As your basement is buried in the ground, it is more prone to water damage than the rest of your home. However, that doesn't mean that water damage is inevitable. With the right preparation, you can keep water out of your basement, allowing your basement to be used as an additional living space for your home.
Way #1: Check How Water Is Draining Around Your Home
When it comes to waterproofing your basement, one of the smartest things you can do is make sure that water is not getting into your basement in the first place. To do that, you need to look at how water drains around your home.
Do you have working gutters in place that are clean and functional? Do you have downspouts in place with splash pads that direct water away from your home? Is the soil graded around your home to direct water away from your home?
If you don't have working gutters, downspouts, or the soil is improperly graded around your home, you are going to want to fix these issues first. Directing water away from your basement goes a long way in keeping your basement dry.
Way #2: Install a Sump Pump
The truth is, water may get into your basement even if you direct water away from your home. That is where installing a sump pump comes into play. A sump pump is buried in our basement and has an electric motor that is activated when water gets into the basin of the pump.
The pump forces water through a pipe, out of your basement, and away from your home. A sump pump will keep your basement from getting flooded if water does get into your basement. A sump pump is a great back-up tool to have in place to deal with water that gets into your basement.
Your contractor can also install a drain in the foundation of your home, which will direct water that builds up around the foundation of your home into the sump pump. The sump pump will then remove the water from your basement, keeping your basement dry.
Way #3: Add a Vapor Barrier
Another way to keep your basement dry is by making sure your basement walls are correctly constructed. When you construct the walls in your basement, you should add a vapor barrier to the wall. A vapor barrier is designed to keep moisture from getting inside your basement and helps prevent water and mold damage. An insulated vapor barrier is usually the best option, as it can help keep your basement warm and dry.
Keep your basement free of water by making sure the water is being directed away from your home by your gutters, downspouts, and soil grade. Add a sump pump, and a drain if necessary, to keep water from getting into and destroying your basement.
When you build the walls in your basement, make sure they include a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier can keep water from getting into your basement as well. Consult with a basement waterproofing professional in order to figure out the best ways to waterproof your basement and turn your basement into an additional functional area of your home.
Share