Things You Should Know About Waterproofing Your Basement

Dampness in a basement can take many forms. You might have problems with water seeping in through minute cracks in the walls, run-off that requires a sump pump, leaking windows, or just a feeling of general cold, clammy wetness. Whatever the cause, dampness in a basement can damage your home and your possessions and create an unhealthy environment for your family. There are various fixes for these problems and tricks that you need to know if you're going to be able to dry out your basement and keep it that way. This article will tell you how to waterproof your basement, because knowledge is the first step in the right direction.

Water seeping through walls is a common problem, because the crack or crevice doesn't have to be very large to allow water to come through. There are two basic ways of waterproofing your walls; you can either work from the outside of your house or the inside. You can have tiling work done to remove water from the area, or there are substances you can buy to paint on both the interior and exterior of your walls that will block the cracks to keep the water from coming into your home.

Many homes require a sump pump in order to pump away excess water that builds up around their basements and then begins to run in through floor drains. For starters, if your house wasn't built in the right place, you could be very prone for water problems. Ideally, you want a house that is situated high enough so that water runs away from the house. Unfortunately, eager builders have put houses into areas where water pools around the buildings instead of flowing away from them. In addition, the dirt around the foundation of many houses has sunk in over the years causing water to flow towards the house. While you can't fix where your house is located, you can build up the terrain surrounding the foundation so that it will repel rain water run-off.

Many homes have basement windows that leak. Since many are right at ground level, this isn't surprising. Caulking around the windows may solve the problem without having to go any farther. If you do have to replace the windows, you might consider using glass block which will let in light but which will also be strong and durable enough to keep water out.

Damp air is a common problem, because a basement is, for the most part, underground where damp soil surrounds it. The easiest fix for this problem is to buy a dehumidifier that will collect the water that's in the air and allow it to run safely down the drain and out of your house. Dehumidifiers come with different capacities and capabilities, so you want to discuss your problem with your dealer to get suggestions for what will work best in your home. If you can run the water flow directly into the drain instead of into the container that comes with the dehumidifier, you'll never have to remember to empty the tank in order to keep the unit running.

You already know the importance of waterproofing. Visit betterwaterproofing.com for more tips on waterproofing basement tips and basement waterproofing systems and learn how you can do more.