6 Important Steps To Waterproof Your Basement: Homebuilding Tips

Building a new home is as exciting as it is stressful. The last thing you want is to have it all done only for your new basement to crack or leak. That’s why we suggest investing in reliable waterproofing solutions before the construction process is complete.

This guide is for everyone building their own home over a basement. You likely have a lot of help getting it done already, and you may have a team of professionals doing tasks you can’t do. This article will list everything you can do independently and the projects that should be left to the pros.

Why You Should Waterproof Your New Basement

As a nationally recognized expert in basement waterproofing, we’ve seen it all. Here’s why you should waterproof your basement:

• If moisture enters your basement, Moisture in homes can lead to mold growth, oxidation of metals (i.e., rust), destruction of paper products, and overall discomfort.
• Flooding via cracks in your basement walls poses a risk to your entire building project. If a big storm comes, all that water will try to find a way into your basement. Waterproofing techniques—footing drains, interior drains, sump pumps, and vapor barriers—prevent water from entering your home, reducing the risk of flooding and associated damages.
• A dry basement not only means peace of mind, but it also extends your home’s usable space for recreation and storage.

Things You Need for Comprehensive Basement Waterproofing

When it comes to selecting basement waterproofing methods for your new house, there are a range of options. These methods are meant to prevent water from pooling in the basement (especially in the cove joints) and proactively reinforce the structure against the formation of wall cracks.

1. A Basement Wall Vapor Barrier

When protecting your home from the elements, a basement wall vapor barrier is the place to start. Traditional peel-and-stick membranes offer a hydrophobic barrier that shields your home from rainwater. Alternatively, you can explore liquid-applied membranes or semi-permanent sealants to provide the necessary protection.

2. Interior Drainage

Yard and footing drains aren’t enough to keep water away from your foundation. That’s why you also need a basement drainage system inside the basement. It might seem contradictory to the meaning of “waterproofing,” but you need to let some water inside your basement to control it and relieve the pressure it’s putting on your basement walls.

Interior basement drainage does just that. A drainage system inside your basement takes the pressure off and moves the water to a place where you can pump it away from your foundation—leading us to the next point…

3. A Sump Pump

A sump pump is a key part of getting water out of your basement. Water flows from your interior drainage system so that the sump pump can (you guessed it) pump it out. It’s like a pressure valve on your waterproofing system as a whole.

The exact ways a sump pump works vary depending on the type of machine you have, but they all do the same thing. Just be sure to get one fitted to move the proper amount of water out of your basement based on how much water is moving through your drainage system.

One last note: sump pumps usually plug into a wall outlet and sometimes come with a battery backup. We highly recommend these in case of a power outage.

4. An Energy-Efficient Basement Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier protects your home against basement moisture. It removes moisture from the air, ensuring a dry living space, and deters mold growth and other moisture-related damage.

We recommend calling a professional for this to determine the dehumidifier that can handle the amount of space in your basement.

5. French Drains

Also known as “exterior drain tiles” or “perimeter drains,” you can probably have your contractors install a French drain while digging out the perimeter of your home. These pipes must rest in gravel canals to direct water away from your foundation and basement. You won’t need to worry about connecting these pipes to your sewer. Instead, you can have them direct water wherever you like, as long as it’s a reasonable distance from your home.

6. Damp Proofing

Damp-proofing offers a less construction-oriented waterproofing solution. To damp-proof your basement and foundation during construction, ask your contractors to spray a tar-based emulsion along your walls. This way, you’ll create a hydrophobic barrier between the outdoors and your support structures.

One of the best things about damp proofing is its overall affordability. If you want more comprehensive waterproofing, consider stacking this solution with something else or investing in one of the better waterproof emulsions on the market. Local contractors should be able to tell you which of the available emulsions will best suit your budget and location.

Need More Help? Call JES!

When waterproofing a new home, proper site work is just as important as your chosen repair solution. That’s why it’s crucial to collaborate with experienced foundation and basement repair experts. While DIY waterproofing may seem appealing, it’s best to leave this work to professionals.

Are you ready to protect your future home? Contact JES for a free inspection and estimate today!

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