Damaged foundation waterproofing of a house under construction. Badly installed dimpled waterproof, moisture foundation membrane coming off the basement. Foundation waterproofing mistakes.

5 Need-To-Know Basement Waterproofing Mistakes To Avoid

Waterproofing is a great way to avoid having an unwanted flood in your basement. As it’s usually below ground level, installing drains and applying sealant materials are essential.

It’s crucial to avoid decay and molds because the gaps in the structure are prone to moisture and wetness. Significant damages to the infrastructures might also be caused by hydrostatic pressure forced through minor cracks.

Various techniques are safer and more effective when it comes to waterproofing your basement. Most people prefer to do it themselves as it’s cheaper than hiring someone to do the work.  Consequently, it might lead to some minor mistakes that might become a bigger problem in the future if not addressed properly. Here are five need-to-know basement waterproofing mistakes to avoid:

1. Relying Heavily On Paint

Using paint to protect basement walls from damage isn’t a bad idea. It’s easy to apply and it’s a cost-effective way of waterproofing your basement. Waterproof paint can be used directly on the walls, and it’s able to block moisture. It’s a barrier for vapor, and oil-based paints wouldn’t allow water to pass through.

While some types of paint can be bought at a lower price, you need to ensure that it’s within proper standards. Relying on substandard paint to waterproof your basement may also lead to more problems in the future. Since it’s painted, it might result in shedding after a few years, and you’d need to reapply it again. Although that’s the case, using a paint can be your first step to prepare for unwanted damage.

There are various types of waterproof paint that you can use. Here are some of them:

  • Epoxy Paint

It’s a water-resistant and durable type of paint that’s usually used on garages or basements. It’s mixed with epoxy, a kind of plastic resin commonly used in buildings and construction materials because the paint hardens quickly after it’s put on a surface. Although higher quality means a higher price, it’s common to see standard cost-effective epoxy paints available for home use.

  • Acrolein Elasticized Paint

It’s a waterproof paint that prevents mildew, bacteria, and molds from growing because of its moisture. The compound is usually mixed with acrylic paint because it’s toxic and may cause damage to the skin as well as irritate the lungs and throat.

  • Masonry Paint

It’s primarily formed to stick to different surfaces, including concrete, brick, and other hard exteriors. It’s easily cleaned using soap and water as a ceramic material waterproofs it with latex, preventing various forms of liquid from passing through.

Although it’s a cheap and convenient way to waterproof your basements, most people don’t recommend using paint if the floors and walls have minor leaks or cracks. It’s effective for preventing various problems, but it isn’t necessarily a treatment for damaged exteriors. Incorporating it with other waterproofing techniques may be an excellent way to maximize the prevention of future damages.

2. Quickly Draining The Basement

Most people prefer draining their basements as soon as possible, but it might result in more damage. As some floods are overflows from rivers or other large bodies of water, there might be pressure applied from outside the walls. If you clear it too quickly, the water outside can force itself on leaks or gaps of your walls and may result in severe damage to your basement. Waiting for the water outside your house to subside may be the best way to help you avoid damage to your building’s foundation.

3. Sealing Basement Cold Joints

Some homeowners use hydraulic cement to try and cover the part where the water enters the basement. It may be unaesthetic, but it helps release the extra water pressure on walls. It may also cause the water to relocate to another part of your basement that might result in more work. Furthermore, installing a waterproofing system in your basement will require you to take out the hydraulic cement from the joints.

4. Not Installing A Proper Drainage System

Most people ignore the fact that proper drainage systems are essential to avoid constant clogging of your basement. When waterproofing, a standard drainage system will prevent additional flooding and avoid your basement’s foundation from absorbing it, which may soften the soil below.


Various types of water drainage systems are available, and each of them is installed and placed differently. Here are the following:

  • Interior French Drains

It’s a draining system that’s effective in removing excess water flow and works better when used with a sump pump system. It’s installed in trenches created within the basement that help dry out your basement quickly. It’s more expensive to set up, but most people agree that it’s worth the money.

  • Exterior Drain Tiles

Also known as a French drain or weeping tile, most people who like DIYs prefer this method as it’s just made of perforated pipes and gravel. It’s a drainpipe outside your house around the foundation of your perimeter that helps in rerouting rainwater and groundwater.

  • Sump Pumps

It’s a basement drainage system made with pieces that float to trigger a motor pump when it’s lifted by excess water. The water is then redirected to another place outside your house. Most people recommend using sump pumps together with other drainage systems to maximize their efficiency. It’s a very convenient system that’s efficient in removing large quantities of water, but it requires the help of electricity to function.

  • Submersible Sump Pumps

It’s a system that involves a submerged sump pump inside a large ditch on the floor of your basement. The water level is monitored by a floating piece that triggers the underwater motor installed below it to pump the water outside your home. Most people prefer it because it’s a quieter choice than its counterpart.

  • Pedestal Sump Pumps

It holds the motor above the ditch and requires only a small area and less excavation for its hole. It’s less efficient than its counterpart and makes a lot of noise since the motor isn’t submerged. Even if that’s the case, most people prefer this because it requires less digging and is cheaper to install than the submerged version.

  • Floor Drains

It usually involves grates installed on your basement floors, which collects the water from above and transfers it to sump pumps through drains. Slopes are made so that the water flows toward it, which means they can help remove excess water from any part of your basement, including dehumidifiers or water heater leaks.

  • Window Drains

Usually, storm-window frames have to weep holes that prevent water from going inside your house. To minimize water seeping through your windows, it’s recommended to combine it with window drains. This combination will help the rainwater water be redirected to the outside of your home to prevent unwanted flooding.

5. Not Considering External Landscapes

Most people concentrate on waterproofing their basement that they forget about external factors. When waterproofing, it’s essential to consider that the landscape outside of your home needs to be able to reroute water away from your home. For example, older homes have service walks that settle deeper to the ground as time goes by. If not repaired or removed, the concrete won’t allow the water to be rerouted away from your house.

The soil or concrete outside your home should be sloped to avoid water flowing inside your home. If you have a driveway, most people recommend redirecting water from gutters and downspouts. You can also dig a trench to drain any excess water in your driveway, so water won’t flood inside your home or basement. It may also be better if you’re able to install an in-driveway drain, together with a swale beside the driveway, to ensure maximum drainage. Some homeowners also use water-permeable surfaces on their driveways so the soil below can help absorb excess water.

Takeaway

Waterproofing your basement can be a long but rewarding process. It’s important to gather further information to ensure that you apply the proper techniques and avoid mistakes. If you’re thinking of using paint, opting out of cheap substandard paint can be helpful to prevent future problems with the walls and concrete. It’s a very significant way to avoid molds, bacteria, and other things from growing in your basement, so it’s essential to choose wisely.

Proper drainage systems are also essential since it’s one of the most crucial parts that helps in waterproofing your basement. Using multiple drainage systems at the same time can be helpful to prevent unwanted floods and damage to your infrastructure. Leaving the seams of your basement alone will also be a challenge since it’s an unaesthetic choice, but it helps your walls relieve excess pressure.

Overall, waterproofing your basement requires you to plan and apply cautiously to avoid unwanted results. It’s also recommended to seek the guidance of experts since they can recommend the right system or technique to use in your basement. Proper planning and advice will be able to help you minimize or prevent damage to your property. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare for your waterproofing project.

  1. It really helped when you talked about basement waterproofing and how you should add a drainage system too! Recently, my wife and I decided we’d like to turn our basement into a home theater area. We think it’d be wise to waterproof our basement before starting our project, so we’ll be sure to look into it! Thanks for the advice on water drainage systems and their role in a basement’s waterproofing process.

  2. It’s awesome that this article talked about waterproof paint being able to block moisture and may be applied straight to the walls. I’m glad that you explain it thoroughly and now it makes more sense. You did a great job of explaining waterproofing.

  3. Thank you for the excellent article! I’d like to add that I believe one of the main reasons homeowners choose basement waterproofing is to strengthen the foundation of their home. This article is extremely beneficial. Thanks!

  4. I didn’t know that water damage could be such a threat for basements. It would be a good idea for me to get a professional to waterproof it for me. It would be nice to not have to worry about water damage and mold down stairs.

  5. I like how you mentioned that wetness and moisture in your property could always lead to mold. Yesterday, my father informed me that he was hoping to find a solution as they have molds in their basement walls and floors because of water leaks, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. Thanks to this informative article, I’ll be sure to tell him that he can consult a basement waterproofing service as they can provide more information about the process of waterproofing.

  6. It captured me the most when you discussed that the French drain works better when utilized with a sump pump system. My friend told me that their basement is always damped. I should advise her to hire a basement repair expert to fix the problem.

  7. I appreciate that you talked about being able to release extra water pressure on walls even if sealing components don’t look aesthetically pleasing. Personally, I will invest in waterproofing services for my future home even if it might not go smoothly with the overall look of the property. Since I plan to live near a lake or river, I should prioritize the protection of the property and then just find ways to cover them up and make the rooms look nice.

  8. I like that you talked about submersible pumps that would pump water out of your home when the alarm there is triggered. I can imagine how that kind of system would be a good investment for my home, especially when I live near the lake. We should probably hire an underwear construction company to install that under the basement to ensure that we will not get flooded down there at any circumstance.

  9. Thanks for pointing out that steel trench drains in the basement would help keep the area dry as much as possible. I guess I have to include that in the plans when I hire contractors this month. We need to get that part of the house renovated this time, because it has been flooded recently due to the hurricane in our area.

  10. There are a few basement waterproofing mistakes that are commonly made which can lead to serious problems down the line. One of the most common mistakes is not properly repairing the back wall of the basement. This wall is typically the most vulnerable to water damage and if it is not repaired correctly, water can easily seep in and cause extensive damage.

  11. I like the tip that you gave that the wetness of a structure could turn into mold and damage it. My brother mentioned the other day that he was hoping to find a solution to prevent molds in their basement walls and floors because of water leaks. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. I’ll tell him he can consult a basement waterproofing service as they can provide information about the process of waterproofing. I appreciate this instructive article.

  12. Thanks so much for talking about materials not to use when trying to waterproof your home. My brother is worried about a flood in his basement and he doesn’t want to deal with the reparation costs. We’ve been looking into finding a company we can hire to help him ensure the basement of his house is properly waterproofed.

  13. I like the tip you gave that you could consider covering the open spaces of your basement using a basement waterproofing solution to prevent leaking. My brother mentioned the other day that he hoped to find a solution to prevent molds in their basement walls and floors because of water leaks. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. I’ll tell him he can consult a basement waterproofing service as they can provide information about the waterproofing process. I appreciate this instructive article.

  14. Internal Water Drainage: This technique is among the best for water proofing. A drainage system can be installed to prevent water buildup. The drainage system directs water away from the basement floor and out of the foundation footers.

  15. This is an excellent piece of information. Please continue producing such valuable content. If you are seeking professional services, we encourage you to explore our offerings and benefit from the expertise we provide.

  16. Thank you for sharing your insights about Waterproofing is a great way to avoid having an unwanted flood in your basement. As it’s usually below ground level, installing drains and applying sealant materials are essential.. Looking forward to more content from you.”

  17. Learning about the ways a basement can be approached in order to waterproof it was quite helpful. A simple insulation barrier might not be enough, so applying these things you talked about could indeed be the best way to keep that area safe from humidity issues. Once I find a basement waterproofing expert in the area, I’ll ask them for some help with this right away.

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