Basement Waterproofing: Steps, Solutions, and Tips for a Dry Home

Basement water trouble is one of the most common issues homeowners encounter. Even if you don’t live in a location especially prone to flooding, one serious weather event can overwhelm your home’s defenses and lead to water damage. Failing to maintain your basement’s waterproofing can lead to mold growth, corrosion, and musty odors. In especially bad cases, basement water issues can even cause structural damage. 

This article outlines how you can assess your basement for inadequate waterproofing. It also recommends a variety of basement waterproofing solutions to help you maintain a dry, safe, and healthy home.

Importance of a Dry Basement for Home Health

It doesn’t necessarily take a full-fledged flood to cause basement water damage. Slow but steady leaks or even persistent condensation can be enough to invite problems. A damp interior environment can lead to a host of issues that can be challenging and expensive to remedy.

• Mold and mildew. Mold and mildew thrive in wet environments. Mild cases of mold and mildew can result in discoloration to your walls and ceiling, musty odors, and stained personal belongings. Out-of-control mold growth can lead to structural rot, and the abundance of spores can impair your home’s air quality and contribute to a variety of respiratory maladies.

Ridding your basement of mold or mildew isn’t always easy. Scrubbing mildew is a nuisance and takes some elbow grease, but severe mold problems can cost thousands to resolve.

• Rust and wood rot. A damp basement can foster the corrosion of exposed metal. If your pipes or steel heating or plumbing appliances are afflicted, you could face systemic malfunction that requires expensive repair. Wooden studs, joists, and framing are also susceptible to water damage. Prolonged exposure to moisture will lead to rot and deterioration, and the wood will eventually need to be replaced. 
   
• Foul odors. That familiar smell of a musty basement is because of moisture and humidity allowing for the proliferation of mold and mildew. 
   
• Damaged furnishings and personal belongings. A damp or leaky basement will quickly ruin any furniture or stored personal effects in the room. Books, cushions, and fabrics will absorb musty odors and suffer discoloration. Wood, paper, and other materials will warp. Adhesives will deteriorate. And mold, mildew, and musty odors are pervasive. It is very hard to rid fabric of that musty odor once it sets in. 
   
• Structural damage. If the corrosion is serious enough, your home can suffer structural damage. Rotting studs or joists can lead to collapsed walls or ceilings. 
   
• Pest problems. Many household pests are attracted to damp and dark environments. Installing exterior basement waterproofing is an effective method of preventing and minimizing pests indoors. 
   
• Reduced home values. A downstream effect of the problems listed above is a reduction in home value. Real estate experts will quote lower appraisal values for homes with inadequate waterproofing. Potential buyers may also pass on an otherwise fine home if the basement has suffered water damage or is at risk of flooding.
  
  

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Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing

Sometimes the need for waterproofing basement walls, floors, or ceilings is obvious, but there are some more subtle signs to watch out for too. Here are some potential problems that should catch your attention:

• Mold, mildew, and mustiness. Any visible mildew or mold is a sure sign that the moisture content in your basement is too high. If you don’t see any mold or mildew but detect a musty odor, there could be fungal growth in the walls, ceiling, or other less obvious places. 
   
• Water stains and discoloration. Dark stains near windows and exterior walls is a certain indicator that your basement is not properly waterproofed. 
   
• Efflorescence. Be aware of any white and powdery or chalky residue in your basement, particularly on stone or concrete surfaces. This could be efflorescence, which is essentially a salty mineral deposit that is left behind after water leaches through a porous material. The presence of efflorescence in your basement means water is getting past your home’s defenses. 
   
• Warping or swelling wood. High humidity levels can cause wood to expand and warp out of shape. Periodically check your basement’s door and window framing. If the doors or windows jam, or if the framing is visibly misshapen, your basement is too damp. 
   
• Damaged paint or wallpaper. Bubbling and bulging behind paint and wallpaper suggest water leaks. Excess humidity can also cause paint and wallpaper to peel back from the wall. 
   
• Condensation. Keep an eye out for beading moisture or condensation on your basement windows and windowsills. You may notice it at certain times of the year, or in the mornings or evenings when outdoor temperatures change. 

Causes of Basement Water Leaks

The presence of water in your basement could have several causes. If you suspect a leak, consider the following possibilities:

• Damaged water pipes
• Poorly sealed entry and exit points for pipes that come from or lead outside
• Faulty or malfunctioning sump pumps
• Fine cracks in the basement walls, floor, or foundation
• Gaps in window and door framing

You may find that your basement is excessively humid, but there is no running or dripping water from an obvious source. This could be due to poor ventilation or airflow, allowing humid air to stagnate in your basement. It could also be caused by poor insulation or inadequate window glass that allow for condensation to form indoors.

How to Waterproof Your Basement

To make your basement a dry environment, your first step should be to determine if there is an obvious water leak or if your basement is just prone to humidity. Here are some steps to consider if your basement is humid:

• Use a dehumidifier. Perhaps the most obvious solution is to use a quality dehumidifier to extract moisture from the air and keep humidity levels at around 50%. Be sure to check on the dehumidifier regularly to empty the reservoir and ensure that it is operating properly. 
   
• Improve your ventilation. Allowing air to flow freely through your basement will facilitate evaporation and help to equalize humid air and dry air elsewhere in your home. When the weather permits, you can simply open a window. Alternatively, you can install an exhaust fan or use basic standing fans to keep air moving. 
   
• Insulate your basement. Using foam insulation on basement walls can help to seal out moisture, reducing the relative humidity in your basement.

Alternative solutions are required if water is seeping in from the ground surrounding your basement. A dehumidifier alone won’t cut it. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a flood, first use a wet/dry vac to remove any water. Thoroughly dry your basement as best you can with old towels, dehumidifiers, and fans. Then consider preventative options to avoid flooding in the future. Here are some possibilities:

• Check your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters will cause rainwater to cascade down the side of your home and oversaturate the earth surrounding your home’s foundation. Truncated downspouts will deposit water too close to your home’s foundation as well, essentially defeating their very purpose. Clear your gutters at least twice a year to ensure that water is channeled to the downspouts. Consider installing downspout extenders, splash guards, drainage basins, or ground-level gutters to direct water away from the side of your home. 
   
• Regrade your lawn. If your lawn slopes toward your home, even slightly, water will naturally flow straight to your foundation. You can work with a landscape architect to regrade your lawn, thereby redirecting water away from your home. Another option is to install a French drain, or an open channel to redirect rainwater, snowmelt, and runoff.  
   
• Seal your home’s exterior. For additional protection from the elements, consider an exterior seal. This involves removing the soil around the perimeter of your home’s foundation before applying a sealant or installing a waterproof membrane. Setting a drainage board at the foundation’s base can direct water that is repelled by the membrane away from your home. After the install is complete, refill the trench around the foundation with the excavated soil. 
   
• Seal interior cracks and other openings. Interior sealing is essential to keeping a dry basement as well. Inspect your basement’s floor and walls for any cracks, even fine ones. Use hydraulic cement to fill any gaps.

Also check the spaces around your basement doors and windows. Use silicone caulk to form a waterproof seal. 

• Install a sump pump or interior drainage system. If your basement is especially prone to flooding and the above strategies are untenable, you may need to consider installing a sump pump. Regular and moderate to severe flooding will probably require a submersible pump, which is more expensive and somewhat complicated to install. If your flooding is less serious, you may be able to get away with a pedestal pump, which is cheaper and makes for easier sump pump maintenance.

You may want to also install an interior drainage system. This involves digging a channel where water tends to collect and installing a gutter or perforated pipe to channel water to your sump pump.

Basement Waterproofing Costs and Budgeting Tips

It isn’t too difficult to keep your basement waterproofing cost within a manageable budget. If your home isn’t too prone to flooding, try some of the cheaper waterproofing solutions first. Buy a standard dehumidifier and use some caulk to seal any cracks and gaps around doors and windows. From there, consider options to improve ventilation and attend to your gutters and downspouts. If you continue to experience issues, work with a contractor to explore installing a sump pump, drainage system, or exterior foundation seal. In essence, try the more affordable and simpler options first before upgrading to more expensive fixes.

And remember that your home warranty coverage can help you save money as well. A Liberty Home Guard plan, for example, can help you to affordably maintain your sump pump and keep your gutters clear year round. Call (833)-545-5590 to learn more.