How to Waterproof a Basement

To waterproof a basement is a laborious task since you need to waterproof the basement walls and the basement floor. You also have to patch up all of the basement cracks that you find to inhibit water from coming into your basement. Hiring a professional plumber to do the waterproofing of your basement is expensive. Below are the materials that you need along with the instructions on how to waterproof a basement yourself and save money in the process.

Step 1-Repairing Holes/Cracks

Inspect the basement area to locate any holes and cracks. Repair very small cracks with waterproofing mix. Bigger cracks should be patched up using mortar mixture. Mortar mixture is combining one part cement to two parts fine sand with the right amount of water to create a mixture of somewhat firm constancy.

Step 2-Applying Mortar Mix

Brush on mortar mixture on cracks and holes where water gets absorbed into the wall using a trowel or putty knife. If pressure is seen that makes water enter the wall, break off the area by using a chipping chisel or hammer along the whole length of the crack and hole. Once chipping off is done, apply mortar mixture and level out the surface with a trowel.

Step 3-Treating Trapped Water

If you find trapped water in the exterior of your basement wall, insert a weep pipe into the area where there is trapped water. Apply mortar mixture into the crack where the pipe is installed. Allow the mortar to completely set. Take out the pipe and patch up the hole using the mortar mix.

Step 4-Moistening Walls

Damp the basement walls using a hose. Adjust the nozzle of the hose to fine spray. Make sure there is no standing water on the surface prior to waterproofing mix application.

Step 5-Waterproofing the Basement Wall

Prepare your waterproofing mixture according to the manufacturer's instruction. Brush the waterproof mix to the walls in a circular direction with the use of a stiff brush. Application of the waterproof mix should start from the bottom of the wall, working your way up. Additional coats may be added by carefully brushing from the bottom again. Only apply at the areas where there are leaks covering these completely. When the coating dries up, spray the walls with water and allow it to set for half a day.

Step 6-Floor Preparation for Waterproofing

Using a garden hose, wet down the area of the basement floors as soon as the walls are fully dried up. Waterproof mixture may be applied to the basement after determining any leaking problem by the flooring. Clean floors before application.

Step 7-Floor Waterproofing

Apply the waterproof mixture on the floor of your basement in the same manner that you applied the waterproofing mixture on your basement walls. Use more than one coat of waterproofing mix on your basement floor. Make sure to allow each coat to dry before adding the extra coat of waterproofing mix.