There are few home improvement project that are as potentially expensive as basement waterproofing, and the reasons are simple. Your home’s foundation is the most vital part of the entire structure, and if there are problems with it, then the result can be expensive repairs to deal with flooding problems and loss of equity that can lower your asking price and cost plenty of money when you try to sell your property.
If you want to waterproof your basement (or cellar, as they call it in some parts of the country), then there really isn’t a better way to do it than installing an exterior waterproofing system that is designed to divert pressure and water away from the cement bricks and masonry outside.
Unfortunately, however, this almost always involves excavating in order to get at the perforated footer drain tiles that are set around the foundation. These drains are there to get rid of something called “hydrostatic pressure” that pushes against your basement walls and even upwards against the floor. But when excavation jobs are involved, then it’s pretty much guaranteed that the cost of the project is going to go up.
You can go a long way in making sure the interior of your cellar remains dry by practicing DIY basement waterproofing, but there is only so much you can do yourself unless you are a trained professional. You’ll be able to find good, reliable concrete waterproofing materials and supplies to repair internal problems such as wet and arid walls. These products include waterproofing membranes, waterproof sealers and paint that will take care of leaks, as well as killing mildew and preventing black mold as well . . . all of which are great on walls as well as basement flooring.
Even homeowners with plenty of remodeling experience, however, can do little more than slow down moisture problems and wall cracks in the basement with a do-it–yourself waterproofing project. The real culprit behind seepage and dampness on basement walls is a faulty external waterproofing system. In this case, you’ll only solve the problem if you excavate your exterior drainage system and repair it properly.
Make no mistake about it: the installation of exterior waterproofing systems should only be attempted by contractors who are properly trained and licensed to do the job. In the last few years, plenty of local companies have popped up that can do a fine job on waterproofing projects thanks to new technologies. Not all of them, however, can be trusted completely to do the most affordable work and leave your property safe, secure and healthy.
If you’re looking for advice on how to prevent a wet, flooded basement or leaky crawl space, then start with the method you use to pick your residential or commercial contractor. That means going after several quotes to compare prices, and disregarding any business that doesn’t offer a free estimate on services. You will probably have plenty of options to choose from, so take advantage of it.
Local basement waterproofers can vary widely in terms of the prices they charge and the value of their work, so always do your homework before settling on anyone (which is good advice, regardless of what home improvement project you are starting). One contractor might use different techniques than another, but that’s fine as long as the methods result in a waterproofed basement that is safe, effective and systems that are installed up to code.
