Waterproofing Basement and Crawlspace Foundations

Waterproofing the foundation of your home is vital to ensuring the stability of the structure and protecting the contents that are kept inside. In order to properly waterproof a foundation, it is necessary to not only seal the interior and exterior walls, but also any crawl spaces that may allow for water seepage.

Waterproof the exterior of a home by applying a sealant to the foundation walls. Be sure to pay special attention to any areas that seem to be susceptible to leakage or seepage. It is also important to unclog all down spouts or gutters or point water runoff away from the foundation. It also helps to create a slope in the soil that surrounds the foundation in order to drain water away from the home.

Interior basement walls should be scrubbed free of mildew or mold and then primed with a waterproofing paint that is suitable for the surface. Two to three coats of a sealant may be necessary.

Crawl space foundations are easily waterproofed by gluing a thick sheet of plastic to the ground and walls. This will help keep ground water from leaking in through the crawl space. Drylok may also be applied to the walls of a crawl space to further prevent water damage.

See also: Preventing Basement Moisture