Waterproofing basement walls from within is a fairly easy DIY project that is still affordable. However, this method won’t address more serious problems, such as hydrostatic pressure due to expanding soil. The actual Interesting Info about basement crack repair.
Be on the lookout for signs like damp areas, musty odors, and cracked walls. These are indicators that it’s time to waterproof the space yourself. Here’s how.
Clean the Area
Before beginning waterproofing basement walls from within, ensure the area is clean and dry. Pump out any standing water; otherwise, it could increase your risk of electric shock when working on power tools. Sealing cracks could become impossible during flooding. After several days, all water should have disappeared entirely, and it should be safe to continue your DIY project.
Signs that your basement has moisture problems will typically be apparent. Puddles, wet stains, or musty smells caused by mold spores growing in damp areas could also indicate moisture issues in your space. Soft or discolored drywall, cracked concrete floors, and efflorescence (a white powdery substance that appears on surface masonry basement walls) could also indicate problems.
To avoid hydrostatic pressure infiltration of water into your foundation wall from outside sources, an impermeable membrane must be installed between it and the soil. You can do this yourself with waterproofing paint, which hardens into an impenetrable barrier. Polyguard Commercial Stretch is an excellent cold-applied single-component spray product that creates an impermeable negative-side membrane designed specifically to waterproof walls poured, precast, or concrete masonry constructions.
However, suppose your moisture issues are serious enough for professional inspection and advice before trying full-scale waterproofing. In that case, this multistep procedure may include outdoor work to improve drainage around the foundation as well as the installation of a sump pump.
Hydraulic Cement
Hydraulic cement is an efficient waterproofing product for small cracks, holes, and gaps that dries quickly. It is simple to apply with a caulking gun. When appropriately used, hydraulic cement will seal water leaks and radon gas emissions from within buildings. Before applying hydraulic cement, you should clean out the area to remove existing coatings. This step is crucial as other waterproofing products require clean surfaces to adhere correctly; a paint remover and wire brush can help achieve this aim if you do not own a pressure washer.
Before beginning, be sure to wear rubber gloves and a face mask, as hydraulic cement contains silica that may cause lung problems when inhaled. Also, it’s advisable to seal off the basement where you plan on applying hydraulic cement and make no further entries until after its setting time has elapsed.
Once dampened with water from either a spray bottle or bucket, hydraulic cement is used to dampen the area, and a trowel is used to apply pressure over its entire surface area. Starting at the top of a crack and working your way down using firm pressure until all cracks have been completely sealed with hydraulic cement, smooth away any excess with a trowel to achieve smooth results.
Crack Filler
Professional basement crack repair companies typically recommend polyurethane-based products as an effective means to seal wall cracks due to their superior strength, bonding properties, and flexibility. Homeowners may attempt to use caulking or cement instead; these solutions usually are ineffective; over time, the caulking erodes and falls away, allowing water to continue permeating through and potentially leading to lasting structural damage to your foundation walls and foundation.
One effective method for protecting basement walls against moisture is installing gutters and downspouts to redirect excess water away from your foundation and walls, especially during stormy weather. Another excellent way to keep moisture at bay in your basement is by implementing an interior basement waterproofing barrier.
Cracked basement walls that remain untreated create an environment conducive to mold and mildew growth, leading to musty odors throughout your home, mold spores circulating throughout the entire residence, and possibly being harmful to those suffering from asthma or allergies. Furthermore, water will seep through through these cracks into the concrete slab below, leading to further degradation of both walls and foundation.
Paint
Before beginning to paint the basement walls, they must first be thoroughly cleaned. You want to start with an even surface that will adequately adhere to paint without easily peeling back off later on. A scrub brush soaked in soapy water should do just the trick for this step; any previous coats of paint may require removal with wire brushing or sandblasting, depending on its condition.
Cracked walls require filling immediately to prevent water from seeping through and disrupting your project’s long-term goals. Hydraulic cement works best, though crack filler can do the job just as well if that proves prohibitively expensive.
Once you’ve filled in any holes or cracks in the wall, painting should begin. Priming is recommended, as this helps the paint adhere better and prevents stains from bleeding through. Masonry sealant works well as an option, and concrete primer may also work. When applying paint, thick coats should be applied, and allow enough time for each one to dry completely before moving on to painting the next one.
Keep in mind that waterproofing walls through a basement does not equate to waterproofing the foundation itself; interior waterproofing coatings serve to halt moisture infiltration; they do nothing to address its root cause: too much soil moisture outside.
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