A basement that gets wet now and then is frustrating. You can't depend on the space to stay dry enough that you can use it for storage or other purposes. You should look into waterproofing your basement. First, you may want to identify the reason your basement gets wet, and then you may want to talk to a basement waterproofing contractor about ways to keep your basement dry. Here are some things to consider.
Possible Reasons Your Basement Gets Wet
Poor drainage might be to blame for your wet basement. If rain pools near your foundation rather than draining away, the rain might leak in the basement or seep through the concrete walls or floor. Drainage might be bad due to your gutter system or due to the land being sloped the wrong way in your yard. These could potentially be easy problems to fix.
If you can't figure out the reason for your wet basement, the waterproofing contractor may figure out the cause so the best waterproofing method can be recommended. The fix might involve waterproofing your basement and improving drainage outside your house.
Interior Waterproofing Might Help
A permanent solution that should keep your basement dry is to install an interior drain and sump pump. For this, the contractor places a drain under your foundation. The drain collects water and moves it to a storage well that's also buried in the foundation floor.
A sump pump then turns on and pumps the water out when enough has collected in the well. This method works well if your basement gets wet when it rains. You can have a pump put in that has a battery backup so it still works when the power is out.
Exterior Waterproofing Method To Keep Water Out
Exterior basement waterproofing is designed to keep water from getting inside your basement, and in that case, it's not necessary to install an interior drain and sump pump. If your contractor recommends exterior waterproofing, they might want to bury a French drain near your house on the outside in your yard to catch water and move it away from your home. A drain that's buried outside can usually drain using gravity and empty into the street.
Your contractor can discuss the pros and cons of each method. While both are effective, you might prefer one over the other. For example, you might prefer interior waterproofing so the contractor doesn't have to tear up your yard by digging a trench for the French drain.
For more information about basement waterproofing, contact a company like J.A. Kilby Enterprises Inc.
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