A dry and warm basement in your home can be an excellent storage, gym, playroom, or even a living room. However, due to its proximity to the soil and downspout drainage, water may pool around it and easily seep through holes, cracks, or mortars. This may damage your household items, the actual structure of your home, and create an unhealthy atmosphere for you and your loved ones. To prevent and combat such hurdles, waterproofing is an efficient and economical step to avert basement dampness. Here’s how to waterproof your basement.
What Is Required To Waterproof A Basement?
When it comes to basement areas and making sure that they are waterproof, hiring a professional is always the first 
option. However, if you want to save some money and choose to do it yourself, you need the following items:
- Waterproofing mix
- Stiff brush
- Wire brush
- A household solution
- Caulk gun
- Masonry caulk or hydraulic cement
The procedures to basement waterproofing include the following steps.
Check The Perimeter
Damaged gutters are the main source of basement dampness. Therefore, replace or repair any rusted, leaking, or clogged gutters to avoid drainage problems, and water pools next to the foundation of the house. This can be done by removing dirt and debris, applying a touch of caulk to the leaks, tightening the elbow connectors at the downspouts, or adding screws on the gutters to secure connections.
Diverting Water Away From The Basement
Create a relatively small slope from the outside of your house foundation. You can rake and move dirt around the foundation edges to create the gradient. This ensures that the water runoff is directed away from the basement. You can also put gutter splash block pads or attach flexible extensions at the bottom of the downspouts to carry water at least five feet away from the foundation.
Remove Old Paint And Clean The Affected Area In The Basement
Many waterproof mixes will not stick properly to painted and dirty walls. You ought to remove any old paint by wire brushing, sanding, or sandblasting using a household solution to remove all debris and dirt.
Repair Cracks And Holes
Use a caulk gun to smear masonry caulk or hydraulic cement into the holes or cracks until you cover them completely. If the hole is deeper than one inch, you should place a small piece of insulation in it to act as a foundation for the caulk. Then, using a putty knife, you can smooth out the area.
Apply The Waterproofing Mix
Most waterproofing mixes are made of epoxy or latex. While many require you to add some water, make sure that you mix it as provided by the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, using a stiff brush, apply the mix on the wall in a circular motion to ensure that it adheres evenly. Feather the coating at the edges until you have covered the entire affected area.
Reapply The Coat
Allow the first coat of waterproofing mix to dry thoroughly and then apply a second layer, which should also be
even and complete.
Be Careful Where The Mix Is Applied
Most waterproofing mixes do not adhere well to wet surfaces. Smear it to a fully dried surface. When applying the waterproofing mix, start from the bottom of the wall, move towards the top, and then back to the bottom. Once you are done, consider repainting the area for appearance purposes.
To avoid expensive repairs in your home, you should make efforts to keep the basement dry. Waterproofing your basement goes a long way not only in preventing the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew caused by dampness but also by adding value to your overall home.
