When the rain starts coming down outside, you want to be able to feel safe and secure inside your home. But if your home does not respond well to a downpour or melting snow, it can make you feel anxious when you see rain or a thunderstorm in the weather forecast. The good news is, there are many steps you can take to waterproof the basement of your home which will provide valuable peace of mind for you and your family.
Depending on the specific needs of your home there are exterior solutions, interior solutions, and drainage systems that can help keep your home dry. Let’s take a closer look at these three basement waterproofing methods.
1. Exterior Basement Waterproofing
The first exterior solution for basement waterproofing is a good gutter system. Gutter and downspouts protect your house from precipitation by directing rain away from your home. It is vital to ensure that your gutters are not clogged so they can perform their function effectively. You can do this by removing any leaves and debris left over from winter, and also install leaf guards to keep gutters free of debris. If gutters get clogged, they can overflow and water can pool around your foundation.
The second exterior solution for basement waterproofing is having your yard graded correcting to direct rainfall away from your foundation. The ideal situation is that the 10 feet of ground closest to the house should slope at least six inches downward at an incline of at least ¼ inch per foot to help rain water drain properly.
2. Interior Basement Waterproofing
Many basement waterproofing issues are caused by wall and floor cracks in your foundation. These cracks can be fixed by sealing cracks and holes in the concrete walls of your foundation with hydraulic cement. The cement will expand inside the fissures and create a water-tight seal.
Another popular interior basement waterproofing solution is to install a sump pump. Sump Pumps essentially “pump” water out of your basement. They are built in a pit or basin in the basement floor. When water drains into a pit and reaches a certain level, the water is then pumped out and away from the home to a safe distance — where it won’t be able to seep back into the soil and into the home again.
3. Drainage Systems for Basement Waterproofing
A sound drainage system will significantly protect against structural damage to your basement walls and foundation. A drainage system is vital since it keeps water away from the structure of your home. Typically there are two types of drainage systems: surface, and subsurface.
Surface drainage systems are canals that are created for runoff water. They work well for clay-based soils, while subsurface drainage is generally best suited to soils of high sand or silt content.
Subsurface drainage systems consist of placing perforated pipe at a certain depth below the soil surface. Excess water from the soil surrounding your home enter the pipe through the perforations and flow away from your home to a ditch or other outlet.
The process of waterproofing your basement can be completed without the installation of a drainage system. However, these kinds of waterproofing solutions are only temporary ones. If you’re experiencing more severe flooding, a draining system can help by removing standing water from your basement quickly and easily.
Trust American Eagle For Your Basement Waterproofing Needs
Our team of experts provides superior basement waterproofing services. If you are in need of waterproofing services, contact us today by filling out our online contact form or by calling (410) 263-9682 to schedule an inspection and appointment. You can look into why opting for basement waterproofing will help you in the future more.
