Posted on Saturday, 27th February 2010 by admin
Materials used to waterproof basements can differ a lot in their forms and applications. Some will be available to the public and some may only be available to the trade. Let’s assess the situation and see how we can apply it to your home.
First of all though, you need to be aware that the area you live in also affects the amount of water that’s likely to be around. Materials that you can use will be influenced by the information you collect.
Simple sealants are the first materials for basement waterproofing that people are looking for. In other words, they have a basement that has already had some form of waterproofing applied to it and are looking to patch small damp areas up. RadonSeal being one of the top-end sealants treats poured concrete, mortar in block walls or stone foundations and concrete or cinder blocks.
If the whole basement including the walls and floor are not treated completely with sealant the water is likely to come back in. As it comes with a limited 20-year guarantee, this product is a practical option. The only issue to be aware of here is that the sealant, (not just this one, but all sealants)as water weeping can be avoided from the inside part of the basement. In other words, there could be lots of water pressing against and through whatever materials your cellar walls are made of.
If you have cracks in the wall, you may need to consider other options. If your walls are plaster, then you can simply replace the plaster coating. Throw away loose material and refill
Another option may be to use a stitching materials. These metal staples are stapled across the cracks to prevent or limit further movement. Any type of cement that is not prone to shrinkage can then be used to fill up any cracks.
More serious cracks in the walls or the floor of the basement can be filled with Gunite, a form of concrete that is sprayed on. The special spraying equipment that is required can be rented. The spray that results fills cracks, giving a smooth finish, provided the correct mixture is obtained. But it is still a good choice, because it adhere to most surfaces.
Ultimately, it must be remembered that basement waterproofing materials are not the final, only or the best solutions. In addition, you should be making sure there is as little water as possible getting into the ground water.
Some things to try:
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