Construction & Contractors Blog
Is your basement often moist and wet? Then hiring a home basement waterproofing service is probably a smart idea. You could also go about waterproofing the basement on your own. Whichever approach you choose, you will want to avoid the following mistakes along the way:
Mistake #1: Acting before you determine where the water is coming from
If you immediately take action by painting the walls or putting a barrier down over the floor, you're skipping an important step. You need to first determine where the water is coming from so that you can address the cause of the moisture. Otherwise, you are just putting a bandaid on the problem and not actually addressing it.
Mistake #2: Fixing the basement when it's wet outside
If you work on your basement when it is wet outside, then your basement is also going to be at its wettest. This will make mortar and sealers less likely to stick, and it will interfere with the curing of any coatings you apply. It's best to wait until a nice, dry week rolls around to waterproof your basement. The late summer tends to be a better season for basement work than the spring.
Mistake #3: Not installing a dehumidifier
Installing a dehumidifier should actually be one of the first things you do when you start trying to waterproof your basement. Let it run for a few days before you take any other waterproofing steps. It will also be important for your dehumidifier to run even after you've made some waterproofing upgrades. The appliance will remove any residual moisture from the air, and there is almost always some residual moisture, even after you have sealed the walls and floors.
Mistake #4: Applying the sealer over painted walls
The sealer typically used to waterproof basement walls should not be applied over paint. It won't properly adhere to the concrete with a layer of paint in there. If your walls or floor are painted, you will need to treat the walls with muriatic acid before applying the waterproofer. This won't fully remove the paint, but it will remove the components of the paint that would interfere with the sealer.
Waterproofing a basement is a pretty big task. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the details and are afraid you might make an error, then hire a professional. They'll take the pressure off so you can get back to enjoying your home.
For additional information on basement waterproofing, reach out to a local waterproofing service.
Share31 July 2020
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
