When it comes to waterproofing your foundation, you will find that there are many different materials on the market that you can use. Considering the amount of moisture you get in your foundation, you can find materials that are better suited to your type of problem than others.
The best thing you can do to make any basement dryer is to create dirt above the foundation so that the water runs away from the house. The rule of thumb is to break the ten feet closest to a house so that it starts 10 inches above the rest of the lawn and then decreases by 1 inch per foot. This will help surprisingly drain the water from your home.
One of the methods of waterproofing the foundation is the use of French drains (aka earthwater drains). They consist of a system of gravel, ditches and pipes that will move the groundwater from your home. Although these systems work reasonably well, they are prone to clogging, which means that they will require a lot of preventive maintenance.
Drainage systems in the basement itself work well when removing water from the basement. Floors must be installed during the construction of the foundation. The pipes run under the floor before the concrete is such that you can connect a sump pump that works to remove the water that appears in the pit in the basement. Water is pumped out of the house through pipes and into an area where it will no longer disturb the house.
Most pumping pumps run on electricity, but they are increasingly entering the market, which have backup batteries, if you have to have a power failure. Initially, the battery model will cost a little more, but if you ever had to wash the water manually during a power failure, you know that the unit is worth every penny you pay. Every year, you must regularly maintain your sump, especially if you live in an area where you rely heavily on it. Other things you need to check regularly are downpipes, gutters and downspouts so you can make sure they don't have any debris.
Sealants are another type of waterproofing material that you will need for your basement. They work particularly well in areas where you do not get much moisture, and they seal the concrete to prevent water seepage. You draw it on the floor in the basement and push the walls apart. It is expensive, so you do not want to use it higher than you need. This will prevent water from reaching the point where you stopped painting, but it is advisable that you do not use it as the only method to control water. However, using this in combination with external sorting and drainage methods works well.
Another waterproofing method that has been used successfully is the canal that is installed around the edges of the basement walls. Making small holes in the walls near the floor will send water to the channels. As soon as the water is in the canal, it is taken out of the house using a sump. You can install such a system, and then close it when you finish the basement.
No matter what method or methods you use to waterproof your home, they will be worth your effort. They will help you preserve the value of your home and make your foundation dry and usable again.
