Basement waterproofing materials can vary significantly in their forms and their uses. Some will be available to the public and some may only be available to the trade. Let’s take a look at what is around and how you can apply it to your home situation.
Basically, you need to keep in mind whre you reside and the amount of water that is present. So take that into consideration as this will also influence the type of materials you can use.
When most people look for basement waterproofing materials they usually think of simple sealants. Their basement has previously had waterproofing done to it, so they are simply wanting to patch up some small damp portions. RadonSeal being one of the top-end sealants treats poured concrete, mortar in block walls or stone foundations and concrete or cinder blocks.
If the whole basement including the walls and floor are not treated completely with sealant the water is likely to come back in. This product comes with a limited 20-year guarantee so looks like a viable option. Sealant is a potential problem to be aware of, (not just this one, but all sealants), will only prevent water seepage on the inside skin of the basement. In other words, there could be lots of water pressing against and through whatever materials your cellar walls are made of.
Other avenues will need to be explored if you have cracks in the wall. Plaster wall can be can be repaired by replacing the plaster coating. All you need to do is chip away any loose material from around the crack and then fill the area back up with plaster.
Another option may be to use stitching materials. These consist of metal staples which are literally stapled across the cracks, thus preventing or limiting further movement. Cement that doesn’t shrink is used to fill in the cracks.
Gunite (a form of concrete) can be sprayed on bigger cracks in basement walls or floors. You’ll need special spraying equipment to do this which you can hire. The spray that results fills cracks, giving a smooth finish, provided the correct mixture is obtained. However it does stick to most surfaces so it’s a good option.
Finally, it needs to be said that basement waterproofing materials are not the ultimate solution. In addition, you should be making sure there is as little water as possible getting into the ground water.
Also think about:
- be sure your rain gutters are in good condition.
– sloping the ground away from the foundation of the house
– when it is time for grass seeding, clear trees, foliage and flower beds from your home’s foundation
– repairing crevices in your driveway
– there can be arrangement for surface water to be taken away from the house by installing curtain drains
– putting in dry wells for the rain water spouting at a minimum of ten feet from your home.
– placing a sump pump or pumps into service.
– utilizing inside channels to gather water oozing through the basement walls and course it to a floor pipe
