Dos and Don’ts of Waterproofing Basement Walls

Because they’re built below grade, basements tend to take on water. As a result, you may notice moist basement walls from time to time, water puddles here and there, or—worst case scenario—flooding during the rainy season. Humid, damp, or downright wet basements can result in peeling paint, mould and mildew growth, rotted wood, and damage to stored items.

While builders take steps to basement waterproofing during construction, a house can settle over time, creating cracks in the basement walls. When the soil outside becomes saturated, water can seep through these cracks. Even structurally sound basement walls can absorb water from the soil and transfer it to the basement interior, making the walls feel wet. As the water from the walls evaporates, the air in the basement becomes more humid. Top waterproofing companies in India high-quality dehumidifier will help remove excess basement humidity, but the best long-term solution is waterproofing the walls.

Depending on the purpose of the moisture obstacle, the dilemma could be uncomplicated do-it-yourself compensation, or it could lack the compensation of a foundation contractor. If you’re looking at waterproofing basement walls, the following tips will get you started on the right foot.

DO determine the source of the water. 

Because concrete is porous, you can frequently detect wet stripes to comprehend where the water is developing. Look for streaks along cracks, at the corners of windows, between mortar joints (for cement block walls), and around pipes where they enter or exit, such as a water supply line or a sewer pipe.

 

If complete wall surfaces are wet, however, you’ll need to do further sleuthing. To conduct a simple condensation test, dry an area of the wall with a rag and then attach a one-foot square piece of aluminum foil to the wall with duct tape. Peel off the foil after 24 hours and check how the underside of the foil feels. If it is wet, water is seeping through the wall from the outside. If dry, the moisture originates in the basement, most likely from a basement shower—easily remedied by installing a vent fan in the bathroom to direct steam outdoors.

 

DON’T make wall repairs with standing water in the basement. 

During a rainy season, a crack in a basement wall can release an inch or two of water in, but remove all the water from the floor before you seek to repair the crack. Running in a flooding basement enhances the opportunity of electrical shock or electrocution. Instead, shift the power to the basement and then use a utility pump (with extension cords that reach an upstairs outlet) to get rid of the water. The pump will remove the water to the exterior of your yard via a garden hose. When the basement is water-free, proceed with examining, fixing, and effectively waterproofing as wall crack repair products India the basement walls.

 

DO capacity cracks with hydraulic cement. 

The added area where cracks are generally found is at the bottom of the basement walls. When a foundation is drained, its foundation—a spacious flat base constructed from concrete and reinforced steel, meant to support the walls—is poured beginning, and then the walls are discharged on top after footings harden. Although this is a conventional construction material manufacturer, it can create what’s known as a “cold joint,” a weak spot in the foundation between the wall and the footing where cracks can evolve with the shifting and settling of a foundation, along with parallel pressure from the soil.