Waterproofing techniques for basement floors.
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Many basement flooding and seeping problems could have been avoided by waterproofing the basement when constructed. Basements are often thought of as just places for storage that have concrete floors and walls where you can store old toys, tools and other stuff. Now, people realize the potential of this space for something much more such as extra living space, family rooms and bedrooms.
Many homeowners go years without a water problem and then develop one due to the existing sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogging with mud.
If water from the roof is not directed far enough away from the foundation, then the soil becomes too saturated. As the home settles, walls crack, protective coatings applied to the exterior biodegrades and drainage systems fill up with silt. Leakage in the basement can be caused by all of these problems. Flowing ground water enters through cracks or other openings in the foundation; moisture in saturated soil enters through solid masonry as well as through cracks and other openings because of the natural pressure the soil exerts against the foundation. The higher the level of water, the greater the pressure. In turn this water, under increased pressure, seeks entry through cracks and crevices in the walls and floors, and concrete is no match for water pressure. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.
A pressure relief system can eliminate water that leaks into your basement. However when the electricity goes out, most likely during a rainstorm, primary pumps cannot work. Over time this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the floor or wall (often called bleeding). Seepage is often found where the wall meets the floor around the corners and joints.
If water come from an isolated area and is installed a pump below the floor level will lower the water and the underground pressure Water vapor passes through porous concrete. A wet or damp basement due to excessive moisture will cause carpeting to rot, allows mold to grow and makes the basement smell musty.
One fix for this problem is to use some of the quality sealants now available to the average home owner. It is often possible to paint them with either the roller or spray method.
A typical basement floor waterproofing project might involve:
- preparing the floor by removing crumbly or loose material.
- making sure the basement floor is as dry as possible, hiring large fans or heaters if necessary.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- Filling in all crevices and bends which are especially visible.
- Find out if it is necessary to use a primer and if it should be, prime the floor as per instructions
- Use 2 to 3 coats as needed to top coat the floor with the final product.
With a good product you will have a waterproofed basement floor that should last for a number of years. There are sealants on the market such as PermaFlex which offer complete, permanent basement floor waterproofing. This is arguably the only waterproofing system that is suitable for indoor use that will result in the complete sealing of a basement floor, no matter what sort of state it might be in. And it is considerably cheaper than other type of work as it does not involve pipes or pumps!
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