5 Basement Waterproofing Mistakes You Want to Avoid

When it comes to basement waterproofing, there are many techniques that are more effective and safer than others. If you choose to tackle the project yourself, there are some mistakes that will make the problem worse than it is. Here are five basement waterproofing mistakes to avoid when you’re trying to keep the water out of your basement.  

Water Runoff

Basement waterproofing goes beyond the basement itself. If you’ve experienced water in your basement, turn your efforts outside. The water may have come as a result of mismanaged water runoff. Check to make sure that your home is adequately equipped with properly placed gutters and downspouts. The water needs to be directed at least eight feet away from the foundation of your home to efficiently prevent water leaking into your foundation and then into the interior of your basement.

Soil Not Sloped

The soil immediately outside of your foundation is less dense than the rest of the soil surrounding your property. With that said, the top six inches of that soil will be spongy and soak up more water than the rest of the soil. To keep this from happening and allowing that soaked up moisture to enter your foundation, the depressions need to be filled to slope away from your home.

Settling Service Walks

It was the style of some older homes to have service walks that wrap around the sides of the home. Over time, these walks will settle deeper into the soil and block water runoff from being able to properly drain away from the foundation. Make sure that those service walks are repaired or, if necessary, removed to allow the water to drain away from your home.

Painting

Many homeowners think that they’ll be able to save time and money with quick fixes. Most of these solutions, however, end up being temporary and causing more damage. Waterproofing paint causes lime in concrete to create a while effervescence bubble between the wall and the paint, which will eventually break off and cause a bigger issue.    

Cold Joints

It’s a logical response to basement leaking to want to plug up the space where the water is entering. However, if you seal the seam where the floor meets the walls, you’re causing more pressure to build up in the walls, directing the water to enter at a different location.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420.  To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube,LinkedIn, and Houzz.