Basement Waterproofing What Really Works

[std7mag]

As a kid, i remember the cinder block walls in our basement being damp all the time.
Parents bought some paint that came as a powder.
Mix with water. Spray dampen walls. Use coarse brush to work it into all the little nook & crannies.
That was back in the mid 80's.
Walls are still dry.

 

[Toddmack]

Waterproof basement = no basement at all. Basements seem to attract problems. I use to build custom homes, did it for 18 years before moving on to commercial construction and I would always advise people to not build a basement. In the area I built homes the soil is expansive, really expansive, it has a high clay content and it’s not a great area to build a basement. When clients insisted then we obliged if their property would accommodate one. I had one sub contractor that I would use, he’s the only one I would use and his basements had a great tract record. The keys to success was drainage, gutters and no short cuts when building and waterproofing the basement walls. We also would pour a 4-5 sidewalk in any area above the basement. if the water can’t drain in a timely matter it’s gonna go somewhere. If the roof sheds water without gutters and drenches your basement area then you’re relying on the water proofing and French drain if you installed one. We only had two basements that leaked, minor leaks and they were a PIA to fix but we did so successfully but my advice has always been build up, not down. If you already have a basement then don't skimp and cut corners. Do it right or hire someone who can.

That all makes sense until the tornado sirens start going off. The wife and kids need a safer place to go while I'm on the porch with a drink watching the clouds spin and getting yelled at from said basement.

 

[nakneker]

That all makes sense until the tornado sirens start going off. The wife and kids need a safer place to go while I'm on the porch with a drink watching the clouds spin and getting yelled at from said basement.

Lol, right! I lived in Mt Juliet Tennessee for 4.5 years and had a few sleepless nights on tornado watch. Luckily where I live now thats not much of a threat but if you live where it is that’s a valid point.

 

[Ccrider]

Damntite works. I applied it to my basement walls back in 2007. I am recently having some areas that need a new coat.

 

[joshb]

As a kid, i remember the cinder block walls in our basement being damp all the time.
Parents bought some paint that came as a powder.
Mix with water. Spray dampen walls. Use coarse brush to work it into all the little nook & crannies.
That was back in the mid 80's.
Walls are still dry.

Thoroseal. Came in 50# bags. Good stuff.

 

[Kittitas George]

Mix more cement into the concrete, when building, I think it is a 5 sack mix that is water proof. Then cover the out side with the tar like paint. Of course footing drains are a must, along with good gutters and down spouts. Built correctly, and the walls aren't acting like a dam, a basement should stay dry. I have just a few years of western Washington experience, lots of rain, poor soils (glacial till) and hill sides.

 

[std7mag]

Don't forget proper grading of the surrounding soil.
Ideally you want the soil graded so that water flows away from the house.

 

[Rtheurer]

Some good advice from folks in the business. Of the professionals who have commented so far have these things in common.
1 Proper drainage that allows subsurface water to migrate AWAY from your foundation walls,
2. A proper barier that protects the poursness of the concrete
3. Proper landscaping away FROM the house.
4. know your local area and water table.
The gentlemen who suggested not doing basements to his clients may well be a logical choice. but that is one area of the country. there are plenty of areas that can support basements with no issues because of several factors, 1. Amount of total rain fall, 2. Soil type, and surounding land scape just being a couple.