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Finished Basement Ideas :: Waterproof Your Foundation
Waterproof Your Foundation
If you either own a home or are in the process of building a home with a
basement, it is important to take the necessary precautions to reduce the
risk of water damage. Each year, many home owners experience basement
flooding, water seepage and basement leaks that not only do damage to the
foundation and floor but can result in dangerous molds and funguses that can
make your living or storage area an environmental disaster. You can reduce
the risks of damage by making sure that you waterproof your basement. Here
are some helpful tips.
One of the easiest ways to waterproof your basement foundation is during
construction of your new home. Obviously this technique is not practical for
a home already built, but if you are building a new home, make sure that
either the concrete, mortar or cinderblock foundation is constructed
correctly without any cracks. It is also important that the concreted
foundation cures properly and that sealant is applied to the foundation
correctly. Long term problems usually occur when the foundations are being
laid.
If you are past the building stage there are a number of ways to waterproof
your foundation. You can easily apply water proofing sealant to the interior
of your basement using a variety of products. Some sealants work via a
common paint brush, where other products require chiseling and making holes
in the foundation to apply the compound.
While sealants work great, they are temporary or band aid techniques. For a
long term solution, your best bet is to install a drain tile. A drain tile
is a way to capture water as well as reduce pressure and force from the
rising and falling water level beneath your home. A drain tile can be
installed internally by breaking through the floor and building a ditch or
externally, by excavating the outside area and dropping pipe and surrounding
the area with filter rock. A drain tile captures and removes water through
gravity flow, which is moving water down hill or a sump pump.
Installing a drain tile can be time consuming and costly. An outside
excavation can be extremely disturbing to the property bordering the
foundation and can cost up to 20K for some homeowners. Installing a drain
tile internally is usually the way to go, but also can cost several thousand
dollars. If you are looking to water proof your basement, take a look at the
above suggestions.
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