Basement Leaks Can Be Fixed With Exterior Wall Waterproofing

Whenever someone has a leaky wall in their basement, the first impulse is usually to buy some waterproofing paint and fix the problem. This is a good idea as far as it goes; however, it often doesn't go quite far enough. The root of most basement wall problems lies in the soil outside of the foundation walls. Concrete, block, and stone, the items most often used to build a foundation, are all porous substances, and water can be forced through them if enough pressure is exerted. That pressure comes from water-laden soil pushing against the walls, which means that any basement can leak and need exterior wall waterproofing.

A leaky basement seriously decreases the resale value of your home. Several years ago my daughter was going to buy a small house near us. It had all been remodeled and looked beautiful. However, before the final negotiations were made, we had a rainy day and asked to see the house again, only to find water running all over the basement. Needless to say, it was transaction cancelled. This could happen to you, too, if you have leaks in your basement walls and eventually want to sell your house. Although having exterior foundation walls treated is expensive, anything you spend should be well worth the price as far as resale value is concerned.

There are a couple of quick fixes that you can try to help waterproof your foundation. Banking dirt and rocks against the foundation will help water run away from the house instead of toward it. Adding an adequate gutter system will also move water out into your yard and away from your home. If one of these methods works for you, it will save you a lot of money and hassle.

To do permanent exterior wall waterproofing means excavating all the way around your house to a depth of 1' - 3'. Once you have a trench in place, it's a smart idea to have two things done. First of all, the outside of your basement walls need to be painted with a specially-formulated outdoor waterproofing paint which will provide a barrier between the soil and the walls. In addition, you need to have a drainage system built into the trench that will carry away water that would otherwise be pressing on foundation walls. As mentioned earlier, this won't be either easy or cheap, but it should solve your water problems permanently.

There is more to learn about waterproofing. Visit betterwaterproofing.com for more tips on waterproofing basement tips and waterproofing leather and learn how you can do more.