How does one obtain knowledge regarding Basement Waterproofing Systems?
by diywealth on Feb.18, 2010, under diy
What are basement waterproofing systems and how do they work? For answering that question it will help to first take a look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and the way it was supposed to work.
If you imagine how a basement is first built, when the house it is sited in was first conceived, then basically the following happens:
In case you are curious to know how the basement is built, you will see that the idea was first conceived in the design and then the next steps follow. It starts with the digging of a big hole, then the footer or foundations are laid. After the base is done, the walls of the basement are built and then only the rest of the house is constructed.
From this list the most vital point is the top one – the vast crater dug in the earth
The construction of basement walls invariably leaves a void on the exterior which requires backfilling. Loose backfill is used to fill in the gap. No matter how well the backfill is compacted, it is still backfill and water seeks the places of little resistance.
Water will continuously seep into this area. Typical basement waterproofing systems utilize water drainage pipes that often become silted. The water is naturally bringing all sorts of suspension with it. When these pipes get filled the system overloads and a lot of water pressure gets applied to the outside walls of the basement. If there are crevices in the walls, water will push through even if the basement walls are waterproofed.
This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.
A lot of the time a huge mistake is made by not providing access to these pipes. In an attempt to keep excess moisture out basement waterproofing also can be put onto the outer walls of the basement. Usually this is called a tanked system.
If you want to find out if you have water inside the concrete block of your walls simply tap a hole into the concrete block, near the floor, and see if you have water coming out of this block then you may want to consider a drained cavity waterproofing system this system drains the water from your walls, much the same way you just did, by adding drain holes in the bottom blocks that allows those areas to drain into a type of interior french drain system. To move water away from your property; it first must be collected and sent through drainage channels to a sump pump or a natural drainage field.
The waterproofing systems for basement are better systems because they are installed internally and have easy access ports for removing the silt etc. It takes minimal disturbance to the original basement where traditional tanking or other methods have failed.
So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:
- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
-an approved method by home loan lenders
-more affordable than other methods
You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.
While you are getting the house made you need to realize that waterproofing is more of an investment in the value of your house rather then an expense.
This will simplify the use of basement waterproofing systems. If you wish the the basics and ensure that you have a hassle free and cheap experience, visit As with most companies you can now get information on basement waterproofing systems via an online website.
