Basement Waterproofing For Finished Basement

basement waterproofing

Basement Waterproofing

Is your basement finished? That’s great. You have an additional living space that can be used for just about anything. Finished basements are a great way to add to the floor space of your home without investing heavily in construction.

But what’s this? You’ve spotted signs of water seepage in the basement. This can seem like a nightmare. Finishing a basement may be cheaper than constructing an extension of the home, but it is still a significant investment. Water seepage in the basement can seem like a big setback.

How to Waterproof Your Finished Basement Without Tearing it to Shreds

The fear that most homeowners have when they hear that they need to invest in basement waterproofing is that they will lose their investment in their finished basement. However, there is good news for you. An expert waterproofing contractor can help you waterproof your basement without having to tear it apart.

In many instances, seepage into the basement is a result of water penetration through non-structural cracks in the basement walls or floors. If your basement were finished, these cracks would have been repaired from the interior. However, with a finished basement, your contractor will probably opt to approach repair from the exterior. The following are some things to expect in the basement waterproofing process:

  1. Excavation

The area around the basement wall will be excavated. This will allow the contractor access to the cracks from the exterior surface of the wall. You can discuss the need to save any plants you hold dear with your contractor in order to have them moved before the excavation begins.

  1. Crack repair

The crack will be repaired from the exterior surface of the wall. This may involve the use of a filler such as granular sodium bentonite clay. This clay will absorb water from the soil surrounding the wall. This helps to form an even tighter seal against the water.

  1. Installation of waterproofing membrane

The exterior of the basement wall will then be covered with a waterproofing membrane. This will help to prevent penetration of water in the future and keep your finished basement safe.

  1. Installation of exterior drain tile

If your contractor finds that the water table that surrounds your foundation is high, they will suggest that you have an exterior drain tile installed next to the footings of the foundation. This will help to alleviate the hydrostatic pressure on your basement wall and prevent the flooding of your basement.

  1. Backfilling

The soil around the foundation will be backfilled.

Contact us today for more information!