You have taken all the necessary steps to waterproof your basement, and now the work is over, right? Not exactly. Waterproofing in basements will last years, sometimes as long as ten years. The length of time between applications is largely affected by the surrounding environment, and how well the waterproofing was applied in the first place. For instance, if your home is built on marshy ground, such as in areas prone to flooding, you may have to dampproof every fall. The more the professional your approach to waterproofing, the longer it will last. Shoddy jobs mean frequent fixes and reapplications.