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Basement Waterproofing: The Dos and Don’ts

Are you sick of having a wet basement? Indiana Foundation Service can help.

Basement leaks are common in many Indiana homes, typically manifesting as water in areas like floors, corners, and walls. Investing in appropriate basement waterproofing solutions is crucial to prevent mold growth and structural instability and protect your home’s health and safety.

This guide to waterproofing basements covers the basics, including how leaks occur, common signs of water intrusion, waterproofing solutions, and how Indiana Foundation Service delivers lasting repairs and protection.

Wet Basement Causes

First, it’s important to understand how water gets into your basement. The main factors that contribute to water leaks include:

1. Failing Moisture Barriers & Drainage

Your home’s original construction included protective measures like tar coating and footing drains around the foundation. While these help manage moisture, they aren’t perfect solutions. The exterior dampproofing merely slows water vapor rather than stopping it completely. These barriers naturally break down with age, and drains often collect debris and become blocked. The area where your wall meets the floor, known as the cove joint, becomes particularly vulnerable to leaks.

2. Soil Pressure

During construction, workers fill the space around your foundation with soil, creating what’s known as a “clay bowl.” This backfilled earth tends to hold water, especially if it is expansive clay soil that is common throughout Indiana. During heavy rains or when snow melts, the saturated soil expands. This creates intense hydrostatic pressure against your basement walls, leading to cracks, bowing, and water intrusion.

3. Natural Concrete Weakness

Despite being strong and long-lasting, concrete is inherently flawed due to its porous nature. Think of it as a solid sponge: tiny channels and spaces throughout the material allow water to gradually work its way through, resulting in water in basement areas.

damaged and ineffective sump pump

4. Ineffective Sump Pump

Sump pumps are intended to safely remove excess water from the basement by pumping it out of the basement and away from the home. A malfunctioning or undersized sump pump can fail to remove water from the basement efficiently.

5. Condensation

High humidity levels and inadequate ventilation can result in condensation on surfaces, contributing to a damp environment, dripping water, and puddles of water on the floor and other basement surfaces.

Common Signs of a Wet Basement

Knowing how to spot signs of basement leaks ensures a dry living space. Look for these common symptoms:

water on a basement floor
  • Wet Walls: Moisture seeping through walls can manifest as damp spots, discoloration, or visible water droplets.
  • Flooding: Puddles or standing water in the basement (especially after rain or snowmelt) are signs of drainage issues.
  • Mold Growth: Mold thrives in damp environments. Visible mold on walls, floors, or belongings points to excess moisture.
  • Efflorescence: White, powdery deposits on basement walls indicate the presence of dissolved minerals, often brought in by water.
  • Leaky Windows: Water stains, rot, or visible leaks around windows suggest potential entry points for water.

Recognizing these problem signs early allows you to take prompt action, preventing potential structural damage and reducing the risks associated with water intrusion.

The Dos and Don’ts of Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing can be a complex undertaking. We do not recommend do-it-yourself installations, which are temporary and don’t address the cause of the problem.

Here are tasks we advise you to avoid and what you can do to aid in basement waterproofing. Let’s start with the list of “don’ts” first:

Don’ts

Don’t Rely on Basement Waterproofing Paint

Waterproofing paint is marketed as a simple solution for basement wall leakage. This may make sense to the untrained eye, but what you may find after applying the paint is it has the opposite effect on your basement. Waterproof paint won’t stop the source of the leak; instead, it covers it up and insulates it between the wall and the thick layer of paint. You may notice bubbling or the paint sweating after a certain period. If you want to effectively manage moisture, specifically with waterproofing basement walls, targeting the issue at the source is your best course of action.

Don’t Only Caulk or Fill Cracks

Hairline cracks, or those roughly less than .003 inches in width, can be easily concealed without concern for the structure of your home. But when cracks grow wider, you’re dealing with a structural issue that can’t be fixed with epoxy. While it’s widely believed that sealing these cracks is the quickest fix, the cracks eventually reappear as your home settles or the soil around your home inflicts hydrostatic pressure.

Don’t Ignore Window Well Leaks

Window well leaks can be an alarming issue in your basement that progresses over time. During cold winters and spring snowmelt, a fully functioning window well and egress window are essential. While it may seem common or natural for these leaks to occur, you must take action as soon as possible.

DO

man checking gutters

Manage Your Gutters

Your gutters are the first line against water in basement areas. Without gutters or with broken gutters, water pools around your foundation and trails into your basement. This perpetuates puddling, leakage, and other nasty problems in your basement. While they’re an indirect protector, they’re still vital to the health of your whole basement.

downspout dumping water next to foundation

Ensure Correct Yard Grading

Positive yard grading is when your home is built on the highest point in your property’s landscape. If it’s built at a lower point, water will drain toward the foundation. When this happens, your basement is more susceptible to leakage. It’s recommended to have your yard graded at least at a two to five percent slope. If this isn’t possible, you can use catch basins to collect rainwater and drain it away from your foundation and basement.

Indiana Foundation Service inspector ready to help you

Hire a Waterproofing Expert

While it’s tempting to DIY your basement waterproofing solutions, what you may find in stores and online tutorials are mostly temporary solutions. Since online resources aren’t in your home with you, they may not be able to help you accurately diagnose your basement’s true issues. You may encounter a similar problem if you hire a general contractor not privy to basement-specific issues.

With a specialized basement and foundation company like Indiana Foundation Service, you can trust that your basement issues will be properly diagnosed and customized solutions built out specifically for your home.

How To Waterproof a Basement

You have many options for waterproofing basements, but not all of them are created equal. Indiana Foundation Service offers various proven interior basement waterproofing solutions to protect your home against water intrusion. Each unique solution addresses specific challenges and circumstances to provide you with customized protection. With a well-rounded plan of action, we ensure your basement is secure and dry. Our comprehensive system includes:

installing interior drainage in a basement floor

Interior Drainage System

At Indiana Foundation Service, we understand how frustrating it can be when footing drains fail. That’s why our BasementGutter™ Interior Drainage System captures and redirects water seepage along the perimeter of the basement floor. This system effectively channels water to a sump pump, ensuring a swift and efficient removal process.

crew installing a basement sump pump

Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are a cornerstone in keeping your basement dry. We place them at the lowest point of your basement to pump any interior water out of and away from your home’s foundation. These robust pumps effectively remove accumulated water from the sump basin, preventing potential flooding. Their reliability and efficiency make them a crucial component of any interior basement waterproofing strategy.

dehumidifier with Indiana Foundation Service logo

Basement Dehumidifier

Installing a high-quality basement dehumidifier is an effective way to maintain optimal humidity levels in the basement. These systems are compact yet powerful enough to remove up to 100 pints of water from the air daily. Dehumidifiers discourage mold growth and enhance indoor air quality by reducing excess moisture in the air.

Waterproofing Basement Walls

Leaking walls are common in Indiana basements, so we developed a premium wall vapor barrier system, which is a form of basement encapsulation. This 12-mil thick, high-quality barrier acts as a protective shield to address moisture penetration through basement walls, reducing the risk of water infiltration, and enhancing basement walls’ overall resilience against potential damage.

Our Basement Encapsulation Process

The system works simply but effectively:

wall vapor barrier and wall braces installed together

Any water that tries to seep through your walls gets caught by the barrier and directed into your interior drainage. From there, a reliable sump pump whisks it safely away from your home.

Got structural concerns too? No problem. If your walls are cracking or bowing, we can reinforce them with carbon fiber straps before installing the vapor barrier, or wall anchors or wall braces afterwards. Everything works together as one complete system.

Our team professionally secures the barrier to your basement walls and sets up all supporting components. The result? A consistently dry basement – guaranteed under warranty.

Transform your damp basement into a clean, dry space you can actually use and enjoy. Our proven wall vapor barrier solution delivers lasting protection against moisture problems.

What Makes Our Wall Vapor Barrier Special

  • Professional-grade 12-mil thick plastic provides superior protection
  • Completely blocks water penetration
  • Prevents mold growth
  • Built to last 20+ years
  • Seals off naturally porous concrete
  • Works seamlessly with other waterproofing fixes

Investing in professional basement waterproofing is a choice you’ll benefit from for many years. Our proprietary solutions work to stop the root cause of your basement wall cracks and leaks instead of just covering them up. By targeting your home’s structural problems and implementing permanent water management, you can trust that your basement will last for life.

Waterproofing for Basement Costs and Benefits

Now that you know what it takes to waterproof a basement, you might be wondering about the associated price.

Basement waterproofing costs vary depending on many factors, including the extent of the damage, the chosen waterproofing methods, other necessary repairs, tools and materials, permits, and labor.

That said, it’s essential to recognize the long-term benefits you gain by investing in quality waterproofing for basement solutions, including:

  • Preventing Structural Damage: A waterproof basement protects your home’s foundation, preventing structural damage that could result in substantial repair costs.
  • Avoiding Mold Remediation: A dry home free from basement leaks discourages mold growth, saving homeowners from the expenses associated with mold remediation and potential health issues.
  • Enhancing Home Value: Homes with a history of water damage often face decreased market value. Basement waterproofing contributes to the preservation of your home’s value and marketability.

Indiana Foundation Service is Your Partner in Basement Waterproofing

Indiana Foundation Service inspector meeting with homeowners

Your basement is your decision, and your home is your greatest asset. No company understands that more than Indiana Foundation Service. That’s why, when it comes to waterproofing basement areas, we are transparent with you every step of the way.

From providing a completely free inspection of your basement and home to offering you a no-obligation repair estimate, you can count on us through the entire process.

Discover the possibilities that will add safety and comfort to your basement today.

Basement Waterproofing FAQs

When it rains, water inevitably finds its way into your basement. Basement leaks occur due to the permeability of basement walls and floors, particularly when the ground is saturated. Another common entry point for water is through the wall-floor joint. 

We highly recommend seeking professional help to repair wet basement walls. DIY solutions may provide temporary relief, but they cannot match the effectiveness of a comprehensive, whole-home solution. Contact Indiana Foundation Service today to schedule a free inspection. 

Regular maintenance includes checking and cleaning your gutters, inspecting your sump pump to ensure it’s functioning properly, and monitoring any cracks in the walls for changes. You can take advantage of Indiana Foundation Service’s annual maintenance programs to ensure your basement waterproofing systems are in top shape.

Related Resources

Holly Richards-Purpura

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.

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