Basement Waterproofing Systems: Applied To The Inside Of The Foundation

The clamminess you feel when you rest your hand against an unfinished concrete basement wall may be more than just the cool of the concrete. Water can work its way in through cracks in the slab, but that's not as concerning as the reality of concrete. Contrary to what most people perceive, concrete does not "dry" and is not inherently waterproof. Concrete cures, meaning that it sets hard, suspending the moisture in the mix.

While the concrete may feel dry to touch, save for the surface the water is still there. The relatively dry surface is now porous, and therefore ready to absorb water. That is why untreated and damp concrete turns dark grey when it gets wet. Moistre is wicking into the pores of the concrete. Without the air of basement waterproofing systems, continued expoure can work water through the entirety of the concrete, supplying the basement with a continued stream of moisture. This preps the surface for mold and mildew.

There are some forms of concrete that resist penetration by water, but they are not the best choices for basement waterproofing systems. Some are inappropriate for contemporary construction and architectural design, such as ferroconcrete, while others, such as hydrophobic concrete, are too costly. Neither works the way basement protection does. Ferroconcrete is dense to reduce porosity, and hydrophobic concrete contains substances to make water on the surface of the concrete bead and run off.

To fully waterproof a concrete foundation, you must install a basement waterproofing system. The best approach would be to lay the foundation on a drainage layer, and cover the outside of the foundation with a bitumen barrier such as that used under roofing shingles. This protective layer must be put on before the area around the foundation is back-filled by the contractor.

But if waterproofing is necessary as an afterthought, there are basement waterproofing products that can be applied on the inside surface of the foundation (some need to be reapplied regularly, so take that into account when deciding on a solution), and water management devices that shuttle rain water away from the foundation can help keep things dry as well. Although plastic sheeting can be used on the inside of the foundation to keep a finished basement dry, mold and mildew can grow beneath the sheeting potentially causing problems later.

The cost of waterproofing systems varies according to the amount of protection they provide and the size of the challenge you face in installing them. (It doesn't matter whether they have to be put in by professionals or not.) The greatest catastrophe you might have to deal with is flooding from a badly waterproofed foundation. In that case, moisture which has entered your cellar by seepage can leave you ankle deep in water 24/7 in all kinds of weather. Should this occur, there may be nothing you can do besides resorting to a sump pump to control the amount of water. Nevertheless, if your property is located someplace damp, you should locate and remedy any potential problems right away rather than waiting for disaster to strike.

To fully waterproof a concrete foundation, you must install one of the basement waterproofing systems. Although there are types of concrete that resist water penetration, ferroconcrete is not suitable for many modern housing designs and hydrophobic concrete is very costly for waterproofing basement. If the foundation must be waterproofed after the fact, you can find basement waterproofing products on the market which can be placed on the interior face of the foundation. You should check your basement and foundation then repair any problems immediately. Whether you live in a wet or dry climate, an unsatisfactory job can flood your basement simply from water seeping through.

- Greg Lucas