If your basement is damp or wet, water might be seeping through the walls. This can happen due to the hydrostatic pressure of water on the concrete that's below ground. It may be a good idea to call in a waterproofing service to get recommendations for the best way to dry out your basement and waterproof the walls. You might have a choice between interior or exterior wall waterproofing. Here's how they differ.
1. Interior Waterproofing Services
Waterproofing an interior wall involves painting over the wall to seal it so water can't get through the concrete. The contractor will use a coating, such as rubber or waterproof paint to make sure no water can get through.
An advantage of using a waterproof coating is that it is an affordable way to waterproof your basement. However, it may not be permanent if the coating is damaged or wears off. The waterproofing service can help you decide if an interior coating is right for you.
Before the coating is applied, all cracks in the concrete need to be sealed since water can ooze through the cracks too. The contractor may use hydraulic cement to seal the cracks and then paint the walls once the crack filler has dried.
2. Exterior Waterproofing Services
Another way to waterproof walls is to apply a coating or membrane on the exterior wall. This requires digging the soil away from the house so the wall is exposed all the way to the footing of the foundation. Then the wall has to be cleaned to get rid of dirt so the coating will adhere.
An exterior coating keeps water from seeping through the walls, so your basement stays dry. However, the water rolls down to the soil, so the contractor might decide to put in a drain so the water can be taken away from your home. This requires digging a trench and putting gravel and a drain in it as an extra precaution for keeping your basement dry.
If you're planning to renovate your basement and put furniture in it, you'll want a waterproofing method you can depend on. The contractor can determine the reason for your wet basement and then choose the right solution that keeps your basement dry and that also fits within your budget.
Figuring out where the water is coming from is an important step in basement waterproofing. If clogged gutters or poor drainage are to blame, these problems should be fixed in addition to putting a coating on the walls.
For more information about waterproofing services, contact a local repair and restoration company.
