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Construction and Contractors: All in a Day's Work

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Construction and Contractors: All in a Day's Work

Can you imagine being a contractor? You start you morning by picking up supplies at the local building store. You drop off those supplies at one job site, and then you drive to another job site where you spend four hours mudding drywall. As that dries, you make calls to some of your suppliers, and then you meet with a client about a new job across town. As evening rolls in, you drive back to the other construction site and sand down some of that drywall. If this sound like a fun day to you, then you've stumbled on the right blog! This is a blog about construction, and you'll fit right in.

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Basement Waterproofing: Everything You Need To Know To Keep Water Out Of Your Basement

9 March 2022
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

Basement waterproofing is the process of securing your basement walls so that water cannot seep in. If your basement is leaking or damp, you may have moisture problems. One of these problems could be inadequate waterproofing or simply a flaw in the original construction. It doesn't matter if it's due to an unexpected rainstorm, a plumbing leak in your home, or anything else; having a leaky basement can be an expensive problem to fix because it can lead to mold if things aren't done properly. The following guide will help ensure these things don't happen to your home:

Ventilation

Ventilation plays an important role in keeping basements dry. It helps air circulate through the basement space, which prevents moisture from building up inside. If there's not enough airflow in your basement, then mold can grow on walls and ceilings, causing damage over time.

Sealing 

Sealing basement walls is a critical step in waterproofing. A basement sealer creates an impermeable barrier that keeps moisture out and prevents vapor transmission, helping you create a drier, healthier environment. In fact, sealing your basement during construction is the best way to keep water out of your basement, but if you're not starting from scratch, it's never too late to add a layer of protection.

You have two options when it comes to protecting your basement:

Waterproofers are a type of masonry coating that seals concrete against water penetration and vapor transmission.

Sealers are clear coatings that seal concrete against water penetration and vapor transmission with no changes in appearance. They won't affect the look of your concrete floors or walls.

Once you know which type is best for your needs, it's time to get started.

Drainage

The drainage component of your basement waterproofing design can be either interior or exterior. If there is a high water table, you'll need an exterior drainage system that includes French drains and sump pumps, which are a must-have for any waterproofing system.

Interior drainage systems, on the other hand, are placed in the footing perimeter, where they intercept sub-surface water flowing toward your foundation and divert it to a sump pump. Interior drainage systems simply collect it and pump it out of the house. They work very well in combination with moisture barriers.

Basement waterproofing is essential to keep your home safe and dry. Contact a basement waterproofing service like J.A. Kilby Enterprises Inc if you are having trouble keeping your home dry.