Waterproofing a basement is a necessary task that can make it a complacent place to live in the
house. Here is a proper plan for waterproofing the basement step by step.
1.Dig From the Outside
The first step is to dig up all the floor around the periphery of the house digging deep towards
the foundation of the house. The main purpose of the digging is to check the exact damage.
Water seeping problems, being the cause of misshapen or damaged foundations can be found
only this way. This leads to the remediation and repair of any kind of leakage and seeping of
water from the foundation towards the inside house.
2.Check Cracks
The next step is checking all the cracks found in walls inside or outside. This is the inspector
check-up so a guide should always be there for telling the nature and root cause of the cracks.
Remedies are according to the nature of the cracks. The materials used for checking the cracks
should be according to the atmosphere of the air and the soil.
3.Filling the Cracks
after checking, the process of sealing the cracks starts. Cracks are filled with hydraulic cement.
They are very effective in filling all the small pores and pierces. A small hairline like a crack can
also be filled through this process.
4.Sealing the Filled Crack
Applying a sealant to the filled crack is a tricky move towards waterproofing the basement.
Hydraulic cement-type sealants are available in demand. The best purpose of adding a sealant
is to block all the passages of water that they are making. Contractors offering Washington DC basement
waterproofing services choose sealants carefully.
5.Waterproof Membrane Application
Apply a waterproof membrane after filling with cement and sealant. A highly modified form of
polyurethane is used by mixing with asphalt. A high coat is applied, the material can fight
against water. Elastomeric membranes have the highest tendency to move and accommodate
towards the crack and set it. Even a thin hair-like crack can be filled by using this remedy.
6.Drainage Mat Installation
Install drainage matt with molded dimples. It will create air spaces between the wall. It will push
the water away to the drainage duct. The length of the drainage mat should exactly match the
depth of the foundation under the basement. It is also useful in reducing lateral pressure on the
walls.
7.French Drain Installation
Installing a French drain to the basement provides ease to the access of water flushing out
from the basement footing. The length of the French drain should be 4". Backfill with gravel and
complete the installation of a French drain. These are the ways leading a basement to ultimate
waterproofing.
KEY POINTS
- Do not use Tar. It will harden the walls and ultimately break.
- Do not utilize plastic materials in the waterproofing utensils. It will peel out soon, ruining everything.
- Don’t use Limestone to backfill. It will reduce the drainage properties of the materials. Use gravel instead.