Waterproofing a basement may seem like a daunting task, especially if you aren't used to doing home improvement activities. However, like anything, if you are good at following instructions then you will be able to achieve a result that is very much desirable. I have written a guide to waterproofing that is very easy to follow, and will have your basement safe from floods in no time at all. So, if you have been thinking about waterproofing your basement, read on and find out about how you can make it happen. Even if you are not inclined towards home projects, give it a try.
First you need to get the necessary equipment to waterproof your basement. A sprayer pump is always helpful, unless you want to use a sprayer bottle. You can rent these for fairly cheap. Try a paint shop or a large scale home improvement store. Next, you will need to get an appropriate amount of curing sealant. If you examine the container, it will tell you how much you need compared to how much square footage you have. Measure your basement and determine the square footage of the ceiling and floors that you wish to seal. Buy the appropriate amount, and set up the pump.
Start spraying in the corner furthest from the door. Spray as even as possible. When you move your arm up and down the wall, don't pause at the bottom, or you will get excesses of sealant, and possibly drips running down the wall. Cure a section of the wall, then move on to the next one. After you have all of the walls done, move to the floor. Spray the sealant as you walk, and make sure you plan your exit route so that you don't wall yourself in with sealant. After you have sprayed everything, you just have to wait for it to soak into the concrete and dry. Some types of sealants require you to go back and do another coat, and some are fine with just 1 coat.
After you have waterproofed the inside of your basement, you should pay some attention to the outside. If rain is being routed directly to the foundation, your chances of flooding are much higher. Adjust your drainage pipes if you need to, and get the water flowing as far away from your house as possible.
As you can see, these steps are very easy to follow for anyone. I suggest talking to your neighbors and seeing if they have dealt with any flooding issues. See what their past experiences have been, as well as what sort of methods they have used to curb the flooding. If you determine that you live in an area where you run the risk of having a flooded basement, then you should waste no time in getting the materials and tools you need to do what I have described. You will be able to have peace of mind when it comes to whether or not your basement is safe from flooding. For more tips on basement waterproofing check out www.WaterproofingYourBasement.com.
Published by Rob Bernabe on March 9, 2008 04:31 PM
