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Posted on: 31 March 2023

If you have a small yard or expensive landscaping you don't want destroyed, you may not want exterior waterproofing done since it tears up your yard. Instead, you can choose interior basement waterproofing that is just as effective but spares your yard from damage. Your basement will be disrupted, but when the work is done, your basement will look completely normal so you can use it as a living space that stays dry. Here's what to know about interior basement waterproofing.

You Can Waterproof The Walls

The walls of your basement might need to be waterproofed since hydrostatic pressure can cause water to seep through concrete. The first step is to seal all the cracks by injecting epoxy into them. This plugs the cracks so water can't get through. After that, your contractor might apply a waterproof coating that blocks water from seeping through the concrete.

You Can Install A Sump Pump

A sump pump has a basin that collects water that the pump pushes back outside. If your contractor doesn't plan to install drains too, the basin needs to be installed in the lowest part of the basement to catch water before it spreads over the floor. As the water rises during a rainy spell, the water enters the basin. When the water gets high enough inside the basin, the pump is triggered to come on and pump the water out.

The floor of your basement has to be broken up so the basin can be buried underneath it. The basin has to be lower than the slab so it can collect the water and pump it out before the water gets too high and gets in your basement.

You Can Install Drains

To ensure your pump works effectively, the waterproofing contractor might install drains that catch water and feed it to the basin. If you'll be using your basement for a living area, you may want the most effective interior basement waterproofing method possible.

A drain and sump pump system is a good way to keep water out of your basement as long as the sump pump is always operational. This usually requires a battery backup system so the pump continues to work when the power goes out.

The drains need to be buried under the basement floor to collect water as it rises from the soil. The drains then funnel the water toward the sump basin where it collects until the pump is triggered to turn on.

Your contractor can help you decide on the best interior basement waterproofing method for your home depending on how much water gets in your basement, where it comes from, and your budget for the project. 

For more information about interior basement waterproofing, contact a local company.