assess if Your Basement Needs Waterproofing?

Basements need proper care and regular inspections to mitigate potential threats before they cause severe structural damage. Your house is at risk of flooding if:

It is located in a low-lying area, near water bodies, or in a region with heavy rainfall.
There’s a previous occurrence of basement flooding.
There are cracks or damage in the exterior of your basement.
There are downspouts, clogged drains, or poor grading around the house.
It is located in a high-water table area, where the groundwater level is much closer to the surface.
Your plumbing systems are old or have water leaks.
Your home is close to municipal sewers.
There are damp spots on floors or walls.
Your door and window frames are swollen
There’s a musty smell or efflorescence.

What Techniques To Use To Keep the Basement Dry and Mold-Free

Proper care and maintenance of basements are necessary to prevent water accumulation and increase home value. Below, we list protective measures for effective basement waterproofing.

Identify the Entry Points

Carefully inspect the basement and the interior and exterior foundation walls for signs of dampness, cracks, water stains, or sagging. Look for cracks in the walls or floors, leakage in utilities, gaps in windows or doors, poorly sealed cove joints, and other potential entry points.

Fix the Yard Grading

Ideally, the ground should slope away at least six inches over 10 feet from the house to wash away the water from the foundation. If not, add soil to lower areas to create a slope or install a French drain system to redirect water. To install a French drain:

Dig out a trench along the perimeter of the basement floor.
Install a perforated pipe in the trench.
Connect the pipe to a sump pump to remove water from the trench.
Cover the trench with concrete for floor restoration.

Upgrade Gutters

Keep your gutters clean to prevent clogging from leaves. Consider extending downspouts 15 feet away from the foundation and installing underground drainage pipes to direct rainwater away from the foundation. If your home lacks gutters, install a collection system at the roof’s drip line to prevent water splashes against the foundation.

Invest in Exterior Waterproof Coatings

An exterior waterproof coating is an effective fixture against moisture intrusion. Here are the steps you should follow to apply waterproof coatings:

First things first, ensure there’s no standing water.
Remove soil to expose the wall around the foundation
Seal the cracks or repair the damage with hydraulic cement.
Once dry, apply sealant to the wall and install a drainage board.
Finally, backfill the soil around the foundation to complete the process.

Additionally, some homeowners prefer to use sump pumps to drain excess water. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose from battery-powered, water-powered, pedestal, or submersible pumps.

To Conclude

Keeping your basement floor dry and safe can be less overwhelming when you do regular checks and maintenance. Instead of delaying maintenance, make it a regular thing and look out for signs of damage. Inspect the exterior and interior basement walls at least once a month and test the sump pump every three months. Also, be sure to monitor the humidity levels to identify early warning signs.