subject: Waterproofing Your Basement - It Needs To Be Done [print this page] People who live in somewhat dry climates often think there's no need to do any waterproofing to the basement. They would be wrong. Water is underground in almost all areas and this water can easily find its way into your home by way of your basement. Because of hydrostatic pressure, water has to go somewhere when it begins to build up around a structure. Eventually, it will weaken the walls of your home and get inside unless you have adequate protection. The best way to protect yourself is to hire professionals to come in and do a thorough waterproofing of the entire basement. If you want to do it yourself, however, here is a good way to get started.
If you're already experiencing some leakage, you'll want to take care of that first. Find out where the problem is and where the water is coming from. Go outside after it rains and survey your property. Look for an areas of standing water. If it seems like an excessive amount, find out why that is. Could it be that your yard could be better sloped to eliminate water of this type? If so, you may want to consult with a landscaping expert that can help you divert rainwater away from your house. Examine the gutters as well. A good gutter system should have a downspout that pours the rain away from the house. Some gutters simply dump it straight down, which can cause more problems than it solves!
Keep in mind that your leaks may not be the result of rainfall. If there is a problem with the water main, you'll be in over your head before you know it and will need the assistance of a plumber. Even they may not be able to locate and fix the problem. If this is true, you might need to contact someone from the city government to come out and have a look after expressing your concerns.
Examine your basement for any obvious holes or cracks in the walls, ceiling, or floor. Look to your local hardware store for waterproofing materials that can help you patch these breaches and stop any further water from entering the basement. There will be a number of products on sale, so you might want to ask a sales rep to help you find the one that he recommends most, or at least find one that looks easy to apply.
