Basement

How do you waterproof a basement on the outside?

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    Homeowners can and likely have already done a lot to waterproof the interior of their basements, but that doesn't mean they should neglect the exterior. It is imperative that all bases be covered in order to guarantee that the basement's foundation and walls are entirely watertight.

    In order to establish a drainage system and effectively waterproof the outer foundation and the basement, excavation must be performed in the area where the problem is most likely to occur, around the perimeter, or along more than one length. Those outside fractures need to be fixed before the drains can be installed.

    Your hired help should apply a waterproofing compound to the building's walls. A dimple board might also be built up. To prevent damage to the waterproofing material and to guide silt downward, dimpled plastic sheets are used. Dimple boards are the name for this unique kind of sheet. Another option is to spray a waterproof membrane onto the base of the structure. Despite its adaptability, the membrane requires constant protection from a dimple board.

    After repairing any structural damage, such as fractures or weakened supports, it's time to build a drainage system, of which there are many different kinds. Most drainage systems are meant to be built on the inside of a house, but there are also a few simple drainage systems meant for the outside.

    From the inside, you can permanently fix wall cracks that are leaking water by injecting expanding polyurethane into them; this will seal the crack to the soil outside while still being flexible after curing, so it won't crack again if the foundation shifts a little. Repairing seeping wall cracks requires a similar approach but is performed from the exterior of the home.

    However, there are methods for waterproofing a basement that must be performed outside the structure. These methods are the best and only approach to stop seepage from particular locations.

    We have a wide range of external waterproofing services at Hitch Property Constructions.

    The Differences Between Waterproofing Your Basement And Damp-Proofing 

    When discussing the external and subterranean structures of your home, is there a difference between "damp-proofing" and "waterproofing" the foundation? Define each of these words for me, please.

    Basement

    There Are Differences, And These Differences Are Huge!

    The term "external damp-proofing" refers to the practise of spreading a thin layer of a liquid asphalt-based substance to your foundation in order to protect it from moisture intrusion from the outside. Due to its lack of rubber content, damp proofing cannot be used to seal foundational fissures. The purpose of damp proofing during a home's construction phase is to achieve the bare minimum of what is required by law. Costs of covering a hundred feet of any kind of base range from twenty to thirty dollars. The lack of waterproofing and moisture proofing on older properties has led to the deterioration of their foundations. Although damp proofing is effective, it cannot prevent water from eventually reaching the structure.

    As part of the exterior waterproofing process, any foundational fissures or flaws caused by shifting must be repaired. The foundation is sealed and protected against water damage in this process. One component of our basic waterproofing process is a commercial-grade version of RCC's Hydro Guard. To apply it in a two-layer approach that costs between $200 and $250 per 20 feet is not unreasonable. Instead of using damp proofing, which doesn't prevent water seepage, RCC employs a commercial-grade waterproofing compound and guarantees its work for fifty years.

    Careful consideration should be given to the supplies utilised to complete the waterproofing process of your home. In an effort to undercut the competition, many contractors and Waterproofers would claim to carry out waterproofing when in fact they will employ damp-proofing solutions.

    How Does Water Get In From The Exterior?

    If water is getting in via the top of the basement walls, outside waterproofing is your best bet. It swells and shrinks as needed depending on the humidity of the ground around your house. As a result of expansion and contraction, your basement's walls may shift or crack.

    The water may find its way into your house through the cracks. You should be aware that damage to your basement can occur from moisture and condensation even if you do not see any fractures in your foundation. The concrete's porous composition renders it ineffective as a moisture barrier, leading to the aforementioned issue.

    The majority of new constructions today are required to have some form of waterproofing installed.

    Waterproofing Advantages

    • Add Value
    • Peace of Mind
    • Prevent Damage
    • Increase Resale Value

    Waterproofing Methods

    • Minimal Excavation 
    • Minimal Disruption

    Waterproofing the exterior can be done in a variety of ways. Modern basement methods are designed to be as minimally invasive as possible, both to the home's landscaping and to the homeowner and the neighbourhood at large. The modern basement doesn't require any large machinery for exterior waterproofing work. Waterproofing a building only necessitates an average excavation depth of eighteen inches.

    Subsoil Drainage

    A French drain, also known as a yard drain, can be installed not only in the yard or elsewhere outside the house, but also in the basement.

    Exterior French drains do nothing more than divert water away from a building, yet this simple action keeps groundwater from pooling around the foundation and putting undue strain on it. Any competent professional in the field of waterproofing should be able to quickly and easily instal yard drains.

    In addition, yard drains can be installed with hardly any change to your grass or plants.

    Driveway Drains 

    Driveway drains are another type of drain, but they are set up in a driveway rather than elsewhere. Water is diverted away from the home and into a draining area, much like a yard drain. To keep leaves and sticks from clogging the drain and preventing water from draining, most driveways have metal grates installed. Depending on where the water is going, a driveway drain could be a practical and visually beautiful technique to minimise floods and water damage to the house.

    Downspout Lines 

    Downspout lines, often called downspout drains, are pipes that lead from your home's downspout to the ground below. Inadequate or overworked gutters and downspouts can lead to water pooling in the ground, which can lead to expansion.

    This is possible even if your gutters and downspouts can handle the downpour. The soil's expansion could threaten the foundation of the house, causing cracks or other damage. Additionally, water present either below or above ground may be able to seep into the foundation through fractures, leading to flooding within the building.

    A downspout line is one of the preventative measures a homeowner may take to protect their home's foundation against water seepage and the associated costs. In the same way that other external waterproofing systems impose minimal interruption on a property's yard and landscaping during installation, downspout lines are similarly easy to set up.

    Basement Waterproofing On The Outside

    When considering whether or not to waterproof a basement, it's important to remember that the water is on the outside of the building. Weeping water in a basement usually comes from the soil right next to it, either right below the structure or all around it.

    Soil expands when it absorbs water, albeit the amount of expansion is dependent on the soil type. For instance, the sandier soils of north-west Indiana don't expand as much as other types of soil. This is due to the fact that sand in the soil makes spaces between the particles that allow water to drain more quickly.

    In contrast, the vast clay soil that characterises much of the Midwest and the Chicago area in particular. Poor drainage and high-water retention capacity characterise this soil type. Miniscule, tightly packed particles are what set apart clay soil as distinct from other types. When exposed to water, clay soil expands correspondingly.

    This swelling and expansion, taken as a whole, puts stress on the substructure. Because of the strain exerted by the water, it can squeeze through the tiniest of crevices, even those around utility openings that have not been properly sealed.

    To prevent water seepage caused by lateral pressure from saturated soil, an outside technique of basement waterproofing is usually required. Other than traditional waterproofing methods, directing water flow away from the building's base and improving the building's drainage system can help alleviate the issue.

    Looking for external waterproofing Melbourne? Check out Hitch Property Constructions.

    Then, How Does Basement Waterproofing On The Outside Work?

    Stop My Basement From Seeping Water

    Exterior Crack Repair 

    Put-concrete-in-place foundations are the most common type and can be found almost anywhere. Most cases of water seepage in poured concrete foundations can be traced back to a nonstructural crack in the basement wall. Foundation settlement or lateral forces, which also lead to other types of seepage, are two possible causes of these fissures. In either case, there is a risk that the foundation will crack.

    When cracks are discovered on the inside of a basement, expanding polyurethane is typically injected into the cracks to repair them. If the basement is finished or if an appliance, such as a furnace or water heater, prevents access to the crack, the repair can be made from the exterior of the structure.

    The first step in fixing exterior cracks is excavating, but on a much smaller scale. An opening somewhat smaller in diameter than the foundation is dug at the site of the foundation crack. The hole is completely through to the foundation's footings.

    When the hole has been dug out as much as possible, it is filled almost to the top with a granular type of sodium bentonite clay. This granular clay will soak up water from the soil all around it, becoming plastic and forming a flexible, permanent barrier over water that spans the length of the fissure. Repairs are invisible once soil or sod have been replenished.

    Exterior Drain Tile  

    Extreme groundwater levels surrounding a foundation necessitate the installation of outside drain tile in addition to the membrane. This will release water from the foundation and reduce stress on the walls.

    Before the external drain tile is set, a bed of washed gravel must be laid at the bottom of the excavation. Once the membrane is complete, this step can be taken. The next step is to construct a system of perforated PVC pipe such that it lies flush with the footings over the full length of the excavation. This system drains either to a sump pump or outside, depending on how it is set up. The pipe is generally covered with a "sock" made of filtering fabric to keep debris out of the system.

    The trench is then backfilled after extra washed gravel is placed over the pipe. Water may be directed to the drain tile with the help of the drainage board described above, and the homeowner can reap the rewards of an outside system that is both thorough and highly successful in keeping the basement dry.

    Putting an external drain tile and a waterproofing membrane is a major undertaking. There is, however, an additional outside method of waterproofing a basement that is both quick and effective.

    Exterior Waterproofing Membrane  

    Sometimes a basement wall will spring a leak. Most modern homes have walls made of poured concrete for the foundation, and these walls might contain flaws like porous concrete that form throughout the building process. If the concrete wasn't fully mixed, pockets of air could have formed in the aggregate or dry cement, or the poured wall might not have been vibrated enough to expel the air. These cracks and crevices increase the risk that water will seep into the basement.

    Masonry walls often leak because of a crack in the wall or because the mortar between the bricks has worn away. With repetitive movement or poor installation, mortar joints can crack and eventually fall apart if the foundation shifts even slightly. Mortar joints in a normal wall might stretch over hundreds of feet, creating a vast area vulnerable to seepage.

    The concrete blocks and bricks that make up a masonry wall may have a porosity that is adequate to allow water to slowly seep through the wall over time. The porous interior of concrete blocks allows water to pool inside the blocks, making them especially vulnerable to flooding. The outside layer of the block is permeable, allowing water to seep within.

    Water can leak over the top of a foundation wall of any type. This is especially likely if the lawn outside the house has a negative gradient (slopes towards the house, to be precise.) or if the deck, patio, or other adjacent structure was constructed incorrectly.

    The problem can be solved by installing a waterproofing membrane outside the foundation, which will act as an impenetrable water barrier. When installing this membrane, make sure the smooth side is towards the outside.

    The first step in installing an outside waterproofing membrane is to start excavating. In a full basement, excavation must reach down to the footings, which may be as much as eight feet below ground level. The length of the excavation might vary from just one afflicted wall to the whole perimeter of the house, and it must be several feet wide to give space for technicians to work. Before beginning the excavation, these two conditions must be met.

    Once the hole has been dug, the following stage in erecting the wall is to clean it of any loose soil and mortar or concrete. A masonry wall, such as one built of stone or rough brick, may have its uneven surface smoothed by applying a large coat of mortar. Before continuing with the wall, this coat must dry completely.

    Once the wall is ready, the professionals will use masonry trowels to apply a thick layer of asphalt-modified polyurethane. The black colour of the substance leads to frequent misidentification as tar or roofing cement. Neither of these substances, however, can serve as a suitable substitute for the chemical at hand because it is a specialised sealant made for usage below ground.

    The membrane, once it has cured, will form a continuous barrier around the base of the building. Not only will this barrier serve to keep water out, but it will also aid in keeping the wall itself intact. Over the membrane, you can often install a thick layer of insulation or a strong plastic drainage board. Either one, or both, may be appropriate. The drainage board will protect the membrane from damage and channel water away from the structure. Clips are installed into the wall before the membrane is put to secure any covering to it. Once the membrane is in place, the clips will be totally protected from the outside environment.

    The foundation is then permanently sealed off to prevent seepage, and the space left by the excavation is filled up. The outside waterproofing membrane, however, can be improved upon by installing a supplementary layer.

    Before Water Enters Your Basement, Waterproof The Exterior Wall.

    If you seal off the basement's exterior wall, you can stop water from seeping in through the foundation. This aids in the prevention of flooding. Waterproofing an interior space is a different kind of job in both theory and practise.

    Instead, then letting water seep into the basement first and then managing it away, like with interior waterproofing, this form of water management is meant to help prevent water from ever entering the basement.

    Waterproofing a basement from the outside is an efficient and flexible option because it can be applied to either poured concrete or masonry block basement walls.

    The exterior of a basement can be made watertight by excavating the dirt close to the foundation walls, adding a moisture barrier, and setting up a dimple board, which is shaped to deflect water away from the wall.

    Includes 5 Lines Of Defense For Exterior Basement Waterproofing

    1. Shown in this diagram is the process of waterproofing the exterior of a basement by attaching a dimple board and a moisture barrier to the wall.
    2. When properly installed, the moisture membrane will prevent water from seeping through or rising to the ground level.
    3. To relieve the hydrostatic pressure and ensure water can flow into the footer drainage system, the dirt is removed and washed gravel measuring 3/4 inches is used in its place.
    4. Water is channelled away from the house's foundation in a managed fashion by means of a footer drain, which is located on the exterior of the building.
    5. A sump pump can be installed, with either a secondary pump for backup or gravity discharge.

    At Hitch Property Constructions, we offer Melbourne external waterproofing services.

    Important Considerations

    • For homeowners with completed basements, this is a great alternative because the work can be done outside without disturbing the space within.
    • Though not always necessary, having a sump pump system installed is highly advised.
    • Waterproofing the interior of a building takes far less time to install.
    • Maintenance can be performed on the product.
    • Waterproofing the outside walls, with a dimple board, vapour barrier, and outdoor drainage included.

    Whether the problem is a result of a crack in the wall, an improper mortar joint, or an area of porous concrete, there is an outside waterproofing solution that can be modified to match your demands. Despite this, the only person who will be able to recommend and carry out the procedure is an experienced basement waterproofing contractor like Hitch Property Constructions.

    Conclusion

    Basement waterproofing is only half the battle; foundation and wall repairs are essential. Injecting expanding polyurethane into wall fractures repairs them permanently from the inside. Similarly, seeping wall fractures must be repaired from the outside in. Construction damp proofing should meet the code. Older buildings with improperly waterproofed and damp-proofed foundations are degrading.

    RCC employs commercial-grade waterproofing and guarantees its work for 50 years. French drains prevent floods by redirecting water away from a building's foundation. Driveway drains are installed in driveways. Insufficient gutters and downspouts can cause water to pool. Clay soil is common in Chicago and the Midwest.

    This soil retains water and drains poorly. Water seepage in poured concrete foundations usually starts in a nonstructural fissure. Basement waterproofing may be done quickly and cheaply. The drainage board directs water to the drain tile. Water can infiltrate hundreds of feet through mortar joints in a normal wall.

    If the landscape outside the house slopes towards the house or the deck, patio, or other structure was built wrongly, this is a serious possibility. Exterior basement waterproofing is versatile since it can be applied to poured concrete or masonry block walls. In addition, the exterior of a basement can be made watertight by removing soil along the foundation walls, installing a moisture barrier, and adding a dimple board.

    Content Summary

    • All bases must be covered to guarantee that the basement's foundation and walls are entirely watertight.
    • To establish a drainage system and effectively waterproof the outer foundation and the basement, excavation must be performed where the problem is most likely to occur, around the perimeter, or along more than one length.
    • Another option is to spray a waterproof membrane onto the structure's base.
    • Most drainage systems are meant to be built on the inside of a house, but there are also a few simple drainage systems meant for the outside.
    • Repairing seeping wall cracks requires a similar approach but is performed from the home's exterior.
    • However, there are methods for waterproofing a basement that must be performed outside the structure.
    • The term "external damp-proofing" refers to spreading a thin layer of a liquid asphalt-based substance to your foundation to protect it from moisture intrusion from the outside.
    • Dampproofing during a home's construction phase is to achieve the bare minimum required by law.
    • Although damp proofing is effective, it cannot prevent water from eventually reaching the structure.
    • Any foundational fissures or flaws caused by shifting must be repaired as part of the exterior waterproofing process.
    • Instead of using damp proofing, which doesn't prevent water seepage, RCC employs a commercial-grade waterproofing compound and guarantees its work for fifty years.
    • Careful consideration should be given to the supplies utilised to complete the waterproofing process of your home.
    • Outside waterproofing is your best bet if water is getting in via the top of the basement walls.
    • As a result of expansion and contraction, your basement's walls may shift or crack.
    • You should be aware that damage to your basement can occur from moisture and condensation, even if you do not see any fractures in your foundation.
    • Waterproofing the exterior can be done in a variety of ways.
    • Driveway drains are another type of drain, but they are set up in a driveway rather than elsewhere.
    • Water is diverted away from home and into a draining area like a yard drain.
    • Downspout lines often called downspout drains, are pipes that lead from your home's downspout to the ground below.
    • Inadequate or overworked gutters and downspouts can lead to water pooling in the ground, which can lead to expansion.
    • This is possible even if your gutters and downspouts can handle the downpour.
    • When considering whether or not to waterproof a basement, it's important to remember that the water is on the outside of the building.
    • An outside technique of basement waterproofing is usually required to prevent water seepage caused by lateral pressure from saturated soil.
    • Put-concrete-in-place foundations are the most common type and can be found almost anywhere.
    • Most cases of water seepage in poured concrete foundations can be traced back to a nonstructural crack in the basement wall.
    • Before the external drain tile is set, a bed of washed gravel must be laid at the bottom of the excavation.
    • The next step is to construct a system of perforated PVC pipe that lies flush with the footings over the full length of the excavation.
    • Water may be directed to the drain tile with the help of the drainage board described above, and the homeowner can reap the rewards of an external system that is both thorough and highly successful in keeping the basement dry.
    • Putting an external drain tile and a waterproofing membrane is a major undertaking.
    • There is, however, an additional outside method of waterproofing a basement that is both quick and effective.
    • These cracks and crevices increase the risk of water seeping into the basement.
    • The problem can be solved by installing a waterproofing membrane outside the foundation, which will act as an impenetrable water barrier.
    • Once it has cured, the membrane will form a continuous barrier around the base of the building.
    • Over the membrane, you can often install a thick layer of insulation or a strong plastic drainage board.
    • The drainage board will protect the membrane from damage and channel water away from the structure.
    • Clips are installed into the wall before the membrane is put in to secure any covering.
    • Once the membrane is in place, the clips will be protected from the outside environment.
    • However, the outer waterproofing membrane can be improved by installing a supplementary layer.
    • If you seal off the basement's exterior wall, you can stop water from seeping through the foundation.
    • Waterproofing an interior space is a different job in both theory and practice.
    • Instead, rather than letting water seep into the basement first and then managing it away, like with interior waterproofing, this water management is meant to help prevent water from ever entering the basement.
    • Waterproofing a basement from the outside is an efficient and flexible option because it can be applied to either poured concrete or masonry block basement walls.
    • The basement exterior can be made watertight by excavating the dirt close to the foundation walls, adding a moisture barrier, and setting up a dimple board, which is shaped to deflect water away from the wall.
    • This diagram shows the process of waterproofing the exterior of a basement by attaching a dimple board and a moisture barrier to the wall.
    • When properly installed, the moisture membrane will prevent water from seeping through or rising to the ground level.
    • Water is channelled away from the house's foundation in a managed fashion by means of a footer drain, which is located on the exterior of the building.
    • Though not always necessary, installing a sump pump system is highly advised.
    • Waterproofing the interior of a building takes far less time to install.
    • Waterproofing the outside walls, with a dimple board, vapour barrier, and outdoor drainage included.

    FAQs About Basement Waterproofing

    Two of the best waterproof basement flooring options are epoxy paint and sealed concrete. Not only are they both affordable, but they are durable and allow for adequate waterproofing. Epoxy paint dries thick and hard, providing the necessary durability that goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a basement floor.

    Whether you plan on finishing your basement space or keeping it in its original state, applying a waterproof sealant to the concrete floor is important to lock out moisture. An epoxy-coated basement floor is one of the best ways to maintain and preserve your space.

    Homeowners often neglect concrete basement floors when waterproofing the basement. It is a terrible mistake, as a concrete basement floor is the one area of the basement towards which water flows naturally. That is why most builders create drain areas in obscure places on the basement floor, which lead through a concrete shaft to the soil under the home.

    The walls are usually where the water enters the basement, but it rests on the concrete basement floor and erodes the concrete. In good home construction, the exterior basement walls are coated with waterproof paint and drainage is placed. You can waterproof your concrete basement floor yourself by following these steps.

    1. Prepare the Concrete Basement Floor
    2. Patch the Concrete
    3. Edging
    4. Painting

    Mention “basement waterproofing” to the average homeowner. Their first thought is often of big piles of dirt ringing the perimeter of their house, followed quickly by visions of dollar signs. 

    Of course, there are situations where the best way to waterproof a basement is from the outside, and exterior waterproofing work usually does require excavation. Installing an exterior waterproofing membrane, for example, requires that the affected wall, or the entire foundation in bad cases, be dug up down to the footings leaving a wide enough trench for technicians to work in.

    A significant number of techniques are available to basement waterproofing contractors that can be done on the inside of the basement to repair seepage problems permanently:

    • Crack Injection
    • Interior Drain Tile
    • Sump Pumps and Back-ups
    • Crawl Space Encapsulation

    The interior basement waterproofing method is popular because it does not necessitate extensive exterior excavation and can be completed in a short period of time and at a low cost in certain circumstances.

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