3 Steps to Waterproofing Basement Walls

Are you worried about flooding in your basement? Are you looking for a way to maximize your home’s equity?

Unless you live on top of a steep hill, it’s absolutely crucial to waterproof your basement to protect it and your family from the disasters of water damage. Waterproofing can be done in two different ways, either from the outside or from the inside.

This won’t just increase equity and prevent flooding, but it also keeps the whole foundation safe from water damage as well. Keep reading to learn why having a waterproof basement is so crucial to your home’s safety how you can waterproof a basement from outside, inside, or both!

Why Your Basement Needs To Be Waterproofed

Your basement is likely to host appliances like a washing machine and washtub, as well as your home’s main sewage and water drainage system. If one of these systems backs up or pipes leak or burst, you can find yourself knee-deep in massive water damage.

Because your basement is underground, it’s also more susceptible to moisture and exterior flooding caused by heavy rainfall or thawing snow and ice. If your foundation has any cracks or your windows are improperly sealed, this water easily seeps into your home.

Effects of Water Damage

When water enters your home, it soaks into whatever it can, causing excessive damage to wood, fabric, and other porous material that hasn’t been waterproofed.

Leaks and floods don’t just cause soggy carpets and waterlogged wood. The leftover moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew and attracts bugs like earwigs and carpenter ants, all of which cause additional problems in the long run.

Waterproofing A Basement From The Outside

Waterproofing a basement from the outside focuses heavily on preventing any excess water from pooling beside your home, causing the leak or flood in the first place. This means installing drainage systems to help the water flow away from your home.

step 1

Excavation

The first step to waterproofing a basement from the outside is to excavate around your home, right down to the base of your foundation. Make sure you dig a trench wide enough that you can fit inside since you’ll have to get in there to lay the waterproof sealant later.

Also, depending on what you’re using, you will have to dig a trench for those drainage systems to lead away from your home. If possible, dig the trench downhill to a ditch or other natural drainage system near the road. Also, if you live in a rural area, you will most likely need a longer runoff distance in order to reach a ditch, river, or other natural drainage systems.

step 1

Excavation

step 3

Create A Water-Tight Barrier

After you’ve set up additional drainage systems around the outside of your home, you’ll need to create a barrier between your home and the water.

You can do this by using a high-quality waterproof sealant like Liquid Rubber or one of the many different products from Rain Guard to seal your home’s exterior wall material, whether it’s brick, concrete, or wood. It’s also important to use outdoor caulking to make sure that your windows are airtight as well.

If you have a log home, another method of waterproofing your basement from the outside is to use a waterproof natural stain. By doing that, you’re not only creating a water-tight seal, but you’re also brightening up the natural color of the wood.

Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant

Highly Flexible
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This is a great product. I am using on the inside of very old concrete basement walls…..and it appears to be working very well to keep airborne moisture outside the room.

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Waterproofing a Basement From The Inside

Waterproofing a basement from the inside is generally a less expensive and simpler route to take. This method focuses on sealing the whole interior of your basement, including the windows, the doors, and any cracks in the walls.

step 1

Sealing Cracks and Windows

The first step to waterproofing your basement from the inside is to seal off all of the walls and the windows. Go around, and fill in any cracks and spaces in the concrete walls and around the windows with masonry caulking.

step 2

Sealing the Walls

Similar to how you would seal the outside of your home, this step involves getting a strong sealant that is specifically made for the interior concrete walls of your basement. If your basement is already finished, use a sealant for the walls made from wood or drywall panels.

Coat each of the walls in a thick barrier of the sealant. Products like Liquid Rubber won’t need a second coat, but if you’re using something different, make sure to wait at least 24 hours before applying a second coat.

step 3

Create Waterproof Flooring

If your basement floors are concrete, you can use this for the floors as well. However, if you’re doing both, make sure to do the walls first.

Lay the waterproof sealant onto the concrete floors, making sure the whole area has been fully saturated. Wait 24 hours for it to dry and then apply a second coat. The second coat is more important for the floors than for the walls since the floors are more likely to see more water.

step 4

Keeping Moisture Out Forever

Moisture is bound to happen, even in a water-tight sealed basement. Condensation from plumbing and appliance hoses and just the air can bring in unwanted moisture. Use a dehumidifier in the dampest parts of your basement to keep the moisture down to a minimal level.

Waykar 4500 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier

Dehumidifier for Spaces Up to 4500 Sq Ft
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I have a very damp basement where the humidity level gets as high as 85% in the summer. My old dehumidifier didn’t do much to lower the humidity so I researched to find something more effective but not giant and loud. This one seemed to fit the bill.

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