Basement Waterproofing – Items & Purposes
Materials used to waterproof basements can differ a lot in their forms and applications. The general public may be able to purchase some, while other will only be for professionals. Let’s check whatever the situation is and learn from it for your own home condition.
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.
The first type of basement waterproofing materials that most people seem to be looking for are simple sealants. They did waterproofing at the basement already; however, some areas are moist so they need restoration. It is easy to find a sealant that can be used to treat the concrete once it has been poured, or indeed the mortar that is found in block walls. One type of sealant which is recommended for this is RadonSeal.
You need to treat the whole basement, walls and floor, otherwise it’s likely the water will simply find a way around the sealant. As it comes with a limited 20-year guarantee, this product is a practical option. Sealant is a potential problem to be aware of, (all sealants, not just this particular one)basement waterproofing sealants only protect the inside of the basement. This means there could be a number of water pressing against and through whatever other stuff the basement walls are created with.
If you have cracks in the wall, you may need to consider other options. Plaster coating can be used to the existing plaster if that is what the walls are made from. Chip away any loose material from around the crack and simply refill with the plaster.
Another option may be to use a 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.
More serious cracks in the walls or the floor of the basement can be filled with Gunite, a form of concrete that is sprayed on. For this you can hire the needed special spraying equipment. The resulting spray will fill cracks and leave a smooth finish, but you need to get the mixture ratio right. However it does stick to most surfaces so it’s a good option.
It has to be mentioned that the key to basement waterproofing is not only the substance but its proper application as well. In addition, you should be making sure there is as little water as possible getting into the ground water.
Some things to try: