Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Learn to Waterproof Basement

By Scott Rodgers

Having a basement in a house has its own advantages. The extra space that you get can be utilized effectively as a bedroom, playroom, office, or even a game room. An additional space helps a person to accommodate more people or household items so that there is no lack of space.

However, problems are galore while living in basement as well. Problems related to plumbing are the most that you face in basements. The problem can be solved by taking a professional help from a specialized plumber.

However, a general awareness about basements structures can enable you to find solutions to these problems yourself. One of the foremost problems encountered in basements is leakage. There are many reasons for leakages in a basement.

Water gathering on top is usually unloaded by the rain gutters to the ground next to your foundations. A source of leakage can these gutters also. Placing the rain gutters at the right location is one of the ways to prevent this. Placing it such a way so that it drops water at least five feet or more away from your foundation and by cleaning your gutters, you can prevent this.

On the walls, mold and fungus can be formed due to excessive leakage. These kinds of formation can be prevented by putting adequate waterproofing on the walls. To waterproof your basement, there are enough waterproofing materials available in the market that you can use.

To utilize to waterproof your basement walls, Drylok and Xypex are some of the easiest materials. The former is a waterproofer that set itself on the wall as it dries up. Binding to the wall and melding in is assisted by this.

When applied to the walls, Xypex acts as cement. To make a waterproof crystalline structure, it uses moisture. This also assists to mend cracks and holes in the wall. The slope of the ground that should be sloping in the opposite direction of the foundation one more thing that you need to keep a check.

If we can take care of the leakages, living in a basement can be much easy. It not just prevents health hazards, but waterproofing basements also keeps our rooms clean and tidy.

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1 comment:

  1. Hey,

    I would like to add that it is also important to know where you are located geographically, as where you live can also have an impact on the kinds of treatments used to remedy the issue of a basement leak. In addition, it is also important to understand not only what kinds of waterproofing techniques should be used, but also when it is necessary to call a professional.

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