Wet Basement? Your Solution is to Remediate From Outside the Home.

Moisture in basements is a common issue that can cause significant damage to a home's foundation, walls, and structural integrity. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to costly repairs, including mold growth and foundation cracks. Homeowners often consider applying basement waterproofing paints to the inside of the walls to fix this issue. However, this solution can exacerbate the problem rather than resolve it.

Waterproofing coatings are designed to prevent water from penetrating the basement wall. However, when these paints are applied to the inside of the wall, they can trap moisture inside. Moisture in basement walls comes from excessive soil moisture. 

Concrete that is exposed to excessive moisture for prolonged periods, will experience degradation, including cracking, spalling, and other forms of damage. This can cause the foundation to become unstable, and it can even eventually lead to the collapse of the structure.

Additionally, excess moisture in the wall can cause foundation wall cracks to form during freeze-thaw cycles. When water freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the wall. If there is excess moisture in the wall, this pressure can cause cracks to form, leading to further damage and moisture penetration.

Instead of relying on basement waterproofing paints, traditional waterproofing methods are preferred because they are substantially more effective at preventing damage to the wall while also keeping the basement dryer when compared to coatings applied to the interior of the basement. 

Excavating the exterior of the home and applying waterproofing coatings or peel-and-stick membranes are some of the most popular methods. Additionally, re-grading the yard and adding drainage provisions can help de-water the area around the home. However, re-grading is often a much larger project than most homeowners realize. Oftentimes re-grading isn’t as simple as just adding soil. Furthermore, adding soil around a house, especially if the soil contacts brick or siding, can be a bad idea as you should maintain proper clearance between the soil and the siding or brick. 

False water tables are the primary cause of wet basements, deteriorating foundation walls, and cracked floors. Settling soil around foundations topped with permeable landscaping material such as rocks or mulch can contribute to a false water table. It is “false” because it is temporary. It typically lasts for less than a few weeks, and it is the result of a moisture event. A false water table occurs when the backfilled area around your foundation walls becomes saturated and allows the water level to rise causing water to penetrate the basement walls. 

To prevent saturated soils and false water tables, downspout extensions are an important building component. They should be extended at least six feet away from the home to prevent water from pooling around the foundation. Additionally, adding dry wells, French drains, curtain drains, and sub-surface downspout extension drains can assist in moving moisture far enough away from the structure to prevent foundation moisture issues. When adding drainage always include provisions to daylight drain terminations. Daylighting the drain terminations makes sure the drain can function properly when it is operating at or near capacity and assists in ease of maintenance.  

In conclusion, basement moisture is a serious problem that requires careful consideration and planning to resolve. While basement waterproofing paints may seem like a simple solution, they can actually make the problem worse by trapping moisture in the wall. Traditional waterproofing methods such as excavating the exterior of the home, regrading the yard, and adding drainage are often more effective. Homeowners should know about false water tables and the importance of downspout extensions and additional drainage solutions to prevent basement moisture issues. If you are having moisture issues give us a call today to discuss what options are best suited to your property.