HOME BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS
10:30 PM | Posted by
Muy
Home basement, being below street level areas, are susceptible to water flooding due to seepage of drainage water. Thus, homeowners must have an effective basement waterproofing system to prevent this from happening.
There are three kinds of commercial basement waterproofing systems:
1.TANKING- this is done by water sealing of the walls of the basement, to prevent seepage of water from higher levels. This is usually done during the construction of the house. Bonding or waterproofing materials are applied on the basement walls and floors to make them water proof.
2.CAVITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM- this can be done even after the house construction is finished. A plastic based membrane is laid on the walls and flooring of the basement. This will prevent seepage of drain water from the outside of the basement. Furthermore, the floors are slanted so that all the unwanted water inside the basement will gravitate toward a drain, leading to a sump pump, which will eventually pump the water out of the basement. But the disadvantage of this system is if and when the sump pump has an electrical or mechanical break-down. This will give you a dirty pond inside your house.
3.EXTERIOR FOUNDATION DRAIN- this is done by constructing a drainage system outside the basement walls, which removes ground water outside the basement. This system is ideal for those areas with frequent heavy rains.
Of the three systems, tanking and exterior drain systems are frequently recommended by commercial waterproofing companies.
Aside from the commercial basement waterproofing systems, homeowners can use a simple do-it-yourself system. This done by looking for the areas that causes the flooding of your basement. These are usually the low level areas near your basement walls. Fill these areas with concrete mix. Check gutters and downspouts for debris clogging it, especially those within 8 feet from the basement walls. Clear them and if possible redirect there water flow away from the wall. Hydrostatic pressures caused by the water saturated soils forces water to enter thru the cracks where the basement walls and floors meet. This could be prevented by applying sealants on these problem areas.
Basement has many uses and advantages, but coupled with these are risks and obligations of maintenance by the home owner. Poorly maintained basement can result in having a pool of dirty stagnant water. This can become a breeding place for diseases carrying insects and microorganism, which can cause harm on the health of the home occupants, as well as those living in the vicinity.
There are three kinds of commercial basement waterproofing systems:
1.TANKING- this is done by water sealing of the walls of the basement, to prevent seepage of water from higher levels. This is usually done during the construction of the house. Bonding or waterproofing materials are applied on the basement walls and floors to make them water proof.
2.CAVITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM- this can be done even after the house construction is finished. A plastic based membrane is laid on the walls and flooring of the basement. This will prevent seepage of drain water from the outside of the basement. Furthermore, the floors are slanted so that all the unwanted water inside the basement will gravitate toward a drain, leading to a sump pump, which will eventually pump the water out of the basement. But the disadvantage of this system is if and when the sump pump has an electrical or mechanical break-down. This will give you a dirty pond inside your house.
3.EXTERIOR FOUNDATION DRAIN- this is done by constructing a drainage system outside the basement walls, which removes ground water outside the basement. This system is ideal for those areas with frequent heavy rains.
Of the three systems, tanking and exterior drain systems are frequently recommended by commercial waterproofing companies.
Aside from the commercial basement waterproofing systems, homeowners can use a simple do-it-yourself system. This done by looking for the areas that causes the flooding of your basement. These are usually the low level areas near your basement walls. Fill these areas with concrete mix. Check gutters and downspouts for debris clogging it, especially those within 8 feet from the basement walls. Clear them and if possible redirect there water flow away from the wall. Hydrostatic pressures caused by the water saturated soils forces water to enter thru the cracks where the basement walls and floors meet. This could be prevented by applying sealants on these problem areas.
Basement has many uses and advantages, but coupled with these are risks and obligations of maintenance by the home owner. Poorly maintained basement can result in having a pool of dirty stagnant water. This can become a breeding place for diseases carrying insects and microorganism, which can cause harm on the health of the home occupants, as well as those living in the vicinity.