Waterproofing tips

Everything about basement waterproofing

Why do you need to protect your basement from water damage if you don’t keep anything important down there? Water pressure and water seeping through your walls damages them. This can eventually lead to severe problems. Leach lines and proper drainage can help keep water away from the foundation, and the basement walls and thus prevent such damage from ever becoming so severe.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind while checking for possible threats to your foundation and basement.

You should watch your rain gutters and your in ground drainage. The rain gutters should be pointed away from the house, and the drainage and grading should lead them at least 6 feet from the house, but 10 feet is preferable. Make sure that the gutters are functioning properly. Before each rainy season, make sure that they are clear of any blockage. If during the rainy season, they become blocked, clear them immediately where possible. When this isn’t possible, it’s probably a good idea to dig a quick, simple drainage ditch wherever the water is spilling over. Also make sure that the water is draining away from the house on it’s own. Avoid reverse grading, even if it means buying the soil necessary. It will save you money in the long run.

Another, more simple method of avoiding this kind of problem is grass. A layer of backfill flush against your house covered with tough grass will keep water from seeping into the ground.

If your house is heavily landscaped, lots of concrete pathways or a pool deck, there are a few precautions you should take. First of all, any concrete that is grading towards the house should be replaced and graded up. Or at least have another gutter system built up sending rainwater or runoff away from the house. If the concrete connect to the house, fill the joint with caulk so no water can seep into it. Do your best to repair any cracks in the pavement outside, and use a good waterproof sealer. The same should be done for your driveway.

Making a simple dry well can be as effective as it is easy. A hole between 2 and 5 feet deep, layered with landscaping fabric, then filled with gravel with simple drainage ditches leading into it can easily handle the water runoff for quite a large area.

Dig a trench along the side of the house and fill it with gravel to keep surface water from puddling against foundation. French drain with a perforated PVC pipe in gravel. This will take rainwater away from the side of the house. Make sure that puddles do not form anywhere in the yard fill in hollows as best as possible. If they drain poorly, install window well dome covers, or dig out and use footing drains. Replace old liners if necessary. Make sure the lips are raised high enough above grade.

The purpose of a sump pump is to remove some of the water pressure. Make sure that the seal on the cover of the pump is airtight as not to release gases. A sump pump is a good measure, and very good alongside other methods, but should not be trusted alone. What happens often during storms? Loss of power, and your pump, unless well backed up, is useless.

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