Methods for floor waterproofing of the basement
Why is basement floor waterproofing so often overlooked, when if it was done when the basement was built, there would be fewer problems with seepage and flooding? Many people think basements are just concrete storage spaces for things you don’t use very often. The possibility of family rooms having extra space are realized.
Many homeowners go years without a water problem and then develop one due to the existing sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogging with mud.
The soil will become too saturated if water from the roof is not directed away from the foundation. As the home stabilizes, wall fissures appeared, exterior paintings decayed and the drains filled with sand or silt. Leakage in the basement can be caused by all of these problems. It is possible that flowing water on the ground enters the foundation through cracks or other openings; even solid masonry is not free from moisture as saturated soil enters through the walls as well as other openings. This is due to the natural pressure the soil exerts against the foundation. A high water level can create a great amount of pressure. In turn this water, under increased pressure, seeks entry through cracks and crevices in the walls and floors, and concrete is no match for water pressure. The result is a flooded crawlspace or basement.
Pressure relief systems are a good way to prevent hydrostatic water from entering your home. However when the electricity goes out, most likely during a rainstorm, primary pumps cannot work. As pressure increases the floor or wall will be penetrated by moisture. (sometimes termed bleeding). Usually you’ll find seepage in corners or in joints where the wall meets the floor.
If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. Water vapor passes through porous concrete. This moisture makes it feel even colder, causes carpet or other floor covering to rot, allows mold to grow, and causes the basement to smell musty.
One fix for this problem is to use some of the quality sealants now available to the average home owner. Frequently, they can be applied with a brush, roller or spray can.
Here are some examples of what a regular basement floor waterproofing project might entail:
- getting the floor ready by taking up any materials that are broken up or loose.
- Use large fans and heaters as needed to make sure the basement floor is as dry as it can be.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- Any cracks or joints noticed will need to be filled.
- priming the floor if the product requires use of a primer.
Spread two or three coats which is just right top-coating of the final product.
With a good product you will have a waterproofed basement floor that should last for a number of years. There are sealants on the market such as PermaFlex which offer complete, permanent basement floor waterproofing. This is arguably the only waterproofing system that is suitable for indoor use that will result in the complete sealing of a basement floor, no matter what sort of state it might be in. And it is considerably cheaper than other type of work as it does not involve pipes or pumps!