Basement Floor Waterproofing Methods

Why is basement floor waterproofing so often overlooked, when if it was done when the basement was built, there would be fewer problems with seepage and flooding? 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. These days, many individuals recognize that such an area can be used for other things besides more bedrooms, living rooms and dens.

Water situation was not encountered in the beginning by homeowners, but it later appeared because sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogged with mud.

The soil will become too wet and saturated if water from the roof isn’t directed far away enough from the foundation. As the home settles, walls crack, protective coatings applied to the exterior biodegrades and drainage systems fill up with silt. A leakage in the basement might result from all these problems. Natural pressure from the soil against the foundation will cause flowing ground water to enter through any cracks or crevices in your foundation. A high water level can create a great amount of pressure. As water pressure increases, water begins to seep into cracks in the concrete walls and floors. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.

Pressure relief systems are a good way to prevent hydrostatic water from entering your home. Primary pumps cannot work if the electricity goes out during a rainstorm. Over time this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the floor or wall (usually called bleeding). Corners and joints that connect the floor and the wall are the most likely candidates for seepage.

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 will go right through concrete since it is porous. Because of moisture it feels even more cold, and rots carpet and other floor coverings. Even the mold starts to grow and basement smells musty.

Using high quality sealants easily found in the marketplace is a good remedy. It is often possible to paint them with either the roller or spray method.

Here are some examples of what a regular basement floor waterproofing project might entail:

- getting the floor ready by taking up any materials that are broken up or loose.
- Care has to be taken to see that the floor of the basement is absolutely dry,and for this one may need to hire large fans or heaters.
- making sure wall/floor junctions are sealed.
- Filling in all crevices and bends which are especially visible.
- priming the floor if the product requires use of a primer.
- top-coating floor with the final product, using 2 or 3 coats as appropriate.

If you waterproof your basement floor with a good product the results should last for a number of years. Permaflex is one type of sealant that will give a complete and permanent waterproofing for a basement floor. 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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