DIY Basement Waterproofing Systems
New houses and old houses can both develop leaks or condensation problems in basements. All basements are not necessarily designed the same. Consequently, you may have a water drainage problem and the neighbor next door could have moisture appearing on basement walls. Often a couple of waterproofing methods used together can resolve the problem. Browse through DIY basement waterproofing systems for potential options to resolve basement moisture problems.
Examine downspouts and gutters for damage or those that need realigning. Storms can damage these systems and occasional maintenance is required. Gutters filled with debris will not drain rainwater properly. Downspouts should direct rainwater away from the house's foundation.
Walk through the basement interior using a flashlight to look for interior cracks in concrete walls. Settling and moisture can create new cracks causing drips, seepage and moisture problems. Some cracks extend to the outside wall allowing rainwater to enter basements. For DIY basement repair try Drylok Fast Plug or construction-grade epoxy.
Evaluate the dirt next to the house to determine if there is adequate sloping near the foundation. It is easy to begin landscaping around your home and inadvertently change the slope of the dirt next to the foundation causing leaks later. All dirt on every side of the basement should slope away from the house to carry water away from basement walls.
Make sure any new flowerbeds or landscape plants are planted a minimum of a foot away from the house foundation. Garden beds near the house should also contain a slope leading away from the house to prevent seepage.
- Think about installing a sump pump if you have serious water retention problems in the basement. A pump works when water levels get too high. The pump will turn on and draw out the water to an outside location about 10 feet from the house foundation.