Types Of Basement Waterproofing Systems

Published: June 23, 2011

The main use for basement waterproofing systems is to prevent damage caused by water leaking into basements. This leaking can lead to the damage of woods as well as the foundation of the house. They are especially needed in homes with rooms built below or at ground level.

Homes without this system can become cracked and the pressure caused by the water table of the surrounding ground being raised will seriously damage walls causing mould to breed and wood to rot. The type of waterproofing system used depends on the kind of environment the home is in.

Here Are Three Types Of Water proofers:

The Water Drainage System

The water drainage system is considered to be another form of waterproofing system for basements even though it is not a form of waterproofing. This is because this system can assist by abating water in the basement. The way that the water drainage system works is by drawing underground and ground water away from the foundation of the house. It does this by forcing the water through a pump system or into a drain. Most foundation pumps can be bought and easily installed by yourself or by getting a professional.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing System

This type of system prevents the ground water from getting into the basement walls. It also helps to prevent mould and other damage caused by basement areas that are wet. Waterproofing an exterior is the most recognised method of waterproofing used to prevent damage caused by water. Exterior sealants were once only asphalt-based damp proofing, but now the most common kind of exterior basement waterproofing systems use a polymer base.

This material lasts as long as the building while other types of exterior sealants will only last about 20 years. Exterior sealants are put on during the construction process of the house and are used as they are so there is no need to add anything to them. They are especially used in areas that experience a lot of floods, hurricanes, storms and heavy rains.

Interior Basement Waterproofing Systems

Interior sealants are usually used for a short period of time. This can be during the cold months of the year like winter where they can be used to prevent the water table from rising due to snow. They are applied directly to the walls and floors and usually come in a spray form. The other benefit in using interior sealants is that it has the ability to prevent condensation and humidity.

All these types of conditions can easily develop in places like basements. They can also get easily absorbed by most building materials that are porous such as wood and this can cause cracks in masonry and damage wood and concrete. This system can therefore easily keep water out of the home and prevent damage caused by water as well as humid conditions. It can also protect most areas with brickwork against damage.

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