Is It Better To Waterproof The Basement From Inside Or Outside?

Distinctions Between Interior and External Waterproofing

Exterior Waterproofing

A basement's outside can be waterproofed using a method that requires a more involved and invasive installation than a system installed within the basement. In this method of waterproofing, professionals will excavate the ground surrounding your property to reveal the foundation walls. Any little holes or potential weak spots will then be patched or sealed. The next step is to have a waterproof membrane installed around your home's base to stop water from entering the basement in the first place. Your home's base will be fully isolated from the soils around it. The cost to waterproof a basement from the outside is often more than if done from the inside. But, the serenity that comes from knowing that water won't be a problem down in your basement is priceless.

Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of any exterior waterproofing system, as they are responsible for collecting rainwater and channeling it away from the house. Given this, it should come as no surprise that clean gutters are essential. An additional component of exterior waterproofing is a membrane built around the perimeter of the foundation to prevent water from seeping in and causing the concrete to fracture and leak. An outside drainage system, such as a French drain, is the next step. Excavation along the house's foundation is a necessary part of this system, which can be a nuisance.

The trench around the house is filled in with gravel, the drain tiles are laid in the trench, and finally the whole system is covered with dirt. Before it can seep into the basement, the drain tiles will divert water away from the structure's base. This approach requires digging, but the rewards may be worthwhile.

Waterproofing the exterior of a building is more expensive than waterproofing the interior since it takes more time and more materials. Still, it does a good job of preventing water from reaching the base of your house. Therefore, if your home's basement or other living spaces are kept dry, the foundation will not weaken or break and allow water to seep inside. A costly exterior waterproofing system is justifiable because of the money it will save you in the end.

Defending Against Leaks Within

Water that seeps into the basement from the inside can be diverted safely away from the house with proper inside waterproofing. Pipes and drains make up these internal drainage systems, which are either put beneath the foundation to collect excess groundwater or are designed to catch leaks. The overflow is piped to the basement's sump pit, a big basin used to collect and hold water. The next step is a sump pump, which is a water pump that is installed in the sump pit and is responsible for removing water from the basement and redirecting it away from the house. As the water level in the sump pit rises to a particular point, most pumps will begin pushing water out automatically. In the event of a power outage or a particularly powerful storm, most sump pumps can keep on operating thanks to their backup batteries.

Vapour barriers are another material used to waterproof the inside of a building. You may prevent water damage to your basement by installing these plastic or foil sheets around the walls. Waterproofing the interior of a basement entails installing a drainage system and sealing any holes or gaps that could allow water to enter. They may be simply sealed to prevent the buildup of humid air within the house. The likelihood of your basement flooding can be drastically reduced by installing an effective interior waterproofing system. In comparison to exterior waterproofing systems, these drainage systems are simple to set up and affordable.

There are advantages and disadvantages to waterproofing both the inside and outside of a building. Waterproofing methods applied from the inside can only be used to clear up standing water; they won't prevent water from entering the basement in the first place. The expense of outside waterproofing is justified by its effectiveness in preventing water from seeping into the basement or otherwise damaging the structure. The most essential thing is that you are making an effort to keep your home warm and dry, regardless of the specific approach you choose. Contact the professionals at Triad Basement Waterproofing if you have any questions regarding waterproofing or would like more information on interior and exterior waterproofing for your house.

Waterproofing systems built inside a basement are typically used as corrective measures to deal with the aftermath of water damage. In most cases, a trench is dug parallel to the damaged region in your basement. The next step is to construct a drainage system, typically a sump pump, to channel the water away from the foundation. Afterwards, the trench is capped up with a solid seal. If you follow these steps, your basement will be dry and protected from further water damage. If water has already made its way into your basement, an interior waterproofing system can be a more cost-effective solution than a complete overhaul of your exterior.

Basement Wall Waterproofing: What To Do And What Not To Do

Wet Basement Walls Can Be Disastrous, so It’s Important to Find Out What’s Causing Them and How to Fix Them as Quickly as Possible.

Inundation is a common problem for basements because they are constructed below ground level. This can lead to damp basement walls, puddles, and even flooding in the worst-case situation during the rainy season. Basements that are too humid, damp, or wet can cause paint to peel, mold and mildew to grow, wood to decay, and stored objects to be damaged.

Despite builders' best efforts to seal off basements during construction, settling can eventually cause water to seep in via gaps in the concrete. Here is where water can seep through when the earth outside is moist. The basement walls, even though they are technically solid, can feel damp because they absorb water from the earth. Humidity levels in the basement rise as water evaporates from the walls. The ideal long-term answer is to waterproof the walls, but a high-quality dehumidifier can help with the short-term problem of too much humidity in the basement.

The solution may be a simple do-it-yourself fix, or it may require the expertise of a foundation professional, depending on the source of the moisture. If you're thinking about waterproofing the walls of your basement, these suggestions will help you get started.

The Water’s Origin Needs to Be Located.

Wet streaks are an easy way to pinpoint the source of water seepage in concrete. Inspect the area around the entry and exit points of pipes, such as the water supply line and the sewage pipe, for the presence of streaks.

If large sections of a wall are damp, however, additional investigation will be required. A simple condensation test involves drying off a section of wall with a rag and then taping an aluminum foil square measuring one foot square to the wall. After a whole day, you can remove the foil and feel how it fared below. In the event that it is damp, water is entering the building from outside. If it's dry, it's probably coming from a basement shower, which may be readily fixed by installing a vent fan to exhaust the steam outside.

Don't Fix the Walls if the Basement is Flooded.

A couple inches of water can seep in through a break in the basement wall during the wetter months, but you should drain the floor completely first. There is a higher chance of electrical shock or electrocution when working in a flooded basement. To get rid of the water, cut off the electricity to the basement and plug in a utility pump (connected to an extension cord that reaches an outlet on the upper floor). The water will be released from the pump through a garden hose into the ground of your lawn. Once the basement is dry, the walls may be inspected, fixed, and waterproofed properly.

Use Hydraulic Cement to Seal Any Gaps You See.

The footing of basement walls is another frequent location for cracks. The footing, a large flat base of concrete and reinforced steel meant to support the walls, is poured first while a foundation is being laid, followed by the walls once the footing has set. The movement and settling of a foundation, together with lateral pressure from the earth, can cause fractures to form at this weak location in the foundation, known as a "cold joint," even though this is typical building procedure.

Filling cracks with hydraulic cement is a straightforward Do It Yourself project. By adding water to hydraulic cement and working it into a thick putty, gaps can be filled with the use of gloved fingers or a putty knife. The hydraulic cement will expand and set quickly due to the additives it contains (follow mixing and application directions). Hydraulic cement forms a waterproof seal by expanding into fractures and fissures. But, due of how rapidly it sets, you should only mix as much as you can use within three minutes.

Fixing leaks in window wells should be a priority.

When an appropriate drainage system wasn't constructed beneath the well at the time of construction, window wells are a frequent cause of leaks in the basement's walls. As a result, water may collect around the window's sill and eventually leak inside a basement.

It's not easy to retrofit a window well with a drainage system, but you might dig down about two feet and cover the hole with gravel to prevent rainfall from pooling in the well.

If Your Basement Has Bare Inside Walls, You Should Seal Them With a Masonry Waterproofing Product.

A high-quality waterproof paint should be used to coat the interior of your basement walls if the foil test revealed that water was seeping through them.

Sealer must not be used on freshly painted walls or on efflorescence.

Sealers only attach well to bare brickwork, so if you or a prior owner painted the basement walls, you'll need to strip them first. Blasting contractors are the ideal choice when a home has multiple layers of paint that need to be removed. Wire brushing is another option for removal, albeit it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive DIY project.

It Is Important to Take Precautions to Prevent Water From Entering Your Basement.

The problem of damp basement walls may have a simple solution. For instance, if you have plants or flowerbeds near the house's foundation that need regular watering and could lead to water seeping into the basement, you should consider removing them. Likewise, check the gutters and downspouts to make sure they're doing their job of diverting water away from your house, and fix them if they aren't. Having a yard with at least a two percent slope away from the foundation is also recommended.

Consider installing an outside drain tile system in addition to the aforementioned measures. Because of the high cost—often $10,000 or more—this is a strategy only considered as a last resort. When installing a perforated drain at the footing level, it is necessary to excavate the soil from the perimeter of your basement. In order to prevent water from seeping into the basement, a waterproof membrane is typically built outside the basement wall, and a sump pump is typically installed underground. To do this properly, however, requires the expertise of a foundation contractor, but it might significantly lessen basement flooding.

Be Sure to Consider Drainage Problems Within Your Home.

A drainage channel laid beneath the basement floor is another option for ensuring that the basement stays dry. Similar to the outside drain tile mentioned above, this drain is situated within the basement's walls before being concealed by new construction. It's time to hire a foundation contractor again, and you should expect to pay at least $2,500 at the very least for this project. When finished, you'll have brand new, dry walls, and any water that still manages to leak through the old basement walls will be diverted to the drain channel and subsequently removed by a sump pump.

Conclusion

Waterproofing a basement from the inside or the outside is the best way to achieve great results, but there are many different approaches to waterproofing a basement. External waterproofing is more involved and invasive, but the serenity that comes from knowing that water won't be a problem is priceless. Waterproofing the exterior of a building is more expensive than waterproofing the interior, but it does a good job of preventing water from reaching the base of the house. Waterproofing the interior of a basement can reduce the likelihood of flooding, but there are advantages and disadvantages. Contact Triad Basement Waterproofing for more information.

Basement wall waterproofing is a common problem for basements, as they are constructed below ground level and can lead to damp basement walls, puddles, and even flooding in the worst-case situation. To prevent this, it is important to find out the source of water seepage in concrete, inspect the area around the entry and exit points of pipes, and conduct a condensation test. A high-quality dehumidifier can help with the short-term problem of too much humidity in the basement, but don't fix the walls if the basement is flooded.

Content Summary

1. Many homeowners with basements worry, "Should I waterproof the basement from the inside or the outside?"
2. The correct response is "it depends" because of the variable of location.
3. Great results can be achieved by waterproofing the interior of a basement if you happen to reside in a region where water seeps into basements naturally.
4. If water is not leaking in through your foundation's cracks and holes, then external waterproofing is the way to go.
5. While it represents a large monetary commitment, but more importantly, it is your place of residence.
6. There's no reason not to make sure your house is in almost mint shape.
7. Basements are especially vulnerable to water damage if you happen to live in a location that frequently has floods, thaws, or both.
8. You have finally decided to waterproof your basement like the responsible homeowner you are.
9. Yet there are a plethora of possibilities, and there are many different approaches to waterproofing a basement.
10. You should also consider paying someone else to complete the task for you.
11. Can you tell the difference between inside and external waterproofing?
12. Distinctions Between Interior and External Waterproofing Exterior Waterproofing A basement's outside can be waterproofed using a method that requires a more involved and invasive installation than a system installed within the basement.
13. The next step is to have a waterproof membrane installed around your home's base to stop water from entering the basement in the first place.
14. Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of any exterior waterproofing system, as they are responsible for collecting rainwater and channeling it away from the house.
15. Given this, it should come as no surprise that clean gutters are essential.
16. An additional component of exterior waterproofing is a membrane built around the perimeter of the foundation to prevent water from seeping in and causing the concrete to fracture and leak.
17. An outside drainage system, such as a French drain, is the next step.
18. Excavation along the house's foundation is a necessary part of this system, which can be a nuisance.
19. Before it can seep into the basement, the drain tiles will divert water away from the structure's base.
20. Waterproofing the exterior of a building is more expensive than waterproofing the interior since it takes more time and more materials.
21. Still, it does a good job of preventing water from reaching the base of your house.
22. Therefore, if your home's basement or other living spaces are kept dry, the foundation will not weaken or break and allow water to seep inside.
23. A costly exterior waterproofing system is justifiable because of the money it will save you in the end.
24. Defending Against Leaks Within Water that seeps into the basement from the inside can be diverted safely away from the house with proper inside waterproofing.
25. The overflow is piped to the basement's sump pit, a big basin used to collect and hold water.
26. The next step is a sump pump, which is a water pump that is installed in the sump pit and is responsible for removing water from the basement and redirecting it away from the house.
27. In the event of a power outage or a particularly powerful storm, most sump pumps can keep on operating thanks to their backup batteries.
28. You may prevent water damage to your basement by installing these plastic or foil sheets around the walls.
29. Waterproofing the interior of a basement entails installing a drainage system and sealing any holes or gaps that could allow water to enter.
30. The likelihood of your basement flooding can be drastically reduced by installing an effective interior waterproofing system.
31. In comparison to exterior waterproofing systems, these drainage systems are simple to set up and affordable.
32. There are advantages and disadvantages to waterproofing both the inside and outside of a building.
33. Contact the professionals at Triad Basement Waterproofing if you have any questions regarding waterproofing or would like more information on interior and exterior waterproofing for your house.
34. Waterproofing systems built inside a basement are typically used as corrective measures to deal with the aftermath of water damage.
35. In most cases, a trench is dug parallel to the damaged region in your basement.
36. The next step is to construct a drainage system, typically a sump pump, to channel the water away from the foundation.
37. If water has already made its way into your basement, an interior waterproofing system can be a more cost-effective solution than a complete overhaul of your exterior.
38. Basement Wall Waterproofing: What To Do And What Not To Do Wet Basement Walls Can Be Disastrous, so It's Important to Find Out What's Causing Them and How to Fix Them as Quickly as Possible.
39. Inundation is a common problem for basements because they are constructed below ground level.
40. This can lead to damp basement walls, puddles, and even flooding in the worst-case situation during the rainy season.
41. Basements that are too humid, damp, or wet can cause paint to peel, mold and mildew to grow, wood to decay, and stored objects to be damaged.
42. Despite builders' best efforts to seal off basements during construction, settling can eventually cause water to seep in via gaps in the concrete.
43. The basement walls, even though they are technically solid, can feel damp because they absorb water from the earth.
44. Humidity levels in the basement rise as water evaporates from the walls.
45. The ideal long-term answer is to waterproof the walls, but a high-quality dehumidifier can help with the short-term problem of too much humidity in the basement.
46. If you're thinking about waterproofing the walls of your basement, these suggestions will help you get started.
47. Wet streaks are an easy way to pinpoint the source of water seepage in concrete.
48. Inspect the area around the entry and exit points of pipes, such as the water supply line and the sewage pipe, for the presence of streaks.
49. In the event that it is damp, water is entering the building from outside.
50. If it's dry, it's probably coming from a basement shower, which may be readily fixed by installing a vent fan to exhaust the steam outside.