Controlling household dampness is paramount to any home. A damp or flooded basement degrades your structural foundation, causes health problems, and allows the propagation of mold and mildew. Taking precautions can save you exorbitant amounts of money, because structural damage is one of the most costly repairs. There are a few simple tools you can use to effectively waterproof your basement and save yourself from all these problems.
The first tool you can use is a plastic vapor barrier. A plastic vapor barrier helps prevent moisture from forming on the inside of your basement walls due to changes in the temperature of the outside environment. The vapor barrier is installed over insulation and hammered into wall studs. The individual sheets are also taped together to create an air tight seal.
Another useful and common method is to install drywall. Drywall is also known as plasterboard or gypsum board. Drywall consists of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two layers of thick paper. The drywall is installed over the vapor barrier using drywall screws driven into wall studs. The next step is to use drywall tape and joint compound. They complete the initial waterproofing of your basement wall. A thin layer of joint compound is spread over any screw indentations and joint seams. The drywall tape is then pressed into the seams, and another layer is spread on top of the tape.
Latex paint is another useful tool in the fight against water penetration. The latex waterproofing paint is very thick and needs to be applied by hand with a strong, course paint brush. Two coats are highly recommended for maximum effectivity.
French drains are another essential piece of this puzzle. French drains are basically trenches dug into the ground or basement subfloor and are covered with rock gravel followed by a protective and durable cover. French drains are especially useful in sending excess water directly to a sump pump to be pumped outside the structure.
A sump pump is a water pump that sits in a hole created at the lowest point in the basement. This way it can catch excess water and pump it out of the structure, to a location at least fifteen feet away.
Another notorious place for water accumulation is your basement windows. A basement window well is a dual purpose device that can help in preventing this buildup. The first function of an egress window is to provide an emergency exit from the basement. Second, when connected to an outside drainage system, a window well prevents the accumulation of water at the windows and even lessens the chance of water entering the basement.
Proper waterproofing with these aforementioned tools can help your home maintain its value as well as provide many years of happy, healthy, and most importantly safe living spaces for you, your family, and your friends.
