There are many different types of materials you can use when waterproofing your basement. The area that you live in affects the amount of moisture that you will be expecting. Some waterproofing materials are better suited for some areas than others.
One of the most important things to remember when waterproofing a basement is to have the land graded properly so that water can channel away from the house. For approximately ten feet from the house the land should be graded so that the ground level reduces by one inch per foot. This should be sufficient in most cases to invite water to drain away from the home.
When it comes to basement waterproofing materials, you need to decide what type of waterproofing system you're going to use. French drains, also known as land drains, can be used to drive water away from the home. French drains include a system made of gravel, ditches, and pipe that invite groundwater into the pipe and away from the basement or foundation of the home. Dirt and routes can clog this type of drainage system.
Drainage systems, including having a main floor drain in the basement, are effective in routing water out of the basement. These systems should be put in place when the basement is first built. Piping can be placed along the basement walls and under the basement flooring before the concrete floor is poured. This type of system can use a sump pump to continually remove water from the basement. Water is then routed away from the home to an area that is no longer going to cause a problem.
Sump pumps can be ran on electricity and some have a battery back up in case of power failure. Routine maintenance should be done on sump pumps annually, more often if you live in an area that is prone to water problems. Maintaining the drainage system pipes to prevent clogging is also important. Gutters and downspouts should also be checked to make sure there are free of debris.
Other basement waterproofing materials include on sealants. Painted on sealants is one way of waterproofing a basement. This shouldn't be your only method of waterproofing. Sealing the concrete so that water doesn't push through works best in areas that don't get as much moisture. The sealant is painted on to the interior of the basement. This means that water can get all the way up to that point but not seep the rest of the way into your basement. Having your concrete have to deal with that much hydrostatic pressure continuously without any other system in place to assist with waterproofing is asking for a problem.
Special channels can be installed along the interior walls of the basement. Along the base of the wall, close to the floor, a series of small holes invites the water into the channel. Inside these channels small piping carries the water away by using a sump pump type system. This type of channeling water out of the basement can be hidden behind walls in finished basements.
