Defining Waterproofing a Basement.

The basement waterproofing systems and their working. Let's take a look at the time and tested waterproofing of basement and how it works.

In case you are curious to know how the basement is built, you will see that the idea was first conceived in the design and then the next steps follow. It starts with the digging of a big hole, then the footer or foundations are laid. After the base is done, the walls of the basement are built and then only the rest of the house is constructed.

The important point to note is the first one in the list above - that big hole in the ground.

When basement walls are constructed there is an area outside the walls that must be filled. Loose backfill is used to fill in the gap. Well compacted or not, introducing a huge pile of loose backfill is going to cause problems.  Water will always flow in the path of least resistance.

This area is going to have water constantly seeping into it. Typical ways of waterproofing a basement utilize water drainage pipes that often become silted. As the water comes it brings all sorts of suspension with it and that is to be expected as it is natural. When these pipes get filled the system overloads and a lot of water pressure gets applied to the outside walls of the basement. Water will work its way through even the smallest gaps, even though basement walls are waterproofed in some way.

The problem of this type is not easily rectified. The reason is that the pipes which are supposed to take away the excess water are gradually getting deteriorated and worsen over time.

A huge problem is that often there isn't access to these pipes. Basement waterproofing is also applied to the external walls of the basement to try and keep the water out. This is also called a tanked system.

If you want to find out if you have water inside the concrete block of your walls simply tap a hole into the concrete block, near the floor, and see if you have water coming out of this block then you may want to consider a drained cavity waterproofing system this system drains the water from your walls, much the same way you just did, by adding drain holes in the bottom blocks that allows those areas to drain into a type of interior french drain system. Water is controlled, collected and allowed to flow through hidden drainage channels either to natural drainage or to a sump pump where the water is removed away from the property.

Waterproofing a basement is reputedly a better system when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing any silt and can be applied to basements where traditional tanking or other methods have failed but with minimal disturbance to the original basement.

So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:

- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods

You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.

In conclusion, you want a basement waterproofing system that will deliver:

- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods,

You should look at waterproofing not as an expense but as an investment in the value of your home.