You already know that you want to keep your basement dry — leaks and moisture can lead to cosmetic and structural damage, as well as hazardous mold. If you suspect that you have water leaking into your basement, it’s better to take care of it quickly by waterproofing. The longer you wait, the more costly the repair.
What you may not know, however, is that you have different options available to you when it comes to waterproofing your basement. The method you use to keep your basement dry will depend on your location, the construction of your home and the severity of the problem.
At Ray Arnold Masonry & General Contracting, we’ve been waterproofing basements for half a century. We know what works and what doesn’t, and today we’re going to share some of that knowledge with you.
Do-It-Yourself Solutions
You can pick up a gallon or two of a DIY waterproofing solution at just about every hardware store. This may seem inexpensive and convenient, but we advise against just sealing up the basement if you’re unfamiliar with the problem. If these solutions aren’t up to the task, you’ll have a bigger problem on your hand down the road.
While these DIY solutions can work for some problems, we always recommend getting a professional quote or consult before trying to waterproof your basement. This will ensure that you address the actual cause of the problem without making it any worse. That’s one reason we offer free quotes — to help you understand the depth and nature of the problem.
Exterior Waterproofing Services
This method for waterproofing your basement is incredibly effective when it comes to keeping water out, and it works on basements with masonry or concrete walls. In many cases, exterior waterproofing provides the best option for keeping your basement dry. So how does it work?
We start by excavating the dirt around your basement walls. Once exposed, we apply a barrier that deflects moisture away from the masonry or concrete. We then add a gravel fill surrounding the basement wall, and in many cases, we install a footer drain or sump pump. This ensures that the water doesn’t create pressure against the basement walls — which could eventually lead to cracks and leaks.
Interior Waterproofing Services
Though we often recommend exterior waterproofing, sometimes it’s simply not possible. In these instances, interior waterproofing provides an alternative solution.
We start by excavating a channel along the perimeter of your basement — this will run alongside the foundation footers, inside the basement. Inside this channel, we’ll install a drainage system that will collect any water that finds its way through the basement walls. We fasten specialized membranes to the wall, to further guide moisture into the drainage system. This system will direct water to a sump pump system that will move the water outside, and away from your basement.
We cover the channel drainage system with new concrete, and in some cases treat your walls with a waterproofing solution. In the most extreme circumstances, new interior walls may need to be erected to cover the original basement walls.
What’s Right for You?
Exterior waterproofing is the only method that’s recognized by the International Building Code for preventing structural damage, but it may not be the best solution in your home. In our experience, waterproofing the interior can provide sufficient protection from water intrusion as well.
The right solution depends largely on your individual situation. The best way to make a determination is to get a quote or consultation from an experienced professional. Don’t forget, at Ray Arnold Masonry & General Contracting, we offer free quotes for basement waterproofing services. Just give us a call at 440-834-8252 or fill out our contact form, and we’ll schedule a time to come take a look.
Steps You Can Take Right Now
If you have leaks in your basement, you should have a professional take a look as soon as possible. There are a couple of steps you can take to reduce the amount of water leaking into your basement.
- Clean your gutters and make sure they are properly pitched. If your gutters are clogged or pitched improperly they may overflow, spilling water alongside your home. Eventually, this water will find it’s way to your basement walls.
- Install downspout extensions. If your gutters are performing properly, the water will come out of the downspout. However, if you don’t have a downspout extension then water will simply pour out next to your house. A downspout extension will move that water 4 to 6 feet from your foundation, preventing leakage.
Though these steps won’t solve the problem, they will help mitigate it until you can have a professional resolve it.
Give us a Call
Ready to end your leaky basement problems once and for all? Reach out to Ray Arnold Masonry & General Contracting and schedule your free quote. We can’t wait to help you.