==== ==== Waterproofing Basement: Waterproofing the Basement http://tinyurl.com/84zy3ou ==== ==== If you have a basement, one of the first things you must do is waterproof it. Because most people are unfamiliar with this subject, its important to do research and gather information. Basement waterproofing information is available through various mediums such as the Internet, books, your local home improvement store employee, or a home improvement contractor. Before you begin to waterproof your basement, its important to understand what waterproofing is and why you need it. Basement waterproofing refers to techniques used to prevent water from entering a basement. How do you know when you need to waterproof your basement? The answer is that waterproofing is needed any time a structure is built at ground level or below the ground. When groundwater builds up in the soil and raises the water table, you need to take special steps when waterproofing or draining. Because of the higher water table, hydrostatic pressure is exerted underneath basement floors and against basement walls. The hydrostatic pressure is what forces water into your basement through cracks in foundation walls, openings caused by expansion, and contraction of the footing-foundation wall joint. Hydrostatic pressure can cause extreme structural damage to foundation walls and is likely to contribute to mold, mildew, decay, and is the cause of other moisture-related problems. Your foundation walls are essentially the base of your home, so if hydrostatic pressure weakens your basement walls, your entire house is at risk. The next information you need to gather is about the various methods you can use to waterproof your basement. The first route you may want to take is using interior wall and floor sealers. You can find products such as Drylok or Xypex at your local home improvement store. Use these products if you have minor intermittent leaks. Note that Drylok is a water proofer not a water sealer, meaning that it expands as it dries to become part of the wall. Xypex is more like applying a waterproof concrete on the surface that will bond with it. For more severe basement water problems, there are three types of systems to choose from to best fix your specific water problem. A barrier system is a system that tries to physically block water or moisture that enters from the outside. You can choose from internal or external barriers. The next system you can use is a drainage system. A drainage system collects water that comes close to the basement or foundation of your house and diverts is away, preventing flooding from occurring. Lastly, you can use a diversion system to waterproof your basement. Diversion systems are used only for external waterproofing. They are placed on the roof of the structure allowing rainwater to be instantly diverted away from the house. Solving basement-waterproofing problems can be costly if you decide to hire a third-party company. Using the information provided and other research tools such as the Internet, you can choose the option that works best for you. The choice may differ from home to home depending on the houses design, the owners budget, and the amount of time you have to undertake the project of waterproofing your basement.
==== ==== Waterproofing Basement: Waterproofing the Basement http://tinyurl.com/84zy3ou ==== ====